Pleasant Run Farm - Cincinnati, OH

Pleasant Run Farm was named after a stream back in 1940 when the place was a rural village with only 39 inhabitants. The area is approximately 670 acres and filled with close-knit families.

Adults in Pleasant Run Farms enjoy recreational activities such as bowling, while youth programs keep kids splashing at the swim club. Annual events that residents and visitors can look forward to are the Easter Egg Hunt, pool parties and the 4th of July Parade. And we can’t forget about the family picnics that happen at Strickers Grove and organized nature hikes.

There are no museums in the Pleasant Run Farms area, but there are plenty in the outlying areas such as Heritage Village Museum, near Sharonville, and Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, north of Fairfield near Hamilton.

The area is limited in its restaurants and dining establishments, but Frank’s Diner is great if you are looking for a casual setting with home-style cooking. Try the breaded mushrooms to start, or share the chili spaghetti two-way up to five-way. The burgers are considered double-deckers because of the portion size, and there are hot-off-the-grill options such as chicken breast, marinated or Cajun-spiced.

Locals have named Taqueria Mercado the best Mexican food in all of Cincinnati. Put it to the test by trying one of the huge burritos. For $12, you can order steak fajitas that come with six tortillas and a side of rice bean salad. But the best part is that individual tacos are only $3.

Even though there is no dining area, Marco’s Pizza still gets a line-up of people getting take-out. Could it be their great prices or great pizza?

Buzzard Bay Pub is the perfect spot to spend the afternoon hanging out with friends. The atmosphere is laid-back and very relaxed. The food is pub-style, and many patrons stay to play a game of pool or shoot darts. Buzzard Bay Pub is open until midnight, and they have weekly specials to accompany a cold beer.

Bargos Grill & Tap is another favorite establishment that has a college vibe with plenty of beer, dart boards and pool tables. A lot of patrons say that they like to order tons of appetizers and split them because they are so delicious and go great with the drinks.

Common ways to get around are walking, biking (the area is bicycle-friendly with over 20 trails), driving and taking public transit. Taxi cab services are a phone call away, and Uber services in the Cincinnati area are very reasonable. The base rate is $2 and then it is $.25 per minute or $1.25 per mile.

Public parking is free of charge, but it is advised to pay attention to signage because some areas only allow parking on certain times. Car storage is also available in the area for as little as $37 per day.

Amtrak stations can be located 7 miles north in Hamilton, at M.L. King Boulevard and Henry Street, or 14 miles south in Cincinnati, at Western Avenue. These locations have free short-term parking and paid long-term parking, taxi stands and connections to public transit, Cincinnati Metro.

Clifford George Park was purchased by the township and is a 5-acre piece of property used mainly as an athletic facility with fields for baseball and soccer. Batting cages are open to the public and there is plenty of parking.

Huffman Park in nearby Fairfield allows gardeners to rent a plot on a yearly basis and plant vegetables. The park also hosts the Blues & BBQ concert series. The outdoor event invites people to bring a chair or blanket, find a spot in the open space (the park is 20 acres), and enjoy the music and food.

Winton Hills Park makes for a fun-filled day for youngsters as they use the jungle-gym/climbing area and swings. If your youngster is instead a furry friend, head to Great Miami River Recreation Trail in Fairfield for trails that are perfect for dog-walking. Several dog parks are available for pet-owners in Hamilton with wide-open spaces for dogs to run off-leash. It is an enclosed grassy space with agility equipment and dog-friendly furniture.

The cost of living in Pleasant Run Farms is 11.5 percent lower than the national average and 4 percent lower than the state of Ohio. Because of this lower cost of living, a one-bedroom rental apartment in the area generally costs about $1011 per month.

Pleasant Run Farm is in Zone 2 along the Cincinnati Metro public transit system and will cost riders $2.65. If driving around the area or into city centers, you can expect to pay 5 percent lower than in the rest of Ohio. While you are saving money with low gas prices, expect to pay from $4 to $8 for a 16-ounce glass of beer.

For flowers and small gifts, Nina’s Florists, across Interstate 275, in Forest Park has what you need for weddings, graduations, birthdays and more. But if you prefer antiques, a stop at the Ohio Valley Antique Mall is a must. Finding treasures such as knickknacks, vintage clothing and estate jewelry can be a fun-filled afternoon activity. For everything else on your wish list, Springdale Mini Mall is less than one mile away in the Hamilton area.

A stop for groceries will take you to Marsh Supermarket off West Kemper Road, or if you consider yourself to be a “foodie," Jungle Jim’s International Market is for you. With a garden area, regular grocery selection and everything in between from countries all around the world, this stop is truly a food lover’s paradise. Many locals call Jungle Jim’s an adventurer’s wonderland, an amusement park for people who love food. It is the epicenter for cultural items and offer cooking classes, beer and wine tastings, and an olive bar with unforgettable samples.