Being the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the roller coaster capital of the world and the Pro Football Hall of Fame are just a few of the qualities that set Ohio part from other states. When it comes to living life and raising a family though, the best cities to live in Ohio may surprise you. (Hint: They aren’t Columbus, Cleveland or Cincinnati.) Below are the 15 best places to live in Ohio!
- Broadview Heights
Nothlit/Flickr Ranked the safest city in Ohio by SafeWise Report, this city is the ideal place to raise a family in Ohio. In addition to the lowest crime in the state, top notch schools and economic growth activity are what make this city stand out from the rest. This city is also geographically placed well for those wanting to explore well known American cities such as Pittsburgh, Detroit and Buffalo. (Bonus: Residents here are minutes away from Lake Erie.)
- Solon
Nestle/Flickr With a large tax base and major employers such as Nestle, L’Oreal and Swagelok, this city was recently ranked as the third best place to live in the United States by “Money Magazine.” Additionally, Solon is home to one of the most prestigious healthcare facilities in the world, the Cleveland Clinic.
- Twinsburg
Doug Kerr/Flickr Halfway between Akron and Cleveland you’ll find the only town in the world named Twinsburg. In addition to quality education and a low crime rate, Twinsburg is home to the no. 1 public library in the United States and the town’s annual Twins Day Festival is the world’s largest yearly gathering of twins. (Come on, that’s pretty cool.)
- Dublin
Elaine with Grey Cats/Flickr Being the home to the “Field of Corn” and the Dublin Irish Festival is enough to make this city stand out. The city’s strong economy and rich golf culture is what really makes this city a nice place to live though.
- Upper Arlington
Eric Fredericks/Flickr With a low crime rate and a low unemployment rate, this Columbus suburb is a safe, prosperous place to live.
- Mason
Patrick McGarvey/Flickr In addition to amenities such as Kings Island and water parks, this southwestern Ohio city is safe—and its competitive tennis is a way of life.
- Aurora
Doug Kerr/Flickr Where the crime rates are low and the school performance is high. Education is priority here, where the Aurora City School District was designated an Excellent District by the State Board of Education, and every school in the city has earned the Achievement of Excellence award, bestowed by the Ohio Partnership for Excellence.
- Willowick
Raymond Wambsgans/Flickr The low crime and unemployment rates make this city near Cleveland a good place to call home. (Bonus: The average summertime temperature is 71 degrees!)
- Powell
marada/Flickr You’re never far from the animals when you’re in Powell. In addition to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, this city is marked by high quality of life, high home values and a low unemployment rate.
- New Philadelphia
Doug Kerr/Flickr This small town has a very low crime rate, with zero murders reported in 2011. The ferris wheel and amphitheater at Tuscora Park are just two of the town’s many amenities that help to bring the community together.
- Brunswick
Jeff Pyle/Flickr During the holiday season, Brunswick is the place to be. Businesses, churches, and residents alike work hard every year to turn this suburb into a winter wonderland of lights and holiday décor. In addition to strong community involvement, low crime rates and top notch schools mark this town.
- Centerville
Stream restoration/Flickr This southwest Ohio suburb of Dayton has high community involvement and low crime. The city also takes the environment pretty seriously and is a Certified Green Business, earned through its voluntary programs designed to reduce its ecological footprint, reduce overall energy consumption, and to create a sustainable resource for the city.
- Willoughby
Ed Chadwick/Flick Low unemployment rates and good weather make this Lake County city the ideal place to live. The average summertime temperature here is 73 degrees, (so it’s basically the perfect place to live.)
- Lebanon
Ohio Redevelopment Project/Flickr With annual apple and blues festivals and Ohio’s oldest hotel still in operation, this city is a truly charming place to reside. Historic tourist destinations and a wide range of employment opportunities also make this city one of the best to live in.
- Perrysburg
Doug Kerr/Flickr Along the banks of the Maumee River is Perrysburg, home to Fort Meigs, the largest wooden wall fortification in North America. In addition to rich history and cultural entertainment, crime rates are very low, making it another of Ohio’s safest places to live.
Were you surprised? What other cities in Ohio do you think are great places to call home? Tell us in the comments!
Nothlit/Flickr
Ranked the safest city in Ohio by SafeWise Report, this city is the ideal place to raise a family in Ohio. In addition to the lowest crime in the state, top notch schools and economic growth activity are what make this city stand out from the rest. This city is also geographically placed well for those wanting to explore well known American cities such as Pittsburgh, Detroit and Buffalo. (Bonus: Residents here are minutes away from Lake Erie.)
Nestle/Flickr
With a large tax base and major employers such as Nestle, L’Oreal and Swagelok, this city was recently ranked as the third best place to live in the United States by “Money Magazine.” Additionally, Solon is home to one of the most prestigious healthcare facilities in the world, the Cleveland Clinic.
Doug Kerr/Flickr
Halfway between Akron and Cleveland you’ll find the only town in the world named Twinsburg. In addition to quality education and a low crime rate, Twinsburg is home to the no. 1 public library in the United States and the town’s annual Twins Day Festival is the world’s largest yearly gathering of twins. (Come on, that’s pretty cool.)
Elaine with Grey Cats/Flickr
Being the home to the “Field of Corn” and the Dublin Irish Festival is enough to make this city stand out. The city’s strong economy and rich golf culture is what really makes this city a nice place to live though.
Eric Fredericks/Flickr
With a low crime rate and a low unemployment rate, this Columbus suburb is a safe, prosperous place to live.
Patrick McGarvey/Flickr
In addition to amenities such as Kings Island and water parks, this southwestern Ohio city is safe—and its competitive tennis is a way of life.
Where the crime rates are low and the school performance is high. Education is priority here, where the Aurora City School District was designated an Excellent District by the State Board of Education, and every school in the city has earned the Achievement of Excellence award, bestowed by the Ohio Partnership for Excellence.
Raymond Wambsgans/Flickr
The low crime and unemployment rates make this city near Cleveland a good place to call home. (Bonus: The average summertime temperature is 71 degrees!)
marada/Flickr
You’re never far from the animals when you’re in Powell. In addition to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, this city is marked by high quality of life, high home values and a low unemployment rate.
This small town has a very low crime rate, with zero murders reported in 2011. The ferris wheel and amphitheater at Tuscora Park are just two of the town’s many amenities that help to bring the community together.
Jeff Pyle/Flickr
During the holiday season, Brunswick is the place to be. Businesses, churches, and residents alike work hard every year to turn this suburb into a winter wonderland of lights and holiday décor. In addition to strong community involvement, low crime rates and top notch schools mark this town.
Stream restoration/Flickr
This southwest Ohio suburb of Dayton has high community involvement and low crime. The city also takes the environment pretty seriously and is a Certified Green Business, earned through its voluntary programs designed to reduce its ecological footprint, reduce overall energy consumption, and to create a sustainable resource for the city.
Ed Chadwick/Flick
Low unemployment rates and good weather make this Lake County city the ideal place to live. The average summertime temperature here is 73 degrees, (so it’s basically the perfect place to live.)
Ohio Redevelopment Project/Flickr
With annual apple and blues festivals and Ohio’s oldest hotel still in operation, this city is a truly charming place to reside. Historic tourist destinations and a wide range of employment opportunities also make this city one of the best to live in.
Along the banks of the Maumee River is Perrysburg, home to Fort Meigs, the largest wooden wall fortification in North America. In addition to rich history and cultural entertainment, crime rates are very low, making it another of Ohio’s safest places to live.
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