University Circle - Cleveland, OH

The University Circle neighborhood began with the relocation of two universities, Western Reserve and the Case Institute of Technology, to what was a largely undeveloped community east of downtown. During the 1890s, the Cleveland Institute of Art and the Western Reserve Historical Society were constructed in the area. By the 1930s, 19 education and cultural institutions were located in University Circle, including the Cleveland Museum of Art. The number grew to 34 by 1950. In 1957, the University Circle Development Foundation was created to strengthen ties between the various institutions and organizations. The Foundation assists with the growth and management of these organizations while providing outreach to residents in the neighborhood.

Prominent museums in the area include the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, the Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art and the Children's Museum of Cleveland. The annual Holiday CircleFest celebrates local artists, musicians and crafters in beautiful Wade Oval Park.

University Circle includes dozens of restaurants serving everything from Indian cuisine and French fare to traditional Italian food. Most options can be found along either Euclid Avenue or Mayfield Road.

For elegant and memorable fine French dining, swing over to L'Albatros Brasserie , featuring French favorites and extensive wine vintages in a modern, minimalist setting. In addition to classic dishes such as duck confit and veal, L'Albatros offers creative pizzas and rotating vegetarian dishes. For a rich and satisfying entrée, order the cassoulet with braised white beans, lamb, duck confit and sausage. Select from an exhaustive list of wines from Europe, various regions of France and even the Middle East.

Head over to local favorite Tommy's Restaurant for healthy vegan, vegetarian and meat dishes and sandwiches. Menu items run the gamut from spinach pies and tempeh dishes to classic deli sandwiches. Hungry students should try the Colleen, a falafel dish with bacon, cheese, sesame sauce, onions, sprouts, tomatoes and green peppers. Box lunches are available as well.

Common ways to get around the neighborhood include driving, walking, public transit buses and biking. Hailing a cab can be difficult in the area, but several local companies can be contacted via telephone for pick-ups. Uber provides ride-share coverage as well. Free public parking can be difficult to find near the university and around Euclid Avenue, but there are plenty of fee-based parking garages and lots. Easy access to Highway 20 provides a quick route to downtown Cleveland.

The neighborhood is conveniently walkable, with most errands and activities reachable on foot. Biking presents a safe commuting option as well, due to the bike lane infrastructure, although there are some steep hills in the area that can make biking difficult for novices.

Locals frequent two large, natural areas, Wade Park and the Lake View Cemetery, when they want to enjoy the outdoors. Leashed dogs are welcome, and the areas are kid friendly.

Wade Park on the Case Western Reserve University campus is home to several museums, the lovely Wade Lagoon and the Wade Park Fine Arts Garden. The park has several walking paths, and the nearby Thurgood Marshall Recreation Center runs youth leagues and is equipped with a swimming pool, weight room, gym and game room with a kitchen area.

The beautiful Lake View Cemetery provides 285 acres of wooded and natural areas for walking, running, yoga and more. Points of interest include several monuments dedicated to Rockefeller and President Garfield, the imposing Lake View Cemetery Dam and the Community Mausoleum. The cemetery houses both native species and trees such as ginkgo, Japanese maple and more.

The annual Wade Over Winter event provide free ice-skating lessons, movies and more at Wade Park.

The cost of living in University Circle is comparable to the overall Cleveland average but remains lower than the Ohio average. A bus ride to downtown Cleveland costs $2.25, and the rent for a one-bedroom residence averages $1,087 per month. The typical price of a beer at a local pub ranges from $2 to $5, depending on quality and location. Gas costs 4 percent more in Cleveland compared to the national average.

Shopping areas line Coventry Road and Mayfield Road just east of the University Hospitals Case Medical Center. High-end stores are few, but specialty stores selling books, antiques and more can be found.

Stop by City Buddha for inspired bags, jewelry and accessories, incense and more. Check out the wide variety of statues and idols in wood, metal and stone. Decorate and enliven your space with sacred images, home furnishings and ornate furniture. Incense connoisseurs love the house-blended temple spice incense with all-natural ingredients from non-endangered sources.

For a culinary experience to remember, visit Little Italy Wines , featuring a massive selection of regional, French, sparkling, rose and under $12 varieties. Browse the close-out section for up to 50 percent off bottles. Little Italy also carries a great selection of Italian necessities such as pastas, sauces and olive oils. Cheeses and other specialty foods await your discovery as well. Make sure to take a look at the wine-related gifts and wine kits for family and friends.

For grocery items, check out Constantino's Market for gourmet and international ingredients and Save-A-Lot of conventional goods. Marc's Neighborhood Store provides a bit of both.