Lakewood apartments for rent are tucked away with vintage style homes on the shores of Lake Erie. Lakewood spans merely 5.6 square miles and is located minutes away from downtown Cleveland. The town of Lakewood was incorporated in 1889 and by 1910, the population had reached nearly 12,000, which qualified the town of Lakewood to be recognized as a full-fledged city. The downtown district of Lakewood has been recognized with many awards, including "Best Place in the Midwest to Buy an Old House," one of "Ohio's Best Places to Raise your Kids," and the "Coolest Suburbs Worth a Visit."
Lakewood apartments for rent are part of a thriving, urban art community. The city hosts the Lakewood Arts Festival, an annual event that was established in the 1970s. During the Arts Festival, residents and visitors enjoy walking through fine art exhibits, browsing different mediums from local and national artists. Local food vendors also partake in the festival, making it a great place to enjoy a day full of outdoor shopping and good eats.
Speaking of food, the city's Melt Bar and Grilled is a favorite local eatery. The gourmet grilled cheese bar participated in the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." Many other Lakewood restaurants have been recognized by the Silver Spoon Awards as the "best" in town.
Other attractions near Lakewood apartments include the 31 acre Lakewood Park - families and individuals enjoy walking, running and biking along the lakefront paths. The Lakefront Promenade is another popular place that is frequented by community members looking to get outside and enjoy some fresh air. Residents living in Lakewood have access to public bus transportation via the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority; however, the majority of community members use their personal automobiles to get around the city.
The city of Lakewood offers low income households assistance with repairs and restoration projects for Lakewood apartments for rent. The Department of Planning and Development H.E.L.P. program partners with local banks to provide the financial assistance needed to make the necessary updates for safe and sustainable living conditions.
The average cost of living for those living in apartments in Lakewood is estimated to be 15.9 percent higher than the Ohio state average and 8.4 percent greater than the national average. AreaVibes recorded that members of the Lakewood community pay an average of $3.64 for a gallon of gas, $5.79 for a cup of coffee and $8.00 for pizza.
Many of the apartments for rent in Lakewood are occupied by college and university students. The Virginia Marti College of Art and Design located in Lakewood is a popular post secondary institution for residents living in the city and neighboring Cleveland metropolis. Many students will also commute to institutions in Cleveland since the city is such a short drive away.
Although some residents live and work in Lakewood, many make the commute to Cleveland to get to their jobs. The top employers located in Lakewood include Lakewood Hospital, Lakewood Board of Education and the City of Lakewood. Cleveland's top employers are the Cleveland Clinic Health System and University Hospitals.