Cleveland, Ohio

Named the “Most Livable City” in the United States by the Economist Intelligence Unit, October 2005

Greater Cleveland was founded in 1796. Today, the region is home to over 1.2 million households, making it the fifteenth largest metropolitan area in the country. Cleveland has slowly shed its manufacturing roots to become a service-based economy. Now 37 percent of all Fortune 1000 companies are represented in major divisions and subsidiaries in this world corporate center.

In October 2005, the Economist Intelligence Unit dubbed Cleveland, Ohio as the “Most Livable City” in the United States. From world-class health care to world-renowned orchestras, Cleveland has it all, at an affordable cost of living.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is a hub for Continental Airlines, one of the best airlines in North America, and offers nonstop flights to destinations as far as London, England. AirTran Airways and a number of commuter carriers operate out of the Akron-Canton Airport, flying passengers nonstop to US cities including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, New York City and Philadelphia.

Alternatives to air travel include Amtrak, which has a station in downtown Cleveland, and Greyhound Bus Service. For commuters and the general public, Cleveland’s Regional Transit Authority manages bus lines and a rail transit system to transport people around town.

From Large Universities to Small Liberal-Arts Schools

Cleveland’s fine higher institutions are a source of innovation and inspiration. Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland Institute of Music, Cleveland State University, Hiram College, John Carroll University, Kent State University, Oberlin College and the University of Akron and are just a few of the colleges and universities that bring new talent to the region. Newcomers can also take advantage of the region’s highly ranked school districts and private schools.

Great Libraries Are Here

Cleveland area libraries get high marks from Hennen’s American Public Library Rankings Libraries. Cuyahoga County Public Library, Lakewood Public Library, Euclid Public Library, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library, Rocky River Public Library, Westlake Porter Public Library, Medina County District Library, and Twinsburg Public Library all enjoy top five rankings in their population categories.

Exceptional Health Care

The world-class care and facilities at the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals put Cleveland at the forefront of advances in medicine. U.S. News and World Report ranked University Hospitals’ Rainbow Babies and Children’s hospital as number four in the nation and number one in the Midwest. Since 1992, the magazine has given Cleveland Clinic’s heart practice a number-one rating.

World-Renowned Music, Museums, Theater and Festivals

Downtown Cleveland boasts two major cultural attractions: the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Great Lakes Science Center. Cleveland is also home to University Circle, a unique concentration of the city’s finest cultural institutions including the Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.

Playhouse Square Center, the second largest theater complex in the US, attracts major theatrical, musical and entertainment productions for the benefit of the region. Local acts include Great Lakes Theater Festival, the Lyric Opera Cleveland, and the Ohio Ballet. During the summertime, Northeast Ohioans flock to Blossom Music Center, the summer home of the Cleveland Orchestra, to enjoy outdoor concerts and picnics on the lawn.

Cleveland plays host to festivals throughout the year such as the Cleveland International Film Festival, Ingenuity Festival, and Parade the Circle.

Take a Hike in the City

Cleveland has the distinction of being one of the largest metropolitan areas in the US with an adjacent national park. The Cuyahoga Valley National Park stretches from the inner suburbs on out to the countryside, placing the great outdoors within easy reach of Cleveland area residents.

The Cleveland Metroparks system, nicknamed the “Emerald Necklace” because it encircles the metropolitan areas, offers a wealth of recreational opportunities. There are bike and hike trails, nature centers, horseback riding, golf courses and many other facilities. The biggest attraction is the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, which houses the largest primate collection of any zoo in the United States. Cleveland Lakefront State Park offers access to the beautiful and scenic beaches on Lake Erie found at Edgewater Park and Euclid Beach Park.

Thrilling amusement parks, such as Cedar Point and Geauga Lake, are within a 90-minute drive of the city.

Sports for Every Fan

With teams representing nearly every major sport, Cleveland is a great place for sports fans. Enjoy football with the Cleveland Browns, baseball with the Cleveland Indians, basketball with the Cleveland Cavaliers and hockey with the Lake Erie Monsters. Cleveland also organizes a number of exciting annual sporting events such as the Champ Car Grand Prix and the Cleveland Marathon.

Celebrity Cuisine and Casual Comfort Food

Thanks to celebrity chef Michael Symon, Cleveland has made its mark in the culinary world. Discover nouveau cuisine at hotspots in Tremont and the chic East Fourth District. Tantalizing options for casual dining can be found in Coventry Village, Little Italy and the West Side Market.

Shop Big Names and Local Boutiques

Cleveland’s shopping scene includes an impressive list of major retailers such as Nordstrom’s, Crate and Barrel, H&M and Filene’s Basement. For the savvy shopper, find unique retailers and shops at the West Side Market, Little Italy, Coventry Village, Eton, Chagrin Falls and Hudson.