Williamsburg

Williamsburg sits right off State Route 32 on the outskirts of Cincinnati, and this small Ohio village keeps things quiet while making major investments in its future. “There will be new developments coming,” says Pamela Shipley, Realtor with Wyndham-Lyons Realty Services. “They just put a Purina factory out here that’s going to employ a lot of people. It’s a pretty active community, too. People go to the brewery and the food park, where food trucks come and there are live bands – it’s tight-knit.”

The village was originally founded in 1796, and many houses retain the long-standing colonial styles with Cape Cod and Four Square designs. Craftsman bungalows and ranch-style builds have popped up throughout town over the decades, adding splashes of modern aesthetics along the old-timey streets. Once people settle in, they tend to stick around, so you don’t see many listings pop up, but the city is currently bracing for growth with modern developments coming to shake up the market. Empty plots can also be found around town and the outlying areas if you’d rather design your own small-town dream home. Home prices range from $250,000 for a three-bedroom ranch-style build on half an acre to $600,000 for a sprawling home on 8 acres.

The small-town surroundings will pull you in, but with a convenient connection to Route 32, you can reach central Cincinnati in about 30 miles by connecting to Interstate 275. Afton is less than 5 miles down the road for closer job opportunities. What the area lacks in city amenities, it makes up for with some fantastic nature areas and community events.

The East Fork Wilderness Area is directly south of the town, where you can get lost on miles of trails revealing amazing views of the river or find a secluded spot to camp out in the wilderness. Williamsburg Community Park sits at the crest of the river, and you can enjoy the green space activities or come for one of the local events hosted at the park. Town-wide yard sales set up tables in the open fields, and the annual Family Fall Festival begins in the park and spreads all along Main Street. Halloween fans are really in luck. The secluded fields just outside town have some of the most popular haunted houses in the region during that time of year, from the more entry-level scares at WJAA Haunted Woods to All Hallow’s Eve Terror Town, which is only for the thickest skins.

Within the town limits, shopping options are limited to local convenience stores and discount stores, but you can stock up on goods from the local farms all around at True Taste of Country just 5 miles outside of town. You can find Kroger in Mt. Orab about 8 miles east on Route 32, and the Eastgate Mall is less than 15 miles west for major department store needs. If you’re looking for a relaxing place for a meal or to enjoy a drink, you don’t have to go farther than Main Street. Grab your breakfast at Holtman’s Donut Shop, where they have decadent flavor creations and fresh coffee. Mama’s Porch and Grill brings the family restaurant experience to town with big portions and friendly service. If you just want to unwind after a long work week, Valley View Lounge has cold drinks, pool tables and live music on the weekends.

The village’s students become part of the Williamsburg Local School District, and each of its schools sit conveniently within a half mile of each other. Get the kids started at Williamsburg Elementary School, which Niche gives a B-plus. Middle and high school students learn under the same roof at Williamsburg High School. Niche gives it a B-minus, and students take part in a state-guided curriculum and an athletic program that Niche ranks No. 1 for high school athletes in Clermont County.

“It’s a very little and quaint town with about 2,500 families – if that,” Shipley says. “The people here love the schools. The village itself is very supportive of their school district and the kids. They’re very invested in the kids, and a lot of young folks are moving in to keep that going.”

Written By

Alex Falls

Photography Contributed By

Mark Chenoweth

Video By

Francisco de la Vera