LAKE COUNTY
County Offices
105 Main Street
Painesville 800-899-5253
http://lakecountyohio.gov
Chamber of Commerce
1 Victoria Square
Painesville 440-357-7572
www.easternlakecountychamber.org
Services
Situated east of Cleveland and well-served by Interstates 90 and 271, scenic and tranquil Lake County offers a medley of suburban advantages and amenities against a backdrop of natural beauty. Although the county is one of the smallest in the state, it ranks among one of the fastest growing. Lake County’s water-oriented lifestyle is its most unique feature. The county claims more than 30 miles of Lake Erie shoreline complemented by two major rivers for abundant harbors and marinas for shipping as well as outstanding recreational opportunities.
The thriving local economy includes national and regional companies headquartered in the county, taking advantage of access to the St. Lawrence Seaway and Hopkins International Airport in Cleveland. Teachers in Lake County are among the most highly salaried in the state, one of the many hallmarks of educational excellence within the public school system. Students of all ages appreciate the availability of affordable higher education at Lakeland Community College, although several universities and private colleges are also close to home. Among them are Cleveland State University, Case Western Reserve University, John Carroll University, and Lake Erie College. The county is also home to two specialized religiously affiliated institutions. The Center for Pastoral Leadership with its 52-acre campus houses all the resources of the Diocese of Cleveland for preparing lay and ordained Roman Catholic clergy. Nearby, young Jewish men study at Telshe Yeshiva, an internationally prominent center for orthodox Jewish scholarship.
The Lake Hospital System anchors an outstanding network of healthcare services and facilities for residents of Lake County, including two full-service hospitals, several community medical centers, walk-in care centers, and a rehabilitation and wellness center. More than 500 physicians and 2,200 professionals make this system the largest employer in Lake County. Lake West Hospital in Willoughby is an acute-care institution that offers comprehensive services from open heart surgery or computerized brain and spinal surgery to same-day surgery and progressive emergency care. Lake East Hospital in Painesville features a Level II special-care nursery and many other specialties. Laurelwood Hospital of the highly respected University Hospital Health System, also located in Willoughby, offers the largest free-standing psychiatric hospital in Ohio.
Lifestyle
The agricultural heritage of Lake County remains one of its attractions to newcomers, who are immediately captivated by the region’s rural charm and “wine country” atmosphere. The rich, fertile soil in this area is legendary. Even today, the nursery industry in Lake County is a national leader. Lake County has also emerged as an important retail center with a wonderful mix of modern malls, antique shops, specialty boutiques, and discount markets. Mentor alone claims one of the largest retail shopping districts in the state. From the sprawling department stores of Great Lakes Mall to Historic Downtown Willoughby, Lake County offers a retail paradise.
Communities filled with warm, hometown spirit are less than 20 miles from Metropolitan Cleveland’s array of world-class amenities and attractions. Even closer to home, active organizations like the Fine Arts Association encourage participation in the arts. Performing arts at Lake Erie College include year-round dramas, comedies, musicals, recitals, dances, lectures, and guest artists. Distinguished of the nation’s only authentic “barn theaters,” Rabbit Run Theater dates back more than half a century. Throughout the county are performing arts venues, wonderful museums, and celebrated historic sites.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find Lake County to be an outstanding destination for four-season activities. One of the state’s newest preserves is located in Mentor along the shoreline of Lake Erie. The 450-acre Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve & Marina includes 1.5 miles of shoreline with rare dune plants, a riverine marsh, a mature oak bluff, and crescent-shaped open waterways. Recreational facilities are exceptional, including golf courses, Headlands Beach State Park, country clubs and resorts, Holden Arboretum, and the Mentor Civic Arena. Outdoor concerts, arts and craft shows, colorful festivals, and farmers markets are just a few of the attractions that bring friends and families together. Fishing, boating, sailing, water sports, cross-country skiing, sledding, hiking biking, golfing, and tennis are popular pastimes. With its vibrant economy, water-rich environment, and welcoming communities, Lake County is a home for all reasons.
Concord
Municipal Offices
440-354-7511
www.concordtwp.com
Chamber of Commerce
440-357-7572
www.easternlakecountychamber.org
Originally called “Wilson’s Corners,” the township of Concord welcomes newcomers to beautiful century homes and an even wider variety of new construction set against the backdrop of tranquil countryside. Most of the homes in the township have sprung up within the past two decades in this fast-growing area. Shopping is available close to home in regional malls like Great Lakes Mall in Mentor. Recreational sites are outstanding and include Chapin Forest Reservation with nearly 400 acres of wooded beauty as well as the Pine Lodge Ski Center. Concord Township Park combines with vast facilities in the Lake Metroparks System to offer sports fields and courts, golf courses, hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and opportunities for swimming.
Eastlake City
Municipal Offices
440-951-1416
www.eastlakeohio.com
Chamber of Commerce
440-357-7572
www.easternlakecountychamber.org
Less than 20 miles east of downtown Cleveland, the city of Eastlake is situated at the mouth of the Chagrin River along Route 91 just minutes from Interstates 90 and 271. Easy access to Lake Erie has attracted many recreational boaters to the community. Marinas and yacht clubs abound, while city and county parks dot the region with more “grounded” recreational facilities. Newcomers will discover a tranquil but lively community with several important monuments including a moving tribute to those who lost their lives in the September 11th terrorist attacks. The city is proud of its minor-league baseball team and the new stadium at Route 91 and Vine. The housing selection ranges from converted cottages in the harbor and nearby lake areas to contemporary colonials and split levels or modern condominiums.
Kirtland, Kirtland Hills, Waite Hill
Kirtland Offices
440-256-3332
www.kirtlandohio.com
Kirtland Hills Offices
440-974-9090
Waite Hill Offices
440-942-1612
http://waitehilloh.gov
Chamber of Commerce
440-942-1632
www.wwlcchamber.com
Primarily a haven of residential neighborhoods, the panoramic Kirtland area is bounded on three sides by branches of the Chagrin River. Feathers in the cap of the community include the world-renowned Holden Arboretum, more than 900 acres of Lake Metroparks, Chapin Forest Reservation, Lakeland Community College, a new public library, and the modern Kirtland Civic Center with its charming gazebo. At the same time, the city offers a small-town setting with a country hardware store and antique specialty stores. Most residents are commuters to neighboring cities who appreciate the selection of lovely new homes and quality subdivisions that offer generous lots up to an acre in size or even larger. The smaller villages of Kirtland Hills and Waite Hill add to the residential options in the Kirtland area including stately older homes on spacious multi-acre lots.
Madison
Municipal Offices
440-428-7526
http://madisonvillage.org
Chamber of Commerce
440-357-7572
www.easternlakecountychamber.org
Madison Township and the small community of Madison Village enjoy close proximity to Interstate 90 for easy access to regional destinations. Madison is well-known as “wine country” and serves as the home of several picturesque vineyards and wineries including Chalet Debonne Vineyards, the largest of Ohio’s estate bottled wineries. Another attraction to this community is the Rabbit Run Theater and its associated community arts organization that offers classes, special events, and live-stage productions. Recreational facilities just beyond the front doorstep include a community swimming pool, an inline skating park, the YMCA outdoor center, Lake Metroparks, several golf courses, sports fields and courts, and tennis courts. Housing options include a good selection of single-story homes on smaller lots, beautiful new developments, and beautifully restored century homes.
Mentor, Mentor-on-the-Lake
Mentor Municipal Offices
440-225-1100
http://cityofmentor.com
Mentor on the Lake Offices
440-257-7216
www.citymol.org
Chamber of Commerce
440-225-1616
www.mentorchamber.org
The Mentor area attracts newcomers to an unrivaled lifestyle that includes excellent services and amenities. Just 30 minutes east of Cleveland, this lakefront community boasts an award-winning 930-acre park system that includes nearly a dozen community parks, three swimming pools, and a state-of-the-art ice arena. An inline skating park and miles of multi-purpose trails combine with the Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve & Marina to attract runners, cyclists, boaters, and water-sport enthusiasts. Retail opportunities are some of the finest in the state. Mentor is also home to Headlands State Park on Lake Erie and Lawnfield, the beautifully restored home of 20th president James A. Garfield. Housing options harmonize older homes with contemporary construction and multi-family options.
Painesville
Painesville Offices
440-392-9301
www.painesville.com
Painesville Township Offices
440-352-1443
www.painesvilletwp.com
Chamber of Commerce
440-357-7572
www.easternlakecountychamber.org
The city of Painesville and Painesville Township are located just minutes away from Lake Erie on the historic Grand River. New residents, businesses, and industries are attracted to the blend of ideal location with economic and educational resources. Rich in tradition, diversity, and history, this area preserves the charm of the past from the city’s central square through quiet residential neighborhoods. Painesville is home to the Lake County Fairgrounds and the scene of many special events, while the Indian Museum of Lake County draws visitors from around the world. Recreational amenities are high developed within the city and the semi-rural township, from golf courses and country clubs to camping areas. Housing choices blend well-maintained older homes on small city lots with condominiums and beautiful new construction.
Perry, Perry Village, North Perry Village
Perry Offices
440-259-5140
www.perrytownship-lake.com
Perry Village Offices
440-259-2671
http://perryvillage.info
North Perry Village Offices
440-259-4994
www.northperry.org
Chamber of Commerce
440-357-7572
www.easternlakecountychamber.org
Nestled between the rapidly developing cities of Madison and Mentor, the Perry area encompasses a township and two smaller villages. North Perry is a small but diverse village that blends commercial and industrial areas with lovely homes, picturesque farms, heavily wooded areas, and lush community parks. Perry Township and Perry Village harmonize suburban development with a rural landscape. Community facilities include a wide variety of sports and recreational facilities, Lake Metroparks, tennis courts, the Perry Historical Society Museum, and more than 10 golf courses in a 15-mile radius. Sports fields and courts include the facilities at the Perry Community Fitness Center. Housing choices range from older two-story traditionals and ranch-style to handsome, contemporary executive homes.
Wickliffe
Municipal Offices
440-943-7100
www.cityofwickliffe.com
Chamber of Commerce
440-942-1632
http://wwlcchamber.com
Known as the “Gateway to Lake County,” the city of Wickliffe offers a friendly and relaxed small-town atmosphere in close proximity to Metropolitan Cleveland amenities. Residents are only 10 miles from Painesville and 12 miles from Cleveland’s world-class cultural venues and nationally recognized medical and research centers. Quality public and private schools create a family friendly lifestyle in Wickliffe, where well-planned recreational areas include a new $2 million water park. Major “east side” metropolitan shopping centers are just a few miles from home. Homes in Wickliffe are primarily older properties in established neighborhoods shaded by mature greenery. Golf courses, swimming pools, country clubs, lush parks, a senior center, a roller-skating rink, and tennis courts are among the recreational facilities.
Willoughby, Willoughby Hills
Willoughby Offices
440-951-2800
www.willoughbyohio.com
Willoughby Hills Offices
440-946-1234
www.willoughbyhills-oh.gov
Chamber of Commerce
440-942-1632
http://wwlcchamber.com
One of the attractions to the Willoughby area is the medley of quality retail options, from the downtown district antique shops to one of the Ohio’s largest furniture showrooms. Popular retail stores and shopping centers like Willoughby Commons and West Point add to the daily conveniences. Entertainment centers include stadium-seating cinemas to an indoor sports complex and live-stage performances that include nationally recognized talent. Quality schools, a major healthcare center, lush parks, fine dining, a well-stock library, cozy cafes, and unique attractions like The Little Red Schoolhouse in Willoughby create an appealing hometown atmosphere. Within both communities, stately older homes harmonize with newer construction for a wide selection of housing. Willoughby Municipal Park on Lake Erie offers swimming beaches and other superb sports and recreational facilities.
Willowick, Timberlake
Willowick Offices
440-585-3700
www.cityofwillowick.com
Timberlake Offices
www.villageoftimberlake.com
Chamber of Commerce
440-942-1632
http://wwlcchamber.com
The city of Willowick is located approximately 18 miles from downtown Cleveland, convenient to Interstates 90 and 271 for commuting convenience. This quiet, family-oriented community blends older homes that represent a mixture of architectural styles and period with newer construction and multi-family developments that include apartments and condominiums. Support for church and school activities is strong, including youth sports teams. Recreational facilities include a swimming pool, tennis courts, sports courts, playgrounds, and a miniature golf course. The small village of Timberlake offers a medley of homes in various styles, sizes, ages, and price ranges. Village Park serves as a focal point of outdoor activity, complemented by expansive and scenic Lake Metroparks close to home.
