Exemplary schools, architecture and walkability in a Cleveland Inner-Ring suburb
East of Cleveland, Shaker Heights' historic homes and tree-lined streets made it a picturesque setting for the 2020 miniseries drama "Little Fires Everywhere." This "Garden City" suburb was designed to incorporate the natural greenery and lakes into the urban lifestyle. Today, its transportation, housing, recreation and education options are strong sources of community pride. Shaker Heights' 29,000-plus residents live within nine distinct neighborhoods, each with early 20th-century architecture, sidewalks, and proximity to public transportation into Cleveland, 9 miles west. "People from Shaker identify with being from Shaker — it's a very community-type vibe," says Joel Gabelman, leader of the Gabelman Group at Red One Realty, who is active in the area.
A large English Tudor style home overlooks a well maintained lawn, in Shaker Heights.
Residents in Shaker Heights have easy access to a variety of amenities.
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Sledding and swimming at Thornton Park
Across the city, 23 recreation facilities range from parks to athletic fields to trails. Thornton Park is a mainstay of the area, with a long list of facilities, including pickleball courts, playgrounds and a skate park. The park is open year-round, with a 50-meter swimming pool available from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day and a sledding hill for snowy days. The Thornton Park Ice Arena is available throughout the year for public skating, youth hockey leagues and adult hockey lessons. In the winter, the Shaker Heights Fire Department creates outdoor ice rinks at city parks. Horseshoe Lake Park has a combination of paved, gravel and boardwalk trails totaling over 1 mile, with waterfront views. Cleveland's University Circle is also at Shaker Heights' doorstep, home to the Museums of Art and Natural History.
Multiple art installations line an alleyway in the Van Aken District in Shaker Heights.
Shaker Heights families can enjoy a swim on a hot summer day, at Thornton Park.
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Tudor, Colonial Revival and Dutch Colonial Homes
Tight-knit neighborhoods come together for block parties, movie nights and other gatherings. "My block hosts Pizza Friday every Friday during the summer," says Karen Nordstrom, a Realtor with Howard Hanna who has lived in the city for over 20 years. Tree canopies, sidewalks and historic architecture unify the nine neighborhoods. Much of the town is listed under the National Register of Historic Places and is governed by an Architecture Review Board with stringent building codes. Most properties were built in the 1920s and '30s, reflecting the popular styles of the period, including Tudor, Colonial Revival, Dutch Colonial and French Eclectic. The median single-family home price is $400,000, which is about on par with the national average and well above average for Cleveland.
Shaker Heights is known for its many Tudor style homes.
Tudor style homes are typical in Shaker Heights.
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Award-winning music programs at Shaker Heights schools
Shaker Heights Schools earns an overall A-minus from Niche and was the first district in the Cleveland area to offer the International Baccalaureate program for kids in preschool through twelfth grade. Younger students in the program develop a foundation for internationally minded learning, while high schoolers can earn early college credits and complete independent research and community service projects. The district consistently earns the Best Communities for Music Education award from the National Association of Music Merchants. Students are exposed to various art forms, from general music education in elementary school to theater in middle school and marching band in high school. Nearby in University Circle, Case Western Reserve University is one of two nearby research universities, and offers four-year degree programs in engineering, biomedical sciences and the arts.
Laurel School, in Shaker Heights, is the #1 all girls school in Ohio.
Fernway Elementary School, in Shaker Heights, has an overall Niche score of A.
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Pool parties and parades to celebrate the seasons
Shaker Heights celebrates with parades and pool parties. Memorial Day is a signature event for the city, featuring a ceremony at City Hall, a parade through town and a grand opening ceremony at the Thornton Park pool. The pool also hosts parties on Juneteenth, Fourth of July and Labor Day, featuring live bands or DJs, activities, food and beverages. Furry friends can enjoy the fun during Doggie Dip Day in September. Touch-a-Truck is a kid-friendly event offering an up-close look at city trucks and vehicles from the Recreation, Public Works, Police and Fire departments. The Van Aken District hosts special pop-up events like children's story time, yoga and live music.
Shopping and dining at the Van Aken District
The Van Aken District is the pulse of shopping and dining in Shaker Heights. Centrally located in the city, this 7-acre area has more than 40 shops and eateries. Market Hall is an indoor food hall with finished cement floors and exposed beams giving it a modern industrial feel. Lox, Stock and Brisket offers a modern take on Jewish deli staples. Seating areas and lounges allow diners to enjoy dining to the soundtrack of live music from The Den stage. Locals can go to 1899 Golf for nine holes of simulated mini golf and a menu that includes steaks, burgers, wraps and flatbreads. Heinen's is one grocery option in Shaker Heights, while most other grocery stores are outside the city limits.
Theres always fresh coffee brewing at Rising Star Coffee Roasters near Shaker Heights.
The Van Aken Market Hall is a popular shopping and dining destination near Shaker Heights.
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Public transit is a quarter mile away
A car might not be necessary in Shaker Heights, a city known for its public transportation and walkable, bikeable streets. This includes 200 miles of sidewalks within the city's 6 square miles. The League of American Bicyclists has called Shaker Heights a Bicycle Friendly Community since 2016. Most residents live within a quarter mile of a rapid transit stop through the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. The RTA Green and Blue lines both stop in town. South Woodland Road leads into Cleveland, while Interstates 480 and 271 are within reach for out-of-state travel. For medical services, Cleveland Clinic's South Pointe Hospital is just south, offering around-the-clock emergency care. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, the state's largest and busiest airport, is about 20 miles southwest.
Low crime and an accredited police force
Crime rates are relatively low in Shaker Heights. According to FBI data, violent and property crime rates were significantly lower than state and national averages between 2022 and 2024. The Shaker Heights Police Department is one of four percent of law enforcement agencies in the country with accreditation from the Commission on Accreditations for Law Enforcement Agencies. The SHPD prioritizes its relationship with the community through outreach, engagement and events.
Son of an immigrant father, Jon grew up in his mother’s hometown of Findlay, Ohio. After graduating from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island he began his journey in the Hospitality Industry working as a General Manager in fine dining steakhouses in Nashville TN, Chicago IL, Columbus/Cleveland OH. Always having a strong passion for Real Estate, Jon traded in his career in the restaurant business for his Real Estate License in 2014. Whether Jon is helping an investor client build out their portfolio or guiding a first-time home buyer through the process, he will bring a level of professionalism and client representation you won't want to be without. Jon resides in Lakewood OH with his wife and 3 sons.
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.
