Cincinnati, Ohio is home to 52 neighborhoods to explore but few compare to Mount Washington when you’re looking for affordability, family-friendly amenities, great schools, and an easy commute to downtown. What is Mt. Washington known for? Locals know it for the Mt. Washington Water Tower and as the birthplace of Gold Star Chili, one of the top chain restaurants for Cincinnati-style chili. While mostly a suburban community, Mount Washington still has a slightly urban setting with tons of attractions you’ll love. Here’s why Mt. Washington is a good place to live for families, retirees, young professionals, and students in Cincinnati.
Mt. Washington, Cincinnati History
Cincinnati is the City of Seven Hills although there are actually many more than seven! As you explore real estate in Cincy, you’ll notice many “Mount” and “Hill” neighborhoods like Mt. Adams, Mt. Lookout, and Walnut Hills. While there are many variations on the list of the seven hills, Mt. Washington makes the list at the University of Cincinnati:
- Mount Washington
- Mount Adams
- Mount Airy
- Mount Echo
- Mount Healthy
- Mount Storm
- Mount Lookout
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Mount Washington’s history goes back to the 1790s when it was part of Anderson Township and the Virginia Military District (VMD), bounty land granted to soldiers by the Commonwealth of Virginia after the Revolutionary War. Early settlers arrived to farm and the Village of Mt. Washington was founded in 1846 once threats of Indian attacks diminished. Long a rural farming community, Mt. Washington began to develop rapidly in the early 20th century with 800 residents by 1900. It was annexed by Cincinnati in 1911 and the Mt. Washington Water Tower, still a major symbol of the community, was built in 1939.
Land was annexed to Mt. Washington repeatedly until the 1960s and the community grew rapidly with many subdivisions built after World War II. Today, Mt. Washington is known for its parks, festivals, and great schools.
Mt. Washington Location & Transportation Info
Mount Washington is one of 52 neighborhoods in Cincinnati in the 45230 zip code. Located in east Cincinnati about 10 minutes east of downtown via Beechmont Avenue and Columbia Parkway, Mt. Washington borders East End, Linwood, California, and unincorporated Anderson Township.
The main roads in Mount Washington are Beechmont Avenue/State Route 125, Corbly Street, and Sutton Avenue. You can reach downtown Cincinnati via Beechmont and Columbia Parkway or via Kellogg Avenue and Riverside Drive. While Cincinnati does not have a robust public transportation system, Mt. Washington, Cincinnati is served by the following bus routes: 81X Metro, 30X, and 24. Interstates I-71, I-471, and I-275 are only minutes away and you’re just 5 minutes from Lunken Airport.
Lifestyle in Mt. Washington, Cincinnati
Mt. Washington, Cincinnati has a population of more than 12,000 which has remained fairly stable since the 1980s. Despite the stable population, Mt. Washington is becoming more diverse. 93% of the population is white with the Hispanic population doubling between 1990 to 2000 to make up 1% of the neighborhood. About 4% of the population is black or African American. Mt. Washington has a higher level of education and median household income than the Cincinnati average.
What’s it like living in Mt. Washington, Cincinnati? Mount Washington is a mostly suburban community close to the nightlife of downtown Cincinnati. Mt. Washington is a family-friendly neighborhood in Cincinnati that’s also popular with retirees and singles thanks to its safety and professionals and students because it’s just 10 minutes from downtown.
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After moving to Mt. Washington, you’ll enjoy a less urban feel as this Cincinnati neighborhood is right at the edge of the city limits. There are three main commercial areas in the neighborhood with mostly small, family-owned businesses. You’ll have plenty to do without leaving your neighborhood with great family-friendly recreational facilities but there is one drawback to living in Mount Washington: traffic on Beechmont Avenue is no joke during rush hour!
Mount Washington is definitely one of the best places to live in Cincinnati with tons of pedestrian-friendly streets with cul-de-sac subdivisions and tree-lined sidewalks. It’s not uncommon for neighborhoods in the community to host block parties and progressive dinners to make it easy to get to know your new neighbors after moving to Mount Washington.
Eating, Shopping & Top Things to Do in Mt. Washington
Want to know all of the things you’ll love doing while living in Mount Washington, Cincinnati? This great Cincinnati neighborhood has tons of outdoor activities, parks, and free things to do plus convenient shopping and great restaurants.
The main area for shopping in Mt. Washington is at the top of the hill with many stores along the Beechmont Avenue corridor. Along with some fast food restaurants, you’ll find a Goodwill and Kroger, the major commercial anchors of the neighborhood. Enjoy outdoor shopping in Mt. Washington at the Mt. Washington Farmer’s Market every Thursday in June through October, one of the neighborhood’s most popular outdoor events. You can also support locally owned businesses like Konkrete City Skateboards and Water Tower Fine Wines.
If you don’t find enough shopping in Mt. Washington, you can always continue past the top of the hill to Anderson Towne Center Mall which has major restaurant chains, department stores, and a movie theater.
Mount Washington may be small but it’s home to tons of great family-owned restaurants too! One of the top rated restaurants in Mt. Washington, Cincinnati is Ramundo’s Pizzeria Mt. Washington which has a 20-year history of serving authentic New York-style pizza by the slice. Mt. Washington Creamy Whip & Bakery is another local gem with Cincinnati’s best soft-serve ice cream for decades.
Looking for fun things to do in Mount Washington, Cincinnati as a resident? Stanbery Park is the crown jewel of Mt. Washington. This 125-acre park features a playground, some of the city’s most extensive hiking trails, and paved walking paths with streams to explore. Another one of the best Mt. Washington attractions is the Mount Washington Cemetery & Arboretum. Explore the beautifully landscaped grounds where something is always blooming and admire the stunning Victorian architecture.
Here’s where to find all of these Mt. Washington activities and destinations:
- Mt. Washington Farmer’s Market, Stanbury Park Trail, Cincinnati, OH 45230
- Water Tower Fine Wines, 6136 Campus Ln, Cincinnati, OH 45230 (513) 231-9463
- Konkrete City Skateboards, 2109 Beechmont Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45230 (513) 231-0399
- Anderson Towne Center, 7578 Beechmont Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45255 (706) 327-4774
- Mt. Washington Creamy Whip & Bakery, 2069 Beechmont Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45230 (513) 231-5295
- Ramundo’s Pizzeria Mt. Washington, 2210 Beechmont Ave #1519, Cincinnati, OH 45230 (513) 321-0978
- Stanbery Park, 2121 Oxford Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45230 (513) 352-4080
- Mount Washington Cemetery, 2030 Sutton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45230 (513) 484-9729
Mt. Washington, Cincinnati Real Estate
Do you plan to rent or buy after moving to Mount Washington? The neighborhood mostly has smaller, older single-family homes but there are also several large apartment complexes in the area. Thanks to the number of apartments and the age of homes in the area, Mt. Washington is one of the most affordable neighborhoods in Cincinnati. The average home price in Mt. Washington, Cincinnati is $150,000, far below the national average, with an average sales price of $106/square foot.
Most homes in Mt. Washington were built in the 1950s to 1970s with many ranch homes, manufactured homes, and a few Tudor homes. There has been some new construction over the last decade with new homes usually priced in the mid-$200s. You can get an idea of what your budget can get you by searching for Mt. Washington, Cincinnati homes for sale ahead of your move.
If you’re planning to rent while living in Mount Washington, you can find one- to two-bedroom apartments starting at $575 to $675. The older apartment complexes like Beechmont Bluffs built in the 1970s and 1980s are the most affordable living options in the neighborhood.
Does living in Mt. Washington, Cincinnati seem perfect for your lifestyle? This historic and quiet community seemingly has it all with affordable housing, tree-lined streets, and the convenience of a 10-minute commute to downtown Cincinnati. If you’ve settled on relocating to Mt. Washington, call the trusted Cincinnati movers at Bell Moving & Storage today to help with a stress-free move!
