LIVING IN AKRON

Stan Hywet Gardens, North Portage Path, Akron

Did you know that, on average, the cost of living in Northeast Ohio is up to 10 percent lower than the rest of the nation? If you’re considering moving here, use this cost of living calculator to see how affordable—and enjoyable—life in our region can be.

AKRON COMMUNITIES
The Greater Akron area offers a broad range of communities, a vibrant economy, world-class healthcare and plentiful recreational opportunities.

From modern downtown condominiums and loft apartments to spacious homes with large lots in stylish suburbs, Greater Akron offers a range of housing options.

URBAN LIVING:
DOWNTOWN AKRON
The inventory of downtown loft apartments and condominiums has increased in recent years with several new developments attracting suburbanites. Among them: the conversion of the YMCA into modern apartments and construction of new condominiums at the Landings at Canal Park.

EAST AKRON
Situated just south of I-76 and east of I-77, this neighborhood offers great access to highways and a mix of older and contemporary developments.

ELLET
Ellet offers plenty of single-family housing, and is home to Derby Downs (All-American Soap Box Derby). The neighborhood has added a variety of retail developments in recent years.

FAIRLAWN HEIGHTS
This small, affluent neighborhood is bordered by the city of Fairlawn and is situated in northwest Akron, with easy access to I-77. It’s known for its elegant, single-family homes on large lots and attractive retail, office and apartment developments.

HIGHLAND SQUARE
Located between the northwest and west sections of Akron, this lively neighborhood is a favorite of young professionals, artists and anyone desiring a walkable area offering specialty shops and restaurants. Housing is a mix of single- and multi-family houses and apartments.

MERRIMAN
This neighborhood in northwest Akron provides a range of housing sizes and styles, with many on wooded lots and some with pools. There’s also been recent large-scale condominium and apartment development. Amenities include live theater, restaurants and niche shopping opportunities.

NORTH HILL
Originally settled by Italian immigrants, this primarily single-family residential neighborhood is now a community of many ethnic backgrounds as well as Italian restaurants and markets.

NORTHWEST AKRON
Here you’ll find homes in a wide range of price — with many built for the founders and executives of the city’s rubber companies. Single-family homes are set on large lots, and there are a range of choices for those looking to rent an apartment. The area offers convenient retail options, too.

SOUTH AKRON (KENMORE)
Located south of Downtown and University Park, this neighborhood offers easy access to I-76 and I-77. Also known as Kenmore, the neighborhood offers a stable inventory of moderately priced single-family homes. For more information about Akron, please visit akronohio.gov.

OTHER SUMMIT COUNTY COMMUNITIES:
The driving time to downtown Akron from the following areas averages 20 to 30 minutes.

BARBERTON
Situated around Lake Anna, a natural glacial lake, blue-collar Barberton is a mix of older homes on quiet streets and a burgeoning art district downtown.

BATH TOWNSHIP
This affluent community just outside of Akron has a rural feeling; its homes are built on lots of an acre or more.

COPLEY
Adjacent to Akron, Copley is a mix of quiet residential neighborhoods, old-time farms and boutique businesses.

COVENTRY TOWNSHIP
Coventry Township is surrounded by the lakes of Portage Lakes State Park, an enormous draw for recreation and entertainment. Many people live around the lakes all year long, while others own summer homes here.

CUYAHOGA FALLS
The second-largest city in Summit County, Cuyahoga Falls offers superior amenities such as low utility rates, a first-class natatorium fitness facility and an award-winning downtown riverfront district. Numerous housing options are available, from upscale condos, luxury apartments and quaint bungalows to large homes near the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

FAIRLAWN
Fairlawn offers homes, from two-bedroom bungalows to spacious, traditional Colonials, across a wide price range. This community offers quick access to highways and a variety of shopping experiences.

GREEN
Once known for its heritage in agriculture, Green is now a progressive suburban community and is one of the fastest-growing cities in Ohio. Affluent and rural in feel, Green is situated halfway between Akron and Canton.
For more information call 330-896-5500 or visit cityofgreen.org

HUDSON
Historic buildings line Downtown Hudson’s North Main Street. One of the original settlements of the Connecticut Western Reserve, Hudson has a distinct East Coast flavor. With its vibrant park system, myriad of outdoor activities, top ranked school systems (both public and private) and a business friendly environment, families continue to be drawn to the beauty of Hudson regardless of whether working in northeastern Ohio or one of the southern communities.

With 20 parks, the City of Hudson offers 1128 acres of active and passive recreation, as well as conservation and preservation. Activities and features of Hudson Parks are:
• Pavilions, playgrounds and trails
• Baseball/softball and soccer fields at Barlow Farm, Oak Grove, Cascade, Colony and Middleton Parks
• Fishing at Hudson Springs Park and Barlow Farm Park
• Boating at Hudson Springs Park (no boat rentals, sorry)
• Bocce, corn hole and disc golf at Hudson Springs Park
• Sand volleyball at Hudson Springs and Veterans Park
• Splash pad & Skate park at Veterans Way Park

MACEDONIA
Macedonia is situated halfway between Cleveland to Akron. Its proximity to major shopping areas is a draw for many.

MOGADORE
Small, historic and family-oriented, Mogadore is adjacent to Akron’s east side. It features modest, older homes, quiet streets and some light industry on main thoroughfares.

MUNROE FALLS
The Cuyahoga River runs through Munroe Falls, a mature bedroom community surrounded by natural charms.

NEW FRANKLIN
Although New Franklin has a rural feel, three major state routes traverse the city, allowing easy access to nearby attractions.

NORTON
Norton, one of the oldest communities in the area, is made up mainly of single-family homes. Many of the city’s families have been there for generations.

PENINSULA
Small and close-knit, the village of Peninsula has many historic homes that have been lovingly preserved, and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Towpath Trail brings lots of visitors to town to bike and hike.

RICHFIELD VILLAGE AND TOWNSHIP
Homes are built on large lots, and neighborhoods have a rural feel honoring their history as farm communities.

SAGAMORE HILLS
Sagamore Hills is the gateway to booming northern Summit County. Some historic homes remain and are accompanied by newer developments, including several condo developments.

SILVER LAKE
Silver Lake is a quaint village developed around two lakes. This quiet bedroom community has upscale homes as well as more moderately priced offerings.

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP
Springfield Township is located southeast of Akron. Springfield Lake, located in the center of the township, is one of the few natural lakes found in Ohio.

STOW
Stow is well suited to raising children, with plenty of play areas and kid-friendly city events.

TALLMADGE
This city, anchored by its famous traffic circle, is made up of mainly mid-priced single-family homes. Large green spaces help maintain a country feel, yet easy highway access makes getting to downtown Akron a breeze.

TWINSBURG
The city of Twinsburg, in northern Summit County, was so named because its founders were twin brothers who married sisters.

PORTAGE COUNTY:
AURORA
This upscale community between Akron and Cleveland is popular with commuters to both areas.

BRIMFIELD
Named after a community in Massachusetts, Brimfield Township is still considered a rural area, although some major retailers have recently developed in the area.

GARRETTSVILLE
Founded as a mill town, this village is the quintessential town. It has many Victorian and Colonial homes.

KENT
Home to a thriving downtown and Kent State University, the city has long drawn artists and writers. It also has a large park system, which includes fifteen parks and nature preserves.

RAVENNA
One of the Western Reserve’s first communities, Ravenna maintains its historic, rural charm with well established neighborhoods and a quaint downtown.

ROOTSTOWN
This community is home to the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), which was built on an old homestead. It is still considered rural, with a wide variety of housing options.

STREETSBORO
Streetsboro’s proximity to major highways and its location between Akron and Cleveland has made it a popular spot for many businesses and commuters.

SUFFIELD
This township is a well-established, tightknit rural community; some of its families date back generations.

MEDINA COUNTY:
BRUNSWICK
About 300 acres of green space keep this thriving community pleasant and peaceful. It has a wide range of singlefamily homes, apartments and condos.

GRANGER
Granger Township offers a rural setting marked by upscale homes. Its location makes it a haven for executives from the Akron and Cleveland areas.

HINCKLEY
Like neighboring Granger, Hinckley Township is an upscale bedroom community serving the Akron and Cleveland areas. Each spring, it marks the return of buzzards with a unique celebration.

MEDINA
The city of Medina enjoys a long and rich history that is evident in the restored Victorian architecture of its  picturesque Public Square area.

SEVILLE
This is small-town life in Medina County. The village has preserved its heritage as an early Western Reserve community.

WADSWORTH
The City of Wadsworth is the 3rd fastest growing city in Northeast Ohio and the 4th fastest growing city in the state. The city boasts a friendly atmosphere with big city amenities. The residents are a mix of families who have lived there for generations as well as families who have recently discovered this blossoming city.