The acronym CUF represents three communities linked together in the heart of Cincinnati, Ohio: Clifton Heights, University Heights and Fairview. The area can be characterized as low cost but high value, making it one of the best investment communities for the first time home buyer or property investor.
The unemployment rate in the CUF is around 5% (5.5%). It’s a solid three percentage points better than Cincinnati (7.7%) and about a point better than the rest of the state (6.2%). The income per capita is considerably less than the rest of the city, however the numbers are skewed due to the high population of student-residents. The largest employer in the CUF is the University of Cincinnati, with more than 10,000 on their payroll. UC is known as a research center and academic hub of the area, offering undergrad and graduate courses in its more than seven campuses. This prestigious institution has long been held in high regards in academic circles, but lately the UC is even known for…Star Wars. More than 41,000 students are currently enrolled at the University. As an employer, Glassdoor gives UC an overall positive rating. Jobs include everything from traditional while collar professorial positions to janitor and cafeteria gigs. Good Samaritan Hospital is the second largest employer in the CUF. Good Sam is the oldest hospital in the region, with 700 beds and 1,600 employed physicians. TriHealth, a large, diverse health system in the region, now owns the hospital. Overall, the CUF will benefit from an estimated 106,115 new jobs by 2020. Given the pace of new development in the CUF, this will create exciting new opportunities for job seekers in the region. The fastest growing occupations are healthcare and education, solidly placing the CUF at the cusp of some terrific expansion over the next few years. These roles also pay the highest in the area, so those residents planning on living in the CUF, where the cost of living is reasonable, while still drawing upon some of the highest salaries in the region, are expected to come out ahead financially. Surprisingly, jobs in construction, architecture and engineering are all expected to decline or slow over the next several years. But some of the largest employers in the state of Ohio reside in Cincinnati, from grocery giant Kroger to Proctor & Gamble and Fifth Third Bank.
Perhaps the best way to describe the housing and architecture in this region is, “an eclectic mix.” In Fairview, which features primarily non-commercial residences, the primary architectural style is Italianate. In fact, this may be the largest cluster of Italian-themed residences in the country. You will find primarily two story wood frame homes with porches, crammed together on narrow, hilly streets. It’s actually very charming, and in the summer the porches teem with colorful hanging baskets and front yard herb gardens.
University Heights also has a number of single-family homes with prices starting in the $90s. The UH has the highest volume of residential homeowners in the CUF. The cost of living in this community is 12% higher than Cincinnati. Clifton Heights has a completely different vibe; developers have done away with the classic single-family homes and replaced them with ultra-modern multi-story apartments and condos. These units are clean and bright, many with nice views of downtown and easy access to entertainment and fine dining. Then there is The Village of Stetson Square, an award winning planned community featuring some of the finest new built homes in downtown Cincinnati. The Villages features posh townhouses and luxury condos with amenities like private meeting rooms, a fitness center, and private movie theater. Many of the units offer attached garages, which is also a plus for the area. On the opposite spectrum, you can some of the largest historic homes in downtown Cincinnati on Wolper Avenue in Clifton Heights. These are large, ornate brick and stone structures that still retain some of their Italian-themed architecture. Despite the pace of urban renewal, this street retains some of the charm of the city’s forefathers. Overall the three neighborhoods that make up the CUF have a college town feel with a good deal of “walkability,” densely populated and bustling with street activity. There is a definite sense of neighborhood in these communities, and the level of cultural activities and emphasis on diversity make this an ideal community for first time homebuyers, empty nesters, and well-educated young families.
Vibrant, exciting and energetic are all words that characterize the CUF. Within a few short blocks you could go to a movie or visit a bookstore, have a great dinner, see a live concert or visit a student art exhibit. The beauty of the CUF is also its great transit system. You are just a short ride away from a world-class zoo, great theatre or a professional football game. If you’re staying in the CUF this Friday night, though, be sure to check out Bogart’s for live music from national and local acts. If you’re grabbing a quick bite to eat after the show, Pomodori’s Trattoria on McMillan has delicious traditional Italian. For the best TexMex try Cactus Pear. German fare can be found at the Mecklenburg Gardens in an historic 1800 building complete with beer garden. For the best samosas in the city, Ambar India is a must-visit.
