Everything You Need to Know About Moving to Cleveland

Relocating to Cleveland, Ohio, is an exciting time in your life. You may already have some opinions or impressions of the city. However, moving is a great time to leave any assumptions behind and be open to what the city has to offer. Before you choose a new home and hire a team of movers, there are some things you should know about moving to Cleveland.

What to Know When Relocating to Cleveland

One of the first things you need to know about Cleveland is that its location on Lake Erie means you can have spring, summer, autumn and winter weather— often all in the same week. If you do not already own them, you will want to have rain boots, an umbrella, snow boots, a heavy winter coat, sunglasses, an ice scraper and a set of warm mittens or gloves.

The wind sometimes blows across the lake, resulting in significant snowfall. You may wish to brush up on your snowman-making skills. The city is also known for craft beer, world-class health care at the Cleveland Clinic, a low cost of living and lots of real estate.

Landmarks in Cleveland

Cleveland is home to many attractions and landmarks. The city's location along Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River means that you have 37 public beaches to choose from. The beaches are open year-round, and swimming, boating and fishing are available in the summer and winter months of the year. You can even rent a paddleboard or canoe at Edgewater Park and Huntington Reservation.

The Mall is an outdoor fountain and sculpture park. Sit on a bench and enjoy lunch or people-watching. If you are a fan of older movies, do not hesitate to take a walk or drive past the Christmas Story house. Foodies will want to visit the West Side Market, which has locally made foods and ingredients from more than 100 vendors.

Attractions and Things to Do

Cleveland is a die-hard sports city. If you are not already up to date on the rosters of the Cavaliers, Browns and Indians, now is the time to do so. Cleveland is also big on rock 'n' roll. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is located in the city. You may have thought that Cleveland is about as far from the theater scene as possible, but this is not the case. Cleveland’s Playhouse Square is the second-largest theater district in the United States, after New York's Broadway.

If you want some indoor places to explore, check out the International Women’s Air & Space Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, Cleveland Museum of Art, Emerald Necklace, Greater Cleveland Aquarium or Cleveland Museum of Natural History. At the Great Lakes Science Center, you can watch an IMAX film or engage in some hands-on learning experiences. Open year-round, the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Rainforest allows you to learn more about animals and plants from around the world.

Buildings and Other Places of Interest

Cleveland also has some amazing architecture. If you like gargoyles on skyscrapers, you will find them here. Do not miss the city's main public library. Built in 1925, it has a Renaissance design. You should also check out the Romanesque Revival style Old Stone Church, which was built in 1855.

Another beautiful building in the city is the Cleveland Trust rotunda, which was built in 1908. Spend some time in the great outdoors within the Cleveland Metroparks system. Living in Cleveland puts you close to 21,500 acres of parks, natural spaces, hiking trails, horse riding trails and more.

Fun Events in Cleveland

Cleveland not only has all of these great places to visit, but it also hosts some exciting annual events. One of the biggest is the annual St. Patrick's Day parade, which typically has more than 10,000 participants. If you are an athlete, tie your shoes and enter the Cleveland Rite Aid Marathon and Race Series. The Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival is the largest Indian classical music festival outside of India.

Moving Preparation Tips for Relocating to Cleveland

Now that you are ready to call Cleveland home, it is time to start planning for your move. Winter weather can stretch into the end of March, and the first snowfall can happen in October. If you plan to move during these months of the year, be sure to have your furniture wrapped. May through July are the most popular months of the year for a move in this Ohio city.

If your move will fall during these months, you will need to plan a couple of months in advance. Summertime can be warm and muggy, so be sure to have plenty of ice-cold water on hand for a midsummer move in Cleveland.