Avon Lake, OH

Originally occupied by Native American tribes, Avon Lake was used for hunting, fishing and trading until the 1700s. French explorers claimed the territory as part of France but were expelled by English settlers in 1765. Colonists took control of the region during the Revolutionary War, and it has remained an American territory ever since. The convenient lakeside location attracted entrepreneurs, who ran sawmills and shipping companies. Avon Lake was officially recognized as a separate city in 1960.

Modern Avon Lake houses two historical museums: the 103rd OVI Civil War Museum and the Peter Miller House Museum. Residents get their cultural fix at the nearby Huntington Playhouse and the Lorain Palace Theatre, and local children frequent the neighborhood's many dance studios. Each year, people come from around Cleveland to partake in the Summer Market festival and the Waterfront Wine Festival.

Avon Lake houses a range of restaurants serving mid-priced American and international foods. Walker Road and Lake Road serve as the neighborhood's central dining district.

At Takis Greek Kitchen, sip on a glass of Greek wine while you dig into a dish of tyrokafteri, a spicy feta dip. Other menu standouts include the kakavia fish stew and the kotopoulo keftedes, chicken meatballs served with arugula and a classic syrup. In the summer, eat outside on the large patio.

Locals love the casual atmosphere and varied menu at Cafe Melissa, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Visit at breakfast for a hearty beef medallion Benedict, or stop in for a butternut squash salad with smoked bacon and candied pecans. The pistachio-encrusted grouper draws rave reviews from the dinner crowd.

When you're in the mood for pizza or pasta, Sapori Italian Grille makes an excellent choice. Share the lobster ravioli appetizer, but save your appetite for a salamino pizza. Don't hesitate to ask for wine recommendations – the chef regularly makes personal appearances and pairing suggestions.

The nightlife in Avon Lake tends to be casual and relaxed, favoring sports bars over dance clubs. Join the locals on weeknights for a beer and a plate of dirty wings at Close Quarters Pub, a tiny dive bar near the lake. Stop at the ATM first because the bar only accepts cash. The 3rd Base Bar and Grill, another neighborhood favorite, features a low-key vibe and cheap drinks. Parker's Grille and Tavern provides a more upscale setting and occasional live music.

Avon Lake residents depend heavily on their vehicles for day-to-day transportation. Walking can be problematic, as many areas of Avon Lake have walkability scores of less than 20. The city features a few bike lanes, but it is crucial to keep an eye out for drivers who do not expect to share the road with cyclists. The safest biking can be found on the paths near Lake Erie.

Several cab companies operate in Avon Lake; call ahead to schedule a pickup. Uber also provides car service in the area. The city does not operate a public transportation system.

Interstate 90 sits less than 5 miles from most points in Avon Lake, making it easy to get out of town or into Cleveland. You'll find ample free street parking in residential areas, but take care to move your car at night; the city prohibits street parking between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.

Avon Lake houses a number of parks, including Miller Road Park, Bicentennial Park and Bleser Park. Veterans Memorial Park, one of the most popular in the neighborhood, features a sandy beach and convenient fishing access. Locals also make use of the football field, baseball field and restrooms. Each year, the park hosts the Avon Heritage Duct Tape Festival and the Waterfront Wine Festival.

If you have kids, don't miss the 12,000-square-foot playground at Bleser Park. Local athletes love the park for its sports facilities, which enable convenient rounds of baseball, tennis, basketball, ice skating and volleyball. The Avon Lake Dog Park features a shaded, fenced-in areas for pets to run freely. Parks in Avon Lake offer free entry.

The cost of living in Avon Lake sits considerably higher than the Cleveland average. Housing accounts for almost all of the price difference; the housing index in Avon Lake is more than double the overall Cleveland average. Even so, with an average rental rate of $706 per month, you have a good chance of finding affordable housing.

Daily costs in Avon Lake stay about equal with the rest of the Cleveland metro area. For a draft beer at a neighborhood bar, expect to pay $5 or less. Gas prices in the neighborhood hover about 7 percent lower than the national average.

Shopping in Avon Lake is a bit of a mixed bag, with a few specialty stores mixed into a crowd of national chain outlets. Most stores in Avon Lake line Lake Road and Walker Road. If you want clothing or high-end shopping, join locals in downtown Cleveland or the nearby Avon Commons Shopping Center.

The family-owned Peter & Co. Jewelers, which has operated out of Avon Lake since the 1990s, carries a carefully collected selection of watches and jewelry. The store also offers repair and cleaning services.

Cyclists in Avon Lake frequent Marty's Cycle Center on Avon Belden Road. Pick up a new helmet, bring in your bike for repair or ask the experienced staff to help fit you with some new wheels.

A Giant Eagle grocery store on Walker Road serves Avon Lake, and locals pick up quick snacks at the nearby Discount Drug Mart. A few miles south, discover a Marc's Store, Heinen's Grocery Store and Costco. For organic produce, gluten-free foods and gourmet cooking supplies, make the short drive to Heinen's in Avon. The closest farmers market is located at Pickering Hill Farms in Avon. Open from June to October, the market sells produce, Amish products and fresh herbs.