Sometimes when people retire, they want to move somewhere else. You no longer have to factor in the time your commute will take, so you might as well move somewhere that caters to other things you want out of a town. But it can be hard to find a town that is really good for retirees specifically.
But that’s what this guide is for! This article focuses on the town of Westlake, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. To help you find out if Westlake is the best retirement option for you, read on!
You might love retiring in Westlake if you want to be close to a city, but not in one.
Being so close to Cleveland means that you’ll live in close proximity to a great sports city. If you want to make a quick drive to watch baseball, or want to be close to good hospitals, Westlake is a good choice for you!
You will probably need a car to get around.
In terms of walkability, Westlake is ranked below the national average. That means that many of the town’s amenities are not particularly accessible just by walking. If you are moving here, you should make sure you have a car too.
It’s a popular housing market.
These days, Westlake is known as a “Hot Market”, meaning that with the high competition between buyers, it’s more of a seller’s market. But there are still ways to navigate this and end up with a dream home in Westlake!
In Westlake, houses are valued at a median of $277,013. The most popular neighborhood to live in is called Crocker Park, which features a lot of community attributes such as townhouses and shops. You would be in the middle of the action in Crocker Park!
Living right next to a Great Lake has its perks.
It is very close to lake Erie, as the name implies. This allows for a lot of water-based recreation, such as Broomball in the winter. Westlake housed the 2006 USA National Broomball Championship, and in the summer, it is possible to go boating, so it’s safe to say you will never get bored here!
And there is a very low crime rate.
You can rest easy at night! Westlake has a very low crime rate that is well below the national average.
So, what’s the downside?
Like every town, Westlake has it’s share of disadvantages. Because it is in northern Ohio, it can be pretty cold in the winter. If you are used to that, it shouldn’t be a problem at all, but it might be an adjustment if you are from somewhere warmer. Additionally, at least for the Ohio area, the housing prices in Westlake are higher than average. That being said, the median home value in Westlake is still far below the national median of $347,500.
The biggest industries in this area.
If you once worked in education, software, or healthcare and medicine, you’ll definitely be able to meet a lot of people with shared interests and passions as you! These fields drive the local economy, so there’s a lot of people who work in these jobs.
The geography of Westlake allows for all four seasons.
Only 12 miles from Cleveland, and right along Lake Erie, which means that you’ll get to experience the beauty of a Great Lake. You’ll also get a range of temperatures and weather, with the average high in July being 71 degrees, and the average low in January being 19 degrees.
Westlake boasts a nice cultural scene.
In addition to the public library, which is a great find in any town, Westlake also has a lot of restaurants to explore. The cuisine ranges from steakhouses to lobster and Italian food, so you will never get bored of your options.
There is even a hospital right inside Westlake.
University Hospitals St. John Medical Center is located within town limits to provide you with quality medical care that is easy to access.
Westlake is a good choice for you if you want a comfortable town feel, that is pretty close to a lot of big city amenities.
And the median age of the down is between 45 and 64, so there will be a lot of people who are also retired or close to retirement. Westlake could be a great community for you!
To learn more about Westlake, read this article.
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