Whether you are a first-time home buyer, a young family looking for a place to raise your children, or a senior citizen looking to retire, the City of Mentor has a place for you.
Sharon Zunkley of Keller Williams says, “People are choosing to live in Mentor over other cities because they know their investment is not going decline, they are cognizant of how stable the market is and all the city has to offer in terms of education, recreation, shopping, dining, medical, and cultural diversity which makes Mentor a great place to raise a family.”
Mentor offers a wide variety of housing options including condos, century homes, and newly constructed homes. In 2015, the average home value in Mentor was $170,591 which is 25% higher than the State of Ohio average home value.
“There are numerous reasons why families choose to move to Mentor,” says Ron Traub, the City of Mentor’s Director of Economic & Community Development, “The primary reasons are affordability and diversity of housing options, great schools, and superior recreational opportunities. Second tier rationales include a high likelihood of finding local job opportunities, the diversity of readily available goods and services, and lower taxes on average.”
The affordability of houses makes Mentor a suitable place for a first-time home buyer. The median list price per square foot is $105 which is 24% lower when compared nationally. The median household income in 2015 was $73,352 which is 43% higher than the State of Ohio and 28% higher than the national average.
Another facet that attracts buyers is that Mentor is a shopping and dining destination with over 325 retail establishments and 170 eateries.
“Because there is such an abundance of retail businesses in Mentor, residents are provided with a variety of options when it comes to food and dining, shopping, and entertainment. The City of Mentor also hosts a series of community events and provides a plethora of recreational opportunities,” says Michael Boerner of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, “There’s always something to do in Mentor.”
Mentor is a great place to play, with over 1,200 acres of protected greenspace amongst its 15 parks which hosts hundreds of recreation programs for kids of all ages. And, the community events including Mentor Rocks, Headlands BeachFest, and Mentor CityFest, attract over 100,000 attendees per year!
If you are looking to enjoy a few nearby attractions outside of the city, the Lake County Captains, Downtown Willoughby, the Holden Arboretum, and Lake Metroparks are just a few opportunities for you to explore. Downtown Cleveland is also only 25 minutes away!
“In addition to the proximity to Cleveland for easy work access, Mentor offers world-class medical care and employment opportunities through globally based companies,” says Boerner.
Mentor has 10 industrial parks that engage over 8,600 employees through major manufacturers such as STERIS, Lincoln Electric, and Avery Dennison to name a few.
With low crime rates, responsive police and fire forces, and a positive police presence, Mentor residents can feel comfortable raising their children in the community. The Mentor Police Department is the largest police force in Lake County and the Mentor Fire Department has a Class 2 ISO Rating.
The three branches of the Mentor Public Library provide an abundance of valuable resources for you and your child to utilize for educational purposes as well as enjoyment. Since the library is a part of OhioLINK, books from all over the state can be delivered to Mentor at no cost to you.
When it comes to schooling, Mentor Public Schools prepares your children for life after high school by creating well-rounded students that participate in the abundance of extra-curricular activities provided by the schools.
“Mentor is the community of choice for a majority of our clients with school-age children. Mentor Schools is a requirement for many families. Mentor has programs for all students, from gifted to athletes to special needs and everywhere in between,” says George Davis III, President of ProBuilt Homes.
The City of Mentor may be a family-oriented community, but Mentor is also an optimal place for our senior citizens. Condos, cluster homes, and no maintenance options are available for seniors to choose from.
The Mentor Senior Center is a thriving meeting place for senior citizens and currently has more than 5,000 members that participate in the numerous programs available. The City of Mentor and other organizations provide senior citizen assistance programs including the Well Check Database, Residential Lock Box Program, assistance paying gas and electric bills, and free tax preparation.
From the diversity of housing options to recreational opportunities, Mentor has a lot to offer to those looking for a new home. Mentor is a place where memories are made, dreams are forged, and opportunities arise. Whoever you are and whatever your age may be, Mentor has a place for you.