Margy Waller
Recently, my mother commented: “You know what they say: Children who grow up in Cincinnati are quite likely to move back someday.”
She said this on the occasion of my announcement that after 10 years of living on the east coast, I am moving back to the place I still refer to as “home.” And she was no doubt needling me because I spent a decade insisting this announcement would never be made.
But, it turns out that Cincinnati does indeed have an allure I didn’t fully recognize – and the city has gotten even better since I left.
What is that appeal? What’s changed?
For me, the appeal includes a “perfect-for-me” job that is exhibit A for both what’s wonderful about the region and how it’s changing.
I’m moving back to work on arts access, appreciation, and support at our local “united arts fund.” The
Fine Arts Fund is the oldest and largest such fund in the United States. And it’s existence and tenure is a reminder that the Cincinnati region hosts a community of art organizations both bigger and stronger than most any city of its size.
Moreover, since I left, the Fund has started to provide support and services in new ways to numerous nonprofits like
Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati and
Artworks. Plus, the community has expanded with the likes of new theaters:
New Stage Collective and
Know Theatre of Cincinnati have developed from the enthusiasm of local supporters and resources like Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music and Northern Kentucky University.
People who live here are participating in a dialogue about access to and participation in arts activities for an inclusive community. My new position is a direct outcome of that conversation and the challenge is to develop it in a way that leads to even broader agreement about our public responsibility to cultivate and grow these local resources.
In addition, neighborhood and community art centers are sprouting up all over, in places like Evanston, Madisonville, Sharonville, and Anderson.
In these days of economic turmoil and stress, we are very fortunate to have invested in such local art spaces, organizations, and events. Now we have outlets for expression and community experiences, places for sharing ideas and joy.
What else pulls me back to Cincinnati? The cost of living here is crazy reasonable – particularly for housing. I’ve been searching for a place to live and have to keep reminding myself that just because the cost seems so low to me doesn’t mean it isn’t wonderful. I’ve been on
tours of new and developing condos in Over-the-Rhine and have seen some amazing spaces in the Clifton Gaslight neighborhood.
And there are other options for fabulous housing and walkable business districts too – East Walnut Hills, Oakley, Obryonville, and Northside have all grown new restaurants, art galleries, and shopping options since I left a decade ago.
Right now - I’m stuck on two possibilities: one each in OTR and the Ludlow area. And it’s hard to decide in part because I know there are so many great options that something better might be (literally) around the corner.
Density – something I grew to appreciate as a resident of DC and Philadelphia – appeals to me now. Even though I’ll need to buy a car, I want to live in a neighborhood where one can go without too. It’s wonderful to live and work in a place where people walk to work every day and also access most anything they need by transit, bike, and the occasional cab.
And there’s much more to say about Cincinnati’s appeal and what’s changed, the lifestyle I happily anticipate, Cincinnati area arts, and hometown food – the old and new favorite restaurants, as my transition-log continues.