Highpoint - Cincinnati, OH

One of four unincorporated communities founded in Sycamore Township during the early 1800s, Highpoint was named because it was once the highest point in Hamilton County. The entire Sycamore Township area maintained its small size until after World War II, when developers built the Kenwood and Dillionville subdivisions. Even though the township experienced a huge population boom once the subdivisions were complete, Highpoint managed to remain a close-knit community that houses approximately 1,500 people.

Residents don’t have to venture far from Highpoint to find museums and culture. The Heritage Village Museum on Lebanon Road opens weekly from Wednesday through Friday to give visitors a glimpse of small-town Ohio life during the Civil War. The museum also holds several annual events, including Civil War Weekend, Holly Days, Haunted Village and the Fall Harvest Festival.

Highpoint houses only a few restaurants: a couple cafes on Fields Ertel Road and Silver Spring House Restaurant on East Kemper Road. Adjacent communities, however, have everything from fast food restaurants to eateries specializing in international cuisine. Most of the area's restaurants sit just off the I-275 and I-71 exits and along State Route 42.

Silver Spring House Restaurant serves the best chicken in the Cincinnati area. The restaurant opened its doors in 1988, and has since become known for its laid-back atmosphere, open-air dining and its famous citrus marinated grilled chicken. Visit between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to take advantage of the eatery's reduced prices during happy hour.

Opened in 1993, Chef's Cafe specializes in soups, sandwiches and salads. Black-and-white checkered floors, chairs with red vinyl upholstery and laminate-top tables add a fun, retro touch to this American-style deli. Locals recommend the club sub and Joe's royal sub, which features ham, salami, capicola and mozzarella cheese, and arrives topped with lettuce, pickles, onions and mayonnaise. Regulars encourage first-time diners to try the chicken salad - they insist it's the best of its kind in Cincinnati.

Highpoint has a laid-back nightlife scene comprised of a handful of sports bars and taverns. Locals visit McCauley's Pub on Fields Ertel Road for its chili and draft beer selection. The popular watering hole attracts a decent crowd of friendly patrons who are always up for a game of pool. Known for its extensive craft-beer selection and amazing burgers, Flipdaddy's on Mason-Montgomery Road attracts a sizable after-work crowd thanks to its extended happy hour. The bar also serves half-price bottles of wine on Tuesdays, hosts trivia night on Wednesdays, and brings in live bands on Thursdays for martinis and tunes night.

Walking and bike riding aren’t popular modes of transportation in Highpoint, as most errands require you to venture outside of the mainly residential community. In addition, direct highway access and nearby businesses that offer ample free parking make driving the easiest option. You can’t hail a cab in Sycamore Township, however, local cab companies schedule rides via the phone, and Uber services the area. Residents that don’t drive mostly use public transportation. The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority’s buses run between Highpoint and Cincinnati, but be prepared to pay a higher fare than those traveling within the inner-city neighborhoods.

Sycamore Township houses eight parks filled with a wide range amenities. However, only three parks sit in Highpoint — Francis Recreacres, on Conrey Road; the Clete McDaniel Sports Complex, on Old Solzman Road; and Highpoint Park, on First Avenue. All of the parks welcome dogs, but pets must remain on their leashes at all times.

Francis Recreacres appeals to families with small children, exercise enthusiasts parents whose children have accessibility needs. The park features a universally accessible playground for all children to enjoy, which features wide ramps, a rubber safety surface and physical fitness elements. The park also houses soccer fields, volleyball courts and a 1-mile paved trail perfect for walking and jogging.

Clete McDaniels Sports Complex spans 22 acres and houses five baseball fields and two full-size soccer fields. Children involved in youth sports use the park’s batting cages and three practice soccer fields to improve their skills and warm up before games. The park also features a children’s play area and a short walking track.

Highpoint Park, a one-acre neighborhood park, features a picnic shelter, swings and courts for basketball, tetherball and shuffleboard. It also has a fitness area that’s ideal for exercise enthusiasts.

Visit Bechtold Park, Sycamore Township's oldest and most-popular park, for annual community events. The park 22-acre park sits between Dillonville and Kenwood, and hosts the annual Twilight Concert Series and Festival. It features a pavilion complete with public restrooms and a fireplace, four picnic shelters, two sand volleyball courts, two baseball fields and a basketball court, as well as a nature trail, a short walking trail and four play areas for the little ones.

The typical cost of living in Highpoint averages approximately 3 percent higher than Cincinnati’s median. The higher percentage, however, affects only housing costs. Expect to pay approximately $840 per month to rent a one-bedroom apartment. A beer at a local bar costs between $5 and $7, and one-way bus fare into downtown sets you back $2.65. Gas prices sit around 4 percent lower than the national average.

Locals visit the nearby Kenwood Towne Center for its selection of department stores and upscale retail establishments. However, several small retail establishments provide Highpoint residents with home furnishings, apparel and other necessities.

Ten Thousand Villages, a fair-trade shop located in the Shops at Harper's Point mall on Montgomery Road, specializes in jewelry, toys and accessories made from upcycled materials. Visit during the holiday season to find one-of-a-kind handmade ornaments, handmade nativity scenes and vibrant star garlands.

Clothes Mentor, a consignment shop on Royal Pointe Drive, specializes in vintage and secondhand women’s clothing and maternity wear. Don’t expect to find a musty thrift store jumbled with random items. Locals enjoy perusing the racks at this consignment shop because it has a large selection of name-brand clothes and accessories organized in an orderly fashion, making it easy to find a good deal. Clothes Mentor also buys used clothing, so visit the shop when you clean out your closets to make a few bucks.

Highpoint residents visit Kroger on Montgomery Road or Whole Foods Market on Deerfield Boulevard to complete their grocery shopping. Plaza Sol Inc., a Mexican grocery store on Field Ertel Road, carries an impressive selection of spices, large tortillas and Mexican Coke. For fresh produce and baked goods visit Fresh Thyme Farmers Market on Montgomery Road. The year-round farmers market also has an amazing deli and a variety of vegan and gluten-free breads and desserts.