The State of Unemployment and Economic Growth in Cincinnati (and why I’m still broke)
okay, so like, the rain in Cincinnati is weird. Not just rain, you know? It’s this…grey-ish drizzle that smells faintly of wet concrete and disappointment. Seriously. It’s been like this for a week, which, let’s be real, is a vibe. I’m talking about the whole city, from Over-the-Rhine to Blue Ash.
I was scrolling through Reddit r/Cincinnati last night - mostly just people complaining about parking, honestly - and stumbled across this article about the job market. It’s…rough. Like, really rough. The unemployment rate is hovering around 5.2%, which is higher than the national average. And that’s before you factor in all the people just…not looking for jobs. It’s a whole thing. Apparently, a lot of the growth is concentrated in tech and healthcare, which, as a freelance illustrator (yeah, illustrator - don’t get me wrong, it’s cool, but it doesn’t pay the bills), I’m not exactly qualified for.
Speaking of bills, let’s talk cost of living. I’m living in a shoebox apartment in Pendleton Place, and I’m pretty sure my landlord is secretly judging my collection of vintage enamel pins. Here’s a breakdown, straight from my panicked Google searches:
| Category | Cincinnati Average |
|---|---|
| Rent (1 Bedroom) | $1,300 - $1,800 |
| Utilities | $200 - $300 |
| Groceries | $300 - $450 |
| Transportation | $150 - $300 |
| Entertainment | $200 - $400 |
Seriously, $1,300 for a one-bedroom? I’m pretty sure I could buy a small island in the Bahamas for that. But, you know, Cincinnati. It’s…a thing.
I overheard some guy at a bar in Fountain Square - he was wearing a really questionable Hawaiian shirt - saying something about how the riverfront development is “killing the soul of the city.” He was pretty insistent on that. Like, he’d been drinking a lot of Yuengling, so take that with a grain of salt. But, you know, there’s something to it. All those fancy condos and upscale restaurants…it feels a little…sterile. Check out some local restaurants on Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/directory/Cincinnati-OH
My friend, Liam - he’s a touring session drummer, so he’s seen a lot - told me to check out the music scene in Over-the-Rhine. Apparently, there’s a surprisingly good bluegrass scene happening down by Findlay Market. He said, "Look, man, Cincinnati’s got grit. It’s not trying to be New York or LA. It’s just…Cincinnati." Deep, right?
Then there’s the whole “ghost hunting” thing. I’m not saying I believe in ghosts, but I did spend last weekend wandering around the historic Cincinnati Music Hall, convinced I was being followed by a spectral banjo player. (Spoiler alert: it was just a really enthusiastic tour guide). Seriously, if you’re into that sort of thing, check out some local ghost tours: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g33659-Activities-Cincinnati_Ohio.html
I’m also trying to get into pottery. It’s a weird obsession, I know. I’m taking a class at the Cincinnati Art Club - it’s expensive, obviously - but it’s a nice way to de-stress. Plus, I can make my own mugs. Because, you know, adulting.
Speaking of stress, I saw a post on r/Cincinnati about the rising property taxes. Apparently, the city is trying to fund some new infrastructure projects, but it’s hitting homeowners hard. It’s a complicated situation.
And let’s not forget the weather. It’s like, perpetually overcast. You can drive a couple of hours to Louisville, and it’s always sunny. Or fly to Nashville - instant sunshine. But, hey, at least the beer is good.
Okay, one last thing. I found this blog post about the best dive bars in Cincinnati - apparently, the Eagle O’mealy is a must-visit. I’m going this weekend. Wish me luck. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/local/2023/10/26/best-dive-bars-cincinnati-eagle-omealy-the-red-moose/7087333/
Honestly, I’m just trying to survive. And maybe make a few bucks selling some illustrations. It’s a struggle, but hey, at least I’m in Cincinnati. It’s…something.
You might also be interested in:
- https://topiclo.com/post/digital-nomad-diaries-when-humidity-hits-you-like-a-wave-in-city-name
- https://topiclo.com/post/tashkent-or-bust-my-freelance-photographers-messy-move-checklist
- https://topiclo.com/post/bogots-midnight-sketches-street-beats
- https://topiclo.com/post/chasing-the-gray-light-a-freelance-photographers-tale-from-koror
- https://topiclo.com/post/dodoma-weather-a-chaotic-year-in-the-tanzanian-heartland