Great schools and plenty of green space in Northfield Center
Home to about 5,500 people and surrounded by nature, the township of Northfield Center has a suburban vibe and stellar schools within a 30-minute commute of Cleveland and Akron. “It’s been a community that has grown quite a bit in the last 30 years with new housing,” says Holly Zingale, a Realtor with Keller Williams Chervenic Realty. “It’s a good halfway point for people who commute. It’s in the middle of a lot of things in the metropolitan area, and I think that has brought a lot of people into the area.” The community is close to Cuyahoga National Park, a scenic hiking destination with views of waterfalls, streams and gorges. Zingale adds that “I know a lot of people who grow up there stay there, or they leave and come back. I didn’t grow up there… but the people I do know are still friends to this day, from the time they were in elementary school, and they’re still friends in their 50s.”
Nearby nature spots and a national park offer plenty of activities
Beacon Hills Park has a playground, pickleball courts and a rentable pavilion. A few miles from home, Brecksville Reservation stretches across more than 4,300 acres, offering scenic routes for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Cuyahoga Valley National Park borders the community and draws outdoor enthusiasts with over 125 miles of paths, including the 1.5-mile Brandywine Gorge Loop, which showcases the stunning 60-foot Brandywine Falls. The Red Lock Trailhead connects adventurers to key routes like the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath and the Cuyahoga River Water Trail, a recreational water route for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and fishing along the U-shaped river. Residents are also close to indoor entertainment and horse racing at MGM Northfield Park.
Midcentury homes and condos have lush lawns
Large lawns and mature trees provide a park-like setting in parts of Northfield Center. On average, homes sell after two days on the market, well below the national average of 53 days. While there are no sidewalks outside of the commercial core along Olde Eight Road, most residential streets are quiet with little traffic. Some of the township’s American Foursquare, bungalow and National-style homes date back to the late 1800s, but development picked up during the 1950s, producing ranch-style homes, cottages and split-levels. Condos and townhouses range from $100,000 to $260,000, while smaller cottages and three-bedroom homes sell for $150,000 to $250,000. Larger post-war houses cost between $250,000 and $400,000, but some homes built after 2010 can cost up to $450,000.
Highly rated public and private school options
The Nordonia Hills City School District serves the communities of Northfield, Northfield Center, Macedonia and Sagamore Hills. Students may start at Northfield Elementary School, which receives an A-minus grade from Niche, before heading to A-rated Lee Eaton Intermediate School. Nordonia Middle School receives an A, while Nordonia High School is graded B-plus. The high school offers Advanced Placement (AP) classes and dual-enrollment courses. The community rallies around the Nordonia Knights football team and the high school has several NFL alumni, including Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward. The A-rated St. Barnabas Catholic School offers private education for kids in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
About 30 minutes from Cleveland and Akron
Residents have easy access to regional highways like Interstate 271. While most people drive, there are a handful of Akron Metro bus stops on the major thoroughfares of Olde Eight Road and Aurora Road. Akron and Cleveland are within a 20-mile drive and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is about 30 miles away. Emergency medical care is available about 5 miles away at the Cleveland Clinic Twinsburg Family Health and Surgery Center.
Some shops and restaurants close by, with more options in Macedonia
The township is primarily residential, but there are a handful of local restaurants nearby. Casual dining options include Luna’s Family Restaurant, Spennato’s Ristorante and Pizzeria, and the seasonal Rosati’s Frozen Custard. The Crossings at Golden Link has Target, Lowe’s and Giant Eagle for groceries. Neighboring Macedonia has shopping centers and grocery stores like Aldi, Giant Eagle and Walmart. Macedonia Commons has retail shopping at Hobby Lobby, Maurices and Famous Footwear. Winking Lizard Tavern, an Ohio franchise, offers American fare and a lengthy beer menu.
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Written By
Leslie Klosterman
