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! Find many great communities near Cleveland that offer activities and amenities from hiking in metro parks to accessing top medical care. No matter what your needs and preferences, the suburbs of Cleveland have exactly what you’re looking for.

While there are dozens of great Cleveland suburbs, here are 13 of the best neighborhoods to start your home search.

Lakewood

Lakewood is west of Cleveland about 24 minutes by car. The suburb has been regionally and recognized nationally as a “Best Suburb” and one of the “most exciting small cities in America.”

This close-knit community is considered an inner-ring suburb, meaning Lakewood is adjacent to the city limits inside the metro’s Interstate 271 semi-circle. Residents live a few blocks from the Lake Erie waterfront and are close to Edgewater Park.

Walkability scored it as Ohio’s most walkable city. If you like to dine out, 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. In short, you’ll never run out of things to do.

The homes and properties are not as spacious, but the perk is buying into a lakeshore 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 price in July 2024 was $257,000.

Rocky River

Rocky River is a top-ranked option and one of the most highly sought-after towns near Cleveland, Ohio. It’s along Lake Erie but about ten miles west of Cleveland.

Its beautiful parks and trails are a star attraction. The Rocky River Reservation follows the river into a preserved, forested 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 excellent dining.

Rocky River schools are regularly in the top five of Ohio school rankings. For 2022 and 2023, they received an A+ score and were ranked number five by Cleveland Magazine.

The median home value in 2024 was $437,000. Find historic homes and lakefront living.

Beachwood

On Cleveland’s east side, Beachwood is a great option if you desire easy access to modern conveniences. This suburb is best known as Cleveland’s retail destination thanks to the 100-plus specialty stores at Beachwood Place Mall.

The high-end retailers at this luxurious shopping mall include Burberry and Gucci. Extending the shopping choices, an indoor-outdoor mall across the street has sit-down dining and more stores. Other shopping options include the famous Lyndhurst Legacy Village and Pavilion Mall.

In addition to all the stores, locals have the Beachwood Family Aquatic Center, League Park, and Acacia Reservation. Preston’s H.O.P.E. is the first accessible playground in Northeast Ohio. Here, all kids can just be kids and enjoy 6,000 square feet of play. The numerous sidewalks also make Beachwood highly walkable. Additionally, Beachwood schools received an A+ ranking.

Residents have easy access to downtown Cleveland. The July 2024 median home value was $430,000.

Highland Heights

Another of the best neighborhoods in Cleveland, Highland Heights residents live about 15 miles from downtown and about six miles from Lake Erie. It’s easy to jump on Interstate 271 and be elsewhere in the Cleveland metro area. Residents live close to the Cuyahoga County 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 activities. Just on the other side of I-271 is the North Chagrin Reservation, a 2,000-acre nature preserve. The Stonewater Golf Club, Airport Greens Golf Course, and the Highland Heights Parks add to the green spaces.

Excellent schools round out the perks of Highland Heights. Residents gain an income tax credit if they live and work within city limits. The median home value in 2024 was $543,800.

Avon Lake

The tropical-looking waters of Lake Erie are mesmerizing. Perhaps that’s why the idea of a lakefront suburb is enchanting. In Avon Lake, 25 minutes west of Cleveland, you gain the perks of city living with coastal vibes.

Avon Lake makes the most of its lakeside border. Boat clubs and marinas run along the shoreline. A public boat ramp helps locals not lakefront get out on Lake Erie. The excellent fishing makes 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 are among the best in the Cleveland metro area. Numerous parks include a Lorain County Metro Park and 35 miles of bike trails.

The July 2024 median home price was $530,000.

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 visit Huntington Beach, a picture-perfect place for picnicking and sandcastle building in the summer.

Residents love its serene atmosphere. You’ll see people biking around town to the lakefront and local cafes. A large park system meets recreational needs with an 18-hole golf course, a nature preserve, and the Huntington Beach Dog Park. In the summer, Food Truck Fridays bring locals to the Village Green Park.

This town near Cleveland, Ohio, sits about 20 minutes west of downtown and has nearly 16,000 people. The median home value in 2024 was $432,500.

Chagrin Falls

Chagrin Falls is the perfect option if you’re looking for a quaint and charming town village experience. It’s about 25 minutes southeast of Cleveland and has over 2,000 residents.

The village beside the Chagrin River has a rich history that dates to the 1800s. The downtown waterfall makes a beautiful backdrop, turning Chagrin Falls into something you’d expect to see on a postcard.

Today, it’s known for its excellent schools, numerous art galleries, and vibrant downtown district. 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’ top-ranked school system and a low crime rate make it a highly desirable place to live in Ohio.

The median home price in 2024 was $644,900. Home styles include historic Tutor and farm-style homes, bungalows, and craftsmen.

Mayfield Heights

Mayfield Heights is about 15 minutes east of downtown Cleveland. Nearly 20,000 call it home. Like other Cleveland suburbs, its attractions are the high-performing public schools and the suburban amenities.

Mayfield Heights has two parks, an aquatic center, and a community center. Residents are also close to the Cleveland Clinic at Hillcrest Hospital.

Two corporate parks and several major company headquarters give Mayfield Heights a strong business environment. That enables it to offer residents a low city income tax rate of 1.5%.

Being near other top Cleveland suburbs like Beachwood and Highland Heights means residents are close to top-tier shopping and dining. Interstate 271 and Interstate 90 make the commute into downtown about 25 minutes. The median home value in 2024 was $260,000.

Shaker Heights

Beautiful Shaker Heights has made appearances in television and novels. 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. Today, around 29,000 people call this suburb 11 miles from downtown their home.

Shaker Heights is divided into nine neighborhoods. Almost 200 miles of sidewalks connect the neighborhoods to restaurants and parks. Local recreation facilities include a swimming pool and an indoor ice-skating arena that is open year-round. The regional nature center has been identified as a national environmental education landmark.

For education, the Shaker Heights school system frequently earns “excellent” scores from Ohio. An international baccalaureate (IB) program is available at every grade level.

Shaker Heights has stringent building codes and zoning laws, which have been designed to help maintain the community’s identity throughout the years. The local architecture is historically inspired, and the community has tree-lined streets. In July 2024, the median home price was $325,000.

Westlake

Next door to Bay Village, Westlake is about 25 minutes west of downtown Cleveland. What residents like is all the outdoor amenities. While not lakefront, it is near Lake Erie and the Huntington Beach Park. Its Bradley Woods Reservation is almost 800 acres and serves as a monarch butterfly way station. Three 18-hole golf courses add to the local things to do.

Small-town vibes are another positive aspect of Westlake living. Crocker Park is the entertainment destination. Besides all its shops and restaurants, the center hosts wine festivals, farmer’s markets, and food truck events.

Westlake has a summer outdoor concert series. In the winter, it holds an annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. It holds an A+ safety rating on Areavibes.

The median home value in 2024 was $570,000. The more expensive areas were along Hilliard Boulevard, and more affordable communities were near West Dover and Detroit Road.

Solon

If educational quality matters the most to you, then Solon is the suburb for you. In 2022 and 2023, it was Ohio’s best-performing public school 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.

About 30 minutes southeast of Cleveland, nearly 23,000 people call Solon home. Besides its high-quality education, it 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 2024 was $522,500. Many homes are on spacious lots and include styles like ranch, craftsman, and colonial.

Brecksville

Brecksville is a further drive from Cleveland, but you live in the heart of rolling woodland in exchange. 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.

Being about 18 miles south of Cleveland places its 13,000 locals closer to the rolling beauty of the Cuyahoga Valley and its National Park. Outdoor access is a serious benefit to living here. The community has more than 15 miles of hiking trails. Many are at the Brecksville Reservation, which also features the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Train rides are a top attraction in the fall months.

The July 2024 median home value was $599,000. The city also has slightly lower property taxes compared to other Cleveland suburbs.

Pepper Pike

Pepper Pike is worth the drive for those who live and commute to Cleveland about 12 miles away. The quiet suburb is inside the rolling Chagrin Valley. Find spacious lots and forested hills.

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. The vibe here is very small-town and nostalgic. Pepper Pike has its own community band that puts on summer concerts. It runs ice cream socials and clambakes.

Other advantages 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, a small Roman Catholic liberal arts school with about 700 students.

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 price in July 2024 was $900,000.

Living in the Cleveland Suburbs

As you can see, the towns near Cleveland, Ohio, pack in the benefits. Each one has its charms, making it a great place to call home. They all prove that Cleveland is a good place to live. Learn more about living in and around Cleveland in our moving guide. When you’re ready to start searching for your next home, work with a local real estate expert to find the right place in Cleveland for you.

Updated July 2024