Home to the largest sandstone quarry in the world, Amherst combines the neighborhood feel of a small-town community with modern city amenities in Lorain County, Ohio. “Amherst is desirable for the school system and its proximity to major highways and shopping centers,” says Gail Maier, Realtor with Howard Hanna. Established as a city in 1960, Amherst developed due to the lumber and grindstone industries. Its location along the shore of Lake Erie consists of several quarries with abundant sandstone, which are used to make grindstones commonly used in public building construction. Amherst’s booming grindstone production led to railroad expansion and the city’s recognition as The Sandstone Capital of the World. While there are no active quarries in Amherst today, its sandstone history is seen in local architecture, like the Amherst Town Hall, which was built almost entirely out of sandstone. The city is now home to 13,000 residents, and companies like UH Amherst Health Center and Nordson Corporation, a dispensing equipment manufacturer, are the city’s top employers. Community mainstays like the locally-owned Hot Dog Heaven and seasonal events like the Miracle on Main Street in December play a role in maintaining a strong identity and a know-your-neighbor feel. With a suburban lifestyle and commuter accessibility, Amherst is a sought-after community along Beaver Creek, all just 35 miles outside Cleveland.
Amherst is best known as the sandstone capital of the world.
Sandstone quarries, some nearly 200 feet deep, sit quietly on the outskirts of Amherst.
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Ranch-styles, new builds and expansive Colonial Revivals
Low-cost housing, new builds, and a sense of privacy attract buyers to Amherst. "The market in Amherst is very good,” says Maier, with over a decade of real estate experience in the area. “Home prices are down, but there’s not enough homes on the market right now.” Most homes cost around $265,000, which is $130,000 less than the national average.” Prices range from $240,000 for a three-bedroom ranch-style to upwards of $600,000 for a four-bedroom Colonial Revival with expansive acreage. The housing stock is primarily single-family ranch-style homes; however, 19th-century American Foursquares and bungalows are concentrated downtown. Multi-family townhouses are available in subdivisions like English Lakes starting in the mid-$200,000s. Many subdivisions have developed over the past decade, and new construction is ongoing in neighborhoods like Eagle Ridge and The Reserve At Beaver Creek, beginning in the low $300,000s.
Colorful American Foursquare homes stand out in Amherst.
Some Ranch-style in houses in Amherst sit on wooded lots.
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City parks and gatherings at Maude Neiding Memorial Park
Amherst has a few parks within its borders for residents to enjoy. Amherst residents are accustomed to all four seasons, with average summer highs of 82 degrees Fahrenheit and winter lows of 21 degrees. Maude Neiding Memorial Park is a primary gathering space with a mulched playground, paved walking paths, and an outdoor community pool open from June through August. Amherst Township Park is another option to the east, offering a jungle gym with swings and sports facilities for baseball and soccer. The Amherst Beaver Creek Reservation is on the north side. It has a playground, picnic pavilion and hiking trails across 108 acres. The Beaver Creek Trail is 1.5 miles long and offers waterfront views of Beaver Creek. The public FoxCreek Golf & Racquet Club is in neighboring Lorain. It has an 18-hole championship golf course and an indoor tennis facility for players of all skill levels. For a contemplative time, the Amherst Historical Society is located downtown. Visitors can explore exhibits, preserved landmarks, and artifacts that depict the origin story of Amherst.
Maude Neiding Park, in the heart of Amherst, features a playground, pool, and pavilions for gatherings.
Beaver Creek Reservation is an ideal place for Amherst residents to go for a long walk in nature..
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The annual Miracle on Main Street
Residents can celebrate the start of the holiday season in December at the annual Miracle on Main Street event. It starts with a parade along Park Avenue and features a range of seasonal activities from pictures with Santa to Christmas carols and the holiday market in downtown Amherst. Visitors can grab a free hot chocolate and catch the highly anticipated tree-lighting ceremony at Town Hall.
High marks at Amherst Exempted Village Schools
Families in Amherst are zoned for Amherst Exempted Village School District, which earns a B-plus from the review site Niche. It serves over 3,500 students and is ranked 128 out of 607 for the best school district in Ohio. It has one elementary school, one middle school, one junior high school and one high school. Most students attend Marion L. Steele High School, earning a B-plus with an advanced curriculum with 7 AP courses for higher education preparation. Private options like Lorain Preparatory Academy and St. Joseph Parish School are also available. Those interested in pursuing higher education can look to Lorain County Community College, which awards associate degrees in over 170 programs.
Amherst's Marion L. Steele High School offers a variety of sports programs.
Students from Amherst can attend Walter G. Nord Elementary School.
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Grocers, eateries and breweries in downtown Amherst
Groceries and everyday essentials are available at commercial hubs on the city's north side. Shopping areas like Deerfield Town Center and Light House Commons feature a mix of retailers like Walmart Supercenter, Meijer and Target along Highway 2. Locals can choose between fast-food chains and locally-owned eateries in downtown Amherst when dining in the area. “The downtown area has been improved with lots of places to shop, eat and drink,” says Maier. Notable restaurants include Hot Dog Heaven, which has served classic ball-park fare in the community since 1976. Breweries like The Brew Kettle are also popular, offering a unique selection of seasonal and specialty IPAs in the city's heart.
Hot Dog Heaven, in Amherst, specializes in hot dogs made with customizable toppings.
Amherst locals have quick access to major grocers and local retailers.
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Healthcare and commuting into Cleveland on U.S. I-90
Highway 2 runs along the northern border, connecting residents to neighboring areas and U.S. Interstate 90 for commutes into Cleveland. Amherst has no public transportation; however, the Lorain County Transit bus offers rides to neighboring Lorain and Elyria. When traveling farther, the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is 24 miles away. For healthcare, the UH Amherst Health Center is located in downtown Amherst.
Crime
According to FBI data, the Amherst Police Department’s violent and property crime rates remain well below national figures. Violent crime increased by 700% in 2023, while property crime fell by 4%.
When you choose Glenda Owens as your agent, you will be getting her personal attention and full commitment. She builds relationships with her clients by applying integrity, hard work ethics and creative services in every detail of your real estate transaction.
Glenda has worked in every aspect of the industry representing sellers, buyers, investors, banks, and property management in both residential and commercial market. For the 2021 year, she received the National Sales Excellence Award and Million Dollar Producer with the closing of thirty-two transactions and volume amount of over six million dollars.
Glenda is a passionate about the needs and goals of my clients. she wants to make your real estate transactions personalized to you, bringing you peace of mind that you have a committed agent through every step. She will always be available if you have questions or concerns along the way.
She will together fulfill your wants and needs whether it is with selling your home or finding your new home. Glenda is here to make the future happen for you.
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