Loveland

Epworth Heights sits on the banks of the Little Miami River, about 15 miles from downtown Cincinnati, but it is not under city jurisdiction. “Being in a smaller township has it’s advantages,” says Alison Moss of Keller Williams Seven Hill Realty, with 16 years of experience in the area. “You don’t have as high of an income tax rate, and there is a more localized police department.” The neighborhood is known for its strong schools and greenery. There is plenty of fishing and kayaking on the river, and the parks are well taken care of. There are plenty of grocery chains and retail shopping opportunities throughout the neighborhood. Single-family homes in Epworth Heights have a median price point of $472,000, and styles vary depending on the area of the neighborhood and the year of the build. Newer homes in the Miami Trails subdivision may be large brick builds, while some older mid-century homes are ranch-style or split-level homes. The area is very green, and there are plenty of trees providing shade to the neighborhood. Houses are on roads with only residential traffic, and driveways provide private parking. The large yards and the sidewalks make it a convenient neighborhood for dog owners. Kids in Epworth Heights attend the Loveland City School District. “The schools in the area are seen as a major draw for parents,” says Moss. They begin at Loveland Elementary, which has an A rating on Niche and is noted as one of the top schools in Ohio. Niche praises Loveland Middle School as being one of the strongest schools in Cincinnati and notes Loveland High’s STEM program. Both schools earned A grades from the service. There is a variety of recreational opportunities for residents in Epworth Heights, beginning at Miami Riverview Park. This 35-acre park has tennis and basketball courts, as well as a picnic shelter. Miami Riverview is home to a host of walking trails and is connected to the Little Miami Scenic Bike Trail. The park is the site of many sporting events, with baseball and soccer fields. For those who want to play in the sand, Great Sands Volleyball is a fun spot to get some exercise. With indoor and outdoor courts, there are leagues all year round, and participants can grab a beer between matches at the bar. The Little Miami River sits on the western edge of the neighborhood and has some of the best fishing in all of Ohio. Locals can start off the day with a cup of Joe from Branch Hill Coffee Company. Branch Hill offers specialty lattes and baked pastries in a relaxed environment. The coffee shop has outdoor seating for nice days in the spring and fall. For a night out, residents head to Kirby’s Tavern. With concert posters and old guitars on the wall, Kirby’s has a fun and laidback atmosphere to go with a menu full of classic American fare. For an authentic Mexican dinner, locals search out Panchos Taqueria. Panchos serves up street-style tacos and much more in a colorful environment complete with murals on the wall. Those who want to create their own culinary masterpiece can shop at the Kroger off of Highway 75 for grocery needs. There is not a good deal of retail shopping in the area, but Kenwood is just 11 miles down Interstate 71 with a pair of major malls. There are no public transportation stops in the Epworth Heights area. For those who want to travel by public transportation, the Go Metro does serve most of the Cincinnati area. Epworth is located right near Interstate 275, which makes travel to other nearby areas quick and easy.

Not far from Loveland’s quaint boutiques and eateries sits Stonebridge Farms, a planned neighborhood for those who want a calm suburban lifestyle where children can safely bike around cul-de-sacs and neighbors can take daily walks. While this community is technically part of the Symmes Township, locals here identify more with the bordering city of Loveland, according to Keller Williams Pinnacle Group Realtor Alexandra Woellert. In Stonebridge Farms, “When it’s nice out, everyone is walking or out doing something,” Woellert says. This active lifestyle, coupled with highly rated schools, adds to the neighborhood's appeal. “It’s got a community feel, but it’s a pretty mixed bag of ages,” adds Realtor Douglas Manzler with Keller Williams Advisors. “It’s got residents that have been there for a long time, but you’ve also got newer families that have moved in.”<br><br>Stonebridge Farm’s tall trees, spacious yards and sidewalk-lined streets (that often stretch into cul-de-sacs) reflects what the community is best known for: classic suburban living. The architectural styles here don't vary much. Most homes consist of two-story brick New Traditional builds that sit on half an acre of land. They typically date back to the 1990s or early 2000s, but there are also a few contemporary homes being built here too. Single-family homes usually cost between $450,000 and $800,000, depending on their size and location. Prospective residents should also expect to pay between $15 and $65 for monthly HOA fees where eligible. Condo units are also available and can go for anywhere between $200,000 and $250,000, with HOA fees that can be upwards of $300 per month. Prospective buyers will find that the community receives a CAP Index crime score of 3 out of 10, which is lower than the national average of 4. The community also receives a lower-than-average property crime score.<br><br>Children can enroll in the Loveland Early Childhood Center, which gets a B-plus rating from Niche. The school offers half-day preschool and half-day kindergarten options. There are also full-day kindergarten classes for those interested. Then, it’s on to A-minus-rated Loveland Primary and A-rated Loveland Elementary, where students can participate in afterschool activities put on by the PTA. From there, students can head to Loveland Intermediate, Loveland Middle and Loveland High, all of which receive A ratings from Niche. Many students participate in band, orchestra or choir classes throughout their time at these three schools. The high school also boasts a number of extracurriculars, including fashion, golf and crochet clubs. As for course offerings, Loveland High features electives like robotics, biotechnology and law studies. <br><br>At the Meade Historic Preserve, locals can hear the whistles of blue jays as they walk under a dense, leafy canopy. Nearby, at both Stonebridge Park and the Home of the Brave Park, soccer players practice their footwork while baseball players hit home runs. Those wanting to spend the day biking or jogging can check out the Little Miami Scenic Trail. “It runs along the river” and “goes through several little towns,” Woellert says. “There are several places to pull off and enjoy the scenery,” she adds. For other options, there are a number of nearby green spaces in Loveland. Nesbit Park offers access to the Little Miami River, so anglers often come here to cast lines while others spend afternoons canoeing. The park is also home to a new playground, making it a go-to spot among children. Woellert says people here also head to Kings Island, an amusement park just north of the community. In the summer, “you can hear the fireworks when they go off at night,” Woellert says.<br> <br>Stonebridge Farms is conveniently near both the quaintness of boutique experiences and the practicality of larger retail centers. In nearby Loveland, locals check out small shops like Plaid Room Records, explore their creative sides at Whistle Stop Clay Works or take a seat at unique eateries like The Works Brick Oven Restaurant, which Woellert recommends for their pizzas. The New Orleans-influenced Bishop’s Quarter is another popular establishment in Loveland. It boasts three floors, each offering a different atmosphere. On the first floor, patrons sip bourbon and enjoy live music, while two floors up, they crack open beers and watch football games. The shopping centers in and around the community’s western edge contrast downtown Loveland. Here, locals can grab breakfast at Skip’s Bagel Deli or enjoy an upscale dining experience at the steakhouse Tony’s. Those who’d rather stay in for the night will have plenty of options, including nearby Aldi and Costco locations. <br><br>Each month, residents meet up for coffee at one of the nearby cafes. Some come with their kids, while others swing by their neighbors’ houses before heading over. For other events, Woellert says many people here will check out all that Loveland has to offer. When Valentine’s Day rolls around, the adjacent city hosts the Hearts Afire event. Locals can get into the festive spirit with everything from love-themed restaurant specials to ice sculptures. Among other events, like the annual June Loveland Art Gallery Crawl and a summer concert series at Nisbet Park, the city also hosts the Loveland Farmers’ Market on Tuesdays from May through October. <br><br>While residents can use the Metro, most drive to get around. The community boasts a strategic location with Interstate 71 to the west and Interstate 275 to the south. Residents often take either of these major thoroughfares to get to work. “Everybody is going in all kinds of directions,” Manzler says. Some folks head to downtown Cincinnati, which is about 20 miles away via I-71. Others stay closer to their community by working in Loveland. “In Loveland, especially that side of Loveland, there’s a lot of businesses and manufacturing [companies],” Manzler says. Many people also work within the healthcare industry. Conveniently, Bethesda North Hospital is just about 5 miles away via U.S. Route 22 and Union Cemetery Road. Other employers include Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Procter & Gamble and the University of Cincinnati, all of which are about 20 miles away via I-71. Residents can take that same route to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, which is just under 35 miles away.