Lakewood

Lakewood is the first western suburb outside of downtown Cleveland although it does not give off the typical suburban vibe. Given the  population density, the highest of any city in Ohio, you feel like you are in the heart of a vibrant city. Trendy shops, restaurants, pubs and growing small businesses and new development all have contributed to the significant economic development in recent years. Housing has also been changing as many neighborhoods have gone through a bit of a revitalization. Homeowners are moving in to older homes and making significant improvements as new construction has also opened up different options for those looking to call Lakewood home.

Schools

Lakewood City Schools, with a student enrollment of 5,600, offers excellence in programming from preschool through high school. From its 5-star rated early childhood programs to its generous selection of Advanced Placement and college credit courses in high school, every student is well-served in an  opportunity-rich environment. By 2017, the district’s seven elementary schools, two middle schools and high school will all have been rebuilt or fully renovated in the last 10 years. The district also sponsors a community charter school.

In addition to excellent public schools, Lakewood is home to a number of private and parochial schools such as Lakewood Catholic Academy and St. Edward High School, a private International Baccalaureate school.  With 830 students and a 17:1 student-teacher ratio, St. Ed’s has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. (school information source, vision.onelakewood.com)

Recreation

Lakewood Park is one of the largest lakefront parks in Ohio and features a live concert stage, outdoor swimming pool, picnic pavilions, 4-season public pavilion, kids' playground, baseball, volleyball, and a skate park, which opened in 2004. It has more than 150 acres of green space citywide. The park's million dollar lakefront promenade opened in 2006 and offers an excellent panorama of Downtown Cleveland and the presence of viewing telescopes enhances the viewing experience of Downtown Cleveland. An all-purpose trail that circles the park was built in 2006.

Some Awards that Lakewood earned:

• Travel + Leisure Magazine - Top 10 Suburbs in the USA.
• Business Week - Best Place to Raise Your Kids: 2010.
• The City of Lakewood Department of Planning & Development won an award for Economic Development from Inside Business Magazine in 2009.
• In 2009, the American Institute of Architects and the Cleveland Restoration Society honored the City of Lakewood Department of Planning & Development and LakewoodAlive with an award for Creative & Effective Preservation Advocacy in 2009.
• The Ohio Historic Preservation Office honored the City of Lakewood Department of Planning & Development and LakewoodAlive for their collective efforts to recognize, preserve, and promote Lakewood’s historic resources in 2009.
• This Old House Magazine chose Lakewood as the best city in the Midwest to buy a house in 2008.
• Scene Magazine rated Lakewood the best city to live in 2006 and again in 2013.
• The City of Lakewood was awarded the nationally renowned MainStreet program in 2005.

source: wikipedia.org

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