Is Nottingham (Cleveland) safe?
Cleveland, Ohio · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Nottingham (Cleveland) as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Nottingham (Cleveland)
“Go with care. Nottingham is primarily a quiet, working-class residential area, but it experiences above-average crime rates characteristic of parts of Cleveland's East Side. Daylight visits to local businesses and neighborhood corridors are generally uneventful, but nighttime travel requires heightened situational awareness.”
Recent multi-million-dollar streetscape improvements along the East 185th Street corridor have spurred localized revitalization and infrastructure upgrades along the Nottingham-Euclid border.
About the area
Nottingham is an established, predominantly residential neighborhood located on Cleveland's northeast side near the Euclid city border. It features modest mid-century single-family homes alongside industrial corridors and commercial stretches on East 185th Street and Nottingham Road. While convenient to Lake Erie and major highways, the area faces economic headwinds and elevated property and violent crime rates.
- Working-Class
- Residential
- Industrial-Adjacent
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Nottingham (Cleveland)
Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 46/100
Dedicated cycling infrastructure is sparse within Nottingham proper, and there are no active bike-share hubs in the immediate vicinity, though residential roads provide connections to the Lakefront Bikeway to the north.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Convenient highway access to I-90 and Route 2, facilitating quick commutes downtown.
- Ongoing commercial streetscape revitalization along the East 185th Street commercial corridor.
- Affordable housing stock and proximity to Lake Erie lakefront parks to the north.
Cons
- Violent and property crime rates remain significantly above national and Ohio state averages.
- Elevated poverty rate (exceeding 25%) and median household income well below county averages.
- Noticeable pockets of residential blight and vacant lots interspersed with industrial parcels.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low across Nottingham's residential interior, with occasional individuals panhandling near major commercial intersections along East 185th Street or bus shelters on St. Clair Avenue.
What Nottingham (Cleveland) is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Streets are calm as residents commute and local retail opens, with minimal safety concerns during routine daytime activities.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Residential and commercial streets see steady traffic; standard daytime vigilance is recommended along major transit corridors.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Foot traffic decreases quickly after dark; sticking to well-lit commercial hubs and off empty side streets is advisable.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Risk of opportunistic crime and street incidents increases considerably; walking alone late at night is not advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) operates local bus routes through the neighborhood, including Route 37 on East 185th and Route 1 along St. Clair Avenue. The nearest rapid transit rail access is the Windermere Red Line station, located roughly 3.5 miles southwest.
Parking is abundant and largely free throughout the area, consisting of unmetered residential street parking and private surface lots at local businesses and plazas.
Things to do in Nottingham (Cleveland)
- Sample traditional baked goods and cakes at long-running neighborhood bakeries on East 185th Street.
- Visit Humphrey Sports Complex for recreational open space, basketball courts, and community baseball diamonds.
- Take a short drive north to Euclid Beach Park to enjoy scenic Lake Erie sunset views and picnic pavilions.
Local favorites
- Archie's Hough Bakeries · Bakery · 4.6★ (320)Historic East Side bakery renowned for traditional white cakes, pastries, and custom desserts.
- Muldoon's Saloon & Eatery · American Restaurant & Pub · 4.4★ (410)Longstanding neighborhood tavern offering classic pub fare, burgers, and an unpretentious atmosphere.
- Nottingham Tavern · Bar · 4.3★ (85)Cozy local watering hole featuring affordable drinks, pool tables, and a neighborhood regular crowd.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.
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