Willoughby Apartment Renter's Guide
Willoughby Apartment Renter's Guide
Overview
Willoughby: The only American town to have belonged to more than five different counties.
Located in Lake County, Ohio -- the sixth county that the town has been a part of -- Willoughby is a picturesque Midwestern city
Willoughby: The only American town to have belonged to more than five different counties.
Located in Lake County, Ohio -- the sixth county that the town has been a part of -- Willoughby is a picturesque Midwestern city. While it pushes the definition of a city, with a population of only a little over 22,000, this small town offers a tightly-knit community. It has a quaint yet bustling downtown that is very popular, with events happening all the time.
Moving to Willoughby
Weather
With the blustery winds and weather that can come in off of Lake Erie, you'll want to invest in some hearty winter clothing. You'll also want to see if you can find an all-bills-paid apartment, because heating bills can get pretty nasty. Summers aren't that bad, with the wind keeping the heat from being too stifling. The city gets above-average rainfall, so buy a reliable umbrella and keep it by the door.
Getting Around
Willoughby is fairly walkable, but if you find an apartment outside of downtown, you'll need a vehicle of some sort. If you live up in the Lost Nation area, in particular, walking is not advised. With some of the winter nastiness that comes through, walking can be downright dangerous.
Lead Time
One of the problems with being close to a major city yet having a quaint, small-town feel is that housing is in high demand -- the vacancy rate in the city has historically been very low. Because of this, you'll need to give yourself a little more lead time than average when you're trying to find an apartment in Willoughby. Make sure you get a step ahead of other renters and have references and financials on hand, so that when you find a place you like, you can get your application in right away.
Willoughby's Neighborhoods
Check out the town's neighborhoods and see which one is right for you.
Lost Nation: Located right next to the lake, the majority of apartment complexes in Willoughby are in this neighborhood. Unfortunately, it means being stuck between the lake and an airport, so noise and weather can both get unpleasant at times.
Downtown: Being in the center of everything means you'll be a bit restricted on space, but that's a small price for the sheer convenience of having a studio apartment within walking distance of everything the center of town has to offer.
Euclid Avenue: The most convenient neighborhood for folks needing to commute to Euclid or Cleveland, Euclid Avenue is more urban than the other parts of Willoughby. Expect to find more apartment buildings and city apartments and less townhouse complexes in this neighborhood.
Living in Willoughby
If you like fresh air, Willoughby has plenty to offer. Boating, fishing and swimming on Lake Erie, Chagrin River and smaller ponds are all great summer activities. If water hazards are more your speed, Willoughby has a couple of golf courses, from the nine-hole Johnny Cake Ridge Golf Course to the exclusive Kirtland Country Club.
Downtown Willoughby is a hub for daily life, a walkable area with plenty of boutique shops, locally owned restaurants and bars. Art galleries and wine bars mix in with antique shops, bakeries and coffee shops. It's home to Willoughby Brewing Company, an emerging craft brewery that hosts bands and festivals and where you can enjoy a jam session and a pint of Peanut Butter Cup Coffee Porter.
Residents of Willoughby also spend a lot of time together doing recreational activities, and the Parks and Recreation department is second to none. With programs for all ages and plenty of modern facilities for use, the department cements the sense of community in Willoughby and ensures that it is a city that plays together.