Most people who know Akron know it for being a neighbor of Cleveland or as the birthplace of basketball legend LeBron James. The city though has a lot to offer relative to its quiet reputation. Despite the perception of it as small, it has a population of ~200,000 and a metro area of nearly 700,000. This size is a sweet spot, particularly in the midwest, for a combination of low housing prices and interesting city amenities. 

Downtown Akron is host to a good mix of concerts, shows, expos and cultural events throughout the year that are usually reserved for bigger or more prominent cities than Akron. This, fortunately for Akron residents, does not translate to big city prices. Low cost of living and a median home value of $80K means residents save on the essentials so they can enjoy everything else Akron has to offer.

**Here's a local with a review of the social scene in Akron:**
*Entertainment options have really grown with a plethora of restaurants downtown and west side. Both shopping areas mentioned have most of the chain restaurants, but downtown and west side have more small chain and independent restaurants. Craft beer is just as big here as Cleveland proportionately with great taps at several bars the The Office in North Hill or 69 Taps, Lockview, Baxter's, etc. downtown. Our biggest breweries are Thirsty Dog and Hoppin Frog, but in the last couple years we have microbreweries opening up with two almost next door to each other in the Akron Valley Area that approaches the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Live entertainment includes big acts that hit UAkron's EJ Thomas Hall (home of Akron Symphony) and Akron Civic Center in downtown, with smaller venues including Musica (stone's throw from Civic), Annabelle's (Highland Square/near west side), and others. Outdoors downtown in the Summer includes Lock 3 live next to our historic canal that runs through downtown.*

For more reviews of what living in Akron is like from locals check out: [**The Buzz**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/akron?page=buzz)

More Bang for your Buck

Best Part About Akron?

Akron is known for high crime rates, and while plenty of neighborhoods have better stats, safety is something to consider when making a move. As with most cities these safety statistics are not helpful on a city-wide basis but regardless they are trending in the right direction in most major categories. Perhaps more important, the Akron City School District consistently places in the bottom 50% in the state of Ohio for most educational categories.

**Here's a review of the cons (with a few pros) of Akron from a local ready to move on:**
*If you do not have employment, savings or another source of income, it will be difficult for you to thrive in Akron, OH. Housing and rent is inexpensive, but Akron does have an issue with crime and drug addiction. You must also like cold weather and SNOW because we get a lot of it. The roads are bumpy from the winter weather conditions, and cars do get rust. Most people do not move to Akron; they were born here. Many leave for larger cities; I went to Atlanta, GA in 1987 and returned in 2009. Since I was disappointed at the city's decline and I want to leave again. Plan B: Spring 2018 - Jacksonville, North Carolina. Low cost of living, low crime, low property taxes, NICE weather & smooth roads!*

*Benefits of Akron? Low cost of living, 4 seasons & great food. Akron is small and you can get just about anywhere from East to West or South to North in about 15 minutes. They have great medical care because many of the residents are baby boomers and older. Young people tend to move away.*




Safety and Education

The Worst Thing About Akron?

Akron is often lauded by residents as an embodiment of midwestern hospitality and small city living (even if it’s not really as small as that ideal warrants). Lock 3 Park in the city’s downtown is home to outdoor events year round, including ice skating, bumper cars and the aforementioned concerts and cultural events. Akron is a diverse city with a great park system, including the F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm, and easy access to Portage Lakes State Park, giving Akron an outdoor edge over most midwestern destinations. Cleveland also isn’t too far away for those looking for a bigger metropolitan.

If you're interested in checking out what locals get up to in Akron here is the downtown calendar of events: downtownakron.com/calendar

Lifestyle of Akron 

Revitalization is a term Akronites throw around a lot and for good reason. In 2018, the city began investing in neighborhood business districts to catalyze small business growth across the city. While Akron was no exception to the struggles that came with COVID, the city has doubled down on its support of small businesses through additional investments and incentives in an attempt to make Akron one of the best places in the country to start a small business. The big name in Akron is Goodyear, one of the largest tire manufacturers on the planet and the owner of an abnormally large fleet of airship blimps. Goodyear started in Akron and still employs thousands of people in the area. 


Workstyle of Akron

Those investments in Akron’s revitalization could make for a wise investment for you. Buying into the area’s relatively cheap housing market as the city improves and grows might be a wise move for both your future home and career. 


The Bounce

Why Move Now?

Downtown Akron, as is true in most cities, is a great place for young people to start their search for a place to live. There are tons of cool and luxurious apartment/condo/loft spaces in renovated and historic buildings throughout the area. There are 50+ boutique/eclectic restaurant options and plenty of rooftop bars, hidden speakeasies, clubs and micro-breweries for nightlife. Downtown is host for many of the city’s festivals and concerts, including the annual Pride parade and has great parks and outdoor play areas when the weather warms up. Nearby Highland Square is regarded as “quirky,” “artsy,” and another great option for young single people into the arts and is an area where the LGBTQ community often lives. 
- Downtown
- Highland Square
- Goodyear Heights


Young Professionals/LGBTQ+

Downtown

Developed by Goodyear founder Frank Seiberling to improve housing conditions for his workers, Goodyear Heights is a walkable historic neighborhood with tree-lined streets and wonderful homes that are still relatively affordable for first-time homeowners and retirees alike. The community culture is strong with the parks and a community centers acting as gathering places for events like the Friday Night Summer Concert Series, and the Good Garden Art Events at the Community Garden. If you're just starting your search for a place for your family or a great neighborhood for retirement then add Goodyear Heights to your list. 
- Goodyear Heights
- Firestone Park
- Ellet


Families/Retirees

Goodyear Heights

Northwest Akron is one of the most popular family-friendly neighborhoods in Akron. Some of this is due to the beautiful estates near Portage Path and Merriman Road (although the area has plenty of new, more reasonably priced homes as well). Some of this is due to the fact the neighborhood borders Sand Run Metropark, which has miles of quiet bucolic trails for walking, hiking or biking. Finally, locals also love the Northwest Community Center where families gather for play and events throughout the year.  
- Northwest Akron
- Fairlawn Heights
- Highland Square
- North Hill


Families

Northwest Akron

Another beloved family neighborhood in Akron is Firestone Park.  This highly rated spot is at the southern tip of city and is known for its beautiful homes and wonderful crazy park. The homes were mostly built between 1940-1960, with a batch also built in the original historic development in the early decades of the 20th century. 

One unusual part of Firestone Park is the actual shape of the park at its center. It was designed and built to match the shape of the original Firestone shield emblem. It is surrounded by churches, a school, a community center, a public library and the Astor Avenue commercial district. Families love the park for its wonderful green spaces for outdoor play, tennis courts, and walking trails. 

Firestone Park

Akron

**What is it like to live in Akron, OH?**

I was born and raised here. You are close to a regional airport, south of Cleveland and north of Canton.

Akron’s revamping the downtown area, most of downtown is the University of Akron. Downtown has the Rubbers Ducks, Lock 3 and many other wonderful area. We have the best ice cream around. Just outside of Akron there is a place known as the Portage Lakes where in the summer has best entertainment because there is a few of the bars that sits on the water.

**What is it like to live in Akron, OH?**

We're the 5th biggest city in Ohio, just under Toledo's population so we have a breadth of neighborhoods. Some examples: if living downtown, you see how much of that has been absorbed for a planned growth of residential UAkron students. South of downtown and the campus gets rough, yes, and a few other neighborhoods, but they're interspersed. the public school system has shrunk so a handful of schools have closed, mostly elementary schools, and several have been rebuilt within the last decade, including East High. Two biggest shopping areas Chapel Hill mall with Howe Ave plazas on the Cuyahoga Falls border and on the west side is Summit Mall, a little fancier than Chapel Hill, with the rest of the shopping area a quarter mile further west of the Copley/Fairlawn borders. The west side may be a little more posh and a arguably better property value with Ellet equivalent values pretty close.

There are several city parks plus most of the Summit County Metro Parks in or bordering the city. The Gorge is arguably the prettiest with the valleys leading down to the Cuyahoga River. Some city parks get a little rough but as a lower middle income kid growing up (I'm 25 now) I wasn't worried at most of the parks. The Summit County parks have a fully functional police force that patrols, but the parks close at dark anyways.

Entertainment options have really grown with a plethora of restaurants downtown and west side. Both shopping areas mentioned have most of the chain restaurants, but downtown and west side have more small chain and independent restaurants. Craft beer is just as big here as Cleveland proportionately with great taps at several bars the The Office in North Hill or 69 Taps, Lockview, Baxter's, etc. downtown. Our biggest breweries are Thirsty Dog and Hoppin Frog, but in the last couple years we have microbreweries opening up with two almost next door to each other in the Akron Valley Area that approaches the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Live entertainment includes big acts that hit UAkron's EJ Thomas Hall (home of Akron Symphony) and Akron Civic Center in downtown, with smaller venues including Musica (stone's throw from Civic), Annabelle's (Highland Square/near west side), and others. Outdoors downtown in the Summer includes Lock 3 live next to our historic canal that runs through downtown.

Plus, if you get really bored in Akron, you can shoot up to Cleveland!

**What are the people like in Akron, OH?**

I left Akron, Ohio when I was but 8 years old, but still have the fondest memories. I returned for a visit some decades later, and nothing had changed! I drove everywhere from that 8-year old memory. I especially wanted to see the home I lived in that my grandfather had built. It was the same except for a color change! My Dad graduated the University of Ohio and worked at Good Year back then. After growing up in California, living in Hawaii for 3 years, I am now happily in Florida, however, I will never, ever forget those happy times in Akron, Ohio...



**What advice would you give to someone who is moving to Akron, OH?**
If you do not have employment, savings or another source of income, it will be difficult for you to thrive in Akron, OH. Housing and rent is inexpensive, but Akron does have an issue with crime and drug addiction. You must also like cold weather and SNOW because we get a lot of it. The roads are bumpy from the winter weather conditions, and cars do get rust. Most people do not move to Akron; they were born here. Many leave for larger cities; I went to Atlanta, GA in 1987 and returned in 2009. Since I was disappointed at the city's decline and I want to leave again. Plan B: Spring 2018 - Jacksonville, North Carolina. Low cost of living, low crime, low property taxes, NICE weather & smooth roads!

Benefits of Akron? Low cost of living, 4 seasons & great food. Akron is small and you can get just about anywhere from East to West or South to North in about 15 minutes. They have great medical care because many of the residents are baby boomers and older. Young people tend to move away.

Akron is close to Cleveland, OH with over 1,000,000 people - in the greater metropolitan area. Cleveland, OH has more to offer, but it is also more expensive than living in Akron. You will do substantially more driving in Cleveland because it is spread out and has much more traffic. (but nothing like Atlanta, GA)

**Living in Akron, Ohio**

There are so many reason to Move to Akron Ohio, and in today's video, I am coving 10 reasons why Akron Ohio is a Great City to live in. You'll hear me say it like 3 times in the video, but Akron is on the come up!!!!


Akron, Ohio

Rubber City

Looklyloo Score: 73

Downtown

Young Professionals/LGBTQ+

Goodyear Heights

Families/Retirees

Northwest Akron

Families

Firestone Park

Families/Retirees