Apartments for rent in Westlake, OH

Overview of Westlake

At the beginning of the 21st century, the community of Westlake had prospered into a dynamic blend of students, families and retirees. To accommodate the influx of residents, the city built the largest development in its history called Crocker Park. The mixed-use center blended retail, office space and residential units in a way not seen by residents yet. This spurred more development including the corporate buildings of Hyland Software, Five Seasons Country Club, Lutheran Home's Concord Reserve continuum of care campus and much more.

Located on roughly 16 square miles on the western edge of Cuyahoga County, Westlake is one mile south of Lake Erie and 15-minute drive to downtown Cleveland.  Served by Interstates 90 and 480, it is very easy for residents to commute in Westlake.

Westlake apartments for rent are conveniently located for students to get to school and business professionals to commute to work. According to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, roughly 32,400 residents call Westlake home.

Living in Westlake, OH

The history of Westlake dates back to October 1810 when two families of settlers arrived in the area by oxcart. One of the family members was Leverett Johnson, who settled in a spot that later became Bay Village. By 1811, Johnson cleared land in the spot that later became Westlake, and he was considered the first pioneer. Along with all the other original settlers, Johnson led the way for New Englanders to travel to the densely forested community. During the same year, Dover Township was incorporated and it marks the founding of Westlake.

The pioneers cleared the dense forestation to make way for farm lands and provide pasture for raising cattle, horses and sheep. Today, this area is where Dover Center and Center Ridge roads connect. Like much of the Midwest, the agriculture in Dover Township thrived with grains, small fruit and grapes, and in the second half of the 19th century the township was the largest shipping area for grapes in the country.

During the early 1900s, Dover Township experienced a flood of people who owned property on Lake Erie and created their own community of Bay Village. By 1940, Dover Village was renamed as Westlake because another community had already claimed the name Dover. 

Westlake Work and Study

The convenient location of Westlake makes it a prime spot for businesses. The area's major employers include Bonne Bell, Energizer, Hyland Software, Lutheran Home at Concord Reserve and Travel Centers of America.

Students living in apartments in Westlake likely attend one of the post-secondary institutes in the community. Cleveland State University and Corporate College and Workforce Solutions - a branch of Cuyahoga Community College - are two ideal options. Some students may travel to Cincinnati for school since it is only a short drive away.

Rentals in Westlake, OH and Cost of Living

Living in Westlake is moderately considering the modern community and rich historical significance. According to Best Places, the overall cost of living is 14 points higher than the national average, food is 10 points higher and utilities are 4 points lower. Similarly, the average cost of rentals in Westlake is fairly average. According to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, the median gross rent is $959. 

Westlake Attractions and Special Events

The city of Westlake celebrates holidays with a bang. Throughout the seasons, there are plenty of recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. Some of the most beloved events include the annual 4th of July Parade and Fireworks, October Pumpkin Festival - a true Westlake tradition - and St. John's Medical Center's Festival of the Arts. The fair brings more than 200 artists and crafters together for one of the premier art and crafts events in Ohio.

Rent.com® can help you get settled in a Westlake apartment. Look through our rental listings and find the perfect home for your needs.