Northbrook

In Mount Healthy Heights, kids ride their bikes around cul-de-sacs while residents spend time outside talking to their neighbors. "It's a very quiet, low-key area," says local real estate agent Brandy Mccaster with Keller Williams, who has sold multiple homes in the community. "A lot of people tend to sit outside while the kids play," she adds, saying that this tranquility is what many people who move here are looking for. After all, this is a primarily residential area, making it ideal for those looking for a slice of suburbia near Cincinnati. While Mount Healthy Heights is known for its relaxed residential characteristics, the neighborhood is part of the Colerain Township, giving residents easy access to the township's establishments, employers, events and parks. This convenient location, coupled with a family-oriented vibe, is why people move to the community, according to Mccaster. Also, "many people who live here settled because it's where their families are," adds Helen Tracey-Noren, communications specialist for the township. Most homes in Mount Healthy Heights date back to anywhere from the '50s to the '70s. These midcentury constructions range from red brick ranch-styles to tri-levels. Cape Cods and bi-levels with basement garages are also particularly prevalent in the area. Prices range from around $120,000 to just over $300,000, depending on the property’s size and condition. "I see a lot of first-time home buyers here," Mccaster says. "People tend to stay for a long time. There's not a lot of turnover," she adds. While most people own their homes, the community has many renters, including those who live in apartment units. Regardless of style and price, single-family properties typically sit on under a quarter of an acre, flanking sidewalk-lined streets that often stretch into cul-de-sacs. "No outlet streets tend to be very popular among homebuyers," Mccaster says. Mature pine and oak trees add to the community’s peacefulness, giving it a decidedly suburban feel. Children can enroll in Mount Healthy City Schools like Mount Healthy North Elementary, which serves just over 600 students and offers a gifted program. They can continue in the gifted program at Mount Healthy Junior High. The middle school boasts several extracurriculars, including an art club and a weekly multicultural workshop. From there, students can head to Mount Healthy High, which features a required financial literacy course. It also offers a number of electives, including ceramics, culinary arts and piano courses. All three schools receive C-minus ratings from Niche. Although Mount Healthy Heights does not feature parks of its own, there are plenty of nearby options for residents to explore. Just east is the over 2,500-acre Winton Woods. Locals can spend the afternoon hitting the greens at the Mills Course, heading on paths that circle the lake or even checking out the goats at Parky's Farm. Also not far from the community is Clippard Park. Here, children practice their swings on the ball fields, and some people spend their days shooting hoops with their friends. Many folks often come here for the skate bowl. Another go-to spot near Mount Healthy Heights is Colerain Park, popular among volleyball and baseball players alike. Interestingly, "at one point, we had goats staying in the park to eat away invasive honeysuckle and make room for native plants," Tracey-Noren says. Residents can meet up with friends at the township’s annual events, including the Fourth of July Spectacular, which is complete with a firework show, food trucks and bouncy houses. Like many of the township's other gatherings, this event is held at Colerain Park, which also features the free Sizzling Summer Entertainment Series, known for its movie and concert offerings. "We also host our summer camps there," says Tracey-Noren. In September, locals and visitors alike head to the Vinoklet Winery’s Art & Wine Festival, where vendors, tasting opportunities and live music entertain the crowd. Also held in the fall is the Cincinnati Donauschwaben Oktoberfest. This popular event features everything from over two dozen draft beers to traditional German music. For other options, the North Central Public Library hosts small gatherings and “a lot of the Catholic churches out here have festivals and things like that," Mccaster says. Mount Healthy Heights does not boast its own establishments, so many residents head to other sections of the Colerain Township to shop or dine out. They are near the many chain eateries that line Hamilton Avenue and are only a short drive from Northgate’s Kroger Marketplace. Adjacent is the Northgate Mall, which is "currently being revitalized," Mccaster says, adding that it is still in the early stages of redevelopment, so exact plans are unknown. Popular local eateries in the township include breakfast-centric Sunnyside Grill and Snow's Lakeside Tavern. The tavern offers American fare and waterfront views, making this a go-to destination for when the weather is warm. To enjoy a unique dining and drinking experience, residents can check out the Vinoklet Winery, where they can taste locally made wines with a view of the vibrant green vines. For dessert, "the seasonal Goody Shop is very popular in the summer," Mccaster says. While some people here take the Metro, Mount Healthy Heights is a car-dependent community. It is conveniently bordered by Interstate 275 and is just north of Interstate 75. Residents can take I-275 to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, which is 33 miles away. They can take I-75 to downtown Cincinnati, which is about 20 miles away. Procter & Gamble and the University of Cincinnati are two major employers in and around the downtown area. Other residents enjoy shorter commutes, working at nearby medical care institutions like TriHealth Group Health — Western Ridge, and many residents work at businesses within Colerain Township. One of the largest is the Rumpke Waste & Recycling headquarters. Prospective residents should be aware that since Mount Healthy Heights is less than 3 miles from the Rumpke landfill, there have been reports of unpleasant odors.

In Northgate, alums continue to cheer on their high school football team, families gather at community parks and shopping corridors become bustling weekend destinations. This census-designated community is one part residential and one part retail, making this a particularly desirable spot for people who value convenience. However, the presence of big-box retailers and chain establishments doesn't change the community's "small-town vibes," according to Coldwell Banker Realty sales associate Edward Lindenschmidt, who cites Colerain Township's events and midcentury homes that, with minimal renovations, have kept their character. "A lot of families have been in Northgate for a really long time," Lindenschmidt says, adding that the community's easy access to downtown Cincinnati is a major plus. Northgate's housing stock mainly consists of brick ranch-styles from the '60s and '70s. A number of Cape Cods and bi-levels are also situated along the sidewalk-lined streets. Many of these properties have either a basement or attached garage, but some residents park on the streets. Prices typically range from about $125,000 to $380,000, which reflect how, in the West Side of Cincinnati, you get much more "bang for your buck," Lindenschmidt says. Those wanting to build their own custom-built home can also purchase land. While the average lot size is just under a quarter of an acre, prospective residents may find 2 acres of land for sale. It's important to note that while some homes here receive high Flood Factor Scores, most do not. Some Northgate children attend Colerain Elementary, which receives a B-minus rating on Niche. Students here can take advantage of extracurricular activities, including chess, running and book clubs. They can then head to C-rated Colerain Middle, where they can join band, orchestra or choir. Afterward, many students attend B-minus-rated Colerain High, where they will have the opportunity to enroll in Butler Tech's career programs. Many students also participate in sports. "People here are big supporters of the local sports teams — 1000% percent," Lindenschmidt says. "Colerain High School's football games are still regularly attended by families and alumni." For food out, folks can swing by the P & S Family Diner, where they can enjoy breakfast and American classics. Or they can take a seat at Kabuto Japanese Steakhouse, where dim lighting and a hibachi-style dining experience set the tone for a dinner filled with flavor and fun. This eatery is in the Northgate Mall; however, most of the mall's establishments have since shut down. "Redevelopment is happening, but the direction is still unknown," Lindenschmidt says. "You are seeing new stores and development pop up around the mall itself." Most of the other establishments in the community — many of which are situated around Colerain Avenue and Springdale Road — are either chain eateries or Stone Creek Towne Center's big box retailers. Northgate also boasts Kroger Marketplace and Meijer locations, making grocery shopping easily accessible for residents. In the summertime, children flock to Clippard Park to cool off on the "sprayground" — a play space with water features — while skaters practice their tricks. Here, folks can head on the paved path to get their steps in or practice their aim on the basketball court. Residents are also just a short drive from popular recreational spaces, including the 18-hole Pebble Creek Golf Course and 2,555-acre Winton Woods. At the latter, locals can enjoy horseback riding, fishing and hiking, among other activities. Over at the nearby Colerain Park, folks spend time on the sand volleyball court while others practice their swings on the baseball field. Colerain Park is also home to the Sizzling Summer Entertainment Series, which features family-friendly movies and live music performances. The community also puts on the Fourth of July Spectacular, a festive celebration where folks come together to watch the fireworks. Children spend the night bouncing on inflatables while other festivalgoers enjoy food truck offerings. Lindenschmidt says he also enjoys going to the Cincinnati Donauschwaben Oktoberfest. "There's German-style music, which I don't listen to ever, but when I go there, and I'm drinking beer, yeah, I want to hear it." Many people come to the event to peruse goods from local vendors, which sell everything from candles to clothes to bourbon apple butter. Some residents take the Metro to get around, but most drive. Northgate is conveniently bounded by Interstate 275. Residents can take the major thoroughfare to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, which is about 31 miles away. To get to downtown Cincinnati, they can take an approximately 13-mile drive via Colerain Avenue and Interstate 75. Many people here work in the city center for major employers like Procter and Gamble. Others may work for the township or at nearby employers like Mercy Health — Fairfield Hospital, which is just 7.5 miles away via I-275. The community is also just a few miles from the Rumpke landfill and headquarters. Given this, some Northgate residents have reported unpleasant odors.