Looking for Apartments Near Cleveland? These Five Surrounding Cities Deserve a Look

Are you taking a job in Cleveland? Maybe you're planning a move from the East to the West side? Some of the most affordable cities surrounding Cleveland are easily the best places to call home. The Greater Cleveland Metro area is large, spanning six counties and making up over 2.7 million people. Often referred to as "The 216," anyone living within that area says they're a Clevelander. Some cities surrounding Cleveland offer better amenities, competitive pricing, and easy access right into town. If the apartments for rent in Cleveland aren't the right fit, these cities are a fantastic place to start your search for a new home.

Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in Cleveland

Breaking Down the Cleveland Metro Area

Cleveland is diverse. Its surrounding cities, or inner ring of communities, offer a wide range of amenities and lifestyles. But it's also important to consider where you are – this area is large. It can easily take you a good 45 minutes or more to travel from the lake into Medina, one of the southernmost counties.

The Greater Cleveland Metro area is a part of Northeast Ohio, which spreads southward to Akron and Canton. Downtown Cleveland sits on the shores of the lake with numerous neighborhoods of its own. Beyond that are cities, often divided as either West Side or East Side communities based on their positioning relative to the downtown area. For this article, we'll focus on the inner ring of cities, those within a 15-to-30-minute drive of the downtown.

If you're looking for apartments near Cleveland, these cities surround the main portion of the city. Each is its own city, with its own vibe. All are easily some of the best places to live near Cleveland for their location, amenities, quality of life, and availability of amenities.

Lakewood

Lakewood is an inner-ring suburban city located about six miles to the west and south of Downtown Cleveland. It's easily accessed along Route 2, Interstate 90, and numerous side streets. Lakewood has much to offer, including:

• A pedestrian-friendly vibe where many walk to the local grocer, stylist, or bar from home. Once a streetcar suburb city, it's very grid-like, making it easy to navigate Lakewood.
• Driving downtown takes about 15 to 20 minutes. You can use the RTA to get there or the Transit lines.
• The views are stunning. Lakewood sits on a high cliff, creating impressive views of Lake Erie from Lakewood Park. Sit on the Solstice Steps at the park to watch the sunset.

There are numerous top-rated apartments for rent in Lakewood, many of which are high-rises. However, numerous homes throughout the city are duplexes. Finding homes to rent in Lakewood is also easy to do. This gives you more space, a backyard, and generally a big porch (the homes in Lakewood are quite similar!)

Parma

Parma, a large community in the Greater Cleveland Metro area, is one of the most affordable and family-friendly destinations to call home. From downtown, you'll take Interstate 90 to I-71 or I-480. It's not challenging to navigate without freeways either. Living in Parma offers a number of benefits:

• It has a lower cost of living. Parma is noted for its more modest housing costs. It's an incredibly large city, home to over 78,500 people, with a home median value of around $154,000 to $220,000, which is much lower than the national average.
• Getting into the city takes 8 to 10 miles of commuting on the highway, or about 20 minutes. That puts you close to amenities and attractions.
• Parma has it all. It has its own shops, restaurants, school district, and parks. It's home to numerous notable locations, such as the Ukrainian Village and Polish Village areas, with heavy influence from those cultures present in restaurants, bakeries, and pubs.

You'll find cheap Parma apartments still available, some of which are bucking the trend of increasing costs. Those are located mostly in the northern portion of the city, right off the highway. Numerous apartment complexes are present in Parma, many of which are mid-rise complexes. You'll find some newer development, but much of Parma has long served its residents' needs. Keep in mind that finding a home to rent in Parma is an option. It's likely to give you a backyard and garage, too.

Cleveland Heights

Cleveland Heights is an East Side city, and with that comes a significantly different lifestyle and list of amenities. It's a stronger mix of urban architecture, research buildings, and schools (especially with Case Western Reserve located so close), but it's more of a family-friendly vibe. The historical architecture and a few walkable communities make for a solid reason to call this community home. Some of the best reasons to consider living in Cleveland Heights include:

• Downtown access is straightforward. You can quite easily avoid the highway and instead just travel down Euclid or Chester to get into the city. Your commute time is about 20 minutes, and potentially more during peak rush hour periods. You're minutes from the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus, Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, and University Hospital.
• The parks are stunning, including Cain Park, an arts park with its outdoor amphitheater. Many streets are tree-lined and very walkable. It's common to see community pools and dog parks, too.
• Several distinct neighborhoods exist here, such as Coventry Village, which is full of locally owned restaurants, shops, and music venues. Cedar Lee is home to the historic Cedar Lee Theatre.

Living in Cleveland Heights provides excellent access to the entire city and suburban area. If you want to live on the East Side of Cleveland, as close as you can get to the city, this is where to find a home to rent. Cleveland Heights apartments for rent tend to be larger and more modern, with several newer high-rise developments. Notably, this is a community that's very close to the college campus, and as a result, it's easy to find Cleveland Heights apartments to rent with utilities and with short-term leases. It's less common to rent a home in Cleveland Heights, but options exist.

Euclid

Euclid is a bit further to the east and certainly a beautiful place to call home. Euclid is often an attractive option for those who want to be close to Downtown Cleveland but also want waterfront access. This is a more affordable, lakeside community to live in. You're only about 12 miles, or about 25 minutes, from the heart of the city, but you'll feel like you're in a far-off suburb. Check out these reasons for living in Euclid:

• It's affordable. Euclid is an older community, one with older homes. The median home value in this area is around $125,000. Some of the high-rise apartments in Euclid offer fantastic views for very competitive prices.
• Public waterfront access, such as through Sims Park, makes this a fantastic place to live for anyone who wants to fish, relax by the water, or host a picnic. Perhaps the most desirable area for this is along Lakeshore Boulevard. Still, there are over 28 parks in the area, and portions of the Cleveland Metroparks extend into the area as well.
• Getting into downtown is easy. You can take I-90 for a direct route into Cleveland or head either west or south. However, it's also possible to take Euclid Avenue right down into the heart of the city as well.

Cheap apartments for rent in Euclid often include studio and 1-bedroom apartments, some of which are right on the waterfront. You'll find numerous high-rise developments that have long served the area. But a growing trend of renting a home in Euclid could be attractive to you if you want a backyard.

Rocky River

To the west of Cleveland is Rocky River, an older community with many updates and modernizations over the years. Often thought of as an excellent choice for those Clevelanders who want it all – a suburban feel, competitive pricing, and close proximity to the lake, Rocky River is certainly a place you'll want to consider. Located about 20 minutes from Downtown Cleveland, just down I-90, it's not hard to get into the city for work or events. Some of the best reasons to choose living in Rocky River include:

• Lake access makes a statement. Rocky River is right on the lake. It's a haven for those who love the waterfront, including for boating and fishing. Numerous streams and rivers come off the lake in this area to offer places for kayaking as well. It's easy to see why these are some of the homes with the best views.
• Walkable and active for most needs. Whether you live in one of the neighborhoods or in the heart of the city, much of Rocky River is walkable. Tree-lined, sidewalk-lined streets, an urban center that's easy to navigate, and lots of bike trails exist here.
• Prices are competitive overall. Rocky River has a higher cost of living than what you would find in most of the other cities listed here. However, it's still competitive and lower than some of the larger, more southern suburbs. You can expect to find several styles of housing available in a wider range of pricing points than other areas.

Are there cheap apartments in Rocky River? Yes, many of them are just off the main thoroughfares and along the highway. You'll find most are mid- to high-rise multi-family homes. Newer community condo developments are also making a place for themselves in the area. Expect apartment costs to range from $700 up to $1300 for the most part in rentals. However, it is also becoming more common to rent a home in Rocky River. Many of the cookie-cutter, postage-stamp-sized lots (as they are locally referred to) are perfectly suited to smaller families that want amenities and likely a backyard.

Trade-Offs: Living in the City or In the Surrounding City?

Each of these communities near Cleveland provides a short drive into the city. But there are some trade-offs to think about.

• There's nothing quite as frustrating as traffic on I-71 or I-77 backed up in the morning when you need to get into town. Plan to leave by 7 am to beat the backups, especially when a crash inevitably happens on the turn north on I-90 into the blinding sun.
• Community amenities range widely, as does their cost of living. Before making the move, be sure you fully understand what's available within the local community you're choosing. Visit and tour it.
• If you're living in the city, you'll have better access to the RTA and other transit options. That could mean avoiding having to buy a car, rent a parking spot downtown, and deal with those traffic jams.
• Much of Cleveland's downtown area is urban with less of a community feel. Though some of the neighborhoods are more residential, if you want to live within walking distance of the corporate buildings downtown, you'll be in a concrete city.
• Cleveland's best parks and amenities are just outside the city. The Cleveland Metroparks, for example, are one of the most stunning examples of national parks in the region. You also have more shopping and dining outside of the big city.

Which is best for you? Neither is better for every person. Living in Cleveland means having access to it all. Easy highway commutes throughout the area make it possible to navigate quickly, whether you want to head to a minor league baseball game in Lorain County or you're thinking about skiing at Brandywine in Summit County.

As you consider all of the apartments to rent in Cleveland, remember that these inner circle suburban areas are each unique. Explore each of them for their individual merit.

As you explore the Cleveland, Ohio neighborhoods to get a feel for which ones are best for your next place to call home, remember that these five are just the start. The Greater Cleveland outer ring suburban communities are still within a 30-minute or less drive into town and provide more opportunities at a range of price points. It's hard to go wrong here.