Relocating to Cincinnati-lots of Questions....

Updated on September 03, 2006
J.W. asks from Cincinnati, OH
4 answers

I'm a single mom relocating to Cincy in a month or two from Oxford. Since I'm not totally familiar with Cincinnati, I was wondering if any of you could answer a few questions--
To begin, my son is 7 and he lives with me full time except for three weekends out of the month. I'm a little limited residentially due to the custody agreement, but I think I've settled on the Hyde Park/Oakley area which puts my son in Kilgour Elementary. Do any of you know anything about this school? I've definitely researched it statistically, but I'd really like to have a firsthand opinion. I'm trying to schedule a visit but so far I can't get a call back.
Also, I'd love to hook up with a mom group when I finally get to Cincinnati. I'm a little anxious about my lack of "support" in Cincinnati, so it'd be great to kind of establish that beforehand. Also, I'm sure childcare will be huge issue for me. I feel I can swing the before/after school ordeal, but the snow day/emergency issue has me worried. Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated.

...and while I'm at it....if anyone knows of any job openings for a graphic designer/marketing/PR person that would be great!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

thanks everyone for the response...I'm still looking for a place and a job, but all the info has been really helpful. I think I definitely want to live in the Hyde Park area and it seems Kilgour will be fine for elementary school, however, I think other plans will need to be made for my son's education after that. Poor Cincinnati--Their school system is really struggling. Being a child of public education, I really want to support it, but geez, this is my kid we're talking about!

Stephanie, thanks for the info on Hyde Park rentals, I'll definitely try to talk some money off the rent. The area is really nice, so I'm really sure that's where I want to live. Can you tell me...what are some of the people like who live there? Younger hopefully? I'm thinking late 20's and thirties...I'm gonna need friends, too!

Still looking for a job, so any help in that area would be awesome!

Thanks so much you guys, you all are making the pre-move stress a lot easier.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.E.

answers from Cincinnati on

I am a SAHM former teacher and we moved to the northern suburbs (Loveland) from Mt. Lookout/Columbia Tusculum last year due to schools. Kilgour has a good reputation for Cincinnati public schools, it's one of the best elementaries as far as I know. If you want top schools though most people move to the suburbs. You may want to look at the Blue Ash area because of Sycamore Schools, you'd still be super close to Hyde Park but those schools are rated excellent and probably the most diverse of the suburban schools. Also the top rated schools in the area are Wyoming schools. This area is close to 75 and 275 it's a cute area though you will probably have a harder time finding a home/apt there??? It might be worth a look at least. I wish you luck!

E.

Also if you still are set on the Hyde Park area there are some good catholic elementary schools, Cardinal Pacheli and St Mary's school.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.

answers from Cincinnati on

Hello,
I don't have input about your area of town or the school you mentioned but can tell you of a winderful way to not have to work for someone else or deal with childcare. A great business presentation is at www.theglobalsuccessteam.com. There are numerous tax advantages in having a home-based business as well as not being limited to what you can earn or someone else telling you when to work. Please let me know what you think.
S.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.N.

answers from Cincinnati on

hi J.
I'm J.. I live in Hyde Park, right around the corner from Kilgour (although they will be moving back into their old location, newly renovated, soon. ) My son is 4 and in that school district, but we've decided to homeschool, so I haven't looked into it. There is a Waldorf school here, which is my back up if I change my mind later on. I've heard that it is one of the better Cincinnati Public Schools. I have a family member who is a teacher with CPS and says that they are all terrible, but that's just one person's opinion. We really like living in Hyde Park. Its fun, energetic, lots to do and I like the community feel of being able to walk places. It is a little more expensive that Oakley or other areas, but you can negotiate with landlords on what they are asking for rent. We got ours down 200 a month from what she wanted. There are always a ton of houses and apts. for rent in the area, esp. right now. Not so much once you hit October. Its really safe, I go running at night with my dog. There is a huge ap group here (attachment parenting) that I'm a member of. Its been a fantastic support system of people who raise their children consciously and respectfully. They have a yahoo group, Cincinnati Attached Parents.
That is the only group I feel the need to be a member of, but there are other groups. If you search yahoo groups or just a google, I'm sure you can find some. Good luck. I hope you like the area.
J.

I'm adding on to my original post because I'm not sure how to respond again. Hyde Park has a diverse age group population. Lots of late 20 somethings to late 30 somethings. But older too, lots of people that have lived here a long time. You mentioned job stuff. You said graphics? Have you thought about teaching? There is a design college here, Antonelli, which is downtown, only about 8 minutes away. They have design, photography, graphics programs. I teach in the medical dept. there. Its a fun place to work and they hire lots of adjunct.
J.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.W.

answers from Cincinnati on

I did some student observing at Kilgore YEARS ago. From what I remember was nice. If they won't call you back, I would take that as a consideration in your choice. Is that an on going thing with that school? Will you always have trouble with geting a returned call on any issue? I do know that that was the shool that they used for the movie "Milk Money"...Just a little trivia to share. I do not know of a good mom group in that area, sorry about that. Hyde Park is a pricey area compared to others for rent/purchase. While Oakley isn't neccessarily. Please let us know of your progress!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions