Old Brooklyn - Cleveland, OH

Old Brooklyn has become one of the most stable residential communities in the area due to the above mentioned tendencies of residents staying put within the city limits. As a relatively old community, many of the structures, both housing and commercial, are antiquated, but in a good way. Brooklyn is one of the few areas of the greater Cleveland region that has never been industrialized and has maintained a very non-city like demeanor.

Old Brooklyn makes active strides in maintaining its historic culture in and around the Cleveland community. Having recently been awarded a grant from Cuyahoga County for the "Preserving Old Brooklyn History" project, city officials will prepare galleries and digitized history of the community and its cultural growth throughout the years.

Old Brooklyn offers a wide array of unique bars and restaurants to entertain even the most frequent diner. Drink. Bar and Grill has a varied menu that will satisfy any palate in addition to a full bar and a solid happy hour. If you are into trying something new, the pork belly lettuce wraps or the bulgogi burger might be for you. If you're a more traditional eater, build your own burger or chicken sandwich to go with your evening drinks. Drink. has a classy atmosphere, a fun menu, and reasonable prices.

Further elaborate your culinary experience in Old Brooklyn at Pupuseria Katarina. This authentic Salvadoran establishment is perfect for a quick lunch break from work or a dinner if you want something savory. For a first-time visitor, the pupusa is a must and comes with different toppings that let you make the meal your own style.

Old Brooklyn also offers plenty of nightlife for its residents and visitors. Murphy's Law on Memphis Ave is affectionately called "The Drew Carey Bar" by locals because of its appearance in the 1990s TV show of the same name. In the show, Murphy's Law went by the moniker of "The Warsaw" and, just like in the show, is a dive bar to come casually drink the week away. Murphy's offers cheap beer, pool tables, a jukebox, and a big outdoor patio for the summer months.

Unfortunately, none of the above are very centralized in Brooklyn. You will not be able to walk to and from most bars or restaurants, but rather will likely want to pick one and stick to it for the night.

Getting around Old Brooklyn is primarily done by car as bike lanes are few. The majority of the roads that will take you from point A to point B see heavy traffic and are thus not entirely safe for bikers. Public parking is free and plentiful.

As for getting around the metropolitan area, Brooklyn offers virtually every option that the city of Cleveland does due to its proximity to the downtown area. Uber estimates come in at 18-24 dollars to get to the downtown area. The RTA rapid comes near but not to Brooklyn, with the closest stop being the Red Line that can be picked up at the Brook Park station a short drive west. Highways 71 and 480 are both nearby and easily accessible to get you around the area.

Brooklyn offers residents an array of public entertainment and fun unique to many cities in the area. In addition to outdoor parks and pavilions, such as Memorial Park, Brooklyn operates baseball fields and basketball courts, swimming pools, hockey/skating rinks and more. Each of these facilities costs a small fee to use and is cheaper for residents and members of the community. The outdoor parks are open to the public, kid friendly and have dog friendly designated areas. Pavilions can be rented out for parties or cookouts.

These public facilities each offer their own public programs including jazzercise, aquatics programs, Yoga, and other fitness programs as well have youth hockey, basketball, and baseball programs.

The cost of living in Old Brooklyn is very comparable to that of Cleveland. The average cost of a one bedroom residence comes in at $495 per month, slightly more expensive that the average for Cleveland as a whole. The cost of libations at the bar are cheaper than the average in the area, Murphy's mentioned above sells domestics for $2 and most bars in the area will offer similar prices.

Gas prices are right around the city average, which is slightly below that on the national landscape. Getting to the city center costs around 20 dollars via taxi or Uber, or if the RTA is your choice, the price will vary from $2 per ride and up for multiple use passes.

For your everyday grocery shopping needs, Brooklyn has all the usual northeast Ohio locations available either within the city or near by. Aldi, Marc's, and Giant Eagle are particularly accessible and near the city center. For a more unique and diversified selection, check out Athens Imported Foods on Pearl Road nearby in Cleveland. Athens will spice up any kitchen and will open a world of opportunity for the culinary master.

If you are looking for a fun shopping experience on the weekend, check out the market at Hingetown in nearby Ohio City. Hingetown offers coffee shops and eateries, activities for its patrons, and is situated right in the middle of the West Cleveland Market District and Gordon Square Art District

If you are looking to decorate the home, look to All Things for You on Schaaf Road. Here, you will find a variety of home decor, antiques, and accents to make your house a home. For gamers in the area, Video Game Connection on Memphis Avenue will meet your every need. This locally owned, independent video game outlet has everything a gamer needs, from old school, original systems, to the latest in video game technology.