Suburban living in Mount Repose outside of Cincinnati
Among the suburban sprawl that fans out around Cincinnati is Mount Repose, a residential community in Miami Township. The area's unofficial center is the landmark 1844 Federal-style Leming House, erected by a descendant of the township's earliest settlers. The historic structure sits in Community Park, the most popular green space in Mount Repose.
While some people have relocated here to be closer to jobs in the city, quite a few have lived in or around the community long enough to know their neighbors. "If I run into someone, they likely know 90% of the people I know," says Patrick Lach, a Realtor with Sibcy Cline, who has nearly a decade of experience selling homes. "In all of the Cincinnati area, the question isn't 'What college did you go to?' it's 'What high school did you go to?'"
Classic ranch style and split-level homes on generous acreage
Mount Repose has a classic suburban feel, with wide, quiet streets framed by sidewalks and oak tree canopies. Most homes were built between 1950 and 1980, and prospective buyers will find styles that reflect the era. Split-level and ranch-style houses sell for $200,000 to $350,000, and price is usually determined by square footage and the extent of renovations. There are pockets of more recently built New Traditional homes, which are larger and often with two-car garages. These homes sell for $350,000 to $500,000. Lot sizes in the area are generous, typically around 16,000 square feet, providing families enough room for front yard games, basketball hoops and vegetable gardens.
Milford district schools with early college access
Mount Repose falls under the Milford Exempted Village School District. Kids can start at Mulberry Elementary School, which earns a B from Niche. They can progress to Milford Junior High School and Milford High School, which get A-minus and B-plus grades, respectively. Students may apply to the College Credit Plus Program starting in seventh grade to earn simultaneous high school and college credit at affiliated schools like Cincinnati State or the University of Cincinnati.
Mount Repose has a summer music series, golf and trails close by
Sitting at the center of Mount Repose is Community Park, home of the historic Leming House. The park spans 17 acres and features a nine-hole disc golf course, tennis courts and a playground. Its amphitheater is used each summer for the community's free concert series, where nearly everyone in the surrounding neighborhoods comes to meet up and listen to live music. Nearby Eagles Nest and Hickory Woods golf courses are open to the public, and both have challenging 18-hole plays. To access over 20 miles of hiking trails and a playground made from natural materials, the Cincinnati Nature Center is a 7-mile drive away.
Nearby retail plazas and historic downtown Milford
Retail and dining concentrate along Highway 28, where residents will find fast-food chains like Skyline Chili, a Cincinnati-area staple. Grocery options include Aldi, Kroger and Meijer. Just 4 miles away is historic downtown Milford, filled with specialty shops and locally owned restaurants that have attracted food celebrities, notably Guy Fieri. "He ordered our Governor Tso Chicken and grilled cheese; everyone wants those now," says Chris Clements, manager-bartender at The Governor on Main. According to Clements, one of the area's appeals is its old-fashioned Main Street, complete with art galleries, clothing boutiques and Harvest Market, a small-town grocery store.
Getting to Cincinnati via interstate, bus or bike
Public transportation options within the area are limited, making most residents dependent on their cars. Downtown Cincinnati is roughly 25 miles away, accessible via Interstate 275. The 29X bus, also known as the Milford Express, stops along Main Street en route to Queen City. "Biking to work is also pretty popular here," Lach says, referencing the Little Miami Scenic Trail, which spans 78 miles across five counties. The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, only 35 miles away, offers several commercial airlines with 55 nonstop destinations.
