Willoughby Hills

When locals like Katherine White Ridley, Realtor with BHHS Professional Realty, think of Willoughby Hills, rural living with convenience to a bustling downtown comes to mind. The area has worked to live up to the community's motto of "Where the city meets the country" since officially becoming a city in 1970.

Homes are set off the winding residential streets, typically behind a canopy of seasonally changing trees. Longstanding residents have created their dream homes here, building on vacant lots or modernizing existing residences. "There's a mix of older and newer homes, so it's really up to what the homebuyer wants," Ridley says. Whether you're looking for a lofty colonial, a modest-sized ranch-style home or a custom build, you'll have options in Willoughby Hills. And if you're looking for a historic home, you'll be in luck. Keep your eyes on the market for century homes from the 1850s, which can feature original flooring and accents. "The homes aren't cookie cutter or backed up next to each other. There are more acreages in Willoughby Hills than Willoughby," Ridley says. Residences often come with a minimum of an acre and as much as 7 acres. Some owners have chosen to combine plots of land to create small homesteads for pastoral living. Settle into your new forever home for the median price of $275,000.

The city is a part of the larger Willoughby-Eastlake School District. Families with children can send their youngest kids to Edison Elementary School. Students can pursue a STEM-focused education at the School of Innovation from third to eighth grade, which has received an overall A from Niche. To finish their primary education, teens often attend South High School, one out of two secondary schools in the district.

Warmer weather brings the community together when schools are out from June to August. According to Ridley, there are all kinds of events in the summertime that see a large turnout from neighbors. The city government supports those that want to start or continue a tradition of an annual block party by offering blockades, visits from council members and a food package from local restaurants. During the season change, the yearly city leaf pickup encourages neighbors to host meetups to clean up the residential streets. The government will arrange for the removal of the bags of leaves, free of charge. Year-round activities hosted by the city occur at the Willoughby Hills Community Center on Chardon Road, including senior luncheons, trivia nights and citywide garage sales.

Willoughby Hills is surrounded by nature with the North Chagrin Reservation to the south, which blends outdoor recreation and wildlife sanctuaries. The expansive green space offers an opportunity to separate from any form of urban living. Find peace of mind from your daily routine during a hike or horseback ride along the trailheads that wind around the Sunset Pond and Sanctuary Marsh, home to various waterfowl. Bring a sled to catch air on the rolling hills peppered through the reservation's open fields in winter. Golf enthusiasts can head to the attached course to relax among friends during a round of golf. Manakiki Golf Course on Eddy Road is open to all residents. Renowned golf architect Donald Ross designed this 18-hole course. The history of the 200-acre course is woven through the large maple trees that line the fairway offering a challenge between the additional up-and-down shots, two canyon holes and water hazards. Hatch-Otis State Nature Preserve to the north overlooks the Chagrin State Scenic River Valley's tree-lined hills. Bird watchers in the community often stop by with binoculars to marvel at the array of wildlife throughout the appointed bird sanctuary.

When you want to find a quiet area that blends nature and community, located on the outskirts of a more active city, Willoughby Hills might be right for you. You can take a back seat from the action or try your hand at it with easy access to downtown Willoughby, a stone's throw away.

Written By

Hannah Rainey

Photography Contributed By

Ryan Nelson

Video By

Alex Finneran