Relocating to Cincinnati? Tons of family-friendly activities, great outdoor recreation, top-notch schools, and more make Cincinnati a great place for families to call home. Check out the five best neighborhoods in Cincinnati for families!
| Neighborhood | Hyde Park | Mount Adams | Mount Lookout | Oakley | Pleasant Ridge |
| Median Home Price | $401,712 | $362,500 | $368,071 | $258,822 | $189,591 |
| Median Rent Price | $1,134 | $1,177 | $778 | $1,014 | $866 |
| Median Household Income | $98,838 | $89,772 | $93,019 | $70,498 | $64,009 |
| Safer than % of City | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 73% |
| High School Graduation Rate | 96% | 97% | 98% | 92% | 89% |
Hyde Park
As a safe, affordable neighborhood in Cincinnati, Hyde Park is an excellent neighborhood for families. Though Downtown Cincinnati is just a 15-minute drive away, there are plenty of amenities for kids in this neighborhood—in addition to great schools like Hyde Park School and Clark Montessori High School. Plus, Hyde Park Square hosts family-friendly events like the local farmers market, Halloween on the Square, and Hyde Park Blast— a local race that benefits cancer awareness organizations. And with a variety of homes like Colonial, Tudor, and Victorian offering kiddos large front or backyards to play in, it’s no wonder why Hyde Park is one of the best Cincy neighborhoods for families!
Things to Do in Hyde Park
Swing in the sun at Cincinnati playgrounds in Hyde Park, like East Hyde Park Commons Playground and Wulsin (Withrow) Playground. Stargaze during various nighttime programs, check out the moon and different planets like Saturn and Jupiter, or take a daytime history tour through the buildings at the Cincinnati Observatory. Shop over 100 local shops, restaurants, art galleries, and businesses to explore with your family at beloved Hyde Park Square. Become a member and play a round of golf, spend a day at the pool, or play tennis and pickleball at the Hyde Park Golf & Country Club. Start your morning with the Business Man’s Breakfast, Marje’s Metabolism Booster, or Steph’s Sampler at Cincinnati brunch place The Echo Restaurant. Snack on meals made with locally-sourced ingredients, like the Black Bean Burger or Boursin Burger from Arthur’s Cafe. Try family and dog-friendly Cincinnati restaurant Delwood, which offers El Jefe Double Burger, the Fried Chicken Sandwich, and the Veggie Burger 2.0. Or grab a cone of delicious flavors like Oregon Strawberry, Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan, or Original Salted Caramel from Graeter’s Ice Cream.
Mount Adams
Tucked alongside the Ohio River, Mount Adams is a vibrant Cincinnati neighborhood known for its unique housing built to accommodate the steep hills in the area. Families living in Cincinnati can choose between traditional single-family homes, rowhouses, newly-developed duplexes, condos in refurbished buildings, and much more! Mount Adams is frequently ranked one of the best neighborhoods in Cincinnati because of its close proximity to Downtown Cincinnati and a variety of family-friendly activities like Riverfest and Art on the Hill. Along with a close-knit community, the fantastic amenities and quirky shops in the area make this Cincinnati neighborhood truly special.
Things to Do in Mount Adams
Take a walk through the 186-acre Eden Park to see the gazebo in Hinkle Magnolia Garden, Seasongood Pavilion, and Bettman Fountain in Mirror Lake. See seasonal flower shows and a wide variety of plant life in areas like the Fern House, Palm House, and Desert House at Art Deco-style Krohn Conservatory. Tour the Cincinnati Art Museum, which features over 73,000 works of art and an interactive art space for kids. Take in a theatrical show from national and local artists at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park—or sign the kids up for their Summer Theatre Camps! Grab a quick breakfast like the Avocado Toast, Pesto Chicken Salad Sammy, or a Pear Danish at the Bow Tie Cafe. Sit down and enjoy a meal like the Almost Famous Burger, Ernie’s Veggie Pasta, or the Grilled Chilean Salmon with the family at the Mt. Adams Bar and Grill. Order the Burrito El Barzon, Steak Fundido, or Pollo Toluca at Cincinnati Mexican restaurant El Barril. Or dine in to try The Original World Famous Pork Loin Back Ribs, Coho Salmon, or Gulf Shrimp Cantonese at The Boathouse in Montgomery Inn.
Mount Lookout
To the east of Hyde Park is Mount Lookout, a beautiful, upscale neighborhood with great schools like Cardinal Pacelli Elementary and Kilgour School. Cincinnati homes for sale in the Mount Lookout area include historical single-family luxury houses, newly-built condos, and apartments on tree-lined streets. Plus, it’s only 15 minutes from Downtown Cincinnati and quaint Mount Lookout Square—a local shopping center full of great stores and restaurants. This Cincinnati neighborhood also sponsors plenty of festivals and events, including the free Mount Lookout Fall Festival, where kids and adults can participate in pumpkin and face painting, costume contests, and games!
Things to Do in Mount Lookout
Attend a live music event or schedule a party at Art Deco landmark The Redmoor. Explore Ault Park, a 224-acre Cincinnati park with picnic areas, playgrounds, and manicured trails, as well as a pavilion that offers scenic gardens and a breathtaking view of the city. Shop around for upscale vintage pieces and custom originals at local Ty Tea Boutique. Schedule music lessons for piano, voice, guitar, and more for you or your kids at Queen City Music Studio. Refuel with delicious eats like the Flying Pig, the Girth Burger, and the Beer Battered Fish Sandwich at Zip’s Cafe. Taste the Filet Mignon Burger, the Nueske Ham Sandwich, and the TTC Fish Tacorita at The Turf Club. Order the Calypso, Supreme, or Sal’s Favorite at Ramundo’s Pizzeria. Or head to Cloud 9 Sushi for specialty rolls like the Hot Mama, the J.J., and the Sunday Morning.
Oakley
If you’re looking for a walkable Cincinnati neighborhood for families, Oakley is the place for you! Not only are the shopping and outdoor recreation amenities easy to explore on foot, but there’s also quick access to I-71—meaning families living in the Queen City have easy access to Downtown. This Cincinnati neighborhood also holds family-friendly events like Oaktoberfest, so parents can have a fun weekend with the kids while staying close to home! Oakley housing options include modern apartments, charming bungalows, and classic brick American Foursquare homes on streets maintained by regular Oakley Community Cleanups. To top it off, beautiful community green space areas like Geier Esplanade—formerly called Oakley Square—help make it easy to socialize with friendly neighbors!
Things to Do in Oakley
Shop around big retailers or see a movie in the theater at Oakley Station Mall. Spend a fun day playing in the wading pool or on the tennis and basketball courts at Oakley Recreation Center. Bring your children to enjoy artistic fun with classes like Intro to Clay and Intro to Wheel at Queen City Clay, a local Cincinnati art studio that also offers camps, birthday parties, and more for kids and families living in Oakley! Take a short drive outside the Oakley neighborhood for bowling, casual bowling leagues, and arcade games at Madison Bowl. Order Thai dishes like the Neua Nam Man Hoi, Seafood Madness, or Green Curry at the Green Papaya. Try made-from-scratch carry-out dishes like the Roasted Carrot Sandwich, Cannelloni, and Stuffed Peppers at The Wheel. Sample Hawaiian-style meats like Lechon Waipahu or Shoyu Chicken with sides like Lahaina Green Papaya Salad at Onolicious in the Oakley Kitchen Food Hall. And finish off your meal with a dessert of Italian ice in a variety of flavors like Red Raspberry, Pineapple, Peach, and more at Aglamesis Bro’s.
Pleasant Ridge
Located a few minutes northeast of Downtown Cincinnati is Pleasant Ridge, one of the best neighborhoods for families in Cincinnati. You’ll find plenty of housing options lining the gas lantern-lit streets, like Bungalow and Shotgun-style brick cottages. Pleasant Ridge has plenty of interesting amenities to offer—from a fun business district full of local shops, to great parks, outdoor recreation, and schools. The Pleasant Ridge Community Council is dedicated to the improvement of this Queen City neighborhood and its residents, with initiatives like the Beautification Committee, Pleasant Streets Committee, and Safety Committee. There’s always plenty to do in Pleasant Ridge, with tons of family-friendly events like Run Through The Ridge to kick off St. Patrick’s week in Cincinnati, as well as Ridge Day & Night.
Things to Do in Pleasant Ridge
Visit Pleasant Ridge Recreation Center, which has a pool, fitness center, and game room, as well as Saturday Yoga sessions and daily pickleball games. Spend a day outdoors hiking in nature and exploring the abandoned structures in Lindner Park and Nature Preserve. Attend a Craftivity or Family Storytime with the kids or peruse the collection of books at the Pleasant Ridge Branch Library. Sign the kids up to play soccer in programs like Team Training, Seasonal Camp, or Summer Camps at Coerver Coaching. Start the day right with Alma’s Breakfast for Two, Max’s Challah French Toast, or a Shmagel’s Bagel at Cafe Alma. Feast on barbecue entrees like the Whole Rib, Pork Chops, and Chicken Wings at J&W Barbecue. Head to Mr. Crab House for Cajun seafood favorites like The Cajun Boil, the Oyster Po’ Boy, and Clam Chowder. Or experience scratch-made eats like The NG Burger, the Drunken Bacon Grilled Cheese, and the Pesto Chicken Mac & Cheese at Nine Giant.
***
Moving to Cincinnati soon? Extra Space Storage has convenient storage facility locations throughout Queen City to make your transition easier. Find cheap storage in Cincinnati!
Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
