Youngstown, Ohio is a strong, proud, and diverse city with numerous neighborhoods full of culture and history. The city was a hub for American steel production until the decline of the steel industry in the late 1970’s. Since that time, the area reinvented itself and is continually on the rise in sectors such as technology, health care, and education. A low cost of living, lowering crime, and reasonable housing costs are among the things that make Youngstown an up and coming area once again. Since the early 2000’s area business people and regional planners have generated a successful renewal that has increased the city’s residency. In addition to Youngstown’s recent revitalization, the city boasts two long term treasures, Youngstown State University and Mill Creek Park, both add considerably to the city’s culture and livability.
The Brownlee Woods neighborhood in Youngstown, Ohio is a working class neighborhood rich in history and civic pride. Located on the Southside of Youngstown, areas that border Brownlee Woods includes Boardman Township, Ohio to the south, Interstate 680 to the west, the City of Struthers, Ohio to the east, and Midlothian Blvd to the north. A large number of Brownlee Woods residents own their homes, and many have lived in the neighborhood for over 30 years. A large number of residents are active in the Brownlee Woods Neighborhood group which enhances the area by encouraging home maintenance and a neighborhood watch. The community is near shopping, a large number of restaurants, Mill Creek Park, and Youngstown State University. Homes are well cared for and are an architectural mix of Colonial, Tudor, Ranch, and Cape Cod styles. Some homes date back to the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century when the area had a population comprised of agriculturalists, entrepreneurs, and politicians.
The Schenley neighborhood located in Youngstown, Ohio’s popular West Side. This area consists of parts of Youngstown’s affluent Garden District, which originally was a part of the Schenley neighborhood. The composition of this vicinity is mainly single family homes. Great effort and pride in the district are apparent in the Schenley community. The homes in this region are affordable and display a broad range of architectural styles. These include grand and historical pre-war housing, post-war cape cod style, ranches, and bungalows as well as newer modern homes. The Schenley area has easy access to freeways and is minutes away from restaurants, shopping, and downtown. Many properties in this area border Mill Creek Park property; this affords residents year round beauty and added serenity to their homes.
Youngstown’s Kirkmere neighborhood is an example of a thriving post-war community which still possesses much of its original family friendly close knit feel. Schenley Ave. borders the Kirkmere district to the east, Meridian Rd. to the west, Canfield Rd. to the south and the park like Ax Factory Run to the north. This charming area has approximately 550 single-family homes some still occupied by their original owners. Walking access to shopping, places of worship and several parks add to the warm and secure sense of community found in Kirkmere. Young families receive warm welcomes from long time Kirkmere residents in this traditionally middle-class neighborhood, which also includes professionals, working class, and retirees.