The second most populous city in Hamilton County, Norwood is surrounded on all sides by Cincinnati and has grown beyond its early industrial roots to become an ideal neighborhood for young professionals to purchase their first homes. Adjacent to neighboring Xavier University in
Evanston and
Hyde Park to the east, Norwood's revamped older homes and tree-lined streets are complemented by beloved family-owned restaurants like
Sorrento's and
Quatman Cafe and countless small corner taverns to dive in for a drink. Norwood is also the home of the
Hamilton County Business Center, which includes a business incubation program that helps entrepreneurs launch and build successful companies.
Perhaps Evanston's best kept secret could be that it housed influential music label
King Records, whose integrated business model released bluegrass and country from the Stanley Brothers, and classic rhythm and blues from Hank Ballard, Little Willie John and, most famously, James Brown. Now this tight-knit residential community is better known for its strong educational opportunities from Pre-K to PhD. It's the home of
Xavier University and nationally ranked
Walnut Hills High School — and the
American Red Cross's new headquarters and training center in
Keystone Park.
O'Bryonville's quaint collection of shops and restaurants, which sit partly in Evanston, benefit from adjacent Hyde Park and East Walnut Hills. Stop by the neighborhood's Five Points' business district to check out Cincinnati's own version of New York's iconic Flat Iron Building, a bustling, modern recreation center and a new residential development called St. Ambrose. Nearby
Owl's Nest Park is a green oasis with modern courts and a busy ball field for this family-centric community.