The northeast Ohio city of Ashland is just off Interstate 71, about 60 miles southwest of Cleveland. “There are opportunities to work locally, but Ashland is attractive as a bedroom community for those who work in Cleveland,” says Peter Haring, the president of Haring Realty Company. “People are attracted to the housing opportunities here, and there are lots of people who live here who work remotely.” The city is home to Ashland University, a four-year school that is a large area employer. Other opportunities in the town of about 19,000 is Charles River Laboratories, a pharmaceutical company with over 1,500 employees and Pentair, a water-softening equipment supplier.
Ashland offers residents many housing options, including modern brick homes on large lots.
Condos are an affordable housing option in Ashland and many cater to students of the University of Ashland.
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Transformed downtown Ashland
A major shake-up has happened in downtown Ashland within the past five years. “Businesses have opened, and it’s been transformed,” Haring says. “If someone left five years and returned, it’s almost unrecognizable.” Everything from boutiques to antiques, along with breweries and restaurants, is located on Main Street. About 2 miles to the east are grocery stores and large chain retailers close to Interstate 71.
Downtown Ashland has seen many revitalization efforts over the last decade, including building preservation and new construction.
Downtown Ashland is known as a hub for quaint shops owned by local residents.
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Ashland mixes old with new
The median price in Ashland is $205,000, more expensive than Mansfield, about 10 miles southwest. The oldest homes are from the 1900s and are generally near the downtown area but are sprinkled throughout the city. New-construction homes are outside the city limits in surrounding Ashland County. There is an exclusive 55+ condo community and other condo developments open to any homebuyer on the city’s south side. Townhouses are rare. A manufactured home development is near Sprinkle Lake on the city’s north side.
A modern brick colonial inspired house with traditional dormers is typical of the newer homes in Ashland.
Century homes, most in a Victorian style, line the streets around Ashland University and Downtown Ashland.
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Ashland crime falls below averages
According to the FBI, Ashland’s violent and property crimes are generally below the national and Ohio averages, with larceny cases occasionally rising above both averages over the last 10 years.
B-rated Ashland City School District
Kids attending public schools in Ashland can attend Ashland City School District, which has over 3,000 students and has achieved a B on Niche. There are two elementary schools, an intermediate school serving fourth and fifth grades, Ashland Middle School and Ashland High School. The B-rated school has an average graduation rate of 92%. Private school options include Ashland Christian School and St. Edward Catholic School, teaching kindergarten through eighth graders. The 135-acre campus of Ashland University is south of downtown and has an enrollment of just over 6,000.
Ashland High School has a Niche rating of B.
Many students from Ashland Public Schools choose to further their education at Ashland University.
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Freer Field
Freer Field has almost 80 acres of open space and a 2-mile trail close to the Ashland County Park District headquarters. The park also doubles as the site of the annual Ashland BalloonFest, a three-day event in late June. “This is what Ashland is known for,” Haring says. “It brings in many people from out of the area.” In addition to dozens of hot-air balloons filling the sky, there’s live music, food trucks and activities for the kids. Close to Interstate 71 on the east side of the city is Audubon Wetlands Preserve, which has multiple bridges across old river channels, convenient to observe wildlife and nature.
Freer Field is home to the annual Ashland Balloon Festival.
Freer Field in Ashland offers well maintained walking paths year round.
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Ashland County Fairgrounds
Ashland is the county seat and hosts the Ashland County Fair at the fairgrounds on the city’s south side. The fair takes place in mid-September. The Antique Tractor & Engine Show takes place during the second weekend in July at the West Holmes Career Center, about 5 miles south of downtown.
The Ashland County Fair takes place annually in mid-September.
The Ashland County Fair has been a community staple for over 100 years.
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Between Cleveland and Columbus airports
Interstate 71 leads to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, about 55 miles north and 80 miles south to John Glenn Columbus International Airport. The Ashland County Airport is 4 miles northeast of downtown Ashland and is primarily a general aviation facility.
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