With its prominent architecture, hard-core sports fans, and world-famous chili, the city of Cincinnati seamlessly combines big city amenities with small town spirit. While Downtown Cincy is teeming with Fortune 500’s and architecturally astounding high-rises, the true personality and beauty of the city unfold as you get to know the neighborhoods. You’ll find some of the best people watching and vegan food in the hipster enclave of Northside. Or you can find vintage Cincinnati apartments in OTR, the historic district that rivals Vienna and Munich in its size and scope of Italianate architecture (that’s Over-the-Rhine to all you non Cincinnatians). Whether you want a slow and safe neighborhood or bustling streets where you recognize familiar faces, Cincinnati has an area that will be the perfect fit for you. So pack your entire wardrobe (with all the seasons, you’ll need it!), practice your cornhole toss, and get ready to fall in love with The Queen City.

Based off of 2010 census data, it was predicted that the overall cost of living in Cincinnati is nearly 14% less than the national average. So what does that mean? Cincinnati apartments are cheaper than other cities of comparable size, gas is on the lower end of the national price range, and groceries and services are more affordable than most areas of the country. So if you’re just starting your career or if you’re looking to save up money and have a comfortable life, Cincinnati is a place where you can realistically accomplish those goals.

While most apartments in Cincinnati are more affordable than the average metropolitan rental, the neighborhood you live in will dictate just how inexpensive it is. For instance, if you travel out from Downtown a few minutes to the neighborhood of Westwood, you can expect one bedroom apartments to start out around $400 a month. However, if you’re looking to live large one of the many Downtown Cincinnati apartments, rent for a studio will most likely cost between $750 and $850. It really all depends on your budget, where you work, and what kind of activities you want to live close to!

Cincinnati’s diverse make-up and people’s desire for really great food have led to boundless dining options throughout the city. To give you a little preview, the OTR neighborhood we mentioned earlier is home to Findlay Market which is a giant farmer’s market where locals come for locally grown produce, fresh flowers, meats, and goods. Of course, there’s the chili: and while there is a huge debate among locals as to where the best chili is, some standouts include Camp Washington, Skyline, and Gold Star. There are countless Cincinnati specialties that aren’t chili-based, like Graeter’s ice cream, Tom + Chee for any kind of grilled cheese sandwich under the sun, and Eli’s BBQ where you can bring your own beverage and have some of the best pulled pork around.

Another national trend that Cincinnati is totally up on is beer. In fact the city has a long history of brewing due to the large German population from way back in the day; but we won’t get too wrapped up in history. What we will mention is that Cincinnati is home to the largest Oktoberfest celebration in the country, and that there are several brands and breweries throughout the city that are widely popular among the locals. The most important take-home from this, is that with all of the options throughout the city for bars, dining, and nightlife, it’s easy to find apartments in Cincinnati that are close to the amenities that are important to you.

This section could just turn into an enormous list, but rather than doing that we’ll give you a brief overview of some favorite attractions you’ll be close to when you find the perfect Cincinnati apartment.

Obviously, sports. Opening day for the Cincinnati Reds is practically a citywide holiday, plus the city is also home to seven major sports venues and five colleges with their own sports teams. Overall people are really into the professional team like the Bengals and Cyclones, but if you just love going to games then you will always have something to attend.

Now for the opposite side of things: art! Cincinnati is home to a vibrant arts community where on any given day you can spend an afternoon browsing the Contemporary Arts Center, view famous architecture like the Cincinnati Union Terminal, or catch a production at The Esquire Theater.

If you are looking into higher education options in the Cincinnati vicinity, some options include the University of Cincinnati. Brown Mackie College, and Cincinnati State, among others.

Procter Gamble. The University of Cincinnati, and The Kroger Company are among some of the top employers in the Cincinnati area.