|
|
|
Lifestyle: Style of Housing: |
Real Estate & Homes in Cleveland - Ohio - Cleveland, Ohio homes and communities Cleveland
Background The heart of the largest metropolitan area in Ohio, Cleveland is a diverse metropolis situated on the southern shore of Lake Erie in the northeast corner of the state. It is divided in half by the Cuyahoga River, long regarded as a divider between the “bad” (eastern) and “good” (western) sides of town, although this distinction is breaking down. Still recovering from troubled economic times in the 1970’s, Cleveland’s fortunes are on the rise thanks to redevelopment and proactive leadership by its mayors. Despite these setbacks, Cleveland remains a center for industry, recreation, and of course, rock music. History Named after the leader of the surveying party that mapped the land on which it rests, Cleveland was founded in 1796. The land was not terribly hospitable, consisting of swampy plains that were buffeted by harsh lake-effect winters, but the location was fortuitous. The city became a crucial link between the Ohio River and the Great Lakes after the Ohio and Erie Canal was completed in 1832. The city flourished thanks to its position as a midway point between the eastern states and the western and southern manufacturing centers. By 1920, Cleveland was the 5th largest city in the country. It became the home of several major steel firms as well as Rockefeller’s Standard Oil. After World War II, however, production slumped and many residents fled to the suburbs, leading to inner-city decay and economic hard times. Racial unrest in the 1960s led to several riots, and in 1978, Cleveland became the first major US city to enter default on its loans. The city’s recovery began soon after, and redevelopment has been a top priority for city planners ever since. Cleveland still suffers from a reputation as a dirty, industrial, poverty-stricken city, but the tide is rapidly turning in its favor as racial segregations break down and the city’s economy shifts away from heavy manufacturing. Fast Facts City population: 478,403 Metro population: 2.9 million Size: 213 square miles Average temperature (January): 24.8 F Average temperature (July): 71.9 F
Community Leaving the civil unrest and hard times behind it, Cleveland’s recovery has been rapid and continues to this day. Recently, Partners for Livable Communities named Cleveland one of four “most livable cities” in the United States. The city’s downtown district has undergone many changes in the last few decades, and now boasts some outstanding features such as the Flats Entertainment District, which was once an industrial zone but has been transformed into a waterfront Mecca of restaurants, clubs, and boardwalks. The hip Historic Warehouse District is a premier neighborhood of warehouse lofts, condominiums, and upscale entertainment. The site of both Jacobs Field ballpark and Gund Arena, the Historic Gateway District is the city’s destination for sports and live entertainment, while the Theater District is home to no less than five restored theaters. Millions of tourists flock annually to the North Coast District, where you’ll find the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, the Great Lakes Science Center, and Cleveland Browns Stadium, along with several other historical maritime attractions. One of the most culturally diverse cities in Ohio, Cleveland is also home to many unique ethnic neighborhoods. Chagrin Falls, about 18 miles east of downtown, retains its 19th century New England charm while offering contemporary shopping and dining for its many visitors. Eclectic Coventry Village has hung on to its counterculture atmosphere that drew the bohemian crowd in the 1960’s, while the neighborhood surrounding Edgewater State Park is filled with grand homes and off-beat entertainment. For authentic Italian dining and charm, you can visit Little Italy, or the Slavic Village if your taste runs to old-world service. If you don’t know what you want, Lorain Avenue will surely have it with its mix of historic landmarks, flea markets, ethnic eateries and scores of antique shops. These examples are but the tip of the iceberg of what Cleveland’s many distinct neighborhoods and districts have to offer. Attractions The list of major attractions in Cleveland is a long one. Topping the list is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, founded in 1995, which is a must-visit for any rock fan or lover of live music. The nearby Great Lakes Science Center features interactive exhibits and a six-story OMNIMAX Theater. Museums in Cleveland include the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and Cleveland Botanical Garden. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Rainforest is home to 3000 animals representing 600 species, of which 84 are endangered. The University Circle neighborhood, often referred to as the city’s cultural center, is a convenient way to take in many cultural attractions at once. Home to the Cleveland Playhouse, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Crawford Auto and Aviation Museum, and the Cleveland Orchestra, University Circle is one-stop shopping for an entire day’s diversion. It also features picturesque gardens, galleries and many restaurants. In addition, Cleveland is but a short drive away from Cedar Point amusement park, which is consistently voted the top park in the country. Arts & Culture The Cleveland Orchestra, one of the Big Five orchestras of America, is often mentioned as one of the finest orchestras in the world. Founded in 1918 with Nikolai Sokoloff as its principal conductor, the current conductor is Franz Welser-Most. The orchestra has made numerous recordings and makes its home in Severance Hall. In the summer months, they perform at the Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, an outdoor venue. The Cleveland Museum of Art, located in the University Circle neighborhood, has a permanent collection of more than 40,000 objects. It is known for its extensive collection of medieval and Asian art and also houses a large art research library. The museum is currently under renovation, including a new addition to be completed in 2009. Aside from these two major forces in the arts, Cleveland has a bustling live theater scene. With venues such as the Cleveland Play House, the Cleveland Public Theater, the Near West Theater and the Playhouse Square Center, there is ample opportunity for variety in local productions. Education The mammoth Cleveland public school system encompasses 31 school districts in Cuyahoga County, including 48 high school, 60 middle schools and 198 elementary schools. In addition, the county is home to a staggering 186 Catholic schools, 7 Jewish schools and 16 independent schools. The Cleveland area hosts over 140,000 undergraduate students in its many colleges and universities. Notable among these institutions are top engineering school Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, Cuyahoga Community College, Kent State University, and the University of Akron. Sports & Recreation Cleveland is a haven for the sports enthusiast. Its sports teams include the Cleveland Indians, who play in brand-new, state-of-the-art Jacobs Field, one of the finest baseball venues in the country. In addition, the city is home to the Cleveland Browns (NFL football), the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA basketball), the Cleveland Barons (American Hockey League) and the Cleveland Force (indoor soccer). Lake Erie provides many recreational opportunities including sport fishing, boating, and all manner of water sports. There are over 275 miles of bike trails in northeast Ohio, and the opportunities to enjoy winter sports are also extensive. The Shaker Heights Nature Preserve is a scenic, tree-filled spot for walking or picnicking, and peaceful Lakewood Cemetery is an unusual but tranquil spot for reflection. Festivals Year-round, Cleveland is home to many festivals and events. In the spring, the yearly induction of the newest members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame draws crowds, and the Tri-C JazzFest features top jazz musicians from all over the country. Starting with the Tops Rib Cook-Off on Memorial Day weekend, the summertime schedule features the Parade the Circle Celebration in downtown Cleveland, the Beachwood Art Festival, the July 4th Waterfront Festival, and the quirky Twins Day festival in nearby Twinsburg, OH. In the fall, enjoy the Cleveland National Air Show and Fall for the Circle, and come cold weather, WinterFest Holiday Lighting and the annual Country Lights show will help get you into the holiday spirit. Dining With its multicultural population, Cleveland presents many opportunities to partake of ethnic cuisine, particularly German food (people of German ancestry make up a large segment of the Cleveland population). But that isn’t all. You can get excellent sushi at Sushi Rock downtown, or Italian at either La Dolce Vita or at Giovanni’s in Beachwood. In Coventry, Tommy’s boasts a top-notch selection of vegetarian dishes, and the unassuming Club Isabella provides excellent food with live music. For mediterranean cuisine, visit Sans Souci in the downtown Tower City district, while Pier W is an upscale restaurant which features glass walls which look out onto Lake Erie. Economy It is in its economic stability where Cleveland has experienced the most difficulties, and continues to do so. The city was hard-hit by suburbanization, which was exacerbated by busing-based desegregation of its schools. In 2004, it was named the poorest large city in the United States. The median income is $30,286 for a family and $25,928 for a household, significantly lower than either Columbus or Cincinnati. Out of the total population, 37.6% of those under the age of 18 live below the poverty line. Cleveland is the corporate headquarters of a number of large corporations, including National City Corporation, Sherwin Williams, Goodyear Tire & Rubber, FirstEnergy, Progressive Corporation and KeyCorp. The city is in the process of shifting its economy away from a manufacturing base to a more service-and-retail base, which will add to its financial stability in shifting economic climates.
Search similar Lifestyle : Search similar Housing :
|
Beach Front
Condos
