Choosing where to build your custom home is a big decision, and with so many incredible neighborhoods in Cincinnati, it can be difficult to know which one is best for you. If your decision making process has been narrowed to Indian Hill or Montgomery – we have prepared a comparison to assist you. The team at Classic Living Homes knows these two highly sought-after communities very well. 

You’ll find stellar school systems and a nod to nature in both Montgomery and Indian Hill. And both are in close proximity to downtown Cincinnati and major highways, not to mention many other great neighborhoods. 

Although they are side-by-side geographically, Indian Hill is where you’ll find estate-living, complete with expansive lots, while Montgomery evokes the feeling of living in a quaint, friendly village, complete with a vibrant, historic town center where you can find exceptional dining and fabulous, locally owned shops. 

To help you decide whether to build a home in Montgomery or Indian Hill, take a look at what these neighboring communities have in common, how they differ, and what makes them wonderfully unique.

Note: The two home front entrances that we  chose for the image in this blog are emblematic of both the quality homes that you will find in each community, and the quality that Classic Living puts into every custom built home there.

The benefits of living in Indian Hill or Montgomery  

Montgomery and Indian Hill consistently rank as two of the best neighborhoods in Ohio for home buyers. Whether you’re a family with school aged kids, or ready to build a home as empty nesters, you’ll feel at home in either one of these communities. 

Here are some of the top benefits Montgomery and Indian Hill having in common. 

Excellent school systems
You’ll find schools in both communities on “Top 10” lists every year. Indian Hill High School is known nationally for excellence in education, and students test high throughout the Indian Hill Exempted Village School District. It’s also home to Cincinnati Country Day School, a nationally recognized K-12 private school known for its student-centered approach. 

Montgomery is part of the Sycamore school district, known for its innovative take on education and dedication to helping students achieve academic excellence. It’s also routinely rated one of the best school districts in the U.S. 

Gorgeous parks
Indian Hill and Montgomery are perfect places to build a custom home if you’re an outdoor lover who needs to get out and enjoy nature. In Indian Hill, you’ll find great places to hike and meander throughout the area, including a wonderful bird sanctuary and phenomenal arboretum. And Montgomery’s park system features an incredible 96 acres of green space. 

Fantastic location
Living in Indian Hill or Montgomery means you can reap the benefits of living in a quiet, peaceful community while still being close to all of Cincinnati’s cultural hotspots. Both are near major highways and downtown Cincinnati is just a quick 20-minute drive away from both neighborhoods. 

Top reasons to build a home in Montgomery 

Montgomery is an ideal place to build a custom home for so many reasons. While it’s bustling with new homes and businesses, it’s also a place that honors timeless tradition. When you build a custom home in Montgomery, it’s one you’ll live in for generations to come. 

The village feel
If you like knowing your neighbors are just an easy stroll away, consider a move to Montgomery. You’ll need just a quarter of an acre to build in Montgomery, which means that you can still enjoy quiet, peaceful and private living while also taking full advantage of a close-knit community. 

Affordability
The average current cost to build a custom home in Montgomery starts around $625K. This leaves more room in the budget to enjoy all that the area has to offer. 

Old Montgomery – a vibrant community with amazing history

And walkability, too
If you like taking long evening walks with your dog or early morning jogs, you’ll definitely enjoy living in Montgomery. In fact, all of its parks and its nature preserve connect thanks to ten miles of sidewalks. This makes Montgomery one of the most walkable communities in Greater Cincinnati. 

Career Opportunities
Major hospitals including University, Christ, and Bethesda North have already opened locations near Montgomery and other major employers have followed suit with offices in the Mason/Montgomery area. 

Shopping
Montgomery is home to the iconic Montgomery Inn, but if you’re not in the mood for ribs, you’re in luck. From Carlo & Johnny to City Barbeque to Pacific Kitchen, there’s something for everyone in Montgomery. 

The Shops at Harper’s Point offer a relaxed, low-stress, neighborhood shopping experience, and while Montgomery is in close proximity to Kenwood Towne Center, and Montgomery Village features plenty of boutiques for one-of-a-kind gifts and clothing. 

Top reasons to build a home in Indian Hill

As soon as you arrive in The Village of Indian Hill, you know you’re in a very special place. It’s apparent by the gorgeous, wooded roads, the incredible – and incredibly diverse – home architecture, and its proximity to the city and all its cultural offerings. 

Estate style living
You’ll need a lot that’s a minimum of one, three, or five acres to build a custom home in Indian Hill, making it truly the community for estate style living. Maybe your dream is to look outside your windows at sprawling, gorgeous land that goes on forever, or perhaps you’re ready to own a horse (or a few). If so, take a closer look at Indian Hill. 

How Indian Hill became one the of the most desirable communities in Cincinnati 

Privacy
With large lot sizes comes another benefit: private living. Indian Hill is an ideal community for those who want to be off the grid and away from the hustle and bustle of city, while still enjoying luxury living. This is one of the reasons top executives and others in the public eye have chosen Indian Hill as their private retreat. 

Extensive natural areas
From beautiful parks to Greenacres and Turner Farms, two incredible working farms where you can purchase vegetables, meat and dairy items, and hidden gems like the Stanley Rowe Arboretum, Indian Hill is a nature lover’s dream. 

Indian Hill is also home to the Peterloon Estate, a rich and important part of Cincinnati history, as well as The Meadows at Peterloon, Indian Hill’s newest community that Classic Living Homes is very proud to a part of. 

Lower income tax
Living in Indian Hill means you can enjoy can lower income tax rate. It’s currently .525% to be exact. 

Walkability
Indian Hill boast two long-standing walkability features that make it unique. There is a bike path system along numerous roads that has been in place for over a half century. In addition, there are walking trails such as Red Bird Hollow that connect walkers with Indian Hill’s beautiful, peaceful and natural settings.

Still trying to decide between building a custom home in Indian Hill or Montgomery? Take a look at homes we’ve built in both communities, then give us a call. And relax – you can’t go wrong with either. They are both amazing places to live.