Growth on the outskirts of Cincinnati
On some Friday nights throughout the summer, families bring folding chairs and blankets to Kuliga Park to listen to live music. The 30-acre park anchors Mack, a quiet and primarily residential suburb 15 miles from Cincinnati. According to longtime local Jeanne Rieder, who works with Hoeting Realtors, the area has seen plenty of change over the past three decades. "It's really burst with growth," she says, highlighting the development of new subdivisions, in particular. "Wherever there's a little bit of land, there's a new subdivision," she says. Prior to 2010, the community was divided along Bridgetown Road, but these halves — north and south — have since been unified. Today, there are around 10,000 residents. In the words of Rieder, "It's a great place to live on [Cincinnati's] west side. I could move anywhere, but I'd always choose here."
A booming housing market with established homes and new subdivisions
The median sale price for a home in Mack , which Rieder says most locals refer to as "Bridgetown," is around $390,000, still slightly less than the national median. Midcentury ranch-style houses, bi-levels, and tri-levels start in the low $200,000s and sometimes sell for upwards of $400,000. There are also several condominium communities. Higher-priced new construction can be found in neighborhoods like Cleves , and custom-built homes can sell for more than $1 million. In general, lot sizes are generous, averaging around half an acre. There are parts of the community that still have a rural feel, although new subdivisions are on the rise, according to Rieder. "The market is booming," she says. "There's not enough houses to sell, but that's pretty much throughout the whole Cincinnati metro area."
Interstate 74 commutes to Cincinnati
Mack's proximity to Cincinnati makes it an attractive home base for commuters; the larger city is a little over 20 minutes away via Interstate 74, and major employers include Kroger and Procter & Gamble. Public transit is limited, and most residents rely on their own cars to drive to work. The healthcare industry is also thriving thanks to institutions like Cincinnati Children's. There are also hospitals a short drive away from Mack, including Mercy Health-West Hospital and Mercy Health-Queen City Medical Center. Air travel is typically scheduled out of Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International, which is about 30 minutes away and offers more than 50 direct flight options. Mack doesn't have its own police department but is instead served by departments in Green Township and Miami Township. As a result, there is no crime data specific to the area.
College credit at the Oak Hills Local School District and public library learning opportunities
The Oak Hills Local School District earns an overall B-plus grade from Niche and serves the majority of students in Mack. Middle School students in the district can earn high school credit, and upperclassmen can earn college credit through nearby institutions like the University of Cincinnati. Great Oaks Career Center offers a variety of adult education opportunities — the nearest campus is in Dent, about 4 miles away — and more programs are available at the Green Township Branch Library, where there are craft nights, book clubs and Tai Chi classes.
Shopping and dining in Sayler Park and Dent
Although Mack is primarily residential, Rieder makes sure to highlight small businesses like Hatting's Supermarket, which has been a staple in town for generations. "It's smaller, so you can run in, grab your essentials like meat and all that and be out of there in 10 minutes," she says. A variety of small businesses — a mix of cafes, mini marts and breweries — can be found on the banks of the Ohio River in Sayler Park. The neighborhood is also home to the historic Parkland Theater and Entertainment Centre, a former silent movie house and vaudeville stage that's continued to show films well into the 21st century. Residents in search of big-box stores can drive to Dent, which borders Mack to the north, or visit one of the shopping plazas along Glenway Avenue.
Kuliga Park events, nearby golf courses and festivals in Sayler Park
Families in Mack take full advantage of the summer season, attending movie nights, outdoor concerts and an annual firework show in Kuliga Park on the Fourth of July. The park, which Rieder calls "a wonderful part of the community," also has tennis courts, field space and a playground next to plenty of picnic tables. Golfers can reserve tee times at Neumann Golf Course or the Ashton Oaks Golf Club, and there are two fully-stocked fishing lakes located off Bridgetown Road. Mack families can also attend annual events at Nelson Sayler Memorial Park, which is known for hosting Harvest Festival and Oktoberfest in the fall.
