The “Gem of the Highlands” 8 miles from Cincinnati
In the early 1800s, Norwood, Ohio was comprised of just two businesses: a tavern and a general store located at the intersection of Montgomery Road and Smith/Carthage Avenue. In the 1860s, the railroad brought industries like U.S. Playing Cards and General Motors to Norwood, and it was officially declared a city in 1903. Today, Norwood is sometimes referred to as "The Gem of the Highlands” thanks to its reputation as a retail and restaurant hub in the hills of Greater Cincinnati. Interstate 71 connects it to Queen City, approximately 8 miles south. Norwood is a balance of old and new, and 19th and early 20th-century homes contrast with glass shopping centers occupied by chains like Whole Foods and the Capital Grille. However, with a population of 20,000 and an area of just over 3 square miles, it still feels like "everybody knows everybody here,” explains Re/Max Realtor and former resident Kelley Reinecke. Certain traditions—the Norwood Day Parade, for instance—have remained constants for well over 100 years, and the local government schedules city-wide events like yard sales, art shows and concert series.
Norwood is one of Cincinnati's premiere housing markets with retail and restaurant hubs.
Beauty can be found in many places throughout Norwood.
Welcome sign for the City of Norwood, where residents can enjoy a more tranquil way of life.
Norwood has many residential houses you can potentially make your next home.
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Business along “The Pike” and new shopping centers
Montgomery Road, also known as “The Pike,” was historically Norwood’s central business district, although that’s changed in recent decades with the emergence of strip mall shopping centers. Folks can start their morning with a seasonal flavor from the Starlight Doughnut Lab or a latte from Birdie's, one of this small city’s many coffee shops. For dining out, Reinecke recommends Quatman Cafe, where “They have the best cheeseburgers ever” and they're served on paper plates to diners seated behind checkered tablecloths. For nights out, Reinecke suggests checking out Fretboard Brewing, which has rotational brews and live music. There are more options like The Capital Grill and Maverick Chocolate Company in the Rookwood Commons & Pavilion, which also is home to a Whole Foods for groceries and several clothing stores. Other residents prefer shopping at the nearby Kroger in Surrey Square.
Rookwood Commons is a retail hub in the heart of Norwood.
Head to Factory 52 in Norwood and explore the food hall and breweries with friends.
Norwood is known for having many great retail options, such as GAP and Evereve.
Gatherall Food Hall in Norwood has multiple food options the community enjoys.
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Historic homes ready for renovation
Houses in Norwood sit close together, flanking tree-lined streets laid out in a grid formation. Most of these residences date back to the late 1900s or early 20th century, and "there's a lot of people that are coming in and rehabbing them," says Reinecke. Prospective buyers will find Craftsmen homes, bungalows and Colonial Revivals on raised lots. Stairs lead up to front doorways, and many residents leave their cars parked on the quiet streets. Prices in Norwood range from about $120,000 for investment properties to over $550,000 for recently upgraded Victorians with ornate front porches located in the Presidential District. Average home values hover around $280,000, and homes typically sell here after 17 days, which is three weeks faster than the national average. The city’s CAP Index Crime Score is a 4 out of 10, consistent with the national average.
Early 20th century Victorian homes are are scattered throughout Norwood.
Many homes in Norwood showcase bright exteriors with impressive architecture.
You will find that houses in Norwood that are not afraid to show bright and colorful exteriors.
Homes in Norwood come in many different shapes and sizes.
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Swimming pools, athletic fields and golf just outside the city
According to Reinecke, “you have to be a Norwood resident” to use the pool at the Waterworks Park, where there’s also a playground and basketball courts. Other families prefer the outdoor pool at Norwood Recreation Center on Sherman Avenue, and Upper Millcrest Park has baseball fields and covered pavilions. Little League soccer teams practice at Lower Millcrest Park, less than a mile away. Just outside the city, Avon Fields Golf Course is Audubon International Certified and it's not uncommon to spot local wildlife between sand traps and trees.
Lower Millcrest Park offers soccer fields, a playground, and trails to walk in Norwood.
Upper Millcrest Park is a beloved space to take your kids to play.
Waterworks Park features a pool that serves as the hub of Norwood in the summer.
The Norwood Community Center offers after school activities for the children of Norwood.
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An annual parade, historic home tours and markets
The Norwood Day Parade, held annually in late July, has been going strong in the city for the last 130 years. "It's huge," Reinecke says. "The police will go down the streets with their sirens on, and the local politicians will pass out candy to the kids." In October, folks gather for the fall festival in Victory Park, where there are bounce houses and live music performances. The non-profit Norwood Together has led the Norwood Historic Home Tours by bus for the last few years and the Off the Pike Market is held monthly from May to October, and merchants sell everything from pies to potted plants. For smaller gatherings, residents can head to one of the local churches like Grace United Methodist, or they can check out the Norwood branch of the Cincinnati Public Library where there’s a weekly story time for kids and a book club.
Off Pike Market is an open farmers market that takes place seasonally in Norwood.
The Off Pike Market has homemade goods made and sold by Norwood residents.
It is typical for a Norwood house to have plenty of lawn space and beautiful front porches.
Minimal Traditional style homes are common throughout Norwood.
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A planetarium at Norwood High School
The Norwood City School District, which earns a B-minus grade from Niche, is made up of a Montessori school, four elementary schools, a middle school and a high school. Norwood High offers 11 AP options and the graduation rate hovers around 77%, according to U.S. News and World Reports. It’s also home to the Drake Planetarium and Science Center, which hosts summer camps and shows open to the public. Nearby, Xavier University has close to 5,000 undergraduates and partners with Norwood to offer discounted tuition rates for city employees.
Norwood High School in Norwood received a B on their Overall Niche Grade.
Xavier University in Norwood is one of the top two colleges to attend in Cincinnati
Norwood Middle School is a great education option for your kids in grades 6-8 in Norwood.
Norwood residents can start their child's education at Williams Avenue Elementary School.
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Proximity to interstates and large-scale employers
The city of Norwood is intersected by U.S. Route 22 and is bordered by major Interstates 75 and 71, the latter of which leads to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport about 20 miles away. Downtown Queen City is about 8 miles from the heart of Norwood, accessible via Metro Cincinnati. Buses stop frequently along Montgomery Road. It’s common for residents to commute to Cincinnati for work, where the largest employers include Kroger, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Procter & Gamble. Christ Hospital, ranked Cincinnati’s best, is about 7 miles away.
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