West Union has rural beauty and a slower pace of life
Located on the edge of Ohio's Appalachian region, West Union is a small village surrounded by wooded hills and farmland. With roots dating back to the early 1800s, history runs deep here, and parts of the town still feel like they are out of another time. It's the largest community in Adams County with just around 3,000 residents. About an hour outside Cincinnati, homebuyers might be drawn to this area for the abundance of fresh air, the low prices or the small-town charm.
“It moves a little slower, and it’s a rural area,” says Jessica Baker, a Realtor with Howard Hanna who has lived in Adams County for 30 years. "I wish I could think of something to explain how special it is — it's just different in a good way.” Baker says that she enjoys the beautiful and quiet landscape, and that on some of the back roads, cars are likely to get stuck behind an Amish horse and buggy. “For me, it’s home,” she says.
Lower home prices than counties like Brown or Clermont
Properties in the center of town have historic character and sit within a stone's throw of each other. However, the majority of homes are ranch styles built from the mid-1900s to today. Yards tend to get larger farther out of the village, and rural properties with several acres use private septic systems. There are also open plots of land for sale for homebuyers who want to build a custom home. "I know people who live in the city that have land just to go out there and spend the weekend," Baker says. "Hunting is huge.”
Manufactured homes sell for $75,000 to $200,000. Single-family homes typically start under $100,000 for properties needing renovations and can get up to $250,000 for modern or renovated houses. From $250,000 up to $600,000, larger homes offer acreage. According to Baker, buyers can get much more land and home for their money, compared to Clermont County or Brown County, closer to Cincinnati.
Adams County has a vocational high school option
Kids can attend West Union Elementary and West Union High School, which serves seventh through 12th grade. Both are rated C-plus by Niche. The two school buildings are located on the same campus, about 3 miles west of town. That campus also contains Ohio Valley Career & Technical Center, a vocational school for 11th and 12th grade. OVCTC allows students to get traditional academic experiences while also learning a trade, such as agriculture, construction or health careers.
Shopping in West Union includes Amish goods and sodas for a nickel
West Union's village center, often called the Courthouse Square, was once an epicenter of activity. Today, only a few shops remain, including the restaurant at Olde Wayside Inn, which dates back to 1804. Blake's Pharmacy is another blast from the past, serving malt shakes for a dollar and sodas for a nickel. “Our favorite thing to do in West Union is go to Blake’s,” Baker says. “They have a 1950s soda shop in there still." Most of the city's retail is now located around Walmart on Manchester Street. That area has several chain restaurants, Save A Lot and Dollar General.
Adams County is also known for its Amish shops, like Miller's Furniture, 7 miles north. Miller's is a combination of a bulk grocery, a furniture store and a bakery with fresh donuts. "The Amish shops are great," Baker says. "We call some of the donuts 'tractor tires' because they are so big."
Hunting and hiking in rural Adams County
Adams Lake State Park is the go-to community green space for its walking trails, playgrounds and basketball court. There's a boat ramp to access the lake, which is stocked with fish. The village also has a public golf course at the Adams County Country Club.
Residents can visit a variety of natural areas for hiking and hunting opportunities. Just a few minutes away, the Richard and Lucile Durell Edge of Appalachia Preserve, or "The Edge," is a collection of nature preserves that span 20,000 acres with miles of trails. Locals can also drive 30 minutes east to reach Shawnee State Park or north to reach Serpent Mound, a famous 1,400-foot effigy built by ancient Native Americans.
Farmers markets, county fairs and family fun at the zoo
West Union neighbors might see each other at weekly farmers markets or the occasional downtown car show. The Adams County Fairgrounds hosts the annual fair, an event that many kids look forward to. "It's a big 4-H community," Baker says. "The kids raise their animals all year to put them into the fair." In the fall, the Olde Thyme Herb Festival is another local favorite, with pumpkin patches, artisan goods and homemade food at a nearby farmstead.
All year round, the West Union Public Library has crafts, game nights and story time for kids, and the nearby Family Traditions Animal Adventure is a small family-run zoo. "You're not going to find tons and tons of things to technically 'go and do' here," says Baker. "But I raised my kid taking her to the creek. We do things here that you don't have to pay to do."
An airport in Cincinnati and a hospital in Maysville
West Union is about 70 miles from Cincinnati, by heading north to connect to state Route 32. Cincinnati/North Kentucky is the closest airport option. Columbus, Lexington and Dayton are all less than two hours away. There's a medical center in Seaman, 10 miles north, but the closest major hospital is in Maysville, 20 miles south. Maysville also has more shopping and dining options.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
