Cuyahoga Falls

The suburban gem known as East Village is settled along a rushing river in Cuyahoga Falls. The community contains modest colonials and four squares dating back to the early 20th century as well as simple Cape Cods constructed around the 1950s. Some of East Village's newest constructions include townhomes with brick and vinyl exteriors, bearing two bedrooms and one and a half bathrooms. Most houses in the community list between $175,000 to $300,000 on average.<br><br>The community is served by the Cuyahoga Falls City School District. Parents may choose Elizabeth Price Elementary or Preston Elementary; both schools earned an overall B- on Niche. Sixth through eighth graders may spend their days at Bolich Middle on 13th Street. Teenage residents will complete their secondary education at Cuyahoga Falls High, the district's only public high school. Students may also attend the local faith-based private option, Chapel Hill Christian School, off Howe Avenue.<br><br>In the southern section of East Village, several shopping plazas along Howe Avenue offer a wide range of storefronts, service providers and clothing shops. Locals can easily access big box retailers such as Target, Home Depot, and Sam's Club. To quickly restock kitchen goods and other home supplies, visit Giant Eagle Supermarket. The area leans heavily toward chain restaurants, but you can find a handful of local eateries. <br><br>When visiting the dining spot Yuki House, you can enjoy authentic hibachi as well as Thai favorites, such as chicken larb and yellow curry. At Fiesta Pizza and Chicken, locals can order comfort food, like fried chicken and crispy jojos, in addition to a slice of pie. Trivia enthusiasts should head to the Basement Sports Bar & Grill on Tuesdays. But you don't have to be a lover of random facts to relax on the pub's patio while enjoying live music with friends. <br><br>One of the most prominent features of Cuyahoga Falls is the natural resources and public spaces. Within East Village, you will find a number of parks to enjoy the great outdoors. Many families will spend their summer days visiting the aquatic center at Waterworks Park. Here, locals can cool off in the water tubes, flume slides and lazy river. The park also hosts a baseball field, walking trails and access to the Cuyahoga River. Sporty residents can take advantage of the multiple baseball diamonds, soccer fields and tennis courts located at Kennedy Park. The grounds also contain the four-acre Cuyahoga Falls Arboretum, which doubles as a recreational and educational space for locals. Galt Park is another community gathering space where locals can play a friendly volleyball match or put down roots in the neighborhood garden. <br><br>Next door is Brookledge Golf Club, considered one of the top ten courses in Ohio, according to PGA.com. The locals call the grounds a hidden gem, boasting 120 acres of rolling hills, pristine fairways, and greens. Whether you're teeing up, exploring the parks or spending time in the southern shopping district, the suburban haven East Village has much to offer.

Named after the waterway hugging its northern edge, Mud Brook is a neighborhood with a calm atmosphere and ample activities common in the city of Cuyahoga Falls. The neighborhood also has most of the city's pocket parks. New, old and freshly refurbished houses a half-mile north of Downtown's nightlife and extensive rec center. In addition to these benefits, the neighborhood will house a new school, expected to finish near 2026. Mud Brook extends northeast from Portage Trail to the west side of Ohio Route 8 and the Graham Square Shopping Center. The neighborhood resembles a web, where gridded residential streets connect to the major roadways, spreading over the city's north side. Lots are typically under a quarter acre, with manicured front lawns framed by sidewalks and grassy medians. Most backyards have a tree or two standing at least a couple dozen feet over the houses. Bungalows, Cape Cods, and Foursquare Colonial Revivals with three to four bedrooms are the most common homes around. "There's a lot of older homes getting remodeled, but there are still a few left that are untouched," says Realtor Andy Bourn of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Stoufer Realty Inc., who has sold properties around town for almost 10 years. The new and refurbished homes cost between $120,000 and $360,000, while the remaining fixer-uppers sell for between $65,000 and $100,000. There are four outdoor parks, a hiking trail and an extensive indoor recreation center in and near Mud Brook, all while the Cuyahoga River flows Downtown. Linden Park is in the center-east side of Mud Brook and is a popular destination for families because of its extensive playground area, sandbox, and in-ground kiddy pool. The Mud Brook Greenway Trail is a 1-mile footpath running through forests, open fields and marshes in the northeast. Less than 2,000 feet from the community's south end, The Natatorium is Cuyahoga Falls' famous indoor recreation center. Home to a gym, running track, a multi-story playground and an indoor water park with slides and an Olympic-sized swimming pool, the center requires payment for entry and annual membership. Downtown also provides some of its own outdoor activities. "Kayaking is really popular on the river," says Bourn, pointing to the kayak launch downtown. The Cuyahoga Falls City School District is the resident educational resource, earning an overall Niche score of C-plus. Gordon DeWitt is a first choice for many and receives a B from Niche. Students then move on to Bolich Middle School, which gets a C-plus score from Niche. Cuyahoga Falls High is the last step for most students. The school receives a C-plus score from Niche and has a student-run YouTube channel, where they post morning briefings, skits and student interviews. In 2022, the city approved constructing a new high school on the eastern edge of Mud Brook. When the campus opens, students from grades six to twelve will attend classes in separate parts of the building. As of February 2024, the district reported the project to have reached the halfway mark. While people in Mud Brook typically enjoy nightlife Downtown, the neighborhood has a few restaurants and stores of its own. Eddy's Deli & Restaurant is between Mud Brook and North Village and is popular in both neighborhoods for its large portion sizes, Reubens and breakfast menu. Over in Mud Brook's northeast corner, the Graham Square Shopping Center offers chain restaurants and some retailers such as Walmart, Lowe's and Save A Lot. Some popular Downtown establishments include Leo's Italian Social and The Workz on the Riverfront. The Workz is especially popular for having a bowling alley, an arcade and a stage for live music. In the summer and autumn, many drive 9 miles north to Szalay's Farm & Market to buy fresh produce. Summit Mall is almost as far, with an 8-mile drive west to Fairlawn. Mud Brook and most other Cuyahoga Falls neighborhoods rely on Downtown for significant events. These events, such as the Riverfront Irish Festival and Nightmare on Front Street, rely on the city's policy allowing public drinking along Front Street. The Riverfront Irish Festival takes place over a June weekend and includes live-stage performances and alcohol vendors. Nightmare on Front Street is the local Halloween festival featuring live music and alcohol, and it also hosts a costume contest. Mud Brook's four primary thoroughfares are Graham Road, Oakwood Drive, Hudson Drive and Bailey Road. Graham Road connects to Ohio Route 8 in the northeast, providing movement 35 miles north to Cleveland or 6 miles south to Akron. Akron METRO provides the community's public transportation, with buses 10, 31 and 32 running through Graham Road, Hudson Drive and Portage Trail. While most of Mud Brook is unaffected by severe rainfall, the part of the community touching the namesake Mud Brook is in a flood zone. Properties and streets within and connecting to the area may deal with more than 3 feet of water depending on the severity of a given downpour.

In downtown Cuyahoga Falls, residents stroll in out of quaint boutique stores in search of their next good read. Weekends are spent hiking in Cuyahoga State Park or kayaking down the Cuyahoga River. On the day-to-day, it’s not unusual to see neighbors chatting with each other beneath the eaves of their home’s wrap-around porch. “It kind of reminds you of the little towns you see in the Hallmark movies,” says Danielle Welling, the marketing manager for the Cuyahoga Falls Library — highlighting the community’s small-town feel, despite its urban nature. Known for its rich commercial scene, Welling says that this area often attracts local business owners who want to be close to their workplaces. While others are drawn to Cuyahoga Falls for its proximity to Cuyahoga Valley National Park and neighboring Akron — the state’s fifth most populated city. Welling recommends checking out Shelf Life. "You can't necessarily see it from the storefront," she says. Indeed, locals will have to head down a hallway of an unassuming building before they are welcomed by a selection of affordable literary gems. For those wanting to have fun, Welling suggests heading to The Workz. There's just about everything here — a bowling alley, arcade room, live music venue. Those who “ask for Mr. Clean” are welcomed into the establishment's speakeasy, where jazz music and Gatsby-esque decor make people feel like they've traveled back to the '20s. At the nearby Jenks Building, people can buy a drink at Yadda Yadda Coffee before heading to the general store to peruse knick-knacks while listening to live music. For dining out, Welling recommends heading to Burntwood Tavern, where patrons can enjoy classic American digs by the water. She suggests trying their homemade tater tots. For groceries, people can shop at the Acme Fresh Market. When the weather gets warm, children can play in the water at the splash pad that sits next to the Cuyahoga Falls Downtown Amphitheater. Come wintertime, the space transforms as festive lights stretch across the seasonal ice skating rink. Less than a mile south is High Bridge Glens Park. Here, visitors smell the blooming flowers at the butterfly garden or head on the bridge to relax with a view of the Cuyahoga River and its cascading falls that are enveloped amid a blanket of dense greenery. It's also the location of the Cuyahoga Falls Farmers Market, which runs from mid-July to late September. Conveniently, adventures living downtown are less than 10 miles from the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Welling recommends seeing the park's Brandywine Falls, a 60-foot attraction. In the spring, shallow pools fill with salamanders, while in autumn, hues of red and yellow create a beautiful kaleidoscope of colors by the water. The independent Cuyahoga Falls Library offers free online tutoring opportunities and a MakerSpace where locals can take advantage of free equipment like sewing machines and a button maker. Perhaps the most unique aspect of the space is the "library of things where we can check out nontraditional items," says Welling. "There's anything from metal detectors to a chess set to traffic cones." Less than half a mile away is the Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, a staple in the community since 1934. Here, locals can take artistic workshops or even attend exhibition events where they can take inspiration from talented local artists. Integral to downtown Cuyahoga Falls is its vibrant events that draw in people from near and far. Welling recommends checking out the Heritage Festivals: Riverfront Irish Festival, Festa Italiana and CF Oktoberfest, where people can feast on tasty flavors while enjoying traditional performances. Summertime also brings Flicks on the Falls and Falls Downtown Fridays to the community. At the latter, people can catch a show at the Cuyahoga Falls Downtown Amphitheater or even immerse themselves in the city’s rich art scene. “It’s a very community-based event. You walk around, you see people you know,” says Welling. She adds that the community's Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (D.O.R.A.) adds to the appeal. On Monday nights from June to September, the downtown area fills with retro cars that people can peruse during the Riverfront Cruise In. Those who choose to venture beyond downtown Cuyahoga Falls’ main street will be rewarded with block after block of historic residential properties, many dating back to the early 1900s. Here, locals can admire the decorative spindle work of a Queen Anne’s porch or pause to examine classic Four Squares with dormer windows and spacious front porches. Large Tudor Revivals with decorative half-timbering add character to the streets, and modest bungalows peppered throughout the area offer cozier living options with their low-pitched roofs and smaller builds. Home prices typically range from approximately $120,000 to about $460,000; however, most people here rent properties or apartments instead of buying. It's important to note that some sections of the downtown area receive loud Sound Scores because of noise from busy thoroughfares like Front Street and Broad Boulevard. The Cuyahoga Falls City School District serves many children in the community, most of whom start at Dewitt Elementary, which receives a B rating from Niche and is ranked as the No. 6 standout school in the greater Cleveland area. From there, students often head to C-rated Bolich Middle School, where they can join the cross-country team or hone their music skills by joining the band. Some students continue playing their instruments well into Grades 9 through 12, at C-plus rated Cuyahoga Falls High School, the only secondary school in the district. Offering career and technical education programs in addition to their standard curriculum, students here can pursue a range of subjects from cosmetology to criminal justice. Residents are less than 5 miles from some of the city's major employers, including AMH Holdings LLC, Associated Materials Group Inc. and Americhem, the latter of which is only half a mile from downtown Cuyahoga Falls. All three are also conveniently located about 2 miles from the Western Reserve Hospital on Broad Boulevard. When traveling, locals can make their way to the Akron Fulton Airport, which is just 9 miles away via state Route 8. Or they can take that same route and Interstate 77 to the Akron-Canton Airport, which is about 17 miles away. Those who want to explore neighboring cities can take state Route 8 for about 6 miles to Akron or 36 miles into Cleveland. While most people drive in downtown Cuyahoga Falls, they can also take advantage of the Metro.

Squeezed between the Cuyahoga River in the south and Downtown Cuyahoga Falls to the northeast, Broad Boulevard has easy access to the city's nightlife and public resources. Named after the major roadway in the north, the neighborhood stretches from downtown to Akron's Merriman Valley, covering an area much larger than a single boulevard. The neighborhood splits into two unequal sides by State Street in the west. Along with close public parks, a recreation center and home prices below the local average, this neighborhood offers downtown access while having its own resources. Home prices range from $100,000 to $350,000, depending on size and condition. "It's got a lot of amenities, but home prices are still affordable," says Andy Bourn, a sales associate with Berkshire Hathaway Stoufer Realty. The local median sale price is $200,000, $40,000 lower than the median for greater Akron and over $300,000 less than the national median. Broad Boulevard’s homes sit in a grid pattern stretching from downtown to State Street. Homes west of State Street line winding roads till they stop at a ravine created by the river. Lots closest to downtown can be as small as 3,000 square feet, but as lots get closer to the ravine, they get as large as half an acre. Houses on both sides of State Street consist of two to three-bedroom Colonial Revivals and Cape Cods. Tudor Revivals are slightly less common and have between three and four bedrooms. Residents go to one of two places for food, shopping and nightlife: State Street in the west and the reopened Front Street downtown. State Street has locally owned shops and restaurants alongside fast food options. The Blue Door Café and Bakery is one of State Road's most popular restaurants for its brunch menu and croissants. The street's stores include the Hourglass Boutique, a women's clothing store, and an Acme Fresh Market grocery store. Front Street was closed from the public for forty years of renovation but reopened in 2018. "Ever since they reopened Front Street, it's become the main attraction," says Simon Paul, a broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Simon & Salhaney. "It's legal to drink outside too, so there's a lot of bars in that area." One such bar is HiHO Brewing Company, which operates out of a renovated warehouse. In the summer and autumn, many drive 9 miles north to Szalay's Farm & Market to buy fresh produce. The nearest indoor shopping center is Summit Mall, 8 miles west. Broad Boulevard locals visit Front Street for festivals, such as the Riverfront Irish Festival and Nightmare on Front Street. The Riverfront Irish Festival takes place over a June weekend and includes live-stage performances and alcohol vendors. Nightmare on Front Street is the local Halloween festival featuring live music and alcohol, and it also hosts a costume contest. The Cuyahoga Falls City School District provides the local public options. Most students start at Gordon Dewitt Elementary School, which Niche gives a B. Bolich Middle School earns a C, which is the last step before attending the C-plus-rated Cuyahoga Falls High School. The high school has a student-run YouTube channel called the Tiger News Network. The network has daily morning briefings, sketches and student interviews. Broad Boulevard has two parks and an indoor recreation center. Gorge Metro Parks is on the neighborhood's south end and is famous for its unique rock formations. The park is also home to the Gorge Dam, slated for removal by 2026. Officials say the project will cause sporadic trail closures. The second park is Babb Run Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary by the ravine. The park is a habitat for the local bird population, but it also has walking trails and picnic areas. The Quirk Cultural Center is a block north of the river in the east and offers indoor programs for youths, adults and seniors, such as painting, ballet and pickleball. The center also has a playground and a kiddy pool. There are three main roadways on Broad Boulevard: State Street, Chestnut Boulevard, and, of course, Broad Boulevard. Chestnut and Broad connect to Front Street in the east for a half-mile walk or drive to downtown. Ohio Route 8 has a ramp downtown and runs 5 miles south to Akron and 36 miles north to Cleveland. The neighborhood's only bus stops are on Front Street for Akron Metro's buses 31 and 32.

The riverside town of Cuyahoga Falls is among Ohio's finest examples of a community that maintains its post-industrial charms under new splashes of paint and flavor. "It's a community with that small town feel while also being one of the bigger cities in Ohio," says Realtor Andy Bourn of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Stoufer Realty Inc., who has sold properties around town for almost 10 years. Though it bears the name of the whole city, the neighborhood of Cuyahoga Falls extends northwest from downtown until it meets Akron Peninsula Road. An established collection of midcentury and Colonial Revival architecture in the southeast once reigned supreme but is now offset by new builds implementing multiple styles, such as Tudors and Craftsmans. The area's market can get competitive, especially when the average property sells after 18 days on the market—20 days less than the national average. That means sale prices can soar high above their listing prices, with some new builds and even a few mid-century homes selling for up to $750,000, although plenty sell for closer to mid-$300,000. Cuyahoga Falls' downtown has an array of locally owned dining and retail options—a trend that extends into the area's residential sections somewhat. Most areas of high foot traffic are located in the southeastern parts of Cuyahoga Falls, many of which are clustered around a Cinemark movie theater across the street from Mud Brook Falls. Locals can sip fruity beverages from Smoothie King or chow down on falafel at Shawarma Brothers. Most day-to-day amenities, such as grocery stores, chain restaurants, and vehicle service stations, can also be found there. But some sites of interest are further north, such as Sarah's Vineyard, where locals go for wine tasting and live music every Wednesday. The Cleveland area has many towns known for their music, and Cuyahoga Falls is one of them. Roughly 8 miles north of downtown is the Blossom Music Center, a 5,700-seat outdoor amphitheater that is the summer home for the Cleveland Orchestra—widely considered to be the most prestigious orchestra in America. Music stores along Portage Trail and State Road and home businesses for piano tuners and violin luthiers help showcase the town's toe-tapping energy, which also has frequent public events with a diverse array of music, such as the annual Oktoberfest and Riverfront Irish Festival. The selection of schools in Cuyahoga Falls belongs to the Cuyahoga Falls City School District, which receives an overall Niche score of C-plus and offers a community outreach program to students, allowing them to give back to their community through experiences beyond the classroom, such as field trips and day camps. Most students in the neighborhood begin at Richardson Elementary, which has a Niche score of B, while others attend Lincoln Elementary, which GreatSchools gives a 5/10 score. Older students then move on to either Bolich or Roberts Middle Schools, which both earn a Niche score of C or higher. The area's high school, Cuyahoga Falls High, receives a Niche score of C-plus and offers a career development center for students planning their next steps. But, education in Cuyahoga Falls will look quite a bit different in a short time. "The city is currently building a brand-new middle school and high school campus," says Bourn. "Once that is built, Bolich Middle will be torn down and become the parking lot for this new campus." Cuyahoga Falls is full of parkland. There are more parks to the southeast, such as Hampton Hills Metro Park, which offers both tranquility and amusement with over 5 miles of hiking trails and even an archery range. Further south, Valley Vista Park is where locals shoot hoops or cool off in the summertime by using the park's wading pool and shaded playground. Getting downtown from west of State Road requires a car. The only public transportation in Cuyahoga Falls is bus routes that run along major roads. Those living close to State Road could rely on the buses to get north or south. But residents west of that area might have to walk upwards of 4 miles along roads with no sidewalks to reach a bus stop. But once they reach downtown, they'll find a very walkable area with decent parking.