Amherst was built by sandstone -- literally. In the late 19th century, there were about nine quarry businesses digging up the stone and using that stone to make buildings all over town. That led to the town being nicknamed the 'Sandstone Capital of the World'. I mean, it's not the greatest claim to fame, but it's something, right?
The buildings that were built all those years back have brought the population of Amherst up to just over 12,000, at the time of the 2010 U.S. Census. The city is found in Lorain County, Ohio, and is part of the Greater Cleveland area, about 25 miles from Cleveland town proper. To the north, only a handful of miles away, is Lake Erie, while there are numerous other towns and settlements in the vicinity along the shore of the lake and further inland.
Moving to Amherst
There's a pretty high rate of owner occupied housing in Amherst, which shows that the local community is fairly stable. Of course, this isn't great for renter seekers, so it's not going to be that easy finding somewhere to live in the city. This is no surprise really, with a lot of people commuting to Cleveland and working in offices there, then raising their families slightly further out into the suburbs where rent is cheaper and the quality of life a little nicer. Again, this is reflected by the amount of single-family, detached housing, which completely dominates the city.
Seriously, if you want to find an apartment in Amherst you're going to have to do one of two things: either start looking super early and give yourself plenty of time to find a place. Or be flexible enough to settle for somewhere that might not tick every single box you have on your perfect apartment list.
Rental apartments that are actually free and available are tough to track down, but home rentals in the shape of larger houses are easier to find. Whatever you're looking for, get your credit reports, pay stubs, employment records, previous addresses, and anything else you might need to lock down a new place to live nice and quick. Don't forget that you'll need a hefty deposit, as well as money up front for rent.
Neighborhoods in Amherst
Amherst is somewhat walkable, with a WalkScore of 60. Is that good or bad? Well, it's somewhere in the middle. If you live downtown you can get some things done on foot, but not everything is going to be in easy reach. Most people get around by car, so this is something to think about.
City Center: Here you'll find the highest concentration of amenities in the city. You'd probably be more likely to find hi rise apartments here as well. Fancy some grub? Check out Ziggy's, Cork's Wine Bar and Bistro, or Hot Dog Heaven for some true American delicacies!
Kendeigh Corner: Like nature and getting outside? Well head down to Dolyk Wood Nature Reserve for some walking and bird watching. If you're hungry after, there's a Subway close by.
Cooper Foster Park Rd W / N. Leavitt Rd: A great destination for shopaholics, the Amherst Plaza Shopping Center and Liberty Bell Shopping Center are stationed right next to each other. The Emerald Valley Golf Course also sits to the north, as well, for those avid golf fans and wannabes.
Living in Amherst
Amherst is very much a commuter city, as are most suburbs close by to major cities. With Cleveland nearby, a lot of residents filter in and out each day. The most common form of transportation around town, as well as in and out, is by car. State Route 2 cuts through the city, while there are other major roads linking to the Ohio Turnpike for easy access to the city and other nearby towns.
People enjoy Lake Erie, particularly during the summer, and it's only a short drive away to the north. The city is also home to several parks, including the 72-acre Amherst Beaver Creek Reservation, where there's ample space for sporting fun, with facilities like tennis courts and baseball fields dotted all over.