Where to Live in
Parma

The 2026 Parma Neighborhood Shortlist

Parma isn't the blue-collar monolith of the 90s anymore. The city's layout is shifting. You can feel the tension between the old guard holding onto State Road dive bars and the wave of young families getting priced out of Lakewood and Ohio City who are now swarming Brook Park and Seven Hills lines. The "Median Line" is the new border war: areas north of Brookpark Road are seeing flipped houses sell for $250k+, while the deep south pockets near Ridge Road remain the last bastion of true affordability. The "Little Poland" corridor on State Road is holding the line culturally, but the food scene is waking up. If you’re looking for a McMansion, go to Strongsville. If you want a house with a soul and a corner bar that knows your order, read on.

The Shortlist

Brook Park (North of Brookpark Rd)

• The Vibe: Factory Chic
• Rent Check: Below City Avg.
• The Good: You are minutes from the Cleveland Hopkins Airport and the Brook Park RTA station, making this the ultimate commuter hub. The Memorial Park Drive loop offers solid walking trails. The real draw is the housing stock—solid brick ranches and capes that are being snatched up by contractors.
• The Bad: The industrial hum is real. If you are right off Engle Road, you’re going to hear the freight trains. Street parking is a nightmare on Snow Road during shifts change at the Ford plant.
• Best For: The Aerospace/Logistics worker who wants to own, not rent.
• Insider Tip: Grab a booth at P.J. McIntyre's on Riverside Drive for a pint and the view of the planes landing, then walk the Big Creek Parkway trail at sunset.

Poland Village (State Rd Corridor)

• The Vibe: Little Poland
• Rent Check: Average.
• The Good: This is the culinary heart of the city. You have Pierce’s Pierogi and Café Ah Roma anchoring the strip. Walkability is high here if you live near Warren Road. The Parma City School District is decent, specifically the Poland Middle School catchment.
• The Bad: It’s busy. State Road is a thoroughfare, not a quiet street. Older homes here have charm but also knob-and-tube wiring and zero insulation. Expect high heating bills.
• Best For: The foodie who refuses to pay Cleveland Heights prices.
• Insider Tip: Skip the chains. Go to Bistro 83 on State Road for a quiet date night, and for the best pierogi that aren't homemade, hit Olesia's Taverne (get the loaded fries).

Seven Hills (North of Hillside Rd)

• The Vibe: Suburban Stability
• Rent Check: Above City Avg.
• The Good: This is where you move to mow your lawn on Sundays. The Seven Hills Recreation Center is top-tier. The streets like Hillside and Summit are tree-lined and quiet. It feels detached from the grit of Parma proper. The Parma City School District performs best here.
• The Bad: It’s boring. You will drive for everything. The housing stock is 1960s split-levels that are overpriced compared to the rest of the city.
• Best For: Families who want the suburbs without crossing into Strongsville.
• Insider Tip: The hidden gem is Hillside Park—it’s far less crowded than the Rec Center and has the best sledding hill in the winter.

Ridge Road (South of I-480)

• The Vibe: The Last Frontier
• Rent Check: Deep Value.
• The Good: If you are looking for a deal, this is it. You can still find homes under $150k here. It’s sandwiched between Parma and Parma Heights, giving you access to both Ridge Road shopping and Pearl Road amenities. The Parmatown area is getting a facelift.
• The Bad: It feels transitional. You have a mix of aging residents and transient renters. Crime isn't rampant, but property crime happens. Ridge Road itself is a traffic jam from 4-6 PM.
• Best For: Investors looking to buy a rental property before the prices creep up from the north.
• Insider Tip: Drive down West 54th Street. It’s quiet, residential, and shows the true potential of the area. Hit up C’s Pizza on Ridge for a cheap, solid pie.

Strategic Recommendations

• For Families: Seven Hills. The housing stock is consistent, the yards are decent, and the schools are the strongest in the district. You avoid the airport noise and the heavy traffic of State Road.
• For Wall St / Tech: Poland Village. You need to be near the Brook Park RTA Rapid Station for the downtown commute, but you don't want to live in the industrial grit of Brook Park proper. Poland Village gives you walkability and decent resale value.
• The Value Play: Brook Park (North of Brookpark Rd). The gentrification wave is hitting Lakewood and Ohio City hard. Those buyers are looking south. The houses here are structurally sound but cosmetic disasters. Buy now, renovate, and sell to the airport pilot or traveling nurse in 3 years.