A self-proclaimed expert at picking up and starting over gives the Queen City a spin—and likes what she sees

A year and a half ago when my boyfriend told me he was thinking of applying to the University of Cincinnati’s Ph.D. program in English, my first instinct was to head to Wikipedia. Though not necessarily a rock-solid source of up-to-date, accurate information, I figured it would give me the basics: Cincinnati’s population, demographics, maybe some information about local attractions and major employers. Oh, who am I kidding? I just wanted to know if, after three years in Kansas, I’d finally be able to shop at Trader Joe’s again. (Google Maps, my next stop after the Wiki, confirmed that.)

But I knew then, as I do now, that any encyclopedic document—even a crowdsourced one—wouldn’t tell me anything about what it would be like to live in the Queen City. (Although I did learn that it is, in fact, called that.) I’d just have to experience it for myself. Because if those three years in Kansas after having lived my whole life in Wisconsin taught me anything, it’s that happiness is possible just about anywhere with the right people and the right attitude.

So what has Cincy taught me in the six months I’ve been here so far? I think it’s that I really love cities this size: big enough to have plenty of culture and so much to do that you’ll never get bored but small enough to let you live inexpensively and develop quality relationships with people in your city. Here are a few observations from the third stop on my whirlwind tour of Midwestern living.

There’s always a learning curve...

You wouldn’t think that living in Ohio would be much different than living in Wisconsin, or in Kansas for that matter. You’d be wrong. Although we’re united by a central government, a language and interstate highways, there are still plenty of ways for states to differ from one another, and culture shock when crossing the state line (or, in my case, several lines) is all too real. Here are just a few things I’d never heard of before moving here: goetta, cornhole, creamy whip, Tafts other than the former president, buckeyes, and people saying “three-way” with a straight face while referring to chili. I haven’t yet tried to tackle tasks like registering my car here—I mean, it’s really called the BMV not the DMV? Too much change at once. I’ll get up to speed sometime, I promise. For now, go easy on me.

...but at the same time, don’t underestimate me.

I’ve had people who, upon meeting me after I’d already lived here a few months, ask if I’d been to Findlay Market yet. Really? Dude, I went to Findlay Market during the weekend I flew here to look at apartments when we hadn’t even moved yet. I already know it’s one of Cincy’s gems. You guys gotta try harder at telling me where the city’s real “best-kept secrets” are. We all know about the greatness that is OTR, Newport and Northside. But did you know that the supposedly sterile suburb of Blue Ash has some really great restaurants like Rascal’s, Brown Dog and Cafe Mediterranean? Or that a Pilates studio (Clear, 2542 Woodburn Ave.), a vintage clothing store, and a Josh Campbell eatery (The Skinny Pig, 2714 Woodburn Ave.) all recently opened in East Walnut Hills? If I can step it up, you can too. Let’s all take a trip out of our comfort zones.

Straddling the state line is awesome.

Speaking of the differences between states: don’t like Ohio’s liquor prices or Kentucky’s smoking policy? A 10-minute drive will fix it. I grew up smack in the middle of Wisconsin where leaving the state was a three-hour affair. Being able to hop over the river and be in a different state without leaving the general metro area is still fun for me. Not to mention the whole “our airport is actually in Kentucky” thing! I’m sure the novelty will wear off over time.

Holy parks, Batman.

If you haven’t taken advantage of Cincinnati’s park system, you’re seriously missing out. They’re everywhere, and they’re fantastic. Eden Park in particular is giving these legs a serious workout; three years in flat Kansas really spoiled me as a runner. Not to mention the abundance of trails, fitness centers, 5K opportunities and yoga studios. We may not be known for our outdoor offerings and fit population the way cities like Denver are, but Cincinnati still has plenty of ways to balance out all that Porkopolis-style eatin’ with quality sweat sessions.

It’s so possible to live outside the box.

Getting bored of your everyday routine? Here are some of the things the boyfriend and I have done to shake things up: the Lawrenceburg antique market, an afternoon at the arcade in Fairfield, an ironic trip to the Creation Museum, Ethiopian food in Pleasant Ridge, and apple cider donuts at Hidden Valley Fruit Farm in Lebanon. I love that Cincinnatians are passionate about their neighborhoods, but it also doesn’t hurt to explore outside your ZIP code once in awhile. There are whole adventures to be found just a few miles away!

One thing I could live without:

Municipality income tax. Especially since I live in one municipality and work in another. Ouch! Anyone know a good accountant?

But it’s all good. Really.

So many great neighborhoods, restaurants, specialty shops, entertainment sources, day trips to other cool places...this area really has a lot going for it. Hell, I’ve been exploring like crazy and I still haven’t been to the West Side yet! (Though I hear I’m not missing much...I kid, I kid.) So relax, lifers (and other newbies who may be missing home). The key to happiness in a new place, I’ve found, is to quit comparing it to the other places you’ve been. Want us to be more like New York or Portland? You’ll be waiting awhile because it’s not going to happen.

State-by-state culture shock is real because we’re all unique! Instead of complaining, focus on what makes our city great and work on making those things better, whatever you think they may be.