Toledo
Regarded as the Water Recreation Capital of the Midwest, Toledo rests on the banks of Lake Erie and the Maumee River in Northwest Ohio near the Ohio-Michigan border. While boating and fishing are popular pastimes in Toledo, there are also many other attractions Toledo residents enjoy. Should you choose to rent in Toledo, you will have the opportunity to see the Mud Hens play ball at Fifth Third Field, eat Hungarian hotdogs at Tony Packo’s, take the kids on a scientific adventure at Imagination Station, marvel at the ornate architecture of the Rosary Cathedral, peruse the shops at Franklin Park Mall and Hensville, hike through one of Toledo’s many Metroparks, tour the Toledo Zoo, and catch a race at Toledo Speedway. You can also see the Toledo Symphony Orchestra at Peristyle Concert Hall, the Toledo Opera at the historic Valentine Theatre Downtown, and the expansive collection in the Toledo Museum of Art. A short drive from Detroit and Cleveland, Toledo residents savor access to major highways, TARTA buses, and Toledo Express Airport.
Canton
Canton’s most recognizable landmark is the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a shrine to the legends of the game and one of the state’s biggest tourism destinations. The annual Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival is the city’s flagship community event, featuring a parade, cook-offs, a hot air balloon festival, and the inter-league exhibition game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The Canton Arts District has grown into one of the city’s signature attractions, a popular section of Downtown full of studios, galleries, and performance venues. The growth of the Arts District has also spurred renewed interest in Downtown, which has seen a new crop of restaurants, coffeehouses, bars, and breweries appear in recent years. While the local economy is still mostly industrial, many folks living in Canton work outside the city limits: Heading due north on Interstate 77 will get you to Akron in about thirty minutes and Cleveland in an hour, making Canton a popular suburb for commuters working in both cities.
Akron
Since the end of the 20th century, Akron has largely reinvented itself and retained its status as one of the prime cities of the Midwest. Known for years as the “Rubber Capital of the World,” Akron was once a center for technological innovation. Today, this cultural center offers all the urban conveniences of a big city like Cleveland, but in a more intimate setting. The nearly 20,000 students at the University of Akron heavily influence the city’s culture. Between the Zips sporting events and arts community on campus, there’s a vibrant feel to the city center, not to mention the bars and restaurants that cater to such a crowd. Grades K-12 have plenty of highly-rated schooling options as well. The Plaza at Chapel Hill houses a variety of stores and shops that will delight any shopper, and the Akron Zoo is a must-see for visitors and residents alike. An apartment in Akron grants you direct access to the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park, which borders the north end of the city — head out on foot with your backpack and tent, or hop on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for a sightseeing tour of the park. I-76, I-77, and I-271 make Cleveland just a short drive away, and Lake Erie is just beyond that.
