Newbie investor here — which Cleveland neighborhoods would you steer clear of?

Question

Hey BP!
I'm a foreign investor, new here, and looking to buy a buy-and-hold rental in Cleveland in the $100K-$200K range.

I've been doing my own research on Zillow, crime maps, and school ratings, and areas like Kinsman, Hough, Glenville, Mount Pleasant, and Union-Miles keep showing up as high-yield but rough.

Since I can't drive the streets myself from overseas, I'd really appreciate on-the-ground input from locals. Which neighborhoods or specific blocks would you tell a newbie, especially a foreign one, to avoid completely, and are there any that look worse on paper than they actually are?

Any east side vs west side advice that still holds up in 2026 would also be much appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

Nicholas L. · Answer

@Achi Solomon

if you're overseas and can't go there... all of them.

sorry if that comes off as flippant but i actually really mean it.

when folks buy properties "remotely" - even in the US - this is what tends to happen:

Turnkey Nightmare: Property Manager Ignored My Warning About a Missing A/C…

Nightmare with my property manager - advice needed!

Feedback Needed: $8.8k Turnover Quote for 2BR Duplex (Half)Out-of-State Landlord Nightmare: 4 Months No Rent, Cleveland Escrow BattleFailed BRR in Memphis TN

A Cautionary Tale About a Property Manager in Cinncinatti

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/1242392-rough...

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/1137397-balti...

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/432/topics/1231840-sell...

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/311/topics/840134-memph...

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/963/topics/1195280-expe...

Achi Solomon · Answer

Thank you, Evan - I would love that!

Pete Boukis · Answer

Establish boots on the grounds.  You're going to need property management in place and possibly a rehab team if your doing a BRRRR.  There's pleny of high quality Eastside neighborhoods as well as Westside.  People tend to recommend what they are comfortable with.

Ebuka Ojiba · Answer

I would focus on getting a local realtor you can work with and trust to have your best interest at heart. There are bad properties in both the Eastside and Westside, and a trusted realtor can identify that for you. Be sure to review multiple realtors to find the best for you before settling on anyone. Consider Erick Bazzo with On Target Realty.

Patrick Drury · Answer

@Achi SolomonIf your looking in Cleveland, I would recommend being in areas on the West Side of Cleveland like West Blvd, Cudell, Old Brooklyn, Clark Fulton, Edgewater, Jefferson, and Brooklyn Centre. The reason is the rent-to-price ratio is good so you can cash flow, and most of the West side doesn’t have a Point of sale inspection which is really annoying.

Samuel Diouf · Answer

Starting out, I'd avoid all the D and F grade neighborhoods.

I'd be happy to send you a graded map of the area and share a list of useful contacts.

Achi Solomon · Answer

would love that , please share : )

Andrew Weiner · Answer

Hi Achi,

I think that the neighborhoods that you listed pencil in as high yield but in many cases vacancy, repairs, and delinquency are much higher than you project in these areas.  Also make sure you are familiar with the Cleveland local agent in charge and lead safe rules, this only applies in the city of Cleveland, not in the suburbs (Parma, Lakewood, Euclid, Garfield Heights, etc.).

Evan Hopple · Answer

Welcome! I'd start on the west side. The east side is much more street by street, and it's easier for a newer investor to end up buying in a bad location if you don't know the area well. I can share a neighborhood grading map of the city that gives a good starting point. Feel free to DM me

Newbie investor here — which Cleveland neighborhoods would you steer clear of?

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