Rating the Suburbs: Brecksville

Right on the northern tip of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a broad stretch of pines follows the winding Chippewa Creek into this 206-year-old city. To the south you’ll find Cleveland Metroparks’ Sleepy Hollow Golf Course, one of Golf Week’s top five courses in Ohio. Although Brecksville feels secluded from city life, don’t expect too long a haul on Interstate 77.

“We like to say here that we’re 20 minutes from everything,” says Brecksville resident Cheryl Barr.

For the mother of four, who has lived here for 22 years with her husband, Ted, there are plenty of outlets to thrive in the community. She has the national park in her backyard, and she’s the co-founder of Breathe, a Christian women’s community support group. 

“We’re small — and that’s the appeal,” she says. “Americana, conservative and patriotic. Simply people who love their city.”

Brecksville’s quietude and lush grounds for outdoor treks makes it an ideal place for those looking to build a family. Since 2009, the Brecksville-Broadview Heights School District hasn’t finished outside of the top 10 in our education rankings. One of Cheryl’s kids played drums in the Brecksville High School marching band, and her daughter danced in all of the school parades. In addition, its teams brought home state championship trophies last year in girls volleyball and gymnastics, and boys wrestling.

With a median home sale price of $241,670, homebuyers will find options from three-bedroom colonials to tree-shaded condos in quiet locales surrounded by greenery.

But community is never far off with annual events such as the Home Days on the Green parade every July. The Creekside Restaurant & Bar serves up cocktails to a younger crowd while others take to evening trail runs through the 3,983-acre Brecksville Reservation. 

It’s that mix of community and services that will keep Cheryl and her husband in the community with their sons and daughters visiting from far away as London.

“There’s a huge sense of solidarity here,” she says. “It’s incredible.”