Mount Airy - Cincinnati, OH

The history and character of Mount Airy depends almost entirely on the history of Mount Airy Forest, planted by the city of Cincinnati in 1911 to repair erosion damage from the farming practices of the 19th century. This became the first urban reforestation project in the country and continued during the Great Depression. Some of the buildings used by the Civilian Conservation Corps during this project still exist on the grounds of the park.

Another mark of distinction for Mount Airy is the massive water tower in the center of the neighborhood, a building that resembles a medieval castle and holds 8.7 million gallons of water. This structure also holds the honor of being the highest point inside Cincinnati city limits, at 1,056 feet above sea level.

Cultural events in Mount Airy include the It's Good In the Hood music festival, held each summer.

Not many restaurants or pubs are located in Mount Airy, but a few minutes drive brings you to several favorite bars and diners. To the west, Walt's Barbeque occupies a big red barn and serves up ribs, pulled pork, pulled chicken and all the trimmings. Try an order of pork belly while you're at it.

North up Colerain Avenue on the edge of Nina Lake (pronounced Nine-uh) sits the eponymous Lake Nina Restaurant and Tavern, a great place for burgers and bar food or a cold beer while you watch a Reds game. The specialty of the house is a fish log, which is a pair of fish fillets stacked up, battered and fried, the Cincinnati answer to fish and chips. It comes highly recommended by regulars.

To the east, look for The Comet, an eclectic bar and grill between Mount Airy and Northside. Instead of the usual bar grub, indulge in Tex-Mex dishes, such as chile con queso, burritos and nachos, while you take in live music of every style and genre every night till 1 a.m. Sunday mornings, The Comet sells brunch, including the Hot Mess, a concoction of eggs, potatoes, meats and cheese that lives up to its name.

The real nightlife in Mount Airy can be found at Putz's Creamy Whip during the hot summer months. A Cincinnati institution for over 60 years, Putz's makes soft-serve ice cream in the same machines they have used since the 50s, and this small stand has a long and storied history. Stop by for hot dogs or burgers, but stay for a cone or a sundae, and enjoy a piece of local tradition.

With the population of the area so sparse, most residents of Mount Airy use cars to get where they need to go. Parking is free and plentiful. Commuters use I-74 as the main traffic artery, leading directly onto I-75 a few miles away, although traffic at rush hour often makes this interchange difficult. Mount Airy has no bike lanes on its streets, and though the subdivisions have sidewalks, for the most part they are not convenient to stores or offices for pedestrians.

Cabs and Uber do come to the area, although they do not typically idle here to pick up passengers. The Cincinnati Metro runs three lines through Mount Airy, including a crosstown route, with frequent departures during the day.

The namesake of the Mount Airy community, the Mount Airy Forest encompasses almost 1,500 acres of woodland inside city limits, the largest park in the Cincinnati park system. It provides a wide variety of amenities, features and activities for all ages and interests.

Gardeners and plant lovers take advantage of the Mount Airy Arboretum, including 30 acres of trees, shrubs and flowers planted alongside each other to study growth patterns, habit and hardiness. In addition, the forest includes hundreds of acres of reforested hardwoods, evergreens, wetlands and meadows.

A challenging 18-hole disc golf course meanders through the forest's rolling hills, bringing both serious competitors and duffers alike. The Nati Disc Golf serves as the pro shop and 19th hole, supplying scorecards and equipment. Check to see if a tournament is scheduled before you go, or you may find parking difficult.

Miles of hiking and bridle trails honeycomb the park, including a wheelchair-accessible path to a giant public treehouse. Picnic areas, lodges, grills and playgrounds make this a popular destination for families and groups, and the lake, gardens and gazebos are a favorite for weddings and photo shoots. The park even provides council areas for overnight group camping. Pets are welcome in the park as long as they are on leashes, but there is also an enclosed dog park where they can run off-leash.

Every year the park puts on special events, such as golf tournaments, Green Up Days to spruce up the park, and the Mount Airy Forest Ridge Run.

Living in Mount Airy closely compares to the cost of living in Cincinnati generally, which is about 14 percent lower than the national average. To rent a one-bedroom apartment, expect to pay $496.50 per month on average. Gas also tends to be cheaper, with a price 13 percent lower than the national average. A bus ride to the city center costs $1.75, and a beer in a local bar goes for around $4.

Few businesses or services have locations inside Mount Airy itself, although they are close by in other neighborhoods. Two nearby Kroger supermarkets provide groceries, and on Thursday afternoons in the warmer months, College Hill puts on a farmers market selling fresh produce and local goods.

However, a couple of local shops do stand out. Servatii Pastry Shop and Deli, located to the west of Mount Airy in White Oak, bakes up breads, pastries and pretzels known throughout the city. TEAM Cycling and Fitness supplies bikes, accessories and repairs for the avid or the casual cyclist.

Doing business in the heart of Mount Airy Forest, The Nati Disc Golf caters to disc golf enthusiasts of all skill levels. It stocks thousands of discs and accessories, hosts tournaments and gives lessons, acting as a pro shop for the Mount Airy Disc Golf Course.