East Cleveland, OH

Settlers first arrived in East Cleveland in the early 1800s; before that time, Native Americans and the occasional trapper used the land. The village of East Cleveland incorporated in 1895. In 1911, it became a city, despite annexation efforts by Cleveland. Industry and population grew in the early 1900s, and residential construction kept pace.

East Cleveland has little in the way of culture, but a few museums sit just a short walk from the southwestern tip of the neighborhood. Check out the rotating exhibits at the Crawford Auto Aviation Museum and the Sculpture Center. Get your performing arts fix at the East Cleveland Theater on Euclid Avenue. The nearby Cleveland Museum of Art hosts numerous events, including the International Cleveland Community Day, Holiday CircleFest and the Chalk Festival.

Residents of East Cleveland have access to a variety of chain restaurants and independent eateries. Euclid Avenue acts as the neighborhood's central restaurant zone.

The pizzas at Angela Mia Pizza get rave reviews from local diners, who love the zesty sauce and the perfectly tossed crust. If you're not in the mood for pizza, try one of the ciabatta wraps or seafood entrées. The restaurant also provides delivery and convenient online ordering.

Enjoy an indulgent breakfast of perch and creamy grits at John John Seafood, where the owner and chef puts a soulful twist on classic seafood dishes. Diners can choose from dishes such as catfish sandwiches and shrimp-stuffed potatoes or non-seafood items such as chicken and waffles.

At the informal Columbo Room, opt for an order of fried fish or a corned beef sandwich. The restaurant, which also serves as a neighborhood bar, features a limited menu and an ultra-casual environment.

East Cleveland does not provide much in the way of nightlife, but if you want a quick drink close to home, stop by the low-key Cock-Tale Lounge on Superior Avenue. Venture a short distance outside of the neighborhood for live music at the cozy Barking Spider Tavern, or ask the bartender to recommend a new wine at La Cave du Vin.

Like many residents of outer Cleveland neighborhoods, East Cleveland residents rely on their cars for daily transportation. Most streets do not feature bike lanes, but Lee Boulevard allows safe biking. Alternatively, check out the bike trails in Forest Hill Park. The sidewalks that line most neighborhood streets make it easy to walk for exercise; stay aware of your surroundings and avoid walking after dark for safety. Residents without cars find it difficult to hail a cab from the street, so you must call in advance or arrange for a ride with Uber.

Several bus routes, including 37, 28 and 41, stop frequently on important roads in the neighborhood. The Red Line train brings passengers from East Cleveland to downtown and the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. If you prefer to drive, take advantage of Highway 20, which bisects the neighborhood and runs directly into downtown Cleveland. Closer to home, you'll find no shortage of free street parking. Look out for posted parking restrictions, particularly during the winter months.

Several small parks dot the landscape of East Cleveland, including Caledonia Park, Shaw Rink Park and Hawley Park. Each park provides free entry and welcomes dogs on leashes. At Pattison Park, local families take advantage of the onsite playground and fishing lake. Wake up early to enjoy brunch at the annual Pancakes in the Park event.

Forest Hill Park, the largest park in East Cleveland, features picnic shelters, a playground, ball fields and six tennis courts. Go for a run or a bike ride on the park's extensive nature trail system, or enjoy a pickup game on the large multipurpose field. In the summers, munch on a snack from the concession stand while you watch one of the many Little League games.

The cost of living in East Cleveland is slightly lower the citywide average due to the neighborhood's low housing prices. If you need a bargain on an apartment or house, you'll find no shortage of properties — the neighborhood's average rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment is just $557. Daily expenses in East Cleveland tend to be affordable. A pint of beer at a pub rarely costs more than $5, and a bus or train ride into downtown Cleveland comes in at $2.25. When you head to the gas pump, expect prices that are about 9 percent lower than the national average.

East Cleveland hosts a few shopping options, most of which line Euclid Avenue. Don't expect to find high-end stores; the neighborhood's retail culture focuses on affordable or discount shops. Local music aficionados frequent the Bill Kap Piano Co., a locally owned store that has been a mainstay of the Cleveland retail scene for more than 50 years. Whether you're looking for a new baby grand or a used upright, the experienced staff can help you find the best buy.

Several grocery stores serve the neighborhood, including Euclid Fine Food and Eagle Super Market. Bask in the quaint charm of Murray Hill Market, a "contemporary old-fashioned neighborhood corner store" where you can pick up fresh produce, grab some beer for the weekend or fill up on meaty Italian sandwiches.

For a more upscale shopping option, head down Euclid to sparkling-clean Constantino's to browse the health food selection. A short drive away in University Heights, Whole Foods provides shoppers with a wide selection of fresh produce, hot prepared foods and organic products. Just north of East Cleveland, the Coit Road Farmers Market sells everything from farm-fresh eggs to African jewelry.