Just west of the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, spread along the banks of Lake Erie and just a reach away from Canada, is Cleveland. Thanks to the shoreline and the Cuyahoga River running through the city, this port town made it big in the manufacturing sphere. Now it’s mostly known for its role in medicine and health care, which likely accounts for the three-decades-long population growth that’s still on a roll.
There are loads of cultural staples credited to Cleveland: two high school students in the Glenville neighborhood dreamed up Superman, the actress who played the Wicked Witch of the West is from here and loads of musicians, like Dean Martin, Doris Day, John Legend, Tracy Chapman and Twenty One Pilots, just to name a few, call Cleveland their hometown.
There’s more than just musical talent busting from Cleveland, thanks to their pro sports teams, too. Clevelanders cheer on their favorite home teams the Cleveland Browns, the Cleveland Guardians (formerly known as the Indians) and the Cleveland Cavaliers. With festivals like the Jägerfest and Tequila Fest, there’s always something to do in Cleveland.
The greater Cleveland area is home to just shy of 1.8 million people and the majority of those residents make less than $49,000. The population is split up and divided among the 34 neighborhoods that make up the great C-Land.
Here’s a list of the 15 best neighborhoods in Cleveland for 2022.
1. Asiatown
- Walk score: 61/100
Cleveland’s Chinese population started to boom around the 1860s when families were seeking refuge from West Coast anti-immigrant hostility. The area became known as Chinatown in the 1920s.
Korean and Vietnamese families came to the nearby area shortly after and with the growth and diversity in the new population, Chinatown expanded westward and the area renamed itself AsiaTown. This vibrant and colorful neighborhood offers a plethora of shopping and dining experiences, as well as cultural events. There’s no way to ever get bored as a resident in AsiaTown.
2. Clark-Fulton
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,475
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,912
- Walk score: 61/100
German, Slavic, Czech, Polish and Italian immigrants flocked to the area in the late 1800s because of ample jobs at the breweries and stockyards. When those jobs started dying down in the mid-1900s, these residents started leaving the area, creating space for new Hispanic residents.
Now Clark-Fulton remains the most densely Hispanic populated area in Ohio, as Hispanic/Latin residents make up 64 percent of the neighborhood. Wanting to preserve the history and culture of the area, Clark-Fulton is undergoing a revitalization effort to open the doors to new residents and businesses and is currently a very bustling area with lots of promise to come.
3. Detroit Shoreway
- Median 1-BR rent: $900
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,250
- Walk score: 70/100
On a bluff overlooking Lake Erie, families began moving to what would become the Detroit Shoreway in the early 1800s. Once the Ohio Canal opened in 1827, the area boomed due to the popularity of this new shipping and traveling route.
What started out as a go-to for immigrants coming to Cleveland, the area remains one of the city’s most ethnically and racially diverse areas to this day. When the city started pouring millions of dollars into the Detroit Shoreway, the neighborhood saw a massive upswing in its arts and theatre programs. Within the neighborhood lies Gordon Square, home to several theatres, local art and culture, loads of great dining options and public murals and art, clearly one of the best neighborhoods in Cleveland.
4. Fairfax
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,475
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,912
- Walk score: 61/100
For decades, Fairfax has been gearing up for a reinvigoration. Now, those plans and efforts are coming to fruition. Bringing in townhomes and new housing, there are lots of new residential opportunities of all economic walks of life.
As one of Cleveland’s first neighborhoods to reach a majority of African-American residents escaping the South, Fairfax is looking to keep its ties rooted in the community it’s grown, as opposed to facing gentrification like most neighborhood makeovers.
The area is home to the Karamu House, the oldest African-American theatre in the country. It’s also home to the Cleveland Clinic, which is making efforts to increase community relations. Fairfax is on the up while keeping itself grounded in the 100 years of community culture, traditions and tight-knit feeling.
5. Glenville
- Median 1-BR rent: N/A
- Median 2-BR rent: $800
- Walk score: 53/100
Northeast of downtown with lakefront access, historic Glenville is a top hit among Cleveland locals. Not only were the majority of the buildings constructed prior to 1939, but there are a lot of Cleveland staples that put this neighborhood on the national map.
Gordon Park, Rockefeller Park and Cleveland’s Cultural Gardens can all be explored and enjoyed in this growing neighborhood.
6. Kamm’s Corners/West Park
Source: Rent./Cross Creek Gardens
- Median 1-BR rent: $699
- Median 2-BR rent: $995
- Walk score: 51/100
If you wish you were Irish or maybe even are Irish, Kamm’s Corners is the neighborhood for you. Bustling year-round, and especially on St. Patrick’s Day, everyone comes to this area to enjoy a good, old-fashioned Irish pub.
It’s hard to beat the vibes here, with the quick-to-pour brews and deliciously made food, Kamm’s Corners can make everyone feel like they belong, Irish or not.
7. Kinsman
- Walk score: 42/100
The neighborhood has poured lots of love into Kinsman, which was once riddled with crime. As the community revitalizes to make itself the perfect, welcoming area for new businesses, the neighborhood has seen a decrease in crime and an increase in local beautification efforts and new residencies. They even have a business incubator program to get started on the right foot. All of this helped move it on the list of the best neighborhoods in Cleveland.
8. Little Italy
- Median 1-BR rent: $699
- Median 2-BR rent: $995
- Walk score: 79/100
Dating back to the 1800s, Little Italy has been a significant historic past in Cleveland. Home to Italian immigrants, everyone wants to come to experience Little Italy any chance they can.
With fairs and festivals throughout the year, endless options for the type of Italian food you dream of, markets and delis, all kinds of shopping at boutiques and galleries and, of course, wine, Little Italy has something around every corner. This area feels like a charming European village you would want to get lost in.
9. Ohio City
- Median 1-BR rent: $1,583
- Median 2-BR rent: $2,049
- Walk score: 87/100
Ohio City is a great option for new residents looking to go a little greener. It’s a very walkable neighborhood, bike-friendly and has plenty of access to the city’s bus system.
No one can match the town pride in Ohio City. With 250 locally owned businesses — 60 of which have opened in the past three years — and loads of new residential buildings being constructed, this area is a big to-do. People looking for a new neighborhood are right to give Ohio City hefty consideration.
10. Old Brooklyn
- Median 1-BR rent: $630
- Median 2-BR rent: $735
- Walk score: 54/100
The Old Brooklyn neighborhood is an extremely involved community that started back in 1814. From farmer’s markets each week, tons of community events (scavenger hunts, ice cream socials, movies in the park and, of course, holiday celebrations), there’s always something to do and a new neighbor to meet.
This is the perfect neighborhood for young professionals and growing families. With a booming business district and plenty of parks to enjoy, O.B.K. is a one-stop shop for fun times with family and new friends, making it one of the best neighborhoods in Cleveland.
11. Shaker Square
- Walk score: 61/100
Shaker Square is most well known for its history as the first Ohio shopping district. And where there’s good shopping — like books, farmers markets, local goodies and boutiques — there’s always good food to follow. This area is well-manicured and once the shops close down, residents can enjoy the quiet, easy-going nature of Shaker Square.
12. Slavic Village
- Median 2-BR rent: $650
- Walk score: 47/100
At the beginning of the 1800s, Slavic Village was surprisingly occupied mostly by British, Irish and Scottish immigrants. But by the 1870s, the Czech and Polish immigrants came to the area. When they got to Slavic Village, they brought with them their culture and architecture, installing churches and halls the community still uses to this day.
The community began to develop in the early 2000s, bringing parks and green spaces for farmers’ markets, festivals and concerts. Since 2009, more than $50 million in construction has gone into the Slavic Village, making it a very happening, attractive area. With concerts, operas, arts and food galore (hello, pierogi run!), Slavic Village has a strong gravitational pull.
13. South Collinwood
- Walk score: 61/100
As an extension of North Collinwood’s success, South Collinwood has made the list for associations’ sake. With all the attention and funding pouring into North Collinwood, there’s definitely some overflow interest into South Collinwood, which translates to an up-and-coming area of interest.
The area’s residents are diverse and there are plenty of bars and parks to enjoy. No wonder it’s on the list of the best neighborhoods in Cleveland.
14. Tremont
- Median 1-BR rent: $815
- Median 2-BR rent: $1,975
- Walk score: 75/100
Touting some of Cleveland’s oldest homes, Tremont can give a small-town feeling with big-city perks. Locally owned boutique shopping options and award-winning dining line the streets, and there are ample parks and trails to explore, art galleries and old churches to admire.
Tremont is also home to lots of neighborhood events, the house used in “The Christmas Story” and the Ukrainian Museum Archives. It’s only 15 minutes away from the city’s airport and just a mile from downtown.
15. Waterloo Arts District/North Collinwood
Source: Rent./The Shoreline
- Median 1-BR rent: $545
- Median 2-BR rent: $845
- Walk score: 51/100
Once dominated by railroad workers, the interstate devastated the North Collinwood area when it came through. But with a little revitalization, this is one of Cleveland’s most up-and-coming areas for arts and music. Once the area gained some traction, independent retailers like galleries, record stores, restaurants and bars came rushing in, too.
Each June, the area hosts the Waterloo Arts Fest, where visitors and residents alike enjoy all that the neighborhood has to offer. Outside of that, residents can enjoy live music and entertainment on the regular.
What’s the best neighborhood in Cleveland for you?
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