Youngstown

One mile outside the downtown district of Youngstown is the spacious neighborhood of Arlington. Many houses have been torn down in recent years, leaving behind large plots of land between the remaining dwellings. Fewer than 1,000 people call the neighborhood home, most of whom are renters at the large apartment buildings in the northwest corner. With the number of homes steadily decreasing and YSU facilities growing, housing availability is low. However, those who can find a home in the area can expect highly convenient proximity to some of the city's best features, including those provided by Youngstown State University. Sidewalks are overgrown with grass and roots, but nearby churches, restaurants and Mercy Health – St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital are within walking distance of many Arlington homes. A few bus lines run along the area's main roads, adding some accessibility to Belmont Ave, where many do their grocery shopping at Dollar General. Mahoning County Sheriff's Office is nearby, bringing additional sounds of emergency vehicles and sirens to the area alongside the hospital. The area is bordered by Interstate 422 to the north, so traffic noises are common. Wick Park has winding walking trails, and tall pine and evergreen trees provide shade for walkers and disc golfers. Across the river, Mill Creek Park has some of the area's best features. "It's the jewel of the city. There are fields and courts for every sport, and the rose garden and associated restaurant are incredible," says Carol Rimedio-Righetti, a Mahoning County Commissioner. Scenic spillways from Lake Glacier flow into the Mahoning River, which one can observe from the lookouts and botanical gardens of the park's north-end location. Those who would rather watch a sport than play a sport can catch a YSU Penguins game at Farmers National Bank Field or Stambaugh Stadium. Though small, the area is home to multiple churches, including Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Church. The church has impressive Byzantine architecture and services many Eastern European descendants living in Greater Youngstown. Arlington residents can visit the university's cafes, libraries and museums. "They host the Venus Art Show, and there are concerts, hockey games, festivals and fairs that they organize on campus for the whole community," Rimedio-Righetti notes regarding the university's involvement. A few fast-food chains are in Arlington, including McDonald's and Taco Bell. Still, locals can access a few independent eateries in and around their neighborhood. Charlie Staples Pitt Boss is a New Orleans-themed restaurant with a coordinating giant mural inside. Heaping plates of ribs and pulled pork are the go-to items, usually accompanied by a loaded baked potato. In an old Queen Anne Victorian house with bay windows is Pressed Coffee Bar & Eatery. The spot is popular amongst students and staff for its grab-and-go breakfast items. It also has fresh coffee, frittatas and paninis. Of the remaining houses in the area, simple worker's cottages with vinyl siding are standard. Small Colonial homes built in the first decade of the 1900s also sit on the gridded streets. While some houses can reach up to $75,000, most homes sit around the median price of $41,000. Remnants of house foundations sit along the streets, and those remaining are often in poor condition, with peeling siding and boarded-up windows. Harding Elementary School is rated a C-minus by Niche and is where young students can expect to begin learning. Kirkmere School serves kindergarten through eighth grade but is transitioning to be only a middle school starting in the 2024/2025 school year. It is rated a C-plus, as is East High School. Home of the Golden Bears, East High has a competitive sports program, including a distinct e-sports program where competition meets technology. The neighborhood has an overall CAP Index score of 9/10, with sexual assault, assault with a weapon and robbery rating at 10/10. Homicide receives a 9, while motor vehicle theft and larceny rate an 8.

With moderately spacious lots and trim lawns dotted with the occasional oak or maple, Bella Vista homes sit along wide gridded streets. "The neighborhood has people who care about their homes and yards. Residents like to support local businesses, and the area has beautiful assets, like Mill Creek Metro Park, that really make the area a desirable place to live and work," says local Sharon Letson, the Executive Director of the community nonprofit Youngstown CityScape. Working professionals have quick commutes, with some heading just a street west to the industrial complexes and others going a few miles south to downtown. Belle Vista is very close to downtown, but while the city center “has its own revitalization going on, it’s not like places like Downtown Cleveland where there’s something for everyone,” Cynthia Cursaro, area expert and Realtor at Tri Sun Real Estate, says. Realtor Maureen Spear of Nexthome Go30 Realty agrees, saying that having more shopping in the area would be beneficial. For now, shoppers find everyday needs at CVS or Family Dollar and buy groceries at Walmart in Austintown 4-1/2 miles away. The Landmark, just south of the neighborhood, is a cherished restaurant and bakery with loaded breakfast plates and an army of sweet treats. At Westside Bowl, locals can dig into no-frills appetizers while they dominate the lanes. The establishment also doubles as a live music venue, filling its black-lit alleys with tunes of every genre in the evenings. Youngstown CityScape has been a part of the community for over 25 years and runs a greenhouse and floral shop in the neighborhood. The Michael Kusalaba Library provides resources and hosts events, such as book clubs and English classes for second language learners. Spear shares that the west side of Youngstown backs right up to Mill Creek Park, putting Belle Vista right beside the park’s northernmost entrance. The recreational hub spans over 2,500 acres and includes sprawling views of the Mahoning River and its waterfalls. “I love it there,” Spear says. “It’s an absolutely beautiful park with hiking and biking trails, a garden area, a nature center and a golf course. We’re very lucky to have it.” Kids can play all day at the park’s recreation area, and a free summer concert series plays annually at the Judge Leo P. Morley Performing Arts Pavilion. Outside the neighborhood’s industrial areas, Belle Vista's architecture creates a sense of visual calm. Compact cottages, Cape Cods and Craftsman-style quarters sit farther back on lots, offering ample yard space that cushions road noise. House aesthetics are kept clean and simple, originating from National Folk designs that were once popular in the Midwest. Most houses were constructed around the 1920s, but some date as far back as 1900 and others were built in the 1950s. Prices hover between $60,000 and $80,000 for investment properties, while move-in-ready and renovated options can cost up to $150,000. Neighbors get along just fine; they’ll wave to each other while mowing the lawn, watch over each other’s properties when someone goes out of town or meet up for breakfast before Sunday service. Stambaugh Charter Academy caters to kindergarten through eighth graders and has a C grade on Niche. The charter's advanced learning program offers specialized curriculums for high-achieving students. However, most students are zoned for Volney Rogers Elementary School, which teaches prekindergarten through fifth grade. Due to overcrowding at the nearby Kirkmere Elementary School, Volney also serves around 50 extra students from surrounding communities. Each month, Chaney Middle School chooses a male and female scholar in each grade to celebrate their achievements and worth ethic. High schoolers attend Chaney High School, which promises a STEM magnet program. All three schools have a score of C-minus. “Youngstown has twice the expressway system of towns much larger than us,” Cursaro says. “We have a lot of highway, so you can get anywhere within a few minutes.” Interstate 680 creates Belle Vista’s eastern border and leads downtown, roughly 3-1/2 miles east. Locals can also travel via the Western Reserve Transit Authority; bus stops are dotted along Mahoning Avenue, North Meridian Road, North Hazelwood Avenue and Connecticut Avenue. Mercy Health's St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital sits about 4 miles east, while Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport sits 12-1/2 miles to the south. The area’s overall CAP Index Score is 5, versus the national average of 4. However, the area does have a score of 7 for homicide. Youngstown has a citywide initiative to reduce violence in the community, and the Youngstown Police Department has a station off Mahoning Avenue, putting first responders right at the base of Belle Vista. “There’s a really good police presence,” Cursaro says. “People get to know the names of the police officers assigned to their streets, and the officers get to know where residents live.”

During Youngstown's booming industrial era, thousands of Italian immigrants moved to the quiet streets of Brier Hill to work in the steel factories nearby. This working-class community became known as the city's unofficial 'Little Italy.' After the steel industry collapsed in the 1950s, many residents left to find work elsewhere, and the neighborhood's rich Italian culture eventually dwindled. While Brier Hill is now home to a diverse community of people from all different backgrounds, the neighborhood's Italian Heritage is kept alive through annual festivals and the locally famous Brier Hill Pizza. Local librarian and long-time resident of the area, Beth Krilch, says, "Brier Hill is known for a specific type of pizza; you'll find restaurants serving 'Brier Hill pizza,' and everyone knows what that style is." Originating from the Basilicata region of Italy, the neighborhood's namesake dish is sold at several restaurants across the area and consists of a crunchy crust layered with sweet tomato sauce, bell peppers, and Romano cheese rather than mozzarella. While Italian cuisine is what Brier Hill is best known for, new restaurants like Lickers BBQ and Lees Borderline Bar and Grill have become quite popular among residents in recent years. Locals can shop for everyday necessities at Dollar General or take a short drive to Union Square Plaza to find discounts on groceries and other essentials. Krilch says, "Almost every town around Youngstown has a festival, and every festival has its own niche food." For the last 30 years, Brier Hill residents have gathered at St. Anthony's Church to celebrate their community's Italian Heritage. At the neighborhood's annual three-day festival, locals reminisce on the days when Brier Hill was known as Ohio's 'Little Italy.' Festivalgoers share old memories over authentic Brier Hill pizza and honor their community's past with traditions like the St. Rocco procession. American Foursquares and stick homes built at the beginning of the 19th century are settled along the gride-like streets in Brier Hill. Paved driveways lead to one-car detached garages hidden behind these two-story houses. Narrow yards feature old concrete stairways leading to spacious front porches shaded by low-sloping roofs. Established in 2006, Arlington Heights is an organized subdivision with a community park and modern Craftsman homes. Many of these newer homes have built-in wooden decks and open backyards perfect for Friday night cookouts with friends. While a new house in Arlington Heights can cost $100,000, most homes in Brier Hill list between $25,000 and $75,000. Locals can break a sweat at the indoor gymnasium and fitness center or practice their serves on the outdoor tennis courts at the Eugenia Atkinson Recreation Center and Park. Parents can watch their kids swing on the playground from the shaded picnic pavilions at the park. Mill Creek Park is an award-winning metro park just outside the neighborhood that offers a variety of outdoor recreations, like kayaking on Lake Glacier or hiking through the hills of Mill Creek Valley. During the summer, the North Side Pool is a popular place for residents to cool off and get to know their neighbors. US Route 422 connects residents to the hospital and amenities in downtown Youngstown in less than 10 minutes. This major road separates the neighborhood from the government facilities and industrial plants along the Mahoning River. Interstate 80 sits just north of Brier Hill and connects to Highway 193, which takes locals to the Youngstown Warren Regional Airport in about 20 minutes. Brier Hill students may attend Youngstown City public schools. Children start kindergarten at Harding Elementary, which receives an overall C-minus and A-minus for diversity from Niche. After fifth grade, students can transition to East Middle School and move to East High in ninth grade. This local high school is rated an overall C-minus on Niche and offers a unique Career Technical Training program through its partnership with the Choffin Career and Technical Center.

The oaks and maple trees of northeast Ohio shade the winding streets of Buckeye Plat. Additionally, the Mahoning River flows through the neighborhood's eastern portion, making it a noteworthy feature of the landscape. "The residential areas are scenic and peaceful [here]," says Jennifer Muhlenkamp, a longtime resident. Another characteristic that defines the eastern border is a Youngstown & Austintown Railroad track that runs north to south. "It creates an industrial section," says 20-year Realtor Debbie Mook of Klacik Real Estate, who is also a nearby resident. "Here, you'll find construction businesses, landscaping businesses, concrete mixing companies, places like that." With downtown Youngstown just a 3.6-mile drive, commuting is convenient for residents. Interstate 680 and Ohio Route 62 are easily accessible, and the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport is a 20-mile drive via local streets. Additionally, the area is served by several Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA) bus stops. Buckeye Plat has a few small grocery stores, such as Rashid's Market and Ok-Soon's Oriental Food Shop, which offer limited supplies. Sparkle Markets, a 2-mile drive on local streets, has a full selection of everyday necessities. Cricket's Bar and Grill is a local watering hole located on East Mahoning Avenue. Here, locals can watch live performances while dining on small bites and sandwiches. There is also an outdoor patio. For more extensive retail runs, Southern Park Mall is a 6-mile drive via back roads, offering market-exclusive brands, locally owned specialty shops and a Cinemark movie theater. Downtown Youngstown offers residents a wider variety of entertainment options, and Poland Avenue takes residents on a direct route north. Here, visitors can go to trendy restaurants and bars or visit the rotating shows at the art museum or performing arts center. Many of the residences date back to the turn of the 20th century, while others were built from the 20s through midcentury. A few homes feature barn-shaped roofs, tapping into modern farmhouse designs and embracing the charm of Ohio's rural and agricultural history. Two-story homes draw from the simplistic designs of National Folk architecture, a style devoted to accessible materials and nonfrivolous designs. Additional styles include Craftsman and ranch-style, and prices range from $21,000 to $108,000. Lots are on the small side, about 1/8 acre, suitable for a small garden or sitting area. Homes either have detached garages or utilize street parking. "Because the area is more affordable, we see a lot of first-time buyers and investors," Mook says. Buckeye Plat is surrounded by parks, green spaces and natural scenery. Pemberton Park covers 23.4 acres and offers amenities such as a picnic area, ball fields, a basketball court and parking. Homestead Park is another neighborhood recreational green space, featuring a playground, basketball court and picnic area. Locals can access the river's launch area for canoeing and kayaking on Bob Cene Way. Students can start their education at William H. Taft Elementary School and move on to Chaney Middle School, which serves grades K through eight. Both schools have C-minus grades from Niche. Chaney High School, which also has a C-minus Niche score, is a STEM school that provides students with learning experiences through a focus on math, science, engineering and technology.

The urban streets of Downtown Youngstown are glimpses into the surging industry city it once was in the ‘60s. Historic buildings now accommodate trendy restaurants and multifamily developments, like the brick Ohio One Corporation building, which now caters to office spaces and apartments. Youngstown State University centers the downtown area, drawing in students and an influx of renters. While the surrounding neighborhoods echo into calm suburbia, Downtown Youngstown remains lively, full of art to see and trendy places to be with friends, family and new faces. Single-family properties scarcely pop onto the market due to such a limited selection. A few shotgun-style homes that stretch backward on narrow lots can be found in east downtown. Some others feature National Folk architecture, known for plain vinyl exteriors and sparing details. That said, multifamily properties, such as condominiums and apartments, are the more popular style of living downtown since the majority of residents here are renters. The average home value in Downtown Youngstown is $109,202. As the epicenter of the city, it would make sense that young residents of downtown are served by the Youngstown City School District. They can start their academic journey just across the river at Williamson Elementary, rated C-minus on Niche. They may stay at this school until they finish eighth grade. From there, they’ll attend East High School, which also has a C-minus-rating on Niche. Home of the Golden Bears, this high school features a strong athletic program, with a variety of varsity robust, such as wrestling, basketball, bowling, cross country and football. Close to the Mahoning River, the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater draws people from all over the community together for live concerts. Overlooking the Market Street bridge one way and downtown’s skyline the other, the grassy park encompassing the stage feels like the community’s shared front lawn. Butler Institute of American Art, tucked into the Youngstown State University campus, channels the voices of America onto canvases. The museum is always free to the public, encouraging residents to partake in the cultural experience on any given day. The Phelps Street Gateway is a popular destination for a night out to eat. “They have string lights between the two buildings. It’s a narrow pedestrian-only street,” says Erica Winner-Sauceman, local real estate expert with Keller Williams Realty. “They have restaurants in between the building like V2 Wine Bar and Gringo’s Tacos and Taqueria, and you can dine outside on patios.” V2 Wine Bar and Trattoria offers sophisticated plates of familiar favorites and a long list of red and white wines. As for day-to-day errands, Downtown Circle is a local one-stop shop with a small selection of grocery needs. However, more extensive grocery shopping might take folks a couple miles north to Save A Lot. Oh Wow!, a children's museum true to its name, offers an exciting and playful learning experience for youth. Hands-on exhibits encourage children to engage with science and technology, blending education and lighthearted fun. While the art and children’s museums cater to two particular tastes, the Arms Family Museum balances the playing field for history buffs. The early 1900s home is full of artifacts and period pieces, allowing visitors to step back in time. About a mile south, the DeYor Performing Arts Center hosts a variety of musical, dance and theater performances. Aside from all the art, Stambaugh Stadium fills up with spirited sports fans each athletic season. Main thoroughfares surround Downtown Youngstown, including Interstate 680, U.S. Highway 422 and U.S. Highway 62. Additionally, public transportation is easily accessible, thanks to all the Western Reserve Transit Authority bus stops that dot the map.

As punk-country music floods out of the front door—yes, punk country—East Side residents sit around the folding chairs and rickety benches lining the brick walls of Royal Oaks Bar and Grill, enjoying each other’s company with cold Pabst beers in hand. This gritty dive bar may appear a bit rough around the edges, but that’s the appeal, and it brings the residents of East Side together over and over again for live music and weekly barbeque specials. The music fades over East Side’s residential streets, where a mix of modest two-story houses and clusters of stretching oak and maple trees reside. “The people on the east side were once all steelworkers because they lived near the factories. The people who lived here were the core of the city,” says Realtor Debbie Mook with Klacik Real Estate, who has over 20 years of experience in Ohio real estate. Various architectural variations exist throughout the area, including Four Squares and Colonial-inspired homes. Most homes offer a two-story plan and an average 5,500-square-foot lot space. These residences provide enough room for a colorful flower plot in the front yard or a grassy patch for outdoor play, and sidewalks encourage residents to step out their door and head right into a leisurely stroll. Shotgun cottages are among the most notable designs, stretching backward behind narrow frames. Comparatively, Craftsman bungalows feature boxy dimensions with broad front porches. According to Mook, the housing market moves slowly due to the transience of long-standing residents. Most listings feature fixer-uppers or open lots between $10,000 and $80,000. Neighborhood schools include Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, which scored a six out of 10 for student progress, according to GreatSchools. Rayen Early College Middle scored a seven out of 10 for student progress. East High School scored a five out of 10 for student progress. The school offers college and career counseling throughout all four years of school to ensure student success. Students can also enroll in Rayen Early College High School, which scored a seven out of 10 for student progress on GreatSchools. Lincoln Park sits on the outskirts of the neighborhood, where residents can often be found taking their children to the play area, playing basketball or having a picnic. There is a large, leafy lawn and a stream that winds through thickets of forest. Residents like to walk along the stream or take their pups on a woodland walk. Straying from industry, downtown Youngstown has shifted its focus toward trendy restaurant businesses, museums and the local university. Although the factories have closed, the rich history of Youngstown’s earliest days remains in the generations that began and still reside in areas like East Side. Beneath the exterior of the historic neighborhood, there is a core community that is sturdy and deeply familiar with each other. East Side has the potential to feel like an extended family. “It’s a very social town. People are always together, and everybody knows everybody,” says Mook. Residents will likely pass a familiar face anywhere, whether it's a trip to the grocery store or a visit to Royal Oaks Bar and Grill. “They have live music all the time, and they’re always in the media. They were even on Bar Rescue,” says Mook, referring to the hit TV show from Paramount Network. Family Dollar is available on the neighborhood's east end for grocery needs, and Save A Lot is around 2 miles down the road. Most residents hop on the nearby Interstate 680 and head to Boardman for retail needs, where there are big box stores like Target, Hobby Lobby and Walmart. There are also bus stops throughout the area to connect residents throughout Youngstown and beyond. Medical necessities can be treated at Saint Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, about 2 miles away. Even on a day full of errands, as a resident of East Side, residents can look forward to returning home beneath the twisting arms of oaks—unless they make a stop at the bar first.