Southwyck - Toledo, OH

The Great Black Swamp once spread over the entire area. In the late 1800s, the state drained it for agricultural use and ease of travel. During that time, pioneers settled here and began small farms. Before 1970, this area still consisted mainly of cornfields and cabbage farms. In the early 1970s, Southwyck mall was built. This led to rapid commercial and residential development of the area. The mall closed in 2008, but commercial development along Reynolds Road remains strong. Other than a few small privately owned galleries, not much of an art scene happens in the Southwyck neighborhood. Residents look to downtown Toledo for culture with the world-renowned Toledo Museum of art less than 15 minutes away. The Toledo Masonic Auditorium’s Stranahan Theater hosts touring Broadway productions and nationally known music acts.

From fast food burgers to international cuisine, restaurants along Reynolds Road offer something for everyone. Nightlife includes theatrical productions, comedy shows and concerts at the 2400-seat performance venue Stranahan Theater. A night out often involves one of many sports bars and other taverns. Popular local haunts include Miss Cue Billiards and Darts and Southwyck Bowling Lanes.

Tandoor Cuisine of India serves superb food using recipes and cooking methods from the Punjab in Northern India. Regulars order the mixed grill — an assortment of tandoori meats and seafood. Try a Kingfisher lager, and be sure to top off your meal with kulfee, a homemade ice cream flavored with almonds and pistachios.

Golden Lily Chinese serves Chinese fare in a pleasant dining room. The hot and crispy shrimp egg rolls make a perfect starter. Long-time customers recommend the sweet and sour chicken, full of fruits and vegetables with the surprise addition of strawberries. Locals enjoy American-style steaks and seafood at Black Pearl. The classy but low key decor creates the perfect atmosphere for dinner with friends or that one special person. Because of its location, residents find Black Pearl a great place for dinner before or after a play or concert. Start with Gouda mac and cheese bites for an appetizer of absolute cheese bliss. Regulars often choose the pickerel fillet for their dinner entree and polish off the meal with decadent Kentucky derby pie.

South End Bar and Grille creates a great atmosphere for food and drinks, and you can unwind on the outdoor patio. When locals want to catch a favorite sports event, 15 large TVs make sure they don’t miss any of the action. A mouthwatering Reuben piled high with corned beef and all the fixings goes great with a basketful of handmade onion rings. After dinner games include Golden Tee golf or corn hole boards. Friends hang out late here, enjoying live music and DJs Thursday through Saturday.

Most residents of Southwyck depend on their cars because of the sprawling nature of the neighborhood. The lack of sidewalks in many areas makes walking to run errands difficult. Plenty of free parking exists throughout the area on the streets and in the private lots of various businesses. A drive of about 20 minutes gets you downtown, and drivers find access to highways convenient with both Interstate 475 and Route 20 serving the neighborhood. The neighborhood also includes the only Ohio Turnpike exit inside the city. For those who choose to use public transportation, five TARTA routes serve Southwyck plus an express route from Southwyck to downtown during rush hour. Residents find bus stops convenient to shopping and apartments. Thirty taxi companies serve Toledo and can be mobilized by phone 24 hours a day. Uber does not operate the area, but Megabus stops here for transportation to other cities.

Bicycle safety varies depending on the location because no bike lanes or routes exist in the neighborhood. Bicyclists find main routes like Reynolds Road dangerous.

Residents of all ages enjoy Cass-Ryan-Eastgate Park. This park includes tennis courts and sports fields. Kids love the playground. Swan Creek Preserve Metropark includes several miles of mixed-use trails in the northernmost part of Southwyck. Both parks welcome dogs on leash only, but dogs romp off-leash at Glass city Dog Park less than 15 minutes away in South Toledo.

Just outside Toledo’s city limits, the Lucas County Recreation Center features a sports and entertainment complex. The athletic facilities contain a handball complex and six tennis courts. Seven lighted baseball diamonds include one that meets pee wee regulations. It also incorporates two football fields and two soccer fields. The annual Lucas County Fair takes place on the grounds of the recreation center.

The cost of living in Southwyck hovers about 6 percent higher than the average Toledo location. Plan to budget about $495 per month for an average rental. The housing market remains stable.

Residents of the area benefit from low transportation costs. A one-way bus ticket to downtown costs $2, and you can fill your car with gas for 14 percent less than the national average. A cold ale in a local pub costs about $2.50. and a hot pizza to go with it will set you back $8.

Commercial development and shopping plazas line Reynolds Road from the Ohio Turnpike north to Swan Creek. The Crossgates Shopping Center on Heatherdowns Boulevard also offers goods and services.

Heights Guitars sells guitars, amps, drums, and keyboards. Staff of guitar and music experts with years of experience help aspiring and veteran musicians find the perfect instruments or equipment for their needs. From vintage greats to brand new ones, If your guitar has seen better days, Heights makes repairs.

Allied Record Exchange buys and sells the pop culture of several generations. Enjoy an inexhaustible selection of video games from vintage to just released plus hundreds of gaming consoles. The jam-packed store stocks new and used music in the largest selection of CDs and vinyl in the Toledo area. Regulars seek out all kinds of movies on all kinds of media, from romantic comedies to straight-to-video sci-fi movies. Check out the selection of posters too.

Three large supermarkets and several convenience stores serve the area. Family-owned Bassett’s Health Foods carries groceries with an emphasis on healthy eating, including a large selection of spices and herbs as well as a bulk foods section. Monnettes Market sells fresh fruits and vegetables year round and local produce in season. No farmers' markets meet in the neighborhood, but a trip to Toledo Farmers' Market takes less than 15 minutes.