Old Brooklyn doesn't make many "coolest neighborhoods in Cleveland" lists. It doesn't have the restaurant density of Ohio City or the architectural prestige of Shaker Heights. What it has — and what keeps people there for decades — is something harder to find: a real neighborhood that works.
If you're looking for a rental in South Cleveland and don't know Old Brooklyn yet, this guide is for you.
Old Brooklyn is a neighborhood in the south-central part of Cleveland, roughly bounded by I-480 to the south, I-71 to the east, the Big Creek Parkway to the west, and Denison Avenue to the north. It sits directly south of downtown Cleveland — about 5–7 miles, maybe 15–20 minutes without traffic.
The neighborhood is large by Cleveland standards — the community development corporation covers a substantial stretch of the city's south side — but it has a consistent character throughout: working-class, residential, park-adjacent, and unpretentious.
Our rental property at 3112 W 30th St sits in the heart of the Old Brooklyn/South Cleveland corridor — close to the Metroparks, major bus routes, and the commercial strips that serve the neighborhood's daily needs.
Old Brooklyn's housing stock is predominantly mid-century single-family homes — ranches, Cape Cods, and bungalows built largely from the 1940s through the 1960s. This gives the neighborhood:
The homes have the character of mid-century Cleveland residential architecture — not flashy, but substantial. Many have been updated over the decades while retaining their original floor plans and proportions.
What to watch for: As with any older Cleveland housing stock, ask about furnace age, water heater condition, and basement drainage before signing. A well-maintained Old Brooklyn home is excellent. A neglected one can have deferred issues that surface in year one.
Cleveland Comfort Housing manages a rental home on W 30th St in this neighborhood. See what's available at /rentals.
Old Brooklyn is one of the most affordable areas for renters who need full home-sized space in Cleveland proper.
2 Bedroom: $850–$1,100/month 3 Bedroom: $950–$1,250/month 4 Bedroom: $1,100–$1,450/month
These prices represent real value for what you get — typically a full single-family home with a yard, basement, and parking, inside Cleveland city limits. Compare that to the $1,300–$1,800 you'd pay for a 3-bedroom in Lakewood or Cleveland Heights, and the math is compelling.
Budget for utilities separately. Natural gas and electric are tenant-paid in most Old Brooklyn rentals. Older homes vary significantly in their energy efficiency — always ask about insulation and furnace age before signing. An updated furnace and newer windows can make the difference between a $120/month gas bill and a $250/month one in January.
This is the part most people don't know until they live there.
Old Brooklyn is bordered on the west by Big Creek Parkway — a Metroparks reservation that runs from I-480 north through the neighborhood toward the Rocky River valley. It's wooded, quiet, and beautiful in a way that surprises people who think of this as a densely urban part of the city.
The Big Creek Parkway trail connects to the broader Metroparks Emerald Necklace — 23,000 acres of connected greenspace that rings Cleveland. From Old Brooklyn, you can access:
Big Creek Reservation: Walking and biking trails through mature forest along the Big Creek corridor. Picnic areas. Genuine wilderness minutes from the neighborhood streets.
Brooklyn Branch Greenway: A connected trail that links to the broader lakefront trail system heading north.
Zoo proximity: The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is located immediately east of Old Brooklyn along Fulton Road — one of the best zoos in Ohio, with free admission on Wednesdays for Cuyahoga County residents.
For renters who value outdoor access, Old Brooklyn is genuinely remarkable — you can be on a wooded trail within a 5-minute walk from much of the neighborhood.
Old Brooklyn is well-positioned for car commuters:
Downtown Cleveland: 15–20 minutes north via I-71, W. 25th Street, or Pearl Road (non-rush). Budget 25–35 minutes during peak hours.
MetroHealth Medical Center: 5–10 minutes — MetroHealth's main campus sits on the northern edge of the Old Brooklyn/South Cleveland boundary. This makes Old Brooklyn ideal for MetroHealth employees.
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport: 15–20 minutes west via I-480. One of the easiest airport commutes of any Cleveland neighborhood.
Parma / Parma Heights (shopping, services): 10–15 minutes south via Pearl Road or State Road.
Akron: 40–45 minutes south via I-71 to I-76.
I-71 and I-480 access: Both highways are close, giving Old Brooklyn strong connectivity in multiple directions without long surface-street drives.
RTA Route 55 (Pearl Road) is the main bus line serving Old Brooklyn, running from downtown Cleveland south through the neighborhood and into Parma. Frequency is moderate on weekdays.
RTA Route 45 (Fulton Road) offers another downtown connection through the eastern part of the neighborhood.
For downtown commuters willing to use transit, Old Brooklyn is workable — not as convenient as Ohio City or Lakewood's bus service, but a real option for weekday commuting without a car.
Old Brooklyn is served by the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD).
CMSD operates a school choice system where families can apply to schools across the district, including magnet programs. For Old Brooklyn specifically:
For families prioritizing schools: Many Old Brooklyn families use CMSD's open enrollment and magnet school system to access stronger programs elsewhere in the district, or explore charter and parochial options. St. Ignatius High School (Catholic, all-boys, nationally recognized) is in the adjacent Clark-Fulton/University area — a popular private option for families in this part of the city.
As always: research the specific school for your address and grade level. CMSD has wide variation school-to-school.
Old Brooklyn's main commercial corridors are Pearl Road, Broadview Road, and State Road — each has grocery stores, pharmacies, hardware, and the practical services needed for daily life.
Giant Eagle on Pearl Road is the main grocery anchor. Aldi and Save-A-Lot locations nearby for budget shopping. Dollar stores and dollar trees within the neighborhood for household needs.
The Shoppes at Parma (just over the Parma border) and other Parma retail are a short drive south for larger shopping trips.
Old Brooklyn isn't a destination dining neighborhood in the way Ohio City or Tremont are — but it has solid, unpretentious neighborhood restaurants:
Real comfort food: Old Brooklyn has diners, family restaurants, pizza joints, and the kind of places where regulars know the owner. Talkies Bar, Old Brooklyn Tavern, and neighborhood spots that have been around for decades.
West Side Market access: The West Side Market is about 10–15 minutes north — Old Brooklyn residents are close enough to make it a regular shopping stop.
Brewing and food scene nearby: Ohio City's restaurant corridor is close enough to make it a regular evening-out destination without living there.
Beyond the Metroparks already mentioned:
Jefferson Park and neighborhood parks within Old Brooklyn for playgrounds and open space.
Brooklyn Recreation Center — community rec center with pool, fitness, and programming.
Big Creek Pedestrian Bridge — connects neighborhoods across the creek valley via a dedicated pedestrian/bike span.
MetroHealth's athletic fields — adjacent to the neighborhood along Scranton Road.
Old Brooklyn has a strong community identity built over generations. The neighborhood experienced its peak population in the mid-20th century as a working-class, ethnic Catholic community — Polish, Czech, Slovak, Italian — and that civic tradition of block clubs, neighborhood associations, and local pride persists.
The Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation is active, runs neighborhood events, and manages the commercial corridor. The Pearl (a community newsletter and events guide) reflects an engaged neighborhood.
The demographics have diversified substantially over the past few decades. Old Brooklyn today is genuinely mixed by race, age, and background — with long-term residents alongside newer families drawn by the value and community feel.
It's a neighborhood where people wave to their neighbors, block clubs are real, and the Fourth of July block party is taken seriously.
Healthcare workers — particularly MetroHealth employees, who are walking distance from one of the neighborhood's major employers. Also practical for Cleveland Clinic and University Circle staff who can handle a 20-minute commute.
Families who need space — a 3-bedroom house with a yard in Old Brooklyn is significantly cheaper than comparable space in Lakewood or the east-side suburbs. For families stretching a budget, that difference is meaningful.
Outdoor enthusiasts — the Big Creek Parkway access is an underrated lifestyle asset. If you run, bike, hike, or just want a wooded walk without driving 45 minutes, Old Brooklyn delivers.
Airport-adjacent professionals — Hopkins is 15 minutes away. For people who travel frequently for work, this proximity is genuinely valuable.
Renters who value community — Old Brooklyn has the neighborhood association infrastructure and long-term resident base that creates actual community. It doesn't feel like an anonymous rental zone.
Inspect the systems carefully. The age of the housing stock means furnace, water heater, and plumbing age matter. Ask specifically. Don't assume a "recently updated" kitchen means the furnace was addressed.
The 30s and 40s streets have the most character. The streets in the W 30s–W 40s range (including our own W 30th St property) are among the most established and well-kept in the neighborhood. Well worth prioritizing if you're searching.
Drive it before you commit. Specific blocks vary. Take a slow drive through the actual street during the day and in the evening. Talk to neighbors if you see someone outside.
Factor in utilities. Ask what previous tenants paid for gas and electric. A $100/month difference in utility costs over a year is $1,200 — that's real money.
Know the bus routes if you rely on transit. The Pearl Road route is the main connection. Know where the stops are relative to your potential unit before deciding you can go car-free here.
We have a rental home on W 30th St — right in the heart of Old Brooklyn, close to the Metroparks, transit, and everything the south side has to offer.
Browse it and our other available homes at /rentals. Read more Cleveland neighborhood guides at our tenant resource center, or call us at (216) 480-4166 with any questions.
Old Brooklyn rewards the people who find it. If the combination of space, value, parks, and community sounds like what you're looking for — it might be the right fit.
Browse our available properties or get in touch. We respond fast.
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