The Best Places in Greater Cincinnati to Live When You're Young (and Fun)

The Neighborhood: Over-the-Rhine (OTR)

The vibe: Rich in history, nightlife and community, OTR has everything you could possibly need or want within walking distance. At the heart of Cincinnati’s urban core, this neighborhood is also very diverse, trendy and artsy.

Ideal for: Artists. Hipster families. LGBTQ+ folks. Anyone who wants a vibrant urban lifestyle.

Not ideal for: Those who want peace and quiet.

Extra perk: Tons of restaurants, bars and third places with varying atmospheres. The most intact historic district in the U.S. Super walkable, plus the street car rolls through here.

Where to meet locals: Washington Park. Findlay Market. Rhinegeist.

The Neighborhood: Northside

The vibe: A haven for the artsy and eclectic. Northside is like if youthfulness were a neighborhood itself — it’s vibrant, cool and edgy and is welcoming to people from all kinds of backgrounds. It was well-known decades ago for being a safe place for the LGBTQ+ community and still prides itself on being that place. There’s always something going on, be it a drag show, dance night, art show or live, local music at mainstays like Northside Tavern and The Comet.

Ideal for: Artists. Musicians. LGBTQ+. Hipster families. Activists.

Not ideal for: Bigots.

Extra perk: Plenty of bars and restaurants and super walkable.

Where to meet locals: Northside Tavern. The Comet. The Fourth of July Parade. Tillie’s Lounge.

The Neighborhood: The Banks

The vibe: Chill during the week during the Reds’ off-season, but a constant party during the weekend and summer. Live down here if you want to be in the thick of Cincinnati’s sports or nightlife culture.

Ideal for: Yuppies who like to party. Young people with generational wealth.

Not ideal for: Broke 20-somethings ($$$). Introverts. Conservatives who only come downtown once a year.

Extra perk: Beautiful riverfront views. Close to Andrew J Brady Music Center for concerts.

Where to meet locals: Smale Riverfront Park. Sawyer Point. Great American Ball Park. Any bar along Freedom Way.

The Neighborhood: Newport

The vibe: A little bit historic, a little bit modern. There’s always something going on on that side of the river or a quick walk over the Purple People or Taylor Southgate bridges to downtown Cincinnati. Newport on the Levee is also great destination for families with its aquarium, movie theater and LEGO cafe, and MegaCorp Pavilion nearby brings in a number of big shows and acts.

Ideal for: Young professionals. People who want a trendier lifestyle but can’t afford The Banks.

Not ideal for: People who want big yards or a lot of space.

Extra perk: Pretty walkable and plenty of great hidden-gem restaurants like Herb & Thelma’s, Pepper Pod and Press on Monmouth.

Where to meet locals: Newport on the Levee’s Bridgeview Box Park. Southgate House Revival.

The Neighborhood: Covington

The vibe: Brimming with great art, culture, music, food and history — it’s similar to OTR, but you’ll find just a bit of Southern charm mixed in with the German heritage, especially in the Licking River Historic District with its stately homes and little square parks along and near the Ohio and Licking rivers. (Think Savannah, but without the Spanish moss.)

Ideal for: Artists. Musicians. Foodies. LGBTQ+ folks. Small business owners. Anyone who wants to live somewhere urban, but also a little quaint.

Not ideal for: Homebodies. People looking for more upscale, modern amenities.

Extra perk: Mainstrasse Village is an adorable corner of the city straight out of a storybook with its street art, the Goose Girl Fountain and the Carroll Chimes Bell Tower in Goebel Park. There are also tons of restaurants in the area where you can grab a bite to eat and sit at a picnic table in George Steinford Park nearby.

Where to meet locals: Roebling Point Books. Hail Records & Oddities. Mainstrasse Village. Baker Hunt Art & Cultural Center. Riverfront Commons. George Roger Clark and Goebel parks.

The Neighborhood: Westwood

The vibe: It’s the West Side, so immediately there’s a strong sense of community and that everyone knows each other, but you’ll probably also run into a decent amount of transplants too. On the weekends, especially when the weather is nice, the business district is bustling with people. The space is a DORA, so you can grab a drink at West Side Brewing and head over to the commons near the town hall to listen to live music or browse the monthly West Side Market. The area also has a nice playground for kids and a dog park for the pups.

Ideal for: Young families. People looking for a mix of affordability and things to do. Lifelong West Siders who want to stay on the West Side and still feel cool.

Not ideal for: People who want a lot of walkability outside the business district. People who are looking for more modern apartments or homes.

Extra perk: Great Parks’ newest park is located here, and they just released their plan to continue developing it.

Where to meet locals: West Side Brewing. West Side Market. Fable Cafe. Gamble-Nippert YMCA.

The Neighborhood: East Walnut Hills

The vibe: Trendy and fun, Woodburn Avenue and Madison Road are the heart of the neighborhood with their specialty shops like indigenous craft gallery, Woodburn Games and Legit Vintage, as well as plenty of spots to eat and drink, including Heyday, Cafe Mochiko, Rusk Kitchen + Bar, Anjou and Woodburn Brewing.

Ideal for: Fresh college grads. Yuppies. Young couples. Old house lovers.

Not ideal for: Broke 20-somethings (it’s on the pricier side). Many of the apartments and homes are on the older side, so there aren’t a ton of modern builds.

Extra perk: Walking down Woodburn with St. Francis De Sales Church in the background makes the neighborhood feel European.

Where to meet locals: Woodburn Brewing. Walk on Woodburn events. Urbana Cafe.

The Neighborhood: Oakley

The vibe: A mix of old and new, Oakley has its history and also its future. There are a lot of older homes and apartments among the newer, luxury builds, so while we wouldn’t necessarily call Oakley “affordable,” it can still bring in more varied economic backgrounds than its hoitier-toitier neighbor, Hyde Park.

Ideal for: Fresh college grads. Young families. Yuppies. People who want a blend of historic charm and modern amenities.

Not ideal for: People seeking a diverse neighborhood. People who want a more artistic or eclectic vibe.

Extra perk: There are a lot of places to visit along Madison Road, whether you want to pop in for a sweet treat at Aglamesis, buy your kiddo a toy at King Arthur’s Court or grab a coffee from Deeper Roots.

Where to meet locals: MadTree Brewing. Redtree Coffee & Art. Deeper Roots.

The Neighborhood: East Price Hill

The vibe: Eclectic and diverse, people from all economic backgrounds and age groups call East Price Hill home, from young professionals to immigrants from all over the globe. You’re still very much in a city neighborhood, surrounded by plenty of corner convenience stores, trendy restaurants and even a performance arts center, the Warsaw Federal Incline Theater, but you don’t have the same hustle and bustle as Cincinnati’s central neighborhoods. Plus, you still get that West Side feel of neighborliness and everyone knowing each other.

Ideal for: Broke 20-somethings. Foodies. Young professionals. Immigrants. Artists.

Not ideal for: City dwellers looking for a fast pace. Suburbanites.

Extra perk: Some of the best cheap Mexican and Latin American food in the city, plus wine bar Somm; upscale Italian restaurant with a view Primavista; BLOC Coffee; and the popular Incline Public House, all within walking distance of each other.

Where to meet locals: Incline Public House. The ARCO event center. Elder football games.

The Neighborhood: Pendleton

The vibe: Similar to OTR in the accessibility of restaurants, bars and nightlife, but a little bit quieter, plus the Pendleton Arts Center makes this little corner of the downtown area an ideal place for artists to live and work.

Ideal for: Those who want to be close to the action, but not directly in it. Young professionals. Artists.

Not ideal for: Suburbanites. Broke 20-somethings.

Extra perk: Pair Ziegler Park’s pool with tacos from Yoli’s and ice cream from Pendleton Parlor for a kick-ass summer day.

Where to meet locals: Ziegler Park. Braxton Brewing. Bar Saeso.

The Neighborhood: Walnut Hills

The vibe: Urban but tight-knit community with a lot of valuable history. Walnut Hills experienced disinvestment in the past, but is very much going through a renaissance right now, bringing in restaurants like The Aperture and Gomez Salsa and third places like Esoteric Brewing, Comfort Station and Caffè Vivace. The neighborhood was also the site for a lot of important moments in Cincinnati’s Black history, including being home to the former Manse Hotel, which saw stays from Black celebrities like Duke Ellington and James Brown before segregation. It also hosted the 1946 NAACP National Convention, with attendees like members of the Tuskegee Airmen, boxer Joe Louis and future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.

Ideal for: Old house lovers. History buffs. People on a budget. People looking for a diverse neighborhood.

Not ideal for: Suburbanites. People looking for a trendy neighborhood.

Extra perk: Eden Park offers beautiful green spaces, trails and playgrounds, as well as a live-performance theater and a free art museum.

Where to meet locals: Esoteric Brewing. Caffè Vivace. Tiki Tiki Bang Bang. Cincinnati Art Museum. Eden Park.

The Neighborhood: Norwood

The vibe: Much more blue-collar and working-class than its neighbor, Hyde Park, Norwood has the small-town feel many crave, but with big-city amenities still in the neighborhood, plus it’s not a far drive to downtown Cincinnati. Rookwood Pavilion and Commons offer a variety of shopping, from upscale to bargains, whether you need clothes, shoes, a spa day, books or just groceries from Whole Foods.

Ideal for: Young working-class folks. Families. First-time homebuyers. Those who can’t afford Hyde Park but still want to be nearby.

Not ideal for: Drivers not willing to deal with the potholes. City-dwellers. People who don’t like change.

Extra perk: The brand new Factory 52 offers a town-square-like feel where you can hang out, grab a bite to eat and play pickleball.

Where to meet locals: Rookwood. Factory 52. Northwood Cider Company. Hi-Wire Brewing.

The Neighborhood: Hyde Park

The vibe: Upscale, a little wealthy and peak yuppie, but there are a ton of restaurants and shops to patron, plus a cute little square in the middle of Erie Avenue to relax in and enjoy some ice cream from the local Graeter’s. Nearby Ault Park offers plenty of green space and walking trails. And even though Rookwood is technically in Norwood, it’s walkable to Hyde Park and has everything you could possibly want, from a Whole Foods and boutique shops to a Nordstrom Rack and Joseph-Beth Booksellers.

Ideal for: Young people with generational wealth. Suburbanites. Families.

Not ideal for: Broke 20- and 30-somethings. First-time homebuyers (Those property taxes? Yeesh.) Those looking for a more eclectic neighborhood feel.

Extra perk: It’s the only neighborhood in Greater Cincinnati with an observatory — the oldest observatory in the country, in fact.

Where to meet locals: Wasson Way Trail. Ault Park. Hyde Park Square. Coffee Emporium.

The Neighborhood: Corryville/CUF/Clifton

The vibe: Like a college town was dropped in an urban neighborhood. Home to the University of Cincinnati, the CUF/Corryville/Clifton area brings in a lot of late teens and early 20-somethings for school and work, but it’s a very densely populated area with people from all backgrounds. With that many people, it can be chaotic, but usually in a fun way as there is always something happening, whether it’s a show at Bogart’s or a football game at Nippert. While Corryville and CUF can be described as more of a party zone, Clifton’s Gaslight District is best known for being more laid-back and artsy.

Ideal for: UC students. Partiers. Artists. Musicians. Broke 20-somethings. Academics. People looking for a diverse neighborhood. Hospital workers.

Not ideal for: People who want peace and quiet. Suburbanites. Those who get stressed easily while driving (someone will run out in front of your car on McMillan and/or Calhoun at some point).

Extra perk: You’re very close to the Cincinnati Zoo.

Where to meet locals: UC’s campus. Sitwell’s Coffeehouse Act II. Esquire Theatre. Clifton Cultural Arts Center. Bogart’s. The numerous bars throughout the neighborhood.

The Neighborhood: Cheviot

The vibe: Working class and an enclave for generational West Siders, Cheviot is one of Greater Cincinnati’s most affordable neighborhoods and the perfect place for someone young without a lot of money. The community offers a small-town feel and is home to plenty of dive and sports bars, like Keller’s and Game Time, where you can join other Reds and Bengals fans to watch the game, plus old-school eateries where you can fill up on comfort food. You’re also close to Mt. Airy Forest, which offers plenty of hiking trails and disc golf.

Ideal for: Broke 20- and 30-somethings. Those looking for a small-town feel. Working-class folks. Families. First-time homebuyers.

Not ideal for: City dwellers. Those who want to live somewhere trendy. People who hate the question, “Where did you go to school?”

Extra perk: Cheviot is trying to revitalize its business district, so it could also be a great home for budding entrepreneurs.

Where to meet locals: Any of the bars along Harrison and Glenmore avenues. The Harvest Home Fair.

The Neighborhood: Delhi

The vibe: Very family-friendly and probably what you picture when you think of Cincinnati’s West Side suburbia. But for the fact that it’s only a 10-15-minute drive to downtown, it’s super affordable and most people here are friendly, but they probably will ask you where you went to high school or if you know/are related to anyone they know.

Ideal for: Mount St. Joe students. Families. People living on a budget. First-time homebuyers. Nature lovers.

Not ideal for: People who want to do stuff after 10 p.m. Those looking for more upscale businesses, restaurants and stores.

Extra perk: Delhi has some great parks and hiking trails, including Bender Mountain, Embshoff, Story Woods and Delhi Park.

Where to meet locals: Delhi Park. Maloney’s Pub. Sweets and Eats.

The Neighborhood: College Hill

The vibe: Up-and-coming, family-friendly and diverse. College Hill is seeing an influx of businesses, including bars, restaurants, plant shop Fern and comic book store Manga Manga. It’s also more affordable than its neighbor, Northside, but still offers plenty to do.

Ideal for: Entrepreneurs. Families. People who want diversity in their neighborhood. Those looking for a mix of affordability and things to do. People who want low-key, fun nights out.

Not ideal for: People looking for upscale amenities or super trendy places.

Extra perk: College Hill CURC offers an incubator program for small businesses called OurShop College Hill.

Where to meet locals: Brink Brewing. Big Chill. College Hill Rec Center.

The Neighborhood: Madisonville

The vibe: The neighborhood is undergoing a renaissance, so it also has a lot of “up-and-coming” energy. It’s still the relatively affordable and diverse option in its East Side enclave of Hyde Park, Oakley and Columbia Township, but still has a lot to offer, especially if you like food and coffee — don’t skip on Bee’s Barbecue, Mad Llama Coffee, The Cheesecakery, Mazunte or Mom ‘n ‘em Coffee.

Ideal for: Foodies. Fresh college grads. Young professionals. People looking for a mix of affordability and things to do. Suburbanites who still want to be close to city amenities.

Not ideal for: Those looking for a trendier or more upscale neighborhood. Those who want to be right in the action.

Extra perk: The neighborhood is pretty walkable and also close to interstates and major roads, making for easy commutes.

Where to meet locals: Mom ‘n ‘em Coffee. Element Eatery. And if you like cats, we highly recommend volunteering at Ohio Alleycat Resource (OAR).