The Flats

Greater Cleveland, located on the southern shore of Lake Erie, extends 100 miles along the shore and more than 40 miles inland. Weather in Cleveland follows Midwest seasonal patterns, but with the strong, modifying influence of Lake Erie. The wealth of cultural activities, abundant recreational and entertainment opportunities and overall quality of life rival that of any city in the country. A major medical, corporate, financial and legal center, Cleveland is now experiencing the biggest boom in its history. Following a massive community effort to revitalize the city's downtown and harbor area (site of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and The Great Lakes Science Center), Cleveland's image is changing almost as quickly as its skyline.

As the cost of housing rises nationally, Cleveland's remains affordable. Clevelanders spend 28 percent of their income for housing, while housing in Miami, Phoenix and New York City consumes 40 percent of personal income. Residential communities of Cleveland Heights, University Heights and Shaker Heights are within easy walking, driving or bicycling distance of Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals and the Cleveland VA.

Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals, and the VA Medical Center are part of Cleveland's University Circle - a unique, one-square mile cluster of institutions of the arts and sciences, research, education, health care, social services and religion. The Cleveland Museum of Art, within walking distance of Case Western Reserve University, houses one of the world's finest collections. Other attractions in the area include Severance Hall, performance site of the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra; the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, housing the world's largest collection of human and primate skeletons; the Cleveland Health Education Museum, a unique science center focusing on the human body; the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum; and the Western Reserve Historical Society.

Cleveland offers professional performances in theater, dance, jazz, opera and ballet on a regular basis. Playhouse Square Center is the largest theater restoration project in the country, transforming a three-theater complex to its original 1920s elegance. The State Theater houses the Cleveland Ballet, the fifth largest U.S. company, and the Cleveland Opera. Broadway musicals play The Palace Theater, and the Ohio Theater is home to the Great Lakes Theater Festival.  There are major professional and amateur events in golf, tennis, bowling, polo, and horse racing. Cleveland also has a full range of spectator and participant sports.

Sports in downtown Cleveland received a new look with the completion of the Gateway sports complex in 1994. Gateway is home to the Cleveland Cavaliers (basketball), Indians (baseball), Lumberjacks (hockey), and Crunch (soccer). Returning to the lakefront is the Cleveland Browns football team playing in our new Cleveland Stadium.