The 13 Best Areas to Live Surrounding Cleveland, Ohio 

Are you looking for a great place to live near Cleveland, Ohio? If so, you’re in luck! There are many great communities to choose from. Each offers plenty of activities and amenities, and they’re all situated close to Cleveland. No matter what your needs and preferences are, there’s a great suburb to live near Cleveland that has exactly what you’re looking for.

While there are dozens of great Cleveland suburbs to choose from, here are 13 to get your home search started.

Lakewood

Lakewood is located just west of Cleveland and about 24 minutes by car if you’re looking for a vibrant and lively community. This close-knit community is considered an inner-ring suburb, meaning it is adjacent to the city limits inside the I-271 semi-circle.

Lakewood has been regionally and recognized nationally as a “Best Suburb” and one of the “most exciting small cities in America.”

Residents live a few blocks from the Lake Erie waterfront and are close to Edgewater Park. Walkability scored it as the most walkable city in Ohio. There are plenty of restaurants, shops, and bars in the area, and you’ll never run out of things to do. The town is known for having a strong food scene.

Lakewood is also known for its cultural attractions and performing arts centers. Popular events include the Lakewood Arts Festival and the Taste of Lakewood.

The homes and properties are not as spacious, but you get to live in a walkable community with an artsy vibe in exchange. Many homes are also historic and built before 1930, adding to the city’s charm. The median home value in 2021 was $147,900.

Rocky River

Rocky River is a top-ranked option if you’re looking for a suburban community with plenty of outdoor activities. It’s located along Lake Erie, about ten miles west of Cleveland, and is known for its beautiful parks and trails.

The Rocky River Reservation is part of the town, which follows the river into a preserved environment. Hike along its miles of scenic trails through wetlands, meadows, and waterfalls.

The town also has its own thriving downtown with plenty of boutique shopping and dining options.

Rocky River schools received an A+ ranking and were ranked number five by Cleveland Magazine.

The median home value in 2021 was $233,900. It is possible to find historic homes.

Beachwood

Located east of Cleveland, Beachwood is a great option if you’re looking for a suburb with something for everyone, but it is best known in Cleveland as a retail destination.

Beachwood Place is the place to go for high-end shopping. Its retailers include Burberry and Gucci. Other shopping options include the famous Lyndhurst Legacy Village.

Other local amenities include the Beachwood Family Aquatic Center, League Park, and Acacia Reservation.

Residents have easy access to downtown Cleveland, and the median home value in 2021 was $296,600. The community has high walkability with numerous sidewalks. Beachwood schools received an A+ ranking.

Highland Heights

Another great option east of Cleveland is Highland Heights. Residents live about 15 miles from downtown and about six miles from Lake Erie. It’s easy to jump on I-271 and be elsewhere in the Cleveland metro area. Residents live close to the airport.

Highland Heights feels like a small city within a city. The town runs regular community events, has plenty of regional restaurants, craft breweries, and ample recreation opportunities. Just on the other side of I-271 is the North Chagrin Reservation. The community is also home to the Stonewater Golf Club and the Highland Heights Parks.

The community is known for its excellent schools. The median home value in 2021 was $274,700.

Avon Lake

Another suburb on the shores of Lake Erie, Avon Lake is located about 25 minutes west of Cleveland. Avon Lake is perfect if you’re looking for a suburb with plenty of outdoor activities.

Avon Lake makes the most of its lakeside border, with boat clubs and marinas along the shoreline. The town is known for its excellent fishing, making it popular with anglers casting lines for bass, steelhead trout, and catfish. Veterans Park has picturesque Lake Erie views.

The community is also popular because of its low crime rate, top-ranked public schools, and numerous parks.

The median home value in 2021 was $243,600.

Bay Village

Bay Village rests against Lake Erie just east of Avon Lake. It has a distinctly New England feel and look, with a walkable downtown district. Visitors come to Huntington Beach, the picture-perfect place for picnicking and sandcastle building in the summer.

Residents love its serene atmosphere and proximity to Cleveland. It is located about 20 minutes west of downtown and has nearly 16,000 people.

The community has a large park system with an 18-hole golf course, a nature preserve, and the Huntington Beach Dog Park.

The median home value in 2021 was $230,400.

Chagrin Falls

Chagrin Falls is the perfect option if you’re looking for a quaint and charming village to live in. It’s located about 25 minutes southeast of Cleveland and has just over 2,000 people.

The village beside the Chagrin River has a rich history that dates to the 1800s. Today, it’s known for its excellent schools, numerous art galleries, and vibrant downtown district. The downtown waterfall makes a beautiful backdrop, turning Chagrin Falls into something you’d expect to see on a postcard.

The community amenities include a farmer’s market, a shopping center with local and eclectic retailers, the Chagrin Valley Little Theater, and Riverside Park. Chagrin Falls also had a top-ranked school system and a low crime rate.

The median home value in 2021 was $507,100. The home styles include historic Tutor and farm-style homes and bungalows and craftsmen.

Mayfield Heights

Mayfield Heights is located about 15 minutes east of downtown Cleveland and has nearly 20,000 people. The community has a top-rated school system and a vibrant downtown district.

Mayfield Heights has two parks, an aquatic center, and a community center. Residents are also close to the Cleveland Clinic at Hillcrest Hospital and a corporate park that is home to several major company headquarters.

Its proximity to Cleveland and other local suburbs means that residents are close to top-tier shopping and dining. It is conveniently located to Interstate 271 and Interstate 90.

The median home value in 2021 was $144,800.

Shaker Heights

Located about 11 miles east of downtown Cleveland, Shaker Heights is an affluent suburb with nearly 29,000 people. Niche.com has rated it one of the top suburbs to live in all of America. Northeast Ohio magazine rated it as the best place to raise a family.

Shaker Heights breaks down into nine different neighborhoods. Locals enjoy numerous lifestyle options, from local restaurants to parks. There are almost 200 miles of sidewalks, making these communities highly walkable. Local recreation facilities include a swimming pool and an indoor year-round ice-skating arena. The regional nature center has been identified as a national environmental education landmark.

Shaker Heights school system is highly rated, with an international baccalaureate program available at every grade level.

The local architecture is historically inspired, and the community has tree-lined streets and parks. Shaker Heights has stringent building codes and zoning laws, which have been designed to help maintain the community’s identity throughout the years. The median home value in 2021 was $222,700. 

Westlake

Westlake is located about 25 minutes west of downtown Cleveland and has nearly 32,000 people.

Residents enjoy living here because of its numerous outdoor amenities. Westlake is near Lake Erie and has many parks. The Bradley Woods Reservation is almost 800 acres and serves as a monarch butterfly way station. The community has several 18-hole golf courses. Crocker Park is also a destination for residents and visitors alike.

Westlake has a summer outdoor concert series during the summer, and in the winter, it holds an annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

Westlake is also renowned for being highly walkable. It holds an A+ safety rating on Areavibes.

The median home value in 2021 was $250,900. The more expensive areas were along Hilliard Boulevard, and more affordable communities were near West Dover and Detroit Road.

Solon

Located about 30 minutes southeast of Cleveland, Solon is an affluent suburb with nearly 23,000 people. It has a top-rated school system and features a vibrant downtown district.

Both Money Magazine and Bloomberg Business ranked Solon as one of the best places to raise a family. The ranking is based on its schools, low crime rates, and things to do. 

Cleveland Magazine ranked Solon City School District number one for education in the area.

The town is known for high-quality education and is home to the Solon Center for the Arts.

Residents enjoy rounds of golf at the nearby Hawthorne Valley Country Club or the Grant Wood Golf Club. The city also has hiking and biking trails at its local parks and the nearby South Chagrin Reservation.

The median home value in 2021 was $280,300. Many homes are on spacious lots and include styles like ranch, craftsman, and colonial.

Brecksville

Brecksville is further out from Cleveland, but you live in the heart of rolling woodland in exchange. It is located about 18 miles south of Cleveland and has a population of nearly 13,000 people.

Family Circle Magazine recognized Brecksville in 2014 as one of the best towns to raise a family. It based its ranking on its top-rated schools and access to recreation spaces.

The community has more than 15 miles of hiking trails, including the Brecksville Reservation, which features the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad.

The median home value in 2021 was $105,566. The city also has slightly lower property taxes compared to other Cleveland suburbs.

Pepper Pike

Pepper Pike is located about 12 miles east of downtown Cleveland and has nearly 6,000 people. The suburb is located inside the rolling Chagrin Valley, meaning you can find spacious lots and forested hills. It has a top-rated school system and a vibrant downtown district.

Money Magazine ranked the community in 2016 as one of the best places to retire. The ranking was based on its low crime rates, access to healthcare, and things to do.

Local community amenities include the Pepper Pike Golf and Country Club, which hosted the US Women’s Amateur Championship in 2012. Pepper Pike is also home to Ursuline College.

The winding streets and open green spaces give Pepper Pike a rural-suburban feel. It is possible to find everything from elegant townhomes to spacious homes on acres of land. The median home value in 2021 was $269,900.

Living in the Cleveland Suburbs

As you can see, there are plenty of great suburbs to live in around Cleveland, Ohio. Each one has its own unique charms and benefits that make it a great place to call home. So if you’re looking for a new place to live, be sure to check out these suburbs! Learn more out living in and around Cleveland in our moving guide.