From Skyline Chili to Homeownership: A Clifton Love Story Rooted in Cincinnati
By Ioanna Paraskevopoulos, Cincinnati Real Estate Professional
A Love Story That Began on Clifton Avenue
Some people meet online.
My parents met at Skyline Chili on Clifton Avenue, right in the heart of Gaslight Clifton.
Over plates of chili and easy conversation, two very different journeys crossed paths and became one. That moment would shape not only their lives, but mine, and now my son’s.
It’s a story deeply rooted in Clifton and in Cincinnati itself.
Generations Raised in Clifton
My mom was born and raised in Clifton. This neighborhood wasn’t just where she lived, it was where she learned independence, built friendships, and developed a lifelong sense of community.
Her father was a professor at the University of Cincinnati, further strengthening our family’s ties to education, service, and civic engagement in this neighborhood.
Years later, I would grow up here too.
And today, I’m proud to be raising my own son in Clifton, continuing a tradition that now spans multiple generations.
This isn’t just where we live.
It’s where our family belongs.
A Greek Immigrant’s Journey to Cincinnati
My dad came to Cincinnati as a Greek immigrant with determination, resilience, and a strong work ethic.
He painted bridges and water towers, helping maintain the city’s infrastructure and skyline. During the winter months, he worked at Skyline Chili, serving students, families, and longtime residents.
That’s where he met my mom.
She was 19, in college, and full of ambition. He was seven years older, hardworking, and immediately taken by her.
Despite the fact that she had a boyfriend at the time, my dad’s sincerity and persistence won her heart.
From First Date to Forever
What began as casual conversations soon became something deeper.
In just three months, they knew.
They eloped in Northern Kentucky, quietly, confidently, and with total faith in their future.
No grand ballroom. No elaborate guest list.
Just love, commitment, and courage.
More than fifty years later, they are still married, still devoted, and still living in Clifton.
They raised three children here. They built their lives here. And they never left.
Giving Back to the Community That Raised Me
Growing up in Clifton didn’t just shape where I live, it shaped how I serve.
I’m proud to give back to this neighborhood in meaningful ways, including:
Serving as a Trustee for Clifton Town Meeting
Co-chairing the Clifton Home & Garden Tour to benefit the Clifton Cultural Arts Center since 2024
These roles allow me to advocate for neighbors, support local businesses, preserve historic homes, and strengthen the community that has given so much to my family.
Clifton isn’t just where I work.
It’s where I show up.
Why This Matters in Real Estate
As a real estate professional in Cincinnati, especially in Clifton, I don’t just understand this market.
I’ve lived it.
I know:
Which blocks feel like home
How schools, parks, and businesses shape families
Why walkability matters here
How neighborhood history affects property values
What makes Clifton unique
How community involvement impacts long-term value
To me, Clifton isn’t just a “hot neighborhood.”
It’s my family’s legacy.
It’s where my grandfather taught.
Where my parents fell in love.
Where I grew up.
Where I serve.
And where I’m raising my son.
That perspective matters when you’re buying or selling a home.
Helping You Build Your Own Story in Clifton
Every home has a story waiting to unfold.
For my parents, it started at Skyline Chili.
For you, it might start with:
Your first condo near UC
A family home near Burnet Woods
A historic house in Gaslight
A renovation project
Or an investment property
Whatever your next chapter looks like, I’m here to help you write it with honesty, neighborhood knowledge, and generations of local experience.
Work With a Clifton Real Estate Expert Who Truly Knows the Neighborhood
If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or investing in Clifton or greater Cincinnati, I’d love to talk.
Let’s find the place where your story begins.
Contact me to get started.
