Mount Adams

As a former resident of Mt. Adams, I still consider it one of my favorite neighborhoods in Cincinnati. I lived there when I was young but, being older, I appreciate it now more than ever. There’s always something going on in Mt. Adams, especially on the weekends. Recently, I visited on a Saturday night and could barely drive through all the crowds moving from bar to bar. While such a description might frighten some people off, I can imagine that it appeals to a certain crowd.

Essentially, Mt. Adams is ideal for a target audience of young college-grads in their twenties or thirties looking to move to a trendy (albeit expensive) part of town. Sure, condos in Mt. Adams don’t come cheap... Some homes, like Joey Votto’s, for example, are going to cost you millions. This is all for good reason, however. First of all, the views from Mt. Adams are some of the best in the city. Walk down to Immaculata Church and you’ll have an exquisite panoramic view of the city. Sip a drink on someone’s porch and watch the Cincinnati Reds fireworks, and you’ll know what I mean.

Overall, the area is also very safe. Since it’s comprised of mostly young adults with a decent salary, there are relatively low crime levels, especially considering you’re so close to downtown. Such a central location pays off: a few minutes’ drive will get you to the business district, ballpark, or stadium. I would mostly recommend this neighborhood to singles or couples, but good schools are also nearby. You’ll find Summit Country Day, St. Ursula, Walnut Hills, and School of Creative & Performing Arts just minutes away.

Overall, I’d most readily recommend Mt. Adams to singles or couples, as it’s vibrant, young, and--at times--quite loud. It’s a fantastic place to spend an evening. My family used to own a café right on St. Gregory’s St. next to the Blind Lemon and the Mt. Adams Bar & Grill, and I remember how fun it was for everyone to be able to spend their nights socializing and exploring the area. I’d absolutely love to live in Mt. Adams someday--if I can afford it!

The community of Mount Adam sits high on a hill above Downtown Cincinnati. It offers sweeping views of the city, the Ohio River, and Northern Kentucky. However, along with great views comes a high cost of living. Property and rental rates in Mount Adams are on the higher end; but, if you can afford it, you might get the opportunity to rub elbows with the rich and famous, as a number of athletes, artists, authors, actors, and Cincinnati's elite have all called Mount Adams home.

Mount Adams also offers rich entertainment and dining options. There are a number of really good restaurants in Mount Adams, such as Daveed's, Teak, and The Rookwood. Mount Adams is also home to many great nightlife spots like Mt. Adams Pavilion, Blind Lemon, and Longworth's. Because of the rich nightlife and dining in Mount Adams, traffic gets very heavy in the evening, especially on weekends. Parking is also at a premium in Mount Adams.

Long known as an arts community, Mount Adams is home to the Cincinnati Art Club and Wessel Gallery, as well as the Cincinnati Art Museum. Also located in Mount Adams are Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and Seasongood Pavilion, which hosts many summertime entertainment events. Eden Park provides the area with verdant greenery, as well as with fitness trails, children's play areas, scenic overlooks, and picnic tables for alfresco dining. Also located in Eden Park are Mirror Lake and Krohn Conservatory. Eden Park is especially popular on the weekends and traffic can be somewhat difficult to maneuver through.

Because of its proximity to Downtown Cincinnati and excellent nightlife, Mount Adams is very popular with trendy singles and young professionals. Overall, Mount Adams is a nice neighborhood, but only if you can afford it.