Community Spotlight: Lakewood

Located just west of Cleveland, Ohio, Lakewood combines big city amenities with small-town, making it a popular community for students, young professionals, and families alike. The bustling local economy, abundance of green space, and thriving arts scene make it one of the most popular Cleveland suburbs.

The historic city was originally part of Rockport Township in 1819. It became a village in 1903 and was incorporated into a city in 1911. The discovery of natural gas and oil as well as the construction of a municipal light plant and a streetcar line had a significant positive impact on the city’s growth. By 1910 the population was more than 15,000. After the opening of the Detroit-Superior Bridge, Lakewood experienced a massive real estate boom, with lakefront homes selling for up to $15,000 an acre. By 1920, the population had spiked to over 40,000.

Today, Lakewood is the second largest Cleveland suburb with a population of 50,249 (2017). Situated on the shores of Lake Erie and just a 20 minute commute to downtown, Lakewood is a popular community for young professionals and families. The combination of apartments, high-rise condos, and single family homes across its distinct neighborhoods give Lakewood a population density comparable to Washington D.C.

The Lakewood Gold Coast neighborhood is a northeast lakefront neighborhood that consists of many apartment buildings and high-rise condominiums. It is a mostly residential neighborhood but also includes hotels, shops, restaurants and coffee shops. The Clifton Park neighborhood situated in the northwestern corner of Lakewood is a wealthy residential neighborhood where many families have lived for generations. Houses in Clifton Park come in many different shapes and styles, including gorgeous Victorian mansions. The Clifton Boulevard neighborhood consists of diverse housing options, from apartment buildings and multi-family homes to beautiful turn of the century colonials. The historic Birdtown district is perhaps the most well-known Lakewood neighborhood. Located in the southeast corner of Lakewood, Birdtown was originally built for workers at the Union Carbide company in the 1890s. Many of the original houses still stand today, and the streets (as you may have guessed) are named after birds.

Aside from its architectural significance, one of the best things about Lakewood is its abundance of local shopping, dining and nightlife. Madison Avenue is lined with antique stores, and Detroit Avenue boasts a wide variety of restaurants, bars and shops. Whether you’re looking for a classy date night at Pier W, or a fun night out with friends at 16 Bit or Around the Corner, there is something to suit everyone’s needs.

Lakewood is also a very prominent place for arts and culture. The Beck Center for the Arts regularly hosts theater productions and visual arts displays and is the largest cultural arts center on the west shore of Cleveland. It is also the home of popular music venues such as The Foundry and Mahall’s, which doubles as a bowling alley and live music venue.

Lakewood has over 150 acres of green space and many popular outdoor attractions. Lakewood Park, one of the biggest lakefront parks in Ohio, is a must-visit destination during the summer months. The 31-acre park includes trails, picnic areas, a playground, baseball fields, volleyball courts, a skate park, an outdoor concert stage and viewing telescopes that give you a breathtaking view of Lake Erie and Downtown Cleveland.

Whether you’re looking for fun activities in the Cleveland area or searching for homes for sale, be sure to pay a visit to Lakewood soon!