Ludlow

Just five miles from Cincinnati, Ludlow, Kentucky, is a town with plenty of personality. “Eclectic, that’s one word to sum up the whole town,” says Matt Ogden of Add A Pad Realty, who has been selling homes in the area for 17 years. “They're really building up the entertainment district along the main strip, and there are a lot of artists and musicians moving to the area, which is a cool clash with the nostalgic restaurants.”

Homes in Ludlow range from $150,000 to $300,000. The neighborhoods feature everything from row-style homes to ranch-style to large Victorian homes. Many of the houses do not feature driveways, so street parking will be a necessity. There are small lawns for residents with pets, and the sidewalks are flat and easily walkable. Many homes feature porches, which are great for a relaxing place to drink coffee on the weekends. The majority of housing is off the main drag, but there is a good deal of houses sitting right on Highway 8.

The focal point of Ludlow is the massive 700-acre Devou Park. Paved walking paths are great for dog walking, while back-woods trails lead to a hilltop overlook providing views of the Cincinnati skyline and the Ohio River Valley. The Devou Park Golf Club is an 18-hole course with a bar and grill for a bite to eat after the round. The park is home to the Behringer-Crawford Museum, which was opened in 1950 and documents the cultural history of Northern Kentucky. The museum has an outside band shell and features a summer music series. Locals can visit Ludlow Memorial Park to shoot hoops on an outdoor basketball court or utilize the soccer and football fields. Senator Gus Sheehand Park received a $150,000 renovation in 2015, which included new playground equipment and a climbing wall.

The food in Ludlow comes with a side of nostalgia. The Bircus Brewery is located in the old Ludlow Theater, which opened on the main drag in 1946. Today, Bircus has a dozen beers on tap and entertainment, including circus acts and trivia nights. “The guy who owns it went to clown school and is a professional clown,” explains Ogden. “They have amazing beers, but there is also some Cirque Du Soleil stuff going on.” The 1975 is a neighborhood staple, serving up sandwiches and ice cream since 1958. You can feel the community pride in 1975 as Ludlow High athletics jerseys hang above the booths. Herb and Thelma’s Tavern opened in 1939 and is still putting out quality burgers and bratwursts today. Be sure to have cash, as the Tavern doesn’t accept cards, but it’s worth it for one of Cincinnati Magazine’s Top-45 burgers in the Queen City. Folks should also bring cash to The Lagoon Saloon, a tiki-themed bar with outdoor seating and live music on the weekends.

For groceries, Riverside Market Place is a small independent store that offers the services of a national chain. For a well-known name, Remke is a Cincinnati chain with a location right off Interstate 71, while Loschiavo’s Produce and Deli has plenty of local options. Shoppers can head to Newport on the Levee for dozens of high-end shops, including boutiques and nationally recognized brands. The non-shoppers can take in a flick at the AMC Movie Theater. Every February, locals can check out the Cabin Fever Music Festival which takes place all over Ludlow in different music venues and features dozens of acts.

Kids attend the Ludlow Independent Schools District, beginning at Mary A. Goetz Elementary, which holds a B-rating on Niche. Goetz Elementary’s 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio is far better than the national average. Children go to Goetz from preschool to sixth grade, then move to Ludlow High, which has a B-minus rating on Niche. Ludlow High is rated as one of the best schools in Kentucky for athletes and as the second-best school for teachers in Kenton County.

Written By

John Moyer

Photography Contributed By

Daniele Giuseppe Del Gaudio

Video By

Francesco Basti