Safe, Affordable Neighborhoods in Cleveland

Thinking of moving to Cleveland? There’s a lot to love about living in Forest City. From vast amounts of green space, exciting business districts, and recreation on the great Lake Erie, there’s plenty to do for people from all walks of life. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or looking to rent a home, check out these safe, affordable neighborhoods in Cleveland!

• Buckeye-Shaker
• Downtown
• Kamm’s Corner
• Ohio City
• Tremont

Buckeye-Shaker

Photo via @greatercircleliving

• Home Price: $69,320 median purchase price; $650 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 75% of Cleveland neighborhoods
• Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

Home of the Fairhill Road Village Historic District, Buckeye Shaker is as charming as it is affordable. With loads of recreation around Doan Brook on the north side of the neighborhood and Shaker Blvd sitting in the middle, it’s easy to find something to do in Buckeye-Shaker. The crown jewel of the neighborhood, Shaker Square, provides quick access to groceries, entertainment, and great restaurants within walking distance from nearly anywhere in this Cleveland neighborhood. Buckeye-Shaker also hosts unique events like the Cleveland Garlic Festival that residents can look forward to each year. As for the housing options, there’s everything from large Colonial homes to smaller Craftsman homes, and even affordable apartments and condos in Colonial-style buildings.

Things to Do in Buckeye-Shaker

Catch the latest blockbuster or schedule a private viewing for you and some friends at Atlas Cinemas. Sign the kids up for ice skating lessons or a local hockey league, and enjoy open skate nights at the Cleveland Skating Club. Take a stroll through the cultural gardens, relax by the lagoon, or get a set of tennis in at Rockefeller Park. Shop for fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, handmade goods, meats, and flowers from local Ohio farmers at the Shaker Square Market. Break a sweat and get your heart rate up during high-intensity interval training at The HIIT Factor. Sink your teeth into some comfort food like the Good Burger, Messy Mac, and a Vanilla Smooth Shake at SomethinGood. Sit down at Felice for some St. Louis Barbecue Ribs or Pan Seared Salmon. Try Japanese creations like the Tuna Confit Bowl, Yam Tempura, or Shrimp Shumai at SASA. Join a culinary program, enjoy a dinner, or learn the history behind some of your favorite food and drinks at Edwins.

Downtown

Photo via @the.avenuedistrict

• Home Price: $102,343 median purchase price; $669 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 86% of Cleveland neighborhoods
• Perfect For: Singles, young professionals

Downtown Cleveland is the heart of the city and one of the most exciting neighborhoods in the CLE! You’re not going to have a hard time finding things to do in Downtown Cleveland, thanks to professional sports stadiums, multiple museums, amazing restaurants, and a surprising amount of green space scattered throughout the neighborhood. Not to mention—downtown is the hub of the Cleveland brewery scene and home to Playhouse Square, the U.S.’ biggest performing arts area outside of Broadway itself! Getting around the city is easy, too, with residents often choosing to make their commute on bikes or the local rapid transit system. To top it off, this Cleveland neighborhood is one of the safest in the city and has great housing options from elegant condos to apartments!

Things to Do in Downtown

Learn about some of the greatest musicians of our time and the history of one of music’s most popular genres at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Check out the interactive science exhibits, or catch a movie on the six-story-high dome theater screen at the Great Lakes Science Center. Catch a ballet, musical, or special event at the Mimi Ohio Theatre, or see traveling Broadway shows like The Lion King at KeyBank State Theatre. Find out more about some of the most influential women in the history of flight and see the aircraft they commanded at the International Women’s Air & Space Museum. Make your own Mediterranean-inspired bowls with falafel, chicken, fresh veggies, and more at CASSA Kitchen & Catering. Treat yourself to a New York Strip steak or oysters from the Raw Bar in a gourmet setting at the Marble Room Steaks & Raw Bar. Socialize over centuries-perfected German brews in a restaurant modeled after the 400-year-old Munich brewery, Hofbrauhaus.

Kamm’s Corner

Photo via @jammrealestateco

• Home Price: $120,510 median purchase price; $677 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 94% of Cleveland neighborhoods
• Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

Those who thrive on outdoor recreation are sure to love the friendly neighborhood of Kamm’s Corner. The beautiful Rocky River Reservation borders the entire eastern side of the area, which makes this neighborhood a great option for active and outdoorsy individuals. Sleek Tudor and Craftsman-style homes represent a majority of the housing options in Kamm’s Corner, while large apartment complexes make up the remainder of this western Cleveland neighborhood. Crime in Kamm’s Corner is incredibly low—you’ll see people walking their dogs often, and hear children playing after school or in the summer. But if you want some excitement, you don’t need to go far—Downtown Cleveland is under half an hour away!

Things to Do in Kamm’s Corner

Hit the links for a quick nine holes at local courses like Little Met Golf Course or Mastick Woods Golf Course. Walk on trails through the 75-acre green space of the Rocky River Reservation at Tyler Barn. Stop by Smoky Memorial to honor the famous Yorkshire Terrier that aided troops in WWII and became the world’s first therapy dog. Shoot some hoops, go for a swim, or run laps at the Gunning Park Recreation Center. Begin your morning at the family-owned neighborhood coffee shop, Savor the Moment. Enjoy some Southern comfort food like Catfish & Grits or a Brisket Dinner from Hatfield’s Goode Grub. Grab a slice of the Dante Deluxe or Mamma Mia at Dante’s Pizza, known for the best pizza in Cleveland. Belt out your favorite karaoke tune every Wednesday while enjoying some drinks at Casey Jones Tavern.

Ohio City

Photo via @jesscleagent

• Home Price: $124,250 median purchase price; $683 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 92% of Cleveland neighborhoods
• Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

As one of the safest neighborhoods in Cleveland, Ohio City is an attractive option for people looking to settle down in a quieter neighborhood that’s still close to fast-paced city life. On almost any given day, you’ll see your fellow neighbors roaming around historic West Side Market with a variety of local shops. Families will love that top-rated schools like Saint Ignatius High School are within walking distance from almost any of the single-family homes, duplexes, and large apartment complexes in the neighborhood. Any active resident is sure to enjoy being just five minutes from downtown as well as Lake Erie, which is located on the northern border of this attractive neighborhood.

Things to Do in Ohio City

Pet some stingrays at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium, or swim with the sharks and over 30 species of aquatic life on a Shark Dive. Reserve a sand volleyball court, go fishing, or roam through 22 acres of green space on the shores of Lake Erie’s Wendy Park. Rent a boat or kayak at Great Lakes Watersports, and launch for a day of fun from one of the various boat ramps. Take a glassblowing class or watch the masters at work by visiting the glass gallery of the Glass Bubble Project. Test your skills in a themed escape room, or try the virtual reality arcade at Perplexity Games. Head over to Tabletop Board Game Cafe for a few drinks, a board game, and a Tabletop Classic Pizza. Fill up on some real smoked BBQ plates like a 1/2 Slab Ribs, Polish Boy, or Ohio City Platter at Real Smoq’ed BBQ, Inc. Chow down on the Kool Ranch Sandwich or Cleveland Hot Chicken Sandwich at Sauce The City Cleveland. Unwind with a few drinks lakeside while enjoying live music at Whiskey Island Still & Eatery.

Tremont

Photo via @headbeck

• Home Price: $119,745 median purchase price; $692 median monthly rent
• Crime Rate: Safer than 94% of Cleveland neighborhoods
• Perfect For: Singles, young professionals

Home of the famous A Christmas Story house, you don’t need to be triple-dog dared to fall in love with the historic neighborhood of Tremont! As one of the best neighborhoods in the 216, residents of safe and affordable Tremont have the added benefit of amazing restaurants scattered throughout. While this Cleveland neighborhood is one of the busier in the city, there are still green spaces that provide a safe place to unwind like Lincoln Park. Houses of all kinds can be found in Tremont, but perhaps the most notable ones are the beautifully restored Victorian homes that surround the park. While you don’t need to leave Tremont to find entertainment, the rest of the city is highly accessible via Highways 71 and 490.

Things to Do in Tremont

Attend events like the Tremont Farmers Market and Arts in August at the historic Lincoln Park. Become a member of Climb Cleveland for exclusive access to challenging bouldering walls or to sign up for their yoga and blues dancing classes. Pump some iron, sign up for a personal trainer, or take a variety of fitness classes at Tremont Athletic Club. Head over to the contemporary gallery and cocktail lounge, Kaiser Gallery, and enjoy exhibits from up-and-coming regional artists. Try Duckpin Bowling while enjoying a Meatball Philly or an Adobe Chicken Taco with some brews at Hi and Dry Bowling & Beer. Grab some sushi in Cleveland at Ginko Restaurant, where you can try the Soft Shell Crab and Sake rolls. Enjoy Cajun dishes like Gator Bites, the Gulf Blue Crab Cake Sandwich, or Cochon de Lait Po’Boy at Bourbon Street Barrel Room. Order rotating flavors of ice cream, sundaes, milkshakes, or even vegan creations at Tremont Scoops. Or relax in the evenings with beers like the Great Lake Christmas Ale or Brew Dog Elvis Juice at The Treehouse.

***

Moving to Cleveland? Extra Space Storage has self storage facilities throughout the Forest City to help make your move a little easier. Find affordable storage units in Cleveland!

Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes