Named for its resident school of John Carroll University, the Cleveland suburb of University Heights is known for its architecture. Neighbors take pride in their brick colonials and Tudor-style residences, grow organic gardens in their backyards and buy clothes and fresh produce up the road at a major shopping center.
Architecture is vital to University Heights. Its nickname is “the City of Beautiful Homes.” Every year, the town gives out “Beautiful Home Awards” to residents with the best front doors and the most curb appeal. Dozens of brick colonials, split-levels, ranch-style houses and Tudor homes sit next to each other on cracked, enclosed suburban streets. Red, yellow and tan brick get incorporated with other materials, like wood and vinyl, in the exteriors of some University Heights homes. Houses sit behind sidewalks and at the end of driveways, usually without a garage. The average home value is about $240,000, but some residences in University Heights can cost up to $800,000.
The city gets its name from John Carroll University, a private Jesuit liberal arts school with about 2,500 students. The school has rolling green lawns and brick buildings on its 62-acre campus. Its multipurpose field, Don Shula Stadium at Wasmer Field, is home to John Carroll football and soccer teams. Neighbors can pop over to the stadium to catch a game during the season. Down the street from the college, kids play on the playgrounds and people stroll along the paved pathways at Walter Stinson Community Park, colloquially known as “The Walt.” When the weather gets warm, outdoor concerts happen at The Walt’s band gazebo. Yoga in the park happens on Tuesday nights in the summer. Tennis matches and picnics happen at Purvis Park, which has a municipal swimming pool open only to University Heights residents.
University Heights kicks off the summer every year with its Memorial Day Parade. Kids ride and wave from cars, local officials march and musicians play brass instruments as they cross the city. Since 1966, the parade has only been canceled once, in 2020.
Retail in University Heights includes chain stores and local merchants. Neighbors shop for shoes at Macy’s and pick up essentials at Target at the University Square shopping mall. A mixture of apartments and new retailers could come to the mall. Whole Foods Market sells organic produce and healthy fare across from the mall, and neighbors go out to eat at Geraci’s Restaurant, an upscale Italian eatery serving pasta and toasted ravioli to patrons sitting in cozy leather booths.
University Heights sits 9 miles east of downtown Cleveland. The drive is about 30 minutes with traffic. Neighbors can take advantage of public transit via the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority and take the bus and the Red Line to downtown. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is about 30 minutes away by car.
University Heights is part of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District, which teaches about 5,000 students. Where kids go to school depends on their home address. Some children in University Heights attend Gearity Professional Development Elementary School, rated C by Niche, Monticello Middle School, rated C-minus, and Cleveland Heights High School, rated B-minus. Heights, as it’s called, is known for its strong music program.
Jessica Ivans
Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan
(440) 530-6849
59 Total Sales
1 in University Heights
$210,000 Price
Marty Emerman
Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan
(440) 485-3380
60 Total Sales
3 in University Heights
$345K - $600K Price Range
Karen Eagle
Elite Sotheby's International Realty
(216) 606-8158
336 Total Sales
7 in University Heights
$205K - $385K Price Range
Jason Beard
Keller Williams Greater Metropolitan
(216) 238-3891
223 Total Sales
18 in University Heights
$135K - $305K Price Range
Wendy Werman
HomeSmart Real Estate Momentum LLC
(440) 530-9109
65 Total Sales
1 in University Heights
$170,000 Price
Jon Legato
Century 21 DeAnna Realty
(216) 294-2329
425 Total Sales
1 in University Heights
$236,000 Price