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Bedford Heights puts the friendly in "friendly hometown" as you can actually call the mayor of the town to inquire about moving there. Yes, they actually have his direct phone number on the town's website, which helps reinforce the small-town vibe that Bedford Heights has looked to create. As far as properties to rent, Bedford Heights has plenty of those as well. New business development has been pretty steady in recent years, a good sign in a region of the country that has seen more businesses close and people move away than most in recent years. That's not the case in Bedford Heights from a business aspect, as it still has a pretty steady manufacturing and retail base that's continuing to grow.
A House-friendly Environment
Along with granted new building permits for houses, Bedford Heights is a great place for a new resident to find a home, even if they have no interest in taking out a mortgage. Rental houses are a big thing in Bedford Heights, as nearly 50 percent of the housing stock is open for renters. So if you want to try your hand at living in a house but don't want the responsibilities of maintenance or a mortgage, Bedford Heights very well could be the place for you. The cost of renting a house in Bedford Heights also works into many budgets, as Bedford Heights prices are about average for Ohio, which generally has a pretty reasonable cost of living. You won't be paying East Coast or West Coast prices by any means.
Apartment Living
While rental houses are big in Bedford Heights, there are plenty of apartment buildings that can be found in town. Most of the apartment complexes are located in the northern part of the town, and if you look hard enough, you'll be able to find properties with some or all utilities paid. Southgate Towers, a towering complex (pun intended) on Northfield Road, has creative utility deals along with roomy suite apartments. Along with the convenience of paid utilities, the apartment district of Bedford Heights are located right by both Interstate 480 and Interstate 271, providing residents with easy access to Cleveland and other parts of the metro area if they so desire.
Avoid the Lake Effect
While Bedford Heights doesn't rest on Lake Erie, it gets its fair share of lake effect snow -- or heavy snow fueled by cold air picking up moisture from lake waters in the winter -- and can get buried. So if you really want to move to Bedford Heights, don't do it in the winter. Depending on the temperamental winds and snows off the lake, you might be delayed for days in trying to move into your new home. Seriously, lake-effect snow can dump feet of the white stuff in the course of hours. Besides avoiding winter, there's really not a prime time to move to Bedford Heights. What you can avoid in some rental properties are weighty security deposits, especially with apartments, as there are deals to be had. Be sure to be ready for the standard steps (proof of employment, credit and background check) when applying for a rental property in Bedford Heights.
Bedford Heights isn't broken into formal neighborhoods, but there are three sections of town. The southern part of town, centered on Solon and Randolph Roads, are where most of the housing stock lies. It's also the location of the Bedford Metro Reserve, which is one of the 17 parks in the Cleveland Metroparks system. The northeast part of town, highlighted by Aurora Road and Richmond Road, contains most of Bedford Heights' apartment complexes, while the northwest part of town, appropriately named City Center, is where many of the town's businesses and restaurants are located. There is also some apartment living in this area, especially around Libby Road, and this area is decently walkable.
Having a Cleveland Metropark is a huge perk, and the Bedford Metro Reserve gives residents a chance to enjoy the spoils of nature in an urban setting. The Bedford Metro Reserve, which also spills over into the towns of Bedford and Valley View, is centered on Tinker's Creek. The park features Shawnee Hills Golf Course, Tinker's Gorge, walking trails, cross country skiing in the winter, and bird watching as part of the National Audubon Society's bird watching program. The Bedford Heights Recreation Center is also a center of activity within the town. The Rec Center, located on Perkins Road right by the police and fire department, hosts a "Family Fun Days Celebration" every summer, which is a town fair that includes activities such as live music, dancing, face painting, food and a climbing rock wall. For those looking for an educational experience, Bedford Heights has a Holocaust memorial located at the Zion Cemetery on Northfield Road, which gives tribute to World War II victims.
As far as restaurants are concerned, there are two pizza places worth checking out -- Zeppe's Tavern and Pizzeria on Miles Road and Rascal House Pizza on Northfield Road. John's Best Steak Gyro on Northfield Road is also worth a taste. For those who want to get out of town, Cleveland is less than a half-hour by car and about an hour by bus, as the RTA has several stops in town that will transport you to the city.
