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Looking for your dream rental home? If you’re anything like me – and interested in the kind of cool, walkable neighborhoods featured on the soapbox site – then you might find some tips for your search in this posting. But, this is really a love letter to everyone who helped me in my hunt for the place to call home and all the artists who developed and redeveloped the spaces I visited.

In Over-the-Rhine, Jim Moll is THE MAN to know. He’s been in the mix of development and revitalization for many years, and knows A LOT about the history of the neighborhood. I heard his name so many times while starting my search that it was obvious that I was working with the right guy if I wanted a rental in OTR or downtown.

Jim connected me with a short-term furnished place at Vernon’s Corner – older buildings lovingly renovated at Liberty and Main. When I first arrived, there were two campaign offices in the retail space downstairs. Now that the election is over and the holidays have arrived, the owners have decorated the gas lamps, street level windows, and terrace with seasonal items. It’s very sweet and nice to see looking out from my large loft windows. Mark Bernhardt is an incredibly accommodating owner/landlord – and also offers unfurnished, long term rentals.

Even before I found Jim, Kris Sommer at Urban Sites gave me a lot of time and information and a complete tour of his rentals in OTR. Bill Baum of Urban Sites has been developing units in OTR for over 20 years and continues at quite a pace today – with some units for sale, others for rent. (Special thanks to Chelsea who gave me a tour of her very own Urban Sites loft space in the super cool Washington Hotel at Race and 12th.)

Both Jim and Kris are lovers of old spaces and OTR. They know a lot of the area history and pretty much all of the current neighborhood gossip. Kris writes an occasional email to his listserv all about what’s going on in OTR and the latest on Urban Sites rental options.

In Clifton, I got a lot of help from Sandra Wilger – a real estate agent who also works with buyers. Sandra knows Clifton pretty much inside-out after working and living in the area for a long time. She’s currently co-located with Gaslight Properties – another source for area rentals. She generously offered to help me out with my rental search – going to great lengths to learn about my specific wants and doing her best to find my dream space. She was mostly patient with my indecisiveness, yet pushy at just the right moment.

At some point in my search, I got worried that I would not be able to find just the right size apartment, with the features that I have-to-have (all hardwood with a little but of outdoor space). (Call me Goldilocks – I don’t mind.)

And when more than one person told me I should try looking in East Walnut Hills, O'Bryonville, and Hyde Park for the kind of older, spacious apartment with details like glass doorknobs and original woodwork – I did branch out a bit beyond Clifton and OTR.

One morning, driving to the office, I noticed a “for rent” sign in front of a The Kendall building on Madison Road near Hyde Park Square. I could see that the building was well cared for and had some units with private porches. Missy from Paradrome Square gave me a tour that same day of the building I’d noticed and two others in East Walnut Hills: The Clermont and The Grandview. Paradrome is doing good while doing business – investing in and maintaining important old living spaces. All three of these buildings have apartments with hardwood floors, private porches, and fireplaces.

Finally – just as I was feeling real pressure and nearing a decision –Maggie from Grandin Properties showed me an apartment that requires a “WOW” when you enter. Grandin specializes in historic properties in neighborhoods like Hyde Park and O’Bryonville.

We started at the San Carlos on Madison Road. These units have great old features including solarium-style porches and huge old wooden framed mirrors over medicine cabinets in the bath. For people who need a short-term furnished option (like me), Grandin advertises these for the San Carlos.

It was easy to imagine living within walking distance of some favorite places like BonBonerie for cookies and What’s for Dinner for takeout. I also like regularly stopping into Chateau Pomije to get Tim Shumrick’s latest wine recommendation.

But, the WOW property is on Michigan Avenue in Hyde Park. The Weston Flats  - built in the late 1800’s - have 14’ ceilings, balconies, hardwood floors, fireplaces, pocket doors, and incredible views. These spaces are enormous and truly beautiful. On the day I was there, Maggie was able to show two of the six apartments – a very unusual opportunity from her report.

I’ve made my decision now and am relieved to have that step that behind me. All of these wonderful buildings are a tangible reminder of the art we experience every day. These architects and developers are artists and we get to enjoy their imagination and creativity any time we like by just looking up when we walk by.

It was a treat to meet so many people who share an enthusiasm for old spaces and features in walkable neighborhoods. I only wish it was just a bit easier for someone like me to navigate the options without quite so much work. Though, if Cincinnati had a one-stop shop option for renters – I would not have met so many wonderful people in the process.

Special thanks to everyone who put up with my indecisiveness and need to evaluate the options out-loud and in the presence of others. And a great big virtual hug to the one who was there when I made the final decision - you were a huge help. (Or maybe it was like getting married - and you were just there when I was ready to decide. Either way, I owe you a drink.)

Oh – you want to know where I will be living?  It could have been any of these places, but…a girl needs a little bit of mystery in her life.