While the origins of the name Willoughby are unknown, the city's impact on its residents is undeniable. Surrounded by several amenities, locals have no trouble finding things to do in Willoughby. "My husband and I both grew up in this charming little town. It’s the center of our universe," says Pat Lewis, a member of the Willoughby Historical Society. "There’s just something magical about this town. I fell in love with the historic buildings still serving the younger generation."
Residents of Willoughby work in various fields, including education, health care, and real estate. K&D Group, a major real estate company, is the leading seller of homes and apartments in the area. The city also boasts several parks, including Chagrin River Park, home to the Chagrin River. Over the past 12,000 years, the river has carved deep ravines and connected them to wetlands.
The Chagrin River winds through Downtown Willoughby, eventually meeting Lake Erie's shore.
The community celebrates a rich railroad history,with this arch outside of Downtown Willoughby.
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Parks galore in this outdoorsy city
Chagrin River Park, a 227-acre site, has become a popular gathering spot for Willoughby residents, who visit to watch great blue herons and kingfishers near the river, hike, picnic, and kayak. Three miles north, Osborne Park offers locals access to cornhole boards, a 9-hole disc golf course, a skateboard park, and a lawn area with views of Lake Erie. The park also hosts a flea market annually, from June through July.
Classic Park, in Eastlake, is home to the Lake County Captains, a high-A minor league baseball team affiliated with the Cleveland Guardians. The park draws an average of 194,000 fans annually. "It’s a smaller, family-friendly park with plenty of games in the summertime. They even have quirky, random toilet seats, and people stayed overnight during the total eclipse," says Jackie Allen, children's associate at the Willoughby Public Library.
Gully Brook Park, a 177-acre site, serves as a sanctuary for local plant and wildlife species, with more than a mile of land protected by its watershed. "Gully Brook Park is also home to some unique wildlife," says Sharon Metzung, chief of marketing for Lake Metroparks. "Water starwort, a specialized cold-water plant, is found in small numbers. A small grove of pumpkin ash, an uncommon swamp forest tree, can also be seen in the valley."
Willoughby’s Chagrin River Park offers many trails for short or long walks by the river.
Attend a Lake County Captains Professional Baseball game in Eastlake-Willowick.
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Median home price is two times below national average
With a population of about 24,000, Willoughby includes neighborhoods such as downtown Willoughby and Eastlake, featuring bungalows and Cape Cod-style homes with spacious front lawns and numerous American flagpoles. The median home price in Willoughby is about half the national average, around $235,000.
Most homes in nearby communities like Eastlake are affordable, typically priced in the $200,000 range. Colonials and ranch-style homes in the heart of the city range from $400,000 to $500,000, while estates in the eastern part of the city can reach prices as high as $1.5 million.
Unique and well-maintained homes line the residential streets in Downtown Willoughby.
The architectural styles in Downtown Willoughby range from traditional to truly unique.
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Shop retail at open-air Willoughby Commons, restaurants nearby
Willoughby Commons, the largest open-air shopping center in Lake County, Ohio, features big-box retailers such as BJ’s Wholesale, Target, and Giant Eagle Supermarket. National food chains like Buffalo Wild Wings, Firehouse Subs, and Red Robin are also available to residents at the center.
Downtown Willoughby is home to a variety of local mom-and-pop stores and eateries. Shops like Enchanted Grove, W Brown Custom Jewelry & Design, and Finestra Gallery offer unique gifts to residents. The area also boasts 14 restaurants and bars, including Ballantine, a gastropub with live DJs on Friday and Saturday nights. Frank & Tony’s Place, dubbed the "Original Five Star Dive Bar," is another local favorite.
Residents of Eastlake-Willowick keep their pantries stocked by shopping Giant Eagle.
Superbloom Studios, in Willoughby, offers handmade goods and metaphysical services.
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Historic Downtown Willoughby holds monthly events
Historic Downtown Willoughby is a brick-lined arts district popular for its bars, mom-and-pop shops, and restaurants. The Heart of Willoughby Outdoor Market, held from May through October, is a farmers market that offers a variety of vendors selling plants, fresh bakery goods, creative crafts, and more. The Fine Arts Association, located in downtown Willoughby, hosts live performances and professional recitals by local musicians.
Dog owners in Downtown Willoughby will love the services on offer at Barktown.
Warm Saturday mornings start with a visit to the farmer's market, in downtown willoughby.
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Free produce market through school district
The Willoughby-Eastlake City School District is the city's central school district, serving nearly 7,200 Pre-K-12 students, earning a B-minus grade on Niche. The district oversees 14 schools, including North and South high schools, which serve as distribution sites for the district's free fresh produce market, open to the community. Four-year institutions such as Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland State University are located 18 miles south of the city.
South High School is in Downtown Willoughby.
Many children walk and bike to Willoughby’s Edison Elementary School.
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Access to two State Routes, Interstate-90
U.S. Route 20 connects locals to the rural areas west of Toledo and passes through Public Square in Cleveland. State Route 2, also known as Lakeland Freeway, runs parallel to Interstate 90 and links Willoughby to suburban areas in Lake and Cuyahoga counties. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, located 30 miles west of the city, is the largest and busiest airport in the state.
Low crime and environmental concerns
According to the Willoughby Police Department, crime rates in the city have been very low over the past two years. School closures often occur due to subzero wind chills or heavy snowfall.
Jason can only describe his love of Cleveland area homes and neighborhoods as a passion. A lifelong Clevelander... Jason is on a mission to highlight the amazing communities around northeast Ohio and leverage his deep knowledge of residential construction in helping his clients successfully buy and sell residential property. When not working in real estate and design/construction, you can find Jason spending time with his four daughters dining in one of Cleveland's many amazing restaurants, taking in the arts and culture at University Circle, or cheering on the Guardians, Cavs, Browns and Buckeyes.
Jason brings a lifetime of experience and knowledge working in residential structures through his ownership/operator position at his boutique residential design/build firm, The Beard Group, Ltd. and Brightwater Interior Design. Jason is the Team Leader for his four-member real estate team practicing at Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan.
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.
