Sought-after community on the Ohio-Michigan border
Most folks wouldn't expect to find dinosaurs in the suburbs of Toledo, but they can find plenty in the Sylvania Fossil Park. It's one of two places in the world where people with no paleontological experience can dig for fossils. The site's brachiopods, coral and more than 200 other prehistoric species have been encased in shale for 375 million years. But there's plenty going on above ground as well. With about 19,000 residents, Sylvania has a strong public school district, a hospital and direct commuter access to the big city. "There's a lot of new housing and subdivisions throughout Sylvania that attracts people to the area. It's rare that you'll find a home built over 40 years ago," says Realtor Cyndi Ferrell, who sells homes in the city with NextHome Elevate.
Even though the city has grown rapidly over the past few decades, its story goes back centuries. Its history includes the important role that it played during the abolitionist movement. The Lathrop House and the Harroun Family Barn, which both stand to this day, were stops on the Underground Railroad.
Fossil Park in Sylvania is a great place to bring the kids to dig for actual fossils.
Flower Hospital serves the Sylvania community.
The Lathrop House in Sylvania is a historic site located just outside of Harroun Park.
The Harroun Barn still stands in Sylvania on the Flower Hospital property.
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New Traditionals and Colonial Revival-style homes
“It’s a tight-knit community with an inviting atmosphere,” says Realtor Matthew Watson, who lives in the city and sells homes with RE/MAX Preferred Associates. “The neighborhoods have a lot of greenery.” The draw of Sylvania, as opposed to Toledo proper, is its sidewalk-lined suburban streets shaded by dogwood trees. Sylvania's median single-family price is $325,000, compared to Toledo's median of $124,000 and the national median of $412,000. Some neighborhoods are made up of Colonial Revival-style homes, while others are filled with contemporaries and New Traditionals. Most are priced from $210,000 to $660,000, while there are condos priced as low as $110,000 and luxury houses priced as high as $970,000. “The taxes are little higher than Toledo,” Watson says. Parts of some neighborhoods experience high flood risk.
Colonial Revival homes stand out in Sylvania.
Owners take great pride in maintaining their Colonial Revival homes in Sylvania.
Contemporary homes are popping up all over the Sylvania area.
There is a wide variety of home styles in Sylvania including New Traditional.
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The Sylvania City School District ranks high
Niche ranks the Sylvania City School District as the fifth-best district in the Toledo Metropolitan Area and gives it an A-minus Niche rating. The reading proficiency is 75%, and the math proficiency is 68% -- both of which exceed state and national averages. There are 12 public schools, including two high schools. The school district's graduation rate is 95%, compared to Toledo Public Schools' 70% graduation rate. Within the city, Lourdes University, a private Franciscan university, has about 920 undergraduates and 300 postgraduates. The public school district and the university are two of the top employers.
Students are taught a challenging curriculum at Northview High School in Sylvania.
Southview High School in Sylvania is known for its excellent sports programs.
Students are challenged to excel at Maplewood Elementary in Sylvania.
Lourdes University in Sylvania is located in the heart of the city.
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Two Toledo metroparks
Residents can stay active throughout the year, even during the humid summers and snowy winters. The city is home to Secor Metropark and Wildwood Preserve Metropark, both part of Toledo's award-winning metropark system. These greenspaces have miles of cinder trails that wind through dense forestlands and a floodplain. During the holidays, visitors can explore the festively decorated Wildwood Manor House, which was built in 1938 in the Georgian colonial style. A short walk from most neighborhoods, paved trails connect several urban greenspaces that have athletic fields and playgrounds. "The community youth sports program is also big in the area," Ferrel explains. "Kids who start out in a youth league will likely stay with the team until they graduate from high school." The city borders the Toledo Botanical Garden, which has over 60 acres of flower, herb and vegetable gardens. There is also a country club and public golf clubs.
Secor Metropark near Sylvania is known for it's extensive hiking trails.
Wildwood Manor House once owned by the Stranahan family is a beautiful Sylvania landmark.
Toledo Botanical Gardens in Sylvania has well maintained flower gardens and grounds.
The Sylvania Country Club is one of the premier country clubs in Sylvania.
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Big-box retail and Toledo favorites like Tony Packo's
Central Avenue has multiple fast-food franchises and big-box retailers like Kroger and Walmart, while West Alexis Road and Monroe Street have local restaurants. Tony Packo's, a Toledo classic, has a location in Sylvania, where it serves Hungarian specialties like hot dogs and paprikash dumplings. Mancy's Italian Grill has been family-owned since 1921 and serves steaks and fine wines. Multiple shopping and dining strip malls are near Lourdes University.
Residents of Sylvania can get all their grocery needs at the local Kroger.
Big retailers such as Walmart make shopping convenient for the residents of Sylvania.
Mancy's Italian Grille is a high end Italian restaurant located in Sylvania.
Locals love to frequent Poco Piatti in Sylvania for tapas and small plates.
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A quick commute to Toledo
Interstate 475 runs through the community, allowing direct access to downtown Toledo, which is 13 miles southeast. Toledo is home to major employers like General Electric, Jeep and Owens Corning. "It's conveniently close to everything, but it's still a suburban area," Ferrell says. "People are close to downtown Toledo, and it's close to the highway, so you can get to Michigan quickly as well. There's a lot of community activities around the holidays especially, and there's a lot to do in the downtown area." Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is about 55 miles north via U.S. Route 23 and Interstate 94.
ProMedica operates a nonprofit hospital within the city and is one of its top employers.
Crime
Sylvania’s property and violent crime rates are significantly lower than Toledo's and Ohio’s in general. The city’s rates have also consistently declined over the past three decades.
I am the first Black female Broker/Owner in Northwest Ohio in over 40 years. I take pride in servicing the Greater Toledo area and surrounding suburbs. I have been a Realtor in Michigan since 2004, but I moved to Toledo after the death of my husband in 2016 and I fell in love with the area. From the free Metroparks to the Mudhens, there is so much to see and do in this part of Ohio. If you would like to call Northwest Ohio home, or becoming a investment partner to contribute to explosion of growth we are seening in the number one place to retire and invest in 2024, I encourage you to call me.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
