Nicknamed the "Sweetheart of Ohio," Loveland has built a reputation around its Valentine's Day festivities. Couples ride horse-drawn-carriages past street performers during the annual Hearts Afire Weekend, which is typically scheduled in early February, and the city's water towers and park signs display a heart-shaped logo. "Our Hearts Afire event is like Valentine's on steroids," says Dave Kennedy, Loveland's city manager, adding that the planning committee works on the event's details months in advance. "We have ice sculptures and restaurant specials; people come down and renew their vows." Loveland got its start as a vacation town for wealthy Cincinnatians in the mid-1800s, coveted for its views of the Little Miami River. City folk accessed their waterfront cottages via a network of passenger trains; in the 1980s, rusted tracks were converted into part of the Little Miami Scenic Trail. Although the city, now home to approximately 13,000, is no longer the railroad hub it once was, much of Loveland's 19th-century downtown has been preserved: brick buildings line narrow streets, and restaurants attract tired cyclists on their treks between Hamilton, Clermont and Warren counties. Cincinnati is 25 miles away, making Loveland a popular home base for commuters.
Loveland is known as the Sweetheart of Ohio as portrayed on signs throughout the town.
Spend an afternoon fishing on the Little Miami River in Loveland.
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A mix of older homes and brand-new developments
Loveland encompasses three counties: Warren, Hamilton and Clermont. However, rather than house hunting within particular county lines, Keller William Pinnacle Group Realtor Ellie Kowalchik says prospective buyers tend to prioritize housing styles and price points; these can vary dramatically, ranging from early 20th century Foursquares for under $500,000 to sprawling New Traditionals in Outer Loveland, some of which can sell for around $1 million. In Hidden Creek, condos range from around $180,000 to $350,000, and just a few miles east in Northern Heights, mid-century homes hover between $180,000 to $300,000. Downtown Loveland features some of the city's oldest properties, including late 19th-century Victorians, but proximity to the Little Miami River adds to flood risks. The median price for a single-family home in the city is $428,000, slightly higher than the national median of $420,000.
Although "Loveland is left with very little available land for additional development," according to Kowalchik, "there is a 17-acre horse farm that will be under contract soon." In other words, the city is still expanding wherever it can.
Historic homes are common in Loveland featuring large front porches.
Affordable split-level homes are found throughout Loveland
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Little Miami Scenic Trail and community parks
The Little Miami Scenic Trail stretches nearly 80 miles, connecting Loveland to surrounding communities such as Milford and Lebanon. "It's one of the state's largest true rails-to-trails bike paths," says Kennedy, adding, "It runs right up against downtown businesses that are all outfitted with bike racks." The river has been central to Loveland's appeal since its days as a vacation town in the 1800s: "I can always tell when school's out because kids come down the water in their tubes," says Kennedy, adding that anglers will often gather in Nisbit Park, which also has a canoe access point. Along with Nisbit, there are over a dozen other public parks and nature preserves in Loveland, many of which feature playgrounds, athletics facilities and space for dogs to run around. Conservation areas such as West Loveland Nature Preserve have hiking trails, campsites, and picnicking areas, and indoor recreation opportunities are available at Mosaic Climbing and Castle Skateland, which are also popular birthday party destinations.
The enclosed Bark Park at Symmes Township Park is a popular spot for dog lovers in Loveland.
Take you children to the colorful playground at Symmes Township Park in Loveland.
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Small businesses in Historic Downtown Loveland
Most of the city's shopping and dining is concentrated in its historic downtown, which is easily accessible along the Little Miami Scenic Trail. Here, according to Kennedy, "You can bike for miles and then meet a friend for a beer." Streets are populated by small businesses; there are bookshops, a community theater, record stores and several breweries, including Narrow Path, which has a family-friendly outdoor space. When the weather heats up, restaurants set up sidewalk tables, and locals can also walk to the Loveland Museum Center across the river, where rooms have been preserved to look like a Victorian-era mansion. Loveland Madeira Road, meanwhile, is lined with fast-food restaurants, grocers and hardware stores.
On Tuesday evenings between May and October, vendors sell everything from kombucha to fresh-baked sourdough at the Loveland Farmers Market.
Graeter's serves French Pot ice cream near Historic West Loveland.
The EurAsia market is a popular destination for shoppers in Loveland.
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Valentine's Day Hearts Afire and other city events
Along with Hearts Afire, typically scheduled on the weekend before Valentine's Day, other annual events in Loveland include the Christmas Parade, Independence Day fireworks and "Return of the Frogman," a new October festival honoring the Loveland Frog, an urban legend that gained popularity in the 1950s. During the summer months, Nisbet Park hosts a concert series at its outdoor amphitheater, and families can attend movie nights in Phillips Park. The Loveland Castle Museum is open year-round with limited wintertime hours, and visitors can book tickets for ghost tours, explore the intricately landscaped gardens or admire exhibits on Medieval weaponry.
High marks for Loveland City Schools
Students can enroll in the Loveland City School District, which receives an overall A grade from Niche. Around 4,200 students attend a total of six schools, and there are also educational opportunities at the Loveland Branch Library. Options include ESOL conversation groups, "Kitchen Chemistry" classes and robotics. Private school options include St. Columban Elementary and St. Margaret of York, found next to two of the city's largest Catholic churches.
Loveland Elementary School serves third through fourth graders in Historic West Loveland.
Loveland High School serves students in Historic West Loveland.
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Major employers, commutes into Cincinnati and crime data
Once the site of riverfront vacation homes and Ohio's first paper mill, Loveland is now mainly populated by Cincinnati commuters. The larger city, home to major employers like Procter & Gamble and Cincinnati Children's Hospital, is around 25 miles away via Interstate 71, a drive that can take around 30 minutes, depending on traffic. Public transit in the area is limited, but committed cyclists can take advantage of the Little Miami Scenic Trail to pedal between cities. Industrial and manufacturing companies like McCabe Lumber and SST Bearing Corporation are a shorter drive away in the Commerce Park area, and Bethesda North—also a major local employer—is the nearest medical facility. For air travel, residents can head to the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport, which has over 50 nonstop destinations.
Through traffic in Loveland is mostly limited to yellow school buses on weekdays; the city epitomizes suburban quiet. According to data reported by Loveland's police department, crimes are mainly limited to thefts and vandalism, and—in general—both violent and property crime rates are significantly lower than Ohio and national averages.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
