Moving to Brunswick & Brunswick Hills, Ohio: A Relocation Guide
Whether you're relocating for a job, moving closer to family, or starting fresh in a new community, Brunswick and Brunswick Hills offer the space of Medina County with easy reach to Cleveland and Akron. I'm Lisa Nickel, a REALTOR® with eXp Realty who lives in Brunswick Hills and has spent my career helping families and households get from the house they have to the home they need next. This guide walks through the practical things to know before you move, from taxes and schools to where to grab a coffee and a custard.
New to the area? Start with the complete Brunswick & Brunswick Hills community guide for neighborhoods, parks, and the housing market.
City vs Township: Know the Difference
Brunswick and Brunswick Hills share the 44212 ZIP code and the same Brunswick mailing identity, but they are two separate municipalities with different governments and different obligations. This is the single most important thing to understand as you search.
The City of Brunswick is a city government with its own mayor, council, police and fire, parks and recreation, and municipal income tax. Brunswick Hills Township is a township form of government, established in 1960 by residents who preferred that structure, with no municipal income tax of its own.
Because both share the same ZIP and mailing address, the only reliable way to know which municipality a home is in is to check the parcel record with the Medina County Auditor. Never assume from a street address.
Taxes, explained carefully
Ohio's municipal income tax is primarily a workplace tax: if you earn income in a city that levies one, you generally owe that city's tax regardless of where you live. On top of that, if you live in a city with its own income tax, you also owe a residence tax, but that city decides whether to grant you a credit for the tax you already paid where you work.
For the City of Brunswick specifically: the rate is 2.0%, with a 1% credit for taxes paid to another municipality. Every city resident age 18 and older must file a return each year, even with no income.
What this means for a township resident: living in Brunswick Hills means you don't owe the City of Brunswick residence tax, but you may still owe municipal income tax to the city where you work. Whether you owe anything to a residence city depends on whether that city levies an income tax and grants a credit. Because every situation differs, I recommend checking the official guidance for your specific city and workplace.
Location and Transportation
Brunswick sits roughly 20 miles southwest of Cleveland, in the northern tier of Medina County, and is positioned between Cleveland and Akron along the I-71 corridor. Akron is roughly 28 miles away by road.
I-71 provides the main north-south route. The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) is currently running a two-year study of the I-71 corridor from Pearl Road in Middleburg Heights south to Ohio 303 in Brunswick to review traffic options. Because traffic and construction change, I'll keep commute details current rather than promising specific drive times.
Housing Options
Brunswick and Brunswick Hills offer a range of product types: established single-family neighborhoods, newer construction, townhomes, condominiums, and cluster homes. Which types you'll find depends heavily on which municipality and subdivision you're looking at.
In general, the city offers more established neighborhoods, newer construction, and attached product like townhomes and condominiums, while parts of the township have a more rural feel with larger lots. But housing varies neighborhood by neighborhood in both municipalities, so it's best to look at individual communities. For a detailed breakdown, see our Neighborhoods Guide, which profiles subdivisions across both. Rather than repeat those profiles here, this page focuses on the practical side of the move.
Everyday Living: What It's Like Day to Day
Outdoor space is a real strength here. Princess Ledges Nature Preserve offers a gentle hiking loop through some of Northeast Ohio's oldest sandstone ledge formations. Brunswick Lake Park wraps a one-mile walking trail and boardwalks around the lake, with easy access to the Susan Hambley Nature Center, run by the Medina County Park District in partnership with the city. Neura Park, Brunswick's oldest park, includes an inclusive playground built in 2022.
Shopping and dining are convenient and locally rooted. Brunswick Town Center is a 107-acre mixed-use center anchored by Home Depot and Giant Eagle, with a Main Street of smaller shops. Market 42 brings together local vendors, farm-fresh produce, and handcrafted goods. Rosati's Frozen Custard opened its Brunswick location at 922 Pearl Road in spring 2024. Herman's Pub and Grub at 2126 Pearl Road is an American pub and sports bar.
Healthcare is close. Southwest General's Brunswick Medical Center at 4065 Center Road offers a 24-hour emergency room, and Cleveland Clinic's Brunswick Family Health Center at 3574 Center Road has a 24-hour emergency department plus an Express Care clinic for urgent needs.
What I Love About Living Here
I've called Brunswick Hills home since 2005, and I love being part of the broader Brunswick community. A few of my favorite things:
- The outdoor spaces. I love Princess Ledges, Brunswick Lake, Neura Park, and the Susan Hambley Nature Center.
- Mapleside Farms. It's been part of Brunswick since 1927, and it's a year-round gathering place, from the summer concerts over the valley to the Johnny Appleseed Festival each fall to the recently opened Social House.
- The local business community. Brunswick supports its own, and you feel it.
- My two favorite brews: local breweries and coffee shops.
- My neighborhood Discount Drug Mart, where I shop almost daily.
- Rosati's Frozen Custard for a sweet treat.
- Herman's Pub and Grub, my go-to spot for watching the Cleveland Browns and Ohio State Buckeyes.
These are my personal favorites, shared so you get a real sense of the place, not a sales pitch.
Lisa Nickel, REALTOR® with eXp Realty, Brunswick Hills resident
Schools: Assignment Is Address-Specific
School assignment in this area is determined by your specific address, not by the Brunswick mailing identity. Two public districts serve the area: Brunswick City Schools serves the City of Brunswick and parts of Brunswick Hills, and Highland Local Schools serves Brunswick Hills and neighboring townships.
Because boundaries can be specific to a single address, I recommend confirming directly with the school district that serves the home you're considering, and using the county auditor's parcel record as an additional verification resource. For a full, factual look at both districts, official links, and how to verify your assignment, see our Schools Guide. This guide intentionally does not rank schools, because the right district is the one that fits your household's needs.
Cost of Ownership
Property taxes in Medina County vary by property, and I recommend checking the actual rate on a specific home through the Medina County Auditor's parcel record rather than relying on countywide averages. On top of property tax, City of Brunswick residents pay the 2.0% municipal income tax described above.
Utilities and other costs depend on the specific address. In the city, water comes from Cleveland Water and the city participates in the NOPEC energy aggregation. In the township, electric service is typically Ohio Edison, and water depends on the property's provider. Sewer is handled by the Medina County Sanitary Engineers. HOA fees, where they apply, vary by community and are best confirmed for each home.
Moving Checklist
City of Brunswick
- Set up water with Cleveland Water.
- Trash and recycling: the city contracts with a single hauler, currently Kimble Recycling & Disposal, with a monthly household charge.
- Register for municipal income tax filing if you're a resident 18+.
- Enroll children through Brunswick City Schools online registration.
Brunswick Hills Township
- Set up electric with Ohio Edison; water depends on the property's provider.
- Trash: the township runs a single-hauler program; confirm the current hauler and enrollment with the township.
- Enroll children through the district serving your address (Brunswick City or Highland).
Both
- Confirm your municipality and school district by parcel with the Medina County Auditor, and confirm school assignment directly with the district.
- Update your address with the post office, DMV, and your financial institutions.
- Confirm water, sewer, and electric providers for your specific property, as they can vary by address.
FAQs
Is Brunswick the same as Brunswick Hills?
No. They share the 44212 ZIP and Brunswick mailing address but are separate municipalities with different governments and tax structures.
Do I pay city income tax if I live in Brunswick Hills?
You don't pay the City of Brunswick residence tax, but you may still owe municipal income tax to the city where you work. Municipal taxes are owed based on where you work, and possibly where you live depending on that city's rules and credits.
Which school district will my address be in?
Brunswick City Schools or Highland Local Schools, depending on your exact address. Confirm directly with the district and verify with the county auditor.
How far is Brunswick from Cleveland and Akron?
Roughly 20 miles southwest of Cleveland and about 28 miles from Akron by road. Drive times vary with traffic.
What is everyday life like in Brunswick and Brunswick Hills?
Brunswick and Brunswick Hills offer strong outdoor space, convenient shopping, and a supportive local community. Whether it's the right fit depends on your household's needs, which is worth a conversation.
What's the difference between city and township housing?
Housing varies neighborhood by neighborhood in both. The Neighborhoods Guide details the subdivisions across the city and township.
What are property taxes like?
They vary by property. Check the actual rate on the Medina County Auditor parcel record rather than relying on averages.
How do I set up utilities and trash?
It depends on whether you're in the city or township, and on your specific property. The moving checklist above covers both.
Let's make the move easier
Moving is a big step, and the details are easier with someone local in your corner. Whether you're buying or selling in Brunswick, Brunswick Hills, or anywhere in the area, I'd love to help you get from the house you have to the home you need next.
Explore the Brunswick hub for more on the community, dig into the Neighborhoods Guide and Schools Guide, or get in touch to start a conversation about buying or selling.