Is South Hills (Cleveland) safe?
Cleveland, Ohio · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates South Hills (Cleveland) as “Go, stay aware”.
Gogo's take on South Hills (Cleveland)
“Go. South Hills is one of the safest, most stable residential enclaves within the city limits of Cleveland, functioning essentially like an inner-ring suburb. Standard urban awareness is sufficient during daytime and evening hours, though commercial corridors require typical vigilance regarding property theft.”
Recent regional news coverage highlights steady neighborhood investment and infrastructure improvements along the nearby Broadview Road corridor with minimal serious crime reporting.
About the area
Tucked away at the southern edge of Cleveland near Parma, South Hills is a quiet, leafy neighborhood characterized by well-kept brick bungalows and modest mid-century single-family homes. It offers a calm, suburban-style retreat from the core city with easy access to the broader Old Brooklyn dining scene and the Cleveland Metroparks.
- Quiet Residential
- Suburban Feel
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in South Hills (Cleveland)
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 42/100
There is no dedicated municipal bike-share station network here, but riders enjoy easy street connectivity to the Big Creek Parkway and the paved Cleveland Metroparks emerald necklace trails.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are substantially lower than Cleveland citywide benchmarks
- High homeownership rate and low residential vacancy foster neighborhood stability
- Close proximity to the Big Creek Parkway and Cleveland Metroparks network
- Solid median household incomes compared to neighboring urban districts
Cons
- Occasional property crimes such as vehicle break-ins along busier thoroughfares
- Car-dependent layout with limited walkable dining or nightlife directly within the neighborhood
- Limited rapid transit connectivity requiring bus transfers to reach downtown
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in South Hills, with no established encampments; occasional panhandling occurs primarily near major commercial intersections further north toward Old Brooklyn.
What South Hills (Cleveland) is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with dog walkers and residents commuting, feeling very safe throughout residential streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm and quiet with routine traffic along primary arteries like Broadview Road.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential atmosphere where neighborhood streets remain comfortable for walking.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very low foot traffic; generally safe, though standard precautions against opportunistic property crime are advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
Greater Cleveland RTA provides bus service via Route 51 (MetroHealth Line) and Route 45 along major boundary corridors, connecting to the Red Line rail at West 25th-Ohio City or downtown.
Parking is abundant and free throughout South Hills, with ample street parking on residential blocks and dedicated free parking lots at local businesses.
Things to do in South Hills (Cleveland)
- Explore the paved trails and green spaces at nearby Big Creek Reservation
- Grab a classic family-style breakfast or lunch along the Broadview Road corridor
- Take a short drive north to visit the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and rainforest
Local favorites
- Gus's Family Restaurant · Diner · 4.5★ (1280)Long-running neighborhood staple serving hearty American breakfast and comfort classics.
- Dina's Pizza & Pub · Pizza Restaurant · 4.4★ (1650)Popular local sports pub known for award-winning wings, specialty pizzas, and casual vibes.
- Honey Hut Ice Cream · Ice Cream Shop · 4.8★ (2100)Beloved local ice cream institution famous for its rich honey pecan flavor and seasonal scoops.
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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