Forestville

With new construction in the past five years, people are moving to Fruit Hill and wider Anderson Township because of its top-rated school district, park system and local events. “There are more starter homes that would be a good fit for families with children because of Maddux Elementary, Beech Acres Park and Anderson RecPlex,” says Justin Jones, a 5-year manager of Imagine Homes. Community lovers will love this area, too, as Beech Acres hosts summer concerts, an art fair and a fireworks festival. If they want more outside time, they might go to one of the township’s 10 parks. Homes have sloping, sometimes-wooded lots, with plenty of room for a dog to play. Shrubs line the mulch beds of front lawns, and cars can park in attached garages or narrow driveways. In older developments, midcentury Cape Cods and split-levels are often renovated and sell between $280,000 and $400,000. Stately colonials move in the 400s and up to $560,000, built in the 1980s and early 2000s. Newly built contemporaries are upwards of $600,000 or $700,000, found in the eastern portion of the neighborhood. The Cincinnati Police Department serves Fruit Hill, and the CAP Index Crime Score is two points below the national average of 4. Families move to Fruit Hill for this highly rated district, one of the top 10 in Cincinnati. Students can start at Maddux or Sherwood Elementary, both rated an A by Niche. They’ll likely travel three miles to Nagel Middle, and Anderson High might be their next stop – these schools also receive As from Niche. Anderson students can select from 15 music courses or join the award-winning “Pride of AHS” bands. “Anderson Township has over 250 acres of green space, and the township does a great job at maintaining all the common areas,” says Chris Waits, a Cincinnati native and 18-year Realtor with Sibcy Cline. “They’re very active in finding ways to improve the community.” Residents can check out the skating bowl and amphitheater at Beech Acres Park, or they might run around the indoor basketball courts at RecPlex nearby. On their next visit, they might sign up for the facility’s summer camps, sports leagues and special events. Frequented as both a hiker’s hangout and a wedding venue, Withrow Nature Preserve has the 1.7 mile Trout Lily Trail that leads right down to the Ohio River. West of the neighborhood, the Little Miami Scenic Bike Trail runs 78 miles, all the way to Xenia. Big Apple Bagels is one of the most popular breakfast spots in Fruit Hill, and adventurous eaters can try its Oreo bagel with cookie dough cream cheese. For dinner, Pelican’s Reef has laid-back seafood and pasta, and local chain Skyline has Cincinnati-style spaghetti chili. Residents can clothes-shop a half-mile east at Anderson Towne Center Mall, where they’ll find Macy’s and Chico’s, and Kroger is right next door for groceries. Most of the neighborhood is walkable to the local shops on Beechmont Avenue. To get to downtown Cincinnati, commuters will drive 13 miles on Interstate 275, just south of the neighborhood. Beech Acres’ summertime Concerts in the Park hosts local musicians, and community artists showcase their work at A Fair of the Arts, accompanied by food and drink vendors. Everyone gathers there in late July for Anderson Day, a weekend-long celebration with fireworks, rides, performances and more. At the winter clock tower lighting, Santa comes to the Towne Center Mall in a red firetruck, bringing vendors and games along with him.

Sitting 15 miles east of downtown Cincinnati, Sherwood is a small neighborhood with a younger feel. “The area is great for younger families and first-time homeowners,” says Amy Hackett Roe, an agent with Coldwell Banker Realty with 14 years of experience in the Cincinnati area. “My younger brother just bought a home in Sherwood because of the schools, nearby parks and the neighborly feel.” The southern edge of the neighborhood features a shopping and dining district which is easily walkable, while Sherwood Elementary is located right in the middle of the community. The northern and western parts of the neighborhood are residential areas with mature trees providing a sense of nature. Single-family homes in Sherwood have a median price point of $315,000 and are mostly split-level builds with some larger brick houses mixed in. “The price point is strong for what you are getting in square footage,” says Hackett Roe. Properties sit on quiet residential streets that often end in cul-de-sacs. Driveways and multi-car garages provide private parking, while large front and back yards are prevalent for gardening and entertaining. The area is mostly flat and has sidewalks that are good for dog walking. Mature oak trees provide shade and color to the neighborhood. Kids in Sherwood attend the highly regarded Forest Hills Local School District, beginning at Sherwood Elementary School. Sherwood holds an A rating on Niche, as does Nagel Middle School. Nagel was also named by Niche as one of the top middle schools in Ohio. Teens go to Anderson High School, which earned an A grade from Niche and was noted as being one of the top schools in the state for athletes. For some outdoor fun, locals visit Beech Acres Park. The large park has a playground and a splash pad for children during the warm summer months. There are volleyball and basketball courts, and many youth sporting events take place on the athletic fields. The entire park is encircled by a paved trail for walking and biking. Local musicians can perform at the park’s amphitheater, and the skatepark is a great place for skateboarding and rollerblading. The M.E. Lyons YMCA is a popular spot for an indoor workout. The facility also has a full-length indoor pool for swimming. Those looking for an intense workout can head to Crunch Fitness. For a night out, there are plenty of dining options in Sherwood. For authentic Mexican, El Coyote is a local favorite. The restaurant has a lighted patio and a festive atmosphere that goes well with the large margaritas. Residents craving seafood can visit Pelican’s Reef, which has a nautical theme with many maritime souvenirs adorning the walls. Goodfellows is a pizza bar where locals can get a personal pie, grab a beer and watch the big game on one of the many televisions. Locals don’t need to venture far for groceries, as Kroger has a location on Beechmont Avenue. Right across Five Mile Road, the Anderson Towne Center has dozens of retail stores, from local boutiques to national outlets. The mall also has an AMC Dine-In theater. This nine-theater AMC location has a full menu and all the latest blockbuster movies. Locals can get around Cincinnati by taking the Go Metro bus system. The bus makes frequent stops near Beechmont Avenue in the southern part of the neighborhood. Those who prefer to drive appreciate the quick access to Interstate 275.