Brooklyn, OH

Founded in 1818, Brooklyn has flourished into a diverse and thriving service community that borders Lake Erie and Cleveland. Located on 4.5 square miles of land, this little town holds a lot of history as well as impressive opportunities for its size.

The Brooklyn Historical Society Museum, an urban history center, devotes itself to preserving Brooklyn's extraordinary 200-year history, connecting the past and present to offer locals a chance to embrace their heritage.

Access to all of the major museums and a nearby home to an eclectic art scene, Brooklyn sits just 6 miles away from Greater Cleveland's major attractions. Here, you can visit the Museum of Natural History, stop by the Rock and Roll of Fame or visit a number of the city's finest art galleries.

Home to everyone's favorite chain restaurants, Brooklyn blends unique, locally owned eateries with a host of upscale favorites. Nightlife options remain virtually endless with such close access to Downtown Cleveland's bar scene and the excitement of the Flats; however, there exist plenty of in-town options to choose from as well.

A local favorite offering authentic Italian cuisine, Aldo's Restaurant on Memphis Avenue transports you to Italy with the first bite. Made with only the freshest hand-picked ingredients, the lasagna keeps you coming back to this down-home, cozy family favorite. All served with complimentary fresh and steamy bread, tons of seafood options combine with all your Italian favorites, including the delectable veal Parmesan, to make this dining experience a little slice of heaven.

If your palate requires something spicier, then El Tolteca Mexican Grill on Biddulph Road puts a little fire in your bite. Known for its affordability this restaurant provides all your Mexican favorites, including must-have chimichangas. Perhaps the best-kept Brooklyn secret, this little taste of Mexico serves some of the best margaritas in the area, luring in thirsty travellers from nearby cities.

If you seek a five-star dining experience, The House of Blues Foundation Room sits just outside of Brooklyn on Euclid Avenue. Featuring all the glamour of any Hollywood Rock scene, House of Blues offers upscale seclusion along with a backstage pass to the most exclusive entertainment. This spot remains a must-visit for anyone seeking a taste of the finer night life.

Hooley House Brooklyn proves to be a favored Irish pub in the area, offering good eats as well as an excellent music venue. Come in and enjoy the game on the big screen while quenching your thirst with a variety of upscale mixed drinks, or chug a good, classic Irish ale. The wings taste phenomenal, but the buffalo chicken mac and cheese is one-of-a-kind.

As Brooklyn remains bordered by Interstate 71 and State Route 480, travel by automobile is a favored, easy-access choice among residents. Public transportation options prove plentiful too, offering access to RTA bus lines as well as a large variety of local taxi and limousine services. The ever-popular Uber remains an option, offering access to local drivers with an easy-to-use app on your smartphone. Parking proves mostly free within Brooklyn city limits, but travel into the Greater Cleveland Area occasionally comes with a reasonable charge. Parking garages and meters commonly exist in the neighborhood.

Brooklyn cares about its pedestrians, so you can expect sidewalks to be plentiful on almost all major streets, while biking lanes allow you to peddle in safety.

"It's not about the destination, it's about the ride," according to Captains Car Service, which made the Cleveland Hotlist of ways to travel in style. Captain's offers an extensive team of experienced chauffeurs ready to take groups of any size in the company's fleet of traditional luxury sedans to stately limousine coaches. Locals rave about the impeccable yet affordable service offered here.

The city's quality of life proves greatly enhanced by its close proximity to so many delightful parks and recreational facilities.

Veteran's Memorial Park, one of the city's largest recreational areas, lies right behind City Hall. This 75-acre park provides plenty of playground amenities to delight the little ones. Access to two rentable pavilions makes this a frequently used hot spot for picnics or barbecues among the locals. Pristine restrooms combine with free parking to make for a fun, affordable day in the great outdoors. Complete with a baseball diamond, this park offers it all, including tennis courts and in-line skating areas. Basketball, as well as golf and shuffleboard are also offered in this everything-under-the-sun park.

Marquardt Park, located between Autumn Lane and Bentwood Drive, provides an exercise-centric option, providing scenic trails for joggers and bikers. This park remains dog-friendly, so expect to see animal lovers walking their pets while marvelling at the delightful scenery. The park includes a baseball diamond and a soccer field, offering lots of sports opportunities for people of all ages. A large, open field and well-kept playground equipment combine with clean restrooms and access to a pavilion to make this park a frequent summer hangout among Brooklyn residents.

The cost of living in Brooklyn caters to the budget of its mostly middle class residents, offering affordable housing as well as reasonable gas and entertainment.

Average rent for a one-bedroom residence runs you about $650, while multiple-resident housing options increase depending on the house style.

Gas prices generally sit right at the national average due to Brooklyn's very close proximity to Cleveland and the airport, which brings in droves of travellers to keep the local economy flourishing.

Entertainment ranges between low-end and high-end, offering options that suit not only your taste but also your budget. A brew at the local pub costs between $3 and $5 with more upscale locales charging $5 to $8.

Public transportation options remain an affordable perk of living so close to the Downtown area. RTA charges a standard fare of $2.50, offering discounted rates for seniors or students. Taxi fare into the Downtown area proves to be a deal at an average of $15, depending on your location.

Brooklyn offers hundreds of stores to choose from along with a host of locally owned and operated businesses. Whether you go into town for a day at the salon or to pick up some groceries, you can travel with 5-mile easy access to the main shopping areas in under 10 minutes.

Grab your favorite brands at Ohio's favorite grocery store, Giant Eagle, where the meat is always fresh and the selection of produce is unmatched by even the local farmer's markets. Staples provides all your office and local printing needs. A quick jaunt to Pat Catan's offers one-of-a-kind crafts. Home Depot or Lowe's provide you with plenty ideas for those home remodeling projects.

If your tastes are a bit more outside the box, Something Different Gallery might be the place for you. Offering the finest in design, this unique art gallery offers a variety of trinkets. From handmade glassware or pottery to unique jewelry and toiletries, this place has something to delight the most critical connoisseur. A wider variety of home accessories to wall art remains also available at this whimsical shop that blends the elegant with the sophisticated.

The Bent Crayon, a local, funky favorite, sits on West 80th and meets all your music needs. This store also provides the latest DVD or Blu-Ray releases in an upbeat, rock and roll setting. Chelsea's Vintage Clothing, another unique boutique, offers a variety of throw-back fashion appealing to hipsters of all ages, highly favored in this trendy area.