Harrison, OH, was home to a dog-racing track in the 1930s that featured monkeys in silk jackets acting as jockeys. The track closed in 1940, due to pressure from the horse-racing circuit.
According to the 2012 census report, Harrison is home to almost 10,000 residents, which represents a 32 percent increase since 2000. Its growth surprises no one except the geographically challenged among us -- you know who you are. You see, this city is only 36 minutes from Kings Island, one of the largest amusement and water parks in the Midwest. And if living near an amazing theme park isn't enough, Harrison is just a short, 20-minute drive to downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Greater Cincinnati Airport, where big city life meets the charm of southern Ohio in this eclectic melting pot of cultures and communities.
Moving to Harrison
Moving to Harrison takes some serious planning. Harrison is cold and snowy in the winter and rainy and windy in the early to late spring. Harrison also sits right next to the Midwest's tornado alley, and Ohio has seen its fair share of the big wind storms over the years. When considering a move to Harrison, your best bet is in summer or fall. The only thing you'll have to fight in the middle of the year is the heat and humidity of an Ohio Valley summer. The snow doesn't really start to fly until late November / early December in this part of the country, so autumn moves rule out the need for a bobsled team.
As with most state-to-state moves, you'll need to take a few things with you to your real estate closing. Take along your current driver's license or photo ID, proof of homeowner's insurance, your funds by certified check or wire transfer to an escrow account, and any divorce decrees or living trust documents that apply to your closing.
If you are renting rather than buying property in Harrison, you'll typically need a security deposit, plus first and last month's rent, a completed rental application, and any references required by your landlord. In many cases, you might be able to find an all utilities paid Harrison apartment. All you have to do is ask around. Check with potential landlords to see if this is an option for the apartment home you are considering.
Harrison Neighborhoods
The neighborhoods of Harrison are divided into four geographic areas. The Carolina Trace Road / Flora Road area is located in the northwest corner of the city. The City Center area is in the west central part of town, and the Kilby Road / Dry Fork Road area is immediately to its south. Miami / New Town makes up the large, northeast and north central area of the City of Harrison. Depending on your dwelling needs you may find a studio for rent, a duplex for rent or a home for sale all in the same community.
Carolina Trace Road / Flora Road: This area is made up of medium sized three-to-four bedroom and large five-or-more bedroom single-family homes. It also offers apartment complexes and high-rise apartment homes with an altitude that could make your nose bleed. Just kidding, but it was fun scaring you.
City Center: Most of the real estate of the City Center area of Harrison is made up of a mixture of homeowners and renters. City Center offers both medium-sized, single-family homes (three to four bedrooms), and small homes (studio to two bedrooms). There are also city apartments with 1 bedroom apartmentoptions, and two bedroom apartments in high rises.
Kilby Road / Dry Fork Road: The Kilby / Dry Fork area of Harrison is predominantly rural. Most of the dwellings in this area are made up of mobile home owners. There are also a number of small, single-family homes. Car pooling is a popular way to make the commute to work -- an average of 30 minutes or less -- in this area of Harrison.
Miami Town / New Haven: Miami Town and New Haven are also rural communities in Harrison. This area is largely made up of medium-sized and small single-family homes and some apartments with paid utilities.
Life in Harrison
Harrison, Ohio offers residents the best of small-town life while providing upscale entertainment options, cutting-edge educational facilities, and a parks and recreation department dedicated to helping folks get healthy while having fun. If you don't want to get healthy, then just focus on the entertainment options, which are probably more your forte anyway.
If you were interested in fitness, listen up. Harrison's Parks and Recreation Department offers a full line of sports teams for those who eat, drink, and breathe sports 24 / 7. Softball, soccer, basketball leagues, football, flag football, cheerleading, and Upward Bound basketball are just some of the ways residents of Harrison stay fit and busy.
The City of Harrison is also home to the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, and boasts one of the oldest branches in that system, dating as far back as 1880. But don't worry about the smell of old books! This branch has a new, state-of-the-art facility with the latest in library services and technology.