Two centuries ago, North College Hill served as an important stop along the Underground Railroad. Today, close to 10,000 people call the city home. Densely populated residential streets branch off from Hamilton Avenue, where Cary Cottage—which once housed escaped slaves on their way to Canada—still stands. Public buses connect commuters to jobs in Cincinnati, which is about 10 miles south. According to Charles Thompson, a long-time College Hill resident and innkeeper at Six Acres Bed and Breakfast, there are multiple changes on the horizon. “That’s the thing about people who were born in Cincinnati: they don’t like change. But when I think about College Hill and North College Hill, I think change is a good thing,” he says. Much of the area’s recent growth can be attributed to CURC, or the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation, which has invested tens of millions in the area’s revitalization, establishing what program director Craig Schultz calls “naturally-occurring affordable housing with attached commercial space.” In other words, North College Hill is a city on the precipice of change, a community coveted for its proximity to Cincinnati employment and comparative affordability.
North College Hill is just around 10 miles from downtown Cincinnati.
North College Hill served as an important stop along the Underground Railroad.
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Renovated century-old homes and investment opportunities
North College Hill is primarily comprised of single-family homes, although there are several multifamily options and condominium communities closer to Hamilton Avenue. The city’s oldest properties date back to the 1920s, and architecture is reflective of the era: bungalows, Foursquares and brick Cape Cods with steep gabled roofs. Prospective buyers will also find midcentury ranch-style houses, and, given the age of most of these homes, detached garages are the standard. According to Schultz, this is the type of place where people tend to stick around. “Families are born here, and they typically tend to stay here,” he says. Sale prices start under $100,000 for investment properties but can reach upwards of $250,000 for fully renovated homes. The median home price hovers around $190,000, well below the national median.
Homes in North College Hill often display unique architecture.
North College Hill is comprised of 1920s-era bungalows, cape cods, and mid-century homes.
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A school district unique to North College Hill
Cary’s Academy for Boys and Farmers College of Hamilton County helped earn North College Hill its name in the mid-1800s. Both served as meeting places fo abolionists prior to the Civil War. Altough private academic institutions on the hill have long since closed, the area is now home to the North College Hill City School District, which earns an overall C grade from Niche. The district serves close to 1,500 students, and some live within walking distance of North College Hill Elementary and North College Hill High. There are more educational opportunities at the College Hill Branch of the Cincinnati Public Library, where Youth Librarian Taylor Hedges says popular options include programs for job-seekers and English language classes. Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired has vision clinics and summer camp options. Cary Cottage, a former stop along the Underground Railroad, offers appointment-only tours on the grounds.
North College Hill Elementary provides a quality education for kids of North College Hill.
North College Hill High School educates grades 9-12 in North College Hill.
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Retail at the intersection of Hamilton Avenue and West Galbraith Road
Shopping and dining are primarily concentrated along Hamilton Avenue and West Galbraith Road, where residents will find a variety of fast food chains, local institutions like North College Hill Bakery, which has been selling fresh-baked bread and pastries for nearly 100 years, and Kroger for groceries. There are opportunities to try everything from street tacos to hibachi rice bowls on Food Truck Fridays, which is scheduled every two weeks. More retail options can be found south of the city, where CURC has worked to revamp College Hill Plaza.
Cincinnati's beloved Skyline Chili is right off of Hamilton Ave in North College Hill.
North College Hill residents can enjoy a home cooked meal at Lake Nina.
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Six city parks and Clovernook Country Club
There are six city-run parks in North College Hill, most of which feature small playgrounds and open green spaces. Grant funding has enabled recent renovations at Stapleton Park and Marshal Peter Dumele Park. Game On! Sports Complex has indoor fields for the cold weather season, when below-freezing temperatures are common, and ice skaters lace up beside the seasonal rink in the North College Hill Senior Center parking lot. Some residents invest in annual memberships at Clovernook Country Club, where an 18-hole course is accented by winding streams, mature trees and a lake. There’s also onsite dining and an outdoor patio.
Enjoy golf, tennis, and swimming at Clovernook Country Club in North College Hill.
Take a brisk walk at Winton Woods just outside of North College Hill.
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The World’s Longest Yard Sale and annual festivals
North College Hill has a special place along the 127 Yard Sale, better known as “The World’s Longest Yard Sale,” every summer. Home and business owners along Hamilton Avenue can register to participate, setting up booths to sell their pre-owned wares. Other annual events in the city include the Fall Family Festival in October, which typically involves vendors and carnival games near the senior center, Light Up North College Hill on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and the Winter Wonderland Ice Skating Festival in December, where kids can take pictures with Santa.
Bus stops along Hamilton Avenue
One of North College Hill’s main appeals is its proximity to Cincinnati, which is about 10 miles to the south. It’s common for residents to work in the healthcare industry at institutions like Cincinnati Children’s or Good Samaritan. There’s also a Mercy Health campus about 6 miles away. Parking is notoriously difficult downtown, and some commuters prefer public transit. Thompson notes the importance of bus 17, which starts in Mt. Healthy and stops in North College Hill on its way toward Cincinnati. Real Broker’s Brad Acree confirms its popularity, noting, “There’s plenty of people relying on the bus system that goes down Hamilton [Avenue].” The nearest airport is Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International, which is accessible via Interstate 75 or Interstate 275.
Crime in North College Hill
According to FBI data, there has been an overall increase in crime throughout North College Hill in recent years. The vast majority of incidents are nonviolent in nature, and larceny-theft is the most common.
Written By
Sara Caskey
Photography Contributed By
Nick Janning
Video By
Jacob Branchaud
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lisa Slay,
an experienced agent in this area.
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More space than meets the eye! This home may look cozy from the outside, but inside you'll find a spacious layout with room to create your dream primary suitecomplete with a walk-in closet setup. Enjoy the charm of two fireplaces and peace of mind with a newer roof and updated HVAC system already in place. Don't miss outschedule your showing today! Property is being sold AS-IS.
Remodeled brick cape cod home converted from a 2 bedroom to a 3 bedroom with a study or 4th bedroom by finishing attic space. Increasing the livable square footage from 875 to 1,300. Owner has spent over $67,000 on documented improvements including but not limited to windows, bathrooms, kitchen, flooring, and A/C unit. Finished space in basement with recreation room, laundry and a half bath adds
Chic comfort meets convenience! Modern, updated, 2BR Apartment with granite counters, stainless steel appliances, LVT flooring, and in-unit laundry. Prime location, minutes away from shopping, dining, and the highway. Just 15 mins to downtown! Perfect and ready for its next tenant! Schedule your showing today!
Chic comfort meets convenience! Modern, updated, 2BR Apartment with granite counters, stainless steel appliances, LVT flooring, and in-unit laundry. Prime location, minutes away from shopping, dining, and the highway. Just 15 mins to downtown! Perfect and ready for its next tenant! Schedule your showing today!
Chic comfort meets convenience! Modern, updated, 2BR Apartment with granite counters, stainless steel appliances, LVT flooring, and in-unit laundry. Prime location, minutes away from shopping, dining, and the highway. Just 15 mins to downtown! Perfect and ready for its next tenant! Schedule your showing today!
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