Northern Kentucky

For those who want to live close to downtown Cincinnati without being in the middle of the city, Northern Kentucky has become an increasingly popular option. Reasonable property taxes and growing neighborhoods provide a couple of great reasons to consider purchasing your dream home just across the Ohio River.

Two communities in Northern Kentucky—one inside the Interstate 275 loop and one outside—offer attractive benefits to new residents, along with a treasure trove of gorgeous historic architecture.

- Heather Churchman

Florence

The Florence Y'all Watertower

Residents and visitors both will find plenty of reasons to venture to Florence, the second largest city in Northern Kentucky. Need to entertain the kids? Check out Ollie’s Skate Park (open 365 days per year) or Lazer Kraze laser tag in Erlanger. You could also hit World of Golf—with its mini-golf, regular golf, and indoor and outdoor driving ranges, there is something for everyone in your family.

Summertime in Florence is fun for everyone at the Florence Aquatic Center. With a lazy river, huge pool, water playgrounds and multiple slides, you’ll never want to leave. Speaking of outdoor activities, the Florence Nature Park and Burlington’s England Idlewild Park are close by, and the Boone County Fairgrounds offer something fun for residents almost every weekend from spring to fall. Don’t forget about Florence’s architectural delights, starting with the beautiful and historic downtown area, which features plenty of shopping destinations along Main Street and Houston Road.

Florence also has its own minor league baseball team and tickets are available for as low as $10. After all that entertainment, you’ll need a delicious bite to eat. Florence has some of the area’s best Asian food—Mai Thai and Miyoshi are two local favorites—as well as barbecue, Mexican food and much more.

Fort Mitchell

A 1920s Colonial Revival mansion in Fort Mitchell.

The city of Fort Mitchell, so named because the area was used as a Civil War fortification, was developed as one of Cincinnati’s first “streetcar suburbs.” Wealthy families built their houses there in the early 1900s because the neighborhood offered easy access to downtown, wide streets and large lawns. Today’s Fort Mitchell is less rural but retains its historic charm. Take a walk around one of the city’s historic districts to see bungalows, Craftsman homes, Colonial Revival houses and tons of Tudors.

Fort Mitchell has a long list of other unique amenities. It’s home to the Beechwood School District, one of the top public school districts in Northern Kentucky. You’ll find the world’s only ventriloquist museum in Fort Mitchell—Vent Haven Museum—and Highland Cemetery’s 250 acres of publicly accessible grounds, including 4 miles of walking trails. If you’re more into golfing, Fort Mitchell Country Club is your place. And, can a neighborhood be considered hip without a brewery? Fort Mitchell doesn’t have to worry—they landed the new Braxton Barrel House, which opened in fall 2019.

Overall, Fort Mitchell offers delightfully well-balanced living to its residents.