Richmond Heights, OH

In 1917, Richmond Heights became the last part of Euclid Township to be incorporated as a village. The mostly agricultural area developed slowly for many years, though Richmond Heights eventually initiated its first major industry with a series of charcoal pits that provided fuel for the developing iron industry in Cleveland. Residential and population growth hastened in the mid-to-late 20th century, and the village officially incorporated as a city in 1960.

Opportunities throughout the year allow residents to tour the Greenwood Farm and Phyphers family home, a historic property built in 1917. Residents attend the annual Family Fun Fest each September, a free-admission fall celebration that includes live music, games, Southern-inspired foods, hay rides, a car show and even pet adoption possibilities at the "Critter Corner."

On Richmond Road and Wilson Mills Road, you can find diverse restaurants ranging from Italian, Mexican, Indian, Caribbean and more. Eat healthy meat and vegetable dishes at Taj India Palace, a restaurant that cooks up authentic regional Indian dishes. Save some cash by going during buffet hours, where you'll pay under $9 to eat classics like Tandoori chicken and chicken tikka masala. A roomy seating area makes this restaurant a great choice for large groups.

For a casual, quick bite of Caribbean fare, head to Irie Patties - Caribbean Street Food in the Richmond Mall. As the name suggests, the food here emulates what you'd find from Jamaican street vendors. Therefore, the menu consists of beloved Caribbean treats such as jerk chicken and fried plantains. Complement your meal with one of their rare Jamaican craft sodas.

The preeminent Mexican food place in Richmond Heights, La Fiesta has been around since 1952. The restaurant features a cool, dimly-lit decor with a classy style, and you can sit inside or on the outdoor patio. La Fiesta prepares all foods from scratch using locally-produced ingredients. Homemade meals cause a slightly longer wait for food, but the authentic dishes more than make up for a slight time increase. Be sure to try the tasty shrimp quesadilla, the tamales and the strong margaritas.

Only a few bars exist in the Richmond Heights area, and the local nightlife stays low-key. For a more lively evening, head into Downtown Cleveland. Locally, Mulligan's Tavern on Highland Road attracts the most activity thanks to frequent food and drink specials. On Tuesdays, the bar organizes a bar trivia contest, where anyone can play and win a gift certificate for beer, food and other goodies. Watch the game on one of the high-definition televisions or take in occasional live music.

Richmond Heights' residents rely on car travel to get around, and they make use of key roads such as Richmond Road, Highland Road and the Grand Army of the Republic Highway. Commuters also use the nearby U.S. Route 20 to drive into Cleveland. Fortunately, ample free public parking helps facilitate car use. As no bike lanes exist, people generally walk and bike only around residential complexes.

You can call up Ace Taxi Service or use the Uber app from your smartphone to request cab services. Ride the public transportation buses provided by the Cleveland RTA to commute into Downtown Cleveland or get around the region, with most of the bus stops located along Richmond Road. The nearest Amtrak station lies about 11 miles away in Cleveland.

Head outdoors for leisure at one of the prime park spaces in Richmond Heights. As a bonus, the city allows residents to walk their dogs on leashes through all the local parks. Your children can play at the playground while you participate in recreational sports at Desan Park, featuring multiple baseball fields, tennis courts and bocce courts. Go for a pleasant bike ride or hike along the nearby Euclid Creek Reservation. These parks don't charge admission fees, but do require payment for some special programs as well as facility rentals.

The Richmond Heights Community Park remains the city's most prominent park. In addition to a full range of sports fields and courts, the park maintains a spacious parking lot on the premises, a large community pool, a gazebo, a picnic area with grills and two playgrounds. The park often hosts concerts at its gazebo, and the recreational department runs an amateur summer baseball program for children. Many other activities take place in this park throughout the year, including an Arbor Day Celebration and an Egg Hunt event for Easter.

Richmond Heights features an overall affordable cost of living. Compared to Cleveland, Richmond Heights only rates as slightly more expensive. You can rent a one-bedroom apartment for an average of $555 a month.

You can take the local buses around the Cleveland area for just $2.25. Gas prices in Richmond Heights sit 6 percent below the national average. Buy a beer at the local bars for about $5.

Though Richmond Heights mostly consists of residential developments, it does contain shopping hubs on roads like Richmond Road and at the Richmond Town Square or Hilltop Plaza shopping center. The Richmond Town Square, a super regional shopping mall with anchor stores that include JCPenney and Sears, affords you shopping opportunities for clothing at the Rainbow, Victoria's Secret and more. In addition to these chain stores, a few independently owned specialty shops remain in the community.

All City Candy on Richmond Road delights its customers with all kinds of candies, gift baskets and stocking stuffers. Relive your childhood as you browse the selection of new and nostalgic old-school candy brands. Purchase your favorite chocolate fudge, or behold the huge Jelly Belly wall of over 70 jelly bean flavors. All City Candy will even help you put together a custom candy buffet for weddings and other celebrations.

Residents go to Sand Company Jewelers for handcrafted gemstone jewelry. The owner personalizes the experience for customers as he imparts genuine knowledge about the jewelry buying process. Besides jewelry sales, the store focuses on expert repairs and resettings. In business since 1988, Sand Company Jewelers carries on as one of the more popular mom-and-pop jewelry shops in the area.

You can buy your groceries at Dave's Markets and the Highland Food Mart. Drive into nearby East Cleveland for the Coit Road Farmers Market, a small outdoor market selling fresh local goods and open year-round every Saturday.