Independence, Ohio is home to an increasingly large number of tech companies, so many that the city as earned the nickname, "Ohio's Silicon Valley."
Located just south of Cleveland, Independence is a thriving community of around 7,000 residents
Independence, Ohio is home to an increasingly large number of tech companies, so many that the city as earned the nickname, "Ohio's Silicon Valley."
Located just south of Cleveland, Independence is a thriving community of around 7,000 residents. The city, founded along the Ohio-Erie Canal, was a rural farm community for years before becoming a part of the greater Cleveland metropolitan area in the mid-20th century. Today, Independence is a convenient (and exciting!) place to live, with easy access to both downtown Cleveland to the north and Akron to the south.
Independence has a lot to offer new residents. The cost of living is relatively low, as it is in most of Ohio. Plus, Independence combines the best of quiet, small-town life with the desirable big-city amenities in Cleveland, such as first-rate health care, major league sports, cultural opportunities and a plentiful economy.
Housing ranges from new construction and mid-century ranch-style homes to condo rentals and two-bedroom apartments for rent in Independence. Most of the homes, rental apartments and condos in Independence are heated by natural gas. Heat, and all other utilities except for water and sewer, are usually the tenant's responsibility. Occasionally, you'll find a house or duplex to rent that includes heat in the rent.
The common practice in northeast Ohio is for landlords to collect the first month's rent plus a security deposit equal to a month's rent at the time the lease is signed. Leases in this area are generally written for periods of one year.
Come prepared when you go to find apartment units or view different properties in Independence -- bring copies of your ID, letters of reference, and a credit check to move things along.
Although Independence is relatively compact, the city does have several distinct neighborhoods. When looking for rental apartments in the area, be sure to check out the following areas:
Willow: Located in the southern portion of the city, the Willow neighborhood is quieter and more residential than other parts of the city. Most of the housing here consists of single family homes.
Downtown: Downtown isn't quite the right term for this part of town, but it's as close to a central shopping district as you'll find in Independence.
Rockside Road: The commercial area of the city, Rockside Road is home to a number of offices, tech companies, chain hotels, and restaurants as well as a smattering of residential streets. Get your grub on at Bob Evans Restaurant or Michael's Grille.
There are plenty of places to enjoy the outdoors when you live in Independence. The city owns and operates an extensive park complex, with facilities that include ball fields, playgrounds, picnic tables and grills, hiking and biking trails and a community swimming pool. Independence is also adjacent to the 20,000-acre Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the myriad of outdoor recreational opportunities offered there.
If you don't fancy the outdoors, Independence is also a short drive away from the many attractions in downtown Cleveland, such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Horseshoe Casino Cleveland and the Cleveland Aquarium. Plus, when you live in Independence, you're just down the road from cultural attractions like the Cleveland Orchestra and the Cleveland Museum of Art, as well as Lake Erie wineries and beaches. Independence is also home to the training facility of the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA team.
When you live in one of the rental apartments in Independence, it's easy to get around the region. The city is located at the intersection of I-77 and I-480, two of the busiest highways in the area. On I-77, residents can quickly reach Akron to the south and downtown Cleveland to the north. For trips out of town, Cleveland Hopkins Airport is located less than 10 miles away, right off of I-480. The airport offers nonstop flights to more than three dozen destinations in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.
