Winton Hills - Cincinnati, OH

Settled in 1788, the "Queen City" of Cincinnati was originally given the unfortunate name "Losantiville" by John Filson, the original surveyor. He came up with the name by combining the Latin word for mouth, "os," and the Greek word for opposite, "anti." The "ville" was French for city. The name reflected its location on the opposite side of the mouth of the Licking River.

Luckily, the governor of the Northwest Territory in 1790, Arthur St. Clair, belonged to a society of Revolutionary War veterans called the "Society of the Cincinnati." He changed the town's name in honor of this society. As Cincinnati grew, it became an important transportation hub. In the 1940s, the Winton Hills neighborhood was created when it became home to Cincinnati's first housing project.

Directly south of the neighborhood, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is a historic zoo with more than 3,000 plant species, a 4D theater, rides, wildlife exhibits, and more. Nearby Xavier University is home to the Cintas Center, a 15,000-square-foot arena that hosts concerts, special events, trade shows, conventions, and sports events. Unity in Our Community Day, an annual event begun by residents, brings members of Winton Hills together for food, entertainment, and an Easter egg hunt.

The community of Northside, directly adjacent to Winton Hills, provides a wide range of dining options just a few minutes down the road. For an eclectic selection of lunch and dinner fare, check out Ruth's Parkside Cafe in Northside's American Can building. Boasting the motto "Food unites us all" Ruth's Parkside Cafe offers a wide range of hot sandwiches, specialty entrees, and even a takeout menu. Give the grilled bagels or Creole catfish a try.

For classic diner fare, stop in at Blue Jay Restaurant. This greasy spoon diner serves up Cincinnati-classic goetta, along with eggs, pancakes, and hot coffee. Locals rave about the hash browns and Greek omelet.

Residents of Winton Hills enjoy a casual nightlife, but locals looking for a little more excitement can find a few bar and nightclub options. Chameleon Club in Northside calls itself "the first neighborhood nightclub in Cincinnati." Offering a lounge, game room, and outside patio, Chameleon entertains residents with drink specials and entertainment every night of the week.

People in Winton Hills generally travel by car. With businesses and residential areas spread along large roads, driving is the most convenient option for most residents of this neighborhood. Most business areas have large parking lots, making car travel convenient. Winton Hills lies just a few minutes drive from I-75, making travel easy for commuters looking to connect with the downtown area or the more northern suburbs.

If you prefer to travel by bike, roads are safe for cyclists. While most roads do not include dedicated bike lanes, cyclist find it easy to share the road with other vehicles in Winton Hills. If you would rather take advantage of public transportation, Cincinnati's metro bus, SORTA, travels throughout Winton Hills and connects residents to other areas all over the city.

Winton Hills includes several free parks that provide outdoor recreation options for residents. Winton Commons and Emery Park both provide free facilities for members of the whole family. Your dog will enjoy open fields to run and play fetch, while kids play on the parks' several playground areas. Enjoy a quick lunch getaway or a relaxing walk at either of these small neighborhood parks.

Winton Hills Recreation Center provides a wide range of fitness facilities at a low annual fee for residents of the neighborhood. Open four days a week, the facility includes a fitness center, gymnasium, roller skating rink, and outdoor baseball fields. Locals can also rent rooms at the recreation center for private events and special programs.

Locals in Winton Hills enjoy a cost of living slightly below the city average. Residents can find plenty of affordable housing options, with the average rental rate of $425 a month.

Gas prices in Winton Hills and the surrounding areas run around 11 percent below the national average. A ticket on the SORTA metro bus to downtown Cincinnati or surrounding communities from Winton Hills costs $1.75. Dining and drink options are generally casual and affordable, and you can expect to pay $4 to $5 for a pint of beer at local pubs.

Because Winton Hills consists primarily of residential developments, residents find few shopping options in the immediate area. A few specialty stores offer gardening supplies and cooking equipment, but most general shopping must be done in neighboring communities. Northside and College Hill offer a variety of both high-end and value stores to suit residents' needs.

Grocery shoppers find Kroger in Northside, just a few minutes' drive from Winton Hills, has convenient and affordable grocery options. If you're looking for fresh, local options, both College Hill and Northside host weekly farmers markets. Buy fresh produce and baked goods in Northside on Wednesdays and College Hill on Thursdays.

Cincinnatians from all over the city flock to Restaurant Depot for wholesale food and restaurant supplies. Stock up for your next party or family get-together with large-quantity food sales. Looking for an industrial mixer or heavy-duty oven? Restaurant Depot has the industrial cooking supplies you need.

If you're looking for garden supplies and plants, look no further than Funke's Greenhouse. Browse mulch, soil, and fertilizer, or select a wide range of vegetables, flowers, and herb plants for your garden. Locals rave about the wide selection and unbeatable customer service.