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Best Places To Live, Cleveland Magazine, June 2021

Featured Articles

Best Places To Live: Why 77 Clevelanders Love Their Suburbs

Where we live is more than a zip code. It's a place we call home — a community we feel connected to, a way to build friendships and start a family.

Twelve Literary Arts Debuts "In Search of the Land"

With the help of more than 60 artists, the new album launches on Juneteenth as a celebration of Black identity in Cleveland.

Food + Drink

50 Summer Recipes Inspired By Cleveland Chefs

From barbecues to blueberries, 'wurst to watermelon, we've collected a round-up of our greatest summer recipes and cooking tips. 

Best Things We Ate This Month: Boaz Fresh Lebanese, Valley Cafe And More

The editors of Cleveland Magazine share the best local dishes they ate this month.

Cleveland Chefs Share 3 Unique Cobbler Recipes

Chefs from The Roaming Biscuit, Astoria Cafe & Market and Snap Gourmet Foods share three fresh recipes.

Five Outdoor Cleveland Patios To Enjoy This Summer

Creekside Restaurant & Bar, Felice Urban Cafe, Garden City, Lindey's Lake House and the Treehouse all deliver on al fresco dining.

How East Fourth Street Is Evolving

From old staples to newcomers, here's what the bustling dining street looks like now, and what it has in store.

Kindred Spirits Livens Up The Former Sawyer's Location

Located in the Van Aken District, Chef Andrew Brochu's new restaurant focuses on small plates and shareable entrees.

This Brecksville Pizzeria Lives Up To The Cerino Family Name

Ciao! Pizzeria Cerino, run by Carrie's grandson Eddie, boasts a menu of Italian classics.

In the CLE

1975: An Early Morning Bomb Nearly Takes Danny Greene's Life

Despite taking out his 1975 Lincoln and two of his cats, Danny Greene escaped from the bombing with minor cuts and bruises.

Can Assembly For The Arts Help Local Creatives?

The newly formed organization aims to assist, inspire and celebrate local arts.

Editor's Note: More Than A City

Editor Kim Schneider discusses this year's Best Places To Live and why all 77 suburbs are the true winners this year.

Essay: Grappling With A Post-Pandemic Return To Society

One Cleveland writer shares why she's hesitant to reenter the world.

Garden Of 11 Angels Helps Mount Pleasant Heal

After a decade of planning and construction, the new memorial honoring victims of serial killer Anthony Sowell is expected to be completed by the fall.

Inside Firestone Country Club's Stay-And-Play Experiences For Nonmembers

The Akron country club, which hosts the PGA Senior Players Championship this month, is a must-try for golfers.

Local Businesses Weigh In On Larry Nance Jr.'s Impact

The Cavs big man spent the 2020-21 season raising awareness and giving back to local businesses affected by the pandemic.

New Greater Cleveland Partnership CEO Baiju Shah Details His Plan To Help Cleveland

The former Cleveland Innovation Project head took over as president and CEO of the Great Cleveland Partnership in April.

Twelve Literary Arts Debuts "In Search of the Land"

With the help of more than 60 artists, the new album launches on Juneteenth as a celebration of Black identity in Cleveland.

Entertainment

Gone Soon: Catch These Cleveland Art Exhibits Before The End Of June

Experimental photographs, woodcuts and more are on display in these three area exhibitions.

How the Maelstrom Collaborative Arts Is Reconfiguring Performance

We sit down with executive artistic director Jeremy Paul to discuss the three things everyone should know ahead of Maelstrom's June performances.

Jordan Wong's The 10,000 Things Is A Journey Through Childhood

From anime to traditional Chinese paintings, the local artist's youth is on display at the Akron Art Museum.

Playhouse Square Stages Comeback After Year Off

With a formal opening June 11, the Cleveland theater staple aims to get back to its prepandemic glory.

The Case For Devo’s Induction Into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame

We chat with David Giffels, co-author of We Are We Not Men? We Are Devo! Are We Not Men?, about the Akron- and Kent State University-born band.<

At Home

Best Places To Live: Amherst

As the executive director of Main Street Amherst, Teresa Gilles and her team of nine volunteers are working tirelessly to make Amherst a better place to live.

Best Places To Live: Aurora

Despite only being 16-years-old, Aurora sophomore Carmen Courtad has spent most of her life giving back to her suburb.

Best Places To Live: Avon Lake

In 2016, a 22-year-old Mikayla Hyland saw Avon Lake's generosity up close. Now she's inspired to make that same impact in the community she calls home.

Best Places To Live: Bath Township

After moving to Bath Township in 2005, Maia Beatty quickly fell in love with the suburb's charm.

Best Places To Live: Bay Village

Despite playing for four different teams throughout his NFL career, former Browns punter Dave Zastudil still calls Bay Village home.

Best Places To Live: Bedford Heights

Thirty years ago, Roderick May met his wife in Bedford Heights. Now he'd never move, not even for a million dollars.

Best Places To Live: Berea

With the purchase of Mootown Creamery, Angela Brooks has joined Berea's thriving population of small businesses.

Best Places To Live: Broadview Heights

Local artist Mitzi Lai planted her roots in Broadview Heights, where she loves capturing the changing season on canvas.

Best Places To Live: Brook Park

A lifelong resident of Brook Park, Terry Hudak-Johnson couldn't imagine living anywhere other than the West Side suburb she calls home.

Best Places To Live: Brooklyn

Like most Brooklyn residents, Greg Liebert looks forward to Friday night football and its impact on the community.

Best Places To Live: Brunswick

For Bob Stec, Brunswick's strong sense of family and community is what pushes the southwestern suburb above all others.

Best Places To Live: Chester Township

High School graduate Anna Weiss has begun to find herself in this Geauga County suburb.

Best Places To Live: Cleveland Heights

With so much of the Cleveland Heights community shopping and eating in the community, Leatrice Clark cherises her suburb's ability to support one another.

Best Places To Live: Cuyahoga Falls

With a local government that builds on ideas from citizens, Cuyahoga Falls resident Debbie Ziccardi feels comfortable and confident in the suburb's ability to adapt and grow.

Best Places To Live: East Cleveland

For Nathaniel Martin, the spirit of East Cleveland's residents is what pushes the suburb above other suburbs.

Best Places To Live: Eastlake

A 'small but mighty city,' Eastlake helped Biljana Abel achieve her American dream.

Best Places To Live: Elyria

Much like the factory he works at, Elyria's Tennyson Thomas is a homegrown product of the West Side suburb.

Best Places To Live: Euclid

Euclid's suburban and urban feeling make it the premier suburb destination for Emily Hampshire Holody.

Best Places To Live: Fairview Park

Whether he's walking his dog at one of Fairview's many parks or getting all A's in the classroom, sixth grader Reed Ross already has a plenty of positive memories in the West Side suburb.

Best Places To Live: Garfield Heights

Nichelle Daniels, the first elected African American onto Garfield Heights' school board, sees the East Side suburb as the perfect place to raise her children.

Best Places To Live: How We Did It

The algorithm rules all. Here's a sneak peek at the methodology behind the Rating The Suburbs rankings.

Best Places To Live: Independence

A city transplant, Alexa Marinos' love for Independence is built around the southern suburb's 'perfect location.'

Best Places To Live: Lakewood

After starting "Because I said I Would," a nonprofit out of his Lakewood home, Alex Sheen has fallen more in love with the city's strong sense of community and volunteerism.

Best Places To Live: Lorain

As a kid growing up in Lorain, Reinaldo Contreras III always looked at fashion differently. As the owner of Relic Clothing 3, he's trying to help the rest of the West Side suburb see those differences too.

Best Places To Live: Lyndhurst

A former fire chief who raised six children in the East Side suburb, Joe Sweeney knows a thing or two about what makes Lyndhurst special.

Best Places To Live: Macedonia

Amy Brown first stumbled upon Macedonia by accident three years ago. Now, she and her husband wouldn't want to call anywhere else home.

Best Places To Live: Maple Heights

Whether she's enjoying a night at Maple Heights Lanes or getting a sweet treat at Baraona's Bakery, LA Phillips loves all the things to do in Maple Heights.

Best Places To Live: Mentor-on-the-Lake

Since moving to Mentor-on-the-Lake in 2014, Brandon Towns has become a pivotal part of the East Side's suburb's community.

Best Places To Live: Middleburg Heights

After seeing an ad in The Plain Dealer, Lacretta Incorvaia drove through the homes being built in Middleburg Heights. It was in that moment she knew the suburb was home. 

Best Places To Live: Moreland Hills

Moreland Hills' idyllic views and caring neighbors are the main reasons Kris Tesar calls this East Side suburb home.

Best Places To Live: North Olmsted

With so many parks and historical sites throughout North Olmsted, Nasreen Starner has no shortage of reason to love this Cuyahoga County suburb.

Best Places To Live: Oakwood Village

A 15-year resident of Oakwood Village, Christopher Callender loves how the community has come together for a voter registration drive and other issues.

Best Places To Live: Olmsted Falls

Emily Sheetz lets you in on some of her favorite Olmsted Falls eats, ranging from ice cream, chicken marsala and gas station hummus.

Best Places To Live: Painesville

As a lifelong resident and advocate for Painesville, Ryan Gilkerson loves the East Side suburb for its diversity.

Best Places To Live: Parma

Whether it's the one-mile exercise path or the 22-hole disc golf course, Parma mayor Tim DeGeeter has plenty of reasons to love Parma's Veterans Memorial Park.

Best Places To Live: Richfield Village

Growing up, Anita Gantner was always jealous of anyone who lived in Richfield Village. Now, as a Richfield Village resident herself, her happiness has come full circle.

Best Places To Live: Rocky River

For Jennifer Hihn, this year's No. 1 suburb is more than a home. It's a place to grow a small business.

Best Places To Live: Sheffield Lake

Breathtaking views, a picturesque library and a stunning lakefront are just some of the reasons Rosa Gee has fallen in love with Sheffield Lake.

Best Places To Live: Stow

With his mobile car detailing service business thriving through word-of-mouth in the community, Von Jones has become a mainstay in Stow.

Best Places To Live: Twinsburg

As the president of Twinsburg's City School District Council PTA, Joanna Schaus gets a first-hand look at how the school's PTA impacts student's lives.

Best Places To Live: University Heights

After moving to University Heights a year ago from Long Island, Elle Muhlbaum has loved being able to learn her neighborhood by foot.

Best Places To Live: Warrensville Heights

With a strong school system in a predominantly African American neighborhood, Warrensville Heights has everything Santonya Jones needs.

Best Places To Live: Why 77 Clevelanders Love Their Suburbs

Where we live is more than a zip code. It's a place we call home — a community we feel connected to, a way to build friendships and start a family.

Best Places To Live: Willowick

While some of the stores in Willowick might look different from when Jennifer Boresz Engelking grew up there, the community's friendly, neighborhood-drive attitude remains the same.

Build Your Own Backyard Escape With These Pool Trends

Make a splash with these three trendy pool styles. Plus, what to consider before diving into your pool construction.

How Real Estate Trends Are Changing Cleveland's Market

From low inventory to low interest rates, here's how changing trends will affect sellers and buyers.

How To Accent Your Home With Fittings Metal Collection

Architectural Justice owners James and Darlene Justice give us the scoop about their steel accessories collection.

Looking For A Real Estate Agent In Cleveland? Here's How To Find A Good Fit

From location to experience, here's a few factors to take into account when choosing an agent.

This Ohio City Kitchen Has Us Green With Envy

Local interior designer Bridget Beverstock went with a bold color, brass details and other design tweaks to refresh this kitchen.

Three Things Cleveland's First Time Buyers Need To Know

Here's how to be prepared and confident when buying your first home.

Style

CVNP, Haus Of Cool Host Pop-Up Weddings This Summer

With two different Cuyahoga Valley National Park venues to choose from, pop-up weddings are affordable and unique.

Inside Jacob Miller's Lasting Legacy At Legend Headwear

With subtle Cleveland-focused designs, Legend Headwear puts together something special in each cap.

Why The New Play Maysie Dollhouse Needs To Be On Your Radar

With magnetic, interchangeable pieces, local maker Kayla Lupean's newest creation is perfect for families looking to take fun on the go.

Travel & Outdoors

Soak Up The Sun At Saucy Brew Works' Vibe Garden This Summer

The newly created 20,000-square-foot seating area is the perfect place to relax this summer.

Summer Fun Guide: 3 Area Races That Test Your Endurance

From one-mile jaunts to 8Ks, lace up your sneakers and hit the pavement for one of these area races this summer.

Summer Fun Guide: 3 Dog-Friendly Events To Bark About

Pack up the leash and bring your dog with you to these dog-friendly events at Terrestrial Brewing Co., Stan Hywet and Debonne Vineyards. 

Summer Fun Guide: 3 Farmers Markets Full Of Fresh Produce

Reinvent your shopping routine and check out the goods from farmers markets in Chagrin Falls, Tremont and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Summer Fun Guide: 3 Hiking Trails To Tackle This Season

These trails at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Rocky River Reservation and Chapin Forest Reservation provide exercise and breathtaking backdrops.

Summer Fun Guide: Admire Northeast Ohio From The Treetops At The Holden Arboretum

Go for a stroll 65 feet above the ground on the Arboretum's Murch Canopy Walk.

Summer Fun Guide: Catch A Ride On The BrewBoat

Bask in the majestic views of Cleveland's skyline on a 15-person boat that guests pedal themselves.

Summer Fun Guide: Celebrate Cedar Point's 150th Anniversary

Spend a day (or week) riding a coaster into the clouds at the Sandusky amusement park.

Summer Fun Guide: Celebrate Love For All At Pride In CLE

The LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland hosts a parade this year at Edgewater Park.

Summer Fun Guide: Compete In A Cleveland Sports League

Whether it's beach volleyball, softball or another sport, Cleveland Plays and Stonewall Sports Cleveland are looking for teammates.

Summer Fun Guide: Enjoy Some Tunes At Mentor Rocks

This year's outdoor concert series features some of the best tribute bands from across the country.

Summer Fun Guide: Hear It All At Blossom Music Center

The Cleveland Orchestra is back on stage offering a plethora of performances throughout the summer.

Summer Fun Guide: Listen To The Music With Concerts Over The Valley

At Mapleside Farms, bands like the Spazmatics become your summer soundtrack.

Summer Fun Guide: Ride The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad

With retro train cars that date back to the 1940s, a ride on this railroad is the perfect place for everything from a date night to a fun family activity.

Summer Fun Guide: Spend A Night At These 3 Minor League Ballparks

Batter up! The Akron RubberDucks, Lake County Captains and Lake Erie Crushers have fun promotions and giveaways for fans.

Summer Fun Guide: Support Local At Made Cleveland's Summer Market

With 30 vendors carrying everything from handcrafted jewelry to graphic art pieces, the monthly summer market at Van Aken has something for everyone.

Summer Fun Guide: These Summer Cleveland Beers Quench Your Thirst

Beat the heat with some of our favorite summer sips from Great Lakes Brewing Co., Market Garden Brewery and more.

Summer Fun Guide: Visit The Cleveland Museum of Art's New Exhibit

Opening July 1, Private Lives: Home and Family in the Arts of the Nabis, Paris, 1889-1900 paints an ominous picture about everyday life.

Summer Fun Guide: Watch The All-American Soap Box Derby In Akron

Whether you're going down the course's 989-foot hill or watching from the stands, this year's derby should have plenty of heart-pumping action.