I’m in my office working on appraisals and listening to YouTube videos about the Lake Erie seiche. I’ve lived here since 1996 and never heard of it. Before we move on, check this out.
It’s not every day you hear the term seiche. You may also not have thought of Cleveland and all of Northeast Ohio being mentioned in the same breath as “climate migration.” But lately, it’s showing up more and more in that conversation — and for good reason. While some parts of the country are drying out, burning up, or washing away, Northeast Ohio sits in a pretty unique position on the map.
Fresh Water and a Fresh Start
Let’s start with the obvious: Lake Erie. It’s one of the Great Lakes, which together hold about 20% of the world’s surface fresh water. That’s not just trivia — it’s one of the biggest natural assets a region can have in the decades ahead. As water scarcity grows elsewhere, being next to a freshwater giant (that’s not saltwater and not rising) puts Cleveland in an enviable spot.
Unlike coastal cities, Cleveland doesn’t have to worry about hurricanes or sea-level rise. We get our share of lake-effect snow and the occasional downpour, but we’re not evacuating neighborhoods or watching houses slide into the ocean.
Milder Heat, Manageable Risks
Ohio is warming, no doubt. Granted, it doesn’t feel like it this year, but the stats don’t lie. Summers feel stickier, and we’ve all noticed the storms seem stronger. But compared to the extreme heat waves and wildfires hitting other regions, our local climate still falls on the manageable side. That relative comfort could make places like Cleveland more appealing to people and businesses looking for stability.
Room to Grow
Another reason Cleveland is on the radar… Space — and affordability. After the insane tax appeal year we’ve had, many in this area might feel like affordability is getting worse in Northeast Ohio. And to be clear, it is! But compared to other parts of the country, like Colorado, where I grew up, home prices are a bargain.
Our population has been stable (some would say stagnant) for years. While that comes with challenges, it also means there’s room to grow — in infrastructure, housing, and workforce capacity. For people migrating from overcrowded or expensive metros, that’s a selling point.
In fact, a 2023 study by Kent State University modeled a “climate migration scenario” right here in Northeast Ohio. The idea was simple: as other regions become less livable, some people will start looking for places that still offer water, housing, and jobs. Cleveland checked those boxes.
Planning for What’s Coming
Cleveland’s leadership seems to recognize this potential. The City’s Climate Action Plan and Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment are already looking ahead at how to adapt to heavier rain, flooding, and other weather changes. Organizations like the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) are even weaving climate resilience into transportation and housing plans.
The term “climate haven” gets thrown around a lot, but it’s important to stay realistic. We’re not immune. Warmer waters in Lake Erie have fueled algae blooms, and flooding has increased in some neighborhoods. There’s no such thing as a risk-free region — just areas better prepared to handle what’s next.
What It Means for Housing and Appraisal
If climate migration ever picks up, it could shift local housing demand in subtle ways. We might see more pressure on housing supply, higher competition for certain neighborhoods, and increased investment in infrastructure. It’s one of those long-term factors that may not show up in this year’s sales data — but it’s worth keeping an eye on.
For appraisers, it’s a reminder that location always evolves. The factors that make a place desirable change over time — sometimes slowly, sometimes suddenly. And as people start looking for safer, more sustainable communities, Cleveland and the surrounding region could find themselves in the spotlight again.
Sources:
City of Cleveland Climate Action Plan (2021); Kent State University Cleveland Urban Design Collaborative (2023); Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory; NOAA Climate Report
I hope you found this topic informative. If not, try these housing areas in Cuyahoga County, and if they don’t float your boat, just keep scrolling to the fun stuff!
CUYAHOGA COUNTY SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING TRENDS
Here are some fresh stats for single-family homes in Cuyahoga County. Here are the key points from the data below:
There were 3% fewer pending sales last month than in November of 2024.
The median sales price in November was $227,063, which is an 6% increase from November of 2024.
In November, there were just over 2 months of single-family inventory on the market, about 9% higher than in November 2024. This is still a shortage.
The median single-family list price in November was $215,000, up 3% from the same period last year.
On average, it took 26 days to sell a home in November compared to 23 days in November of 2024.
On average, homes sell for 100% of their listing price, as was the case in November of 2024.
Last month, there were 2,232 total single-family listings, 6% more than in November of 2024.
Here are the associated charts…
Okay, now on to some fun stuff. If you’re a Karen Carpenter fan like my wife and I are, I think you’re going to like Harriet!
If you live in Ohio, I think you’ll enjoy this one.
I enjoyed some articles about the Greater Cleveland area. I like sharing these things with you and hope you enjoy them too. Just click on the article to be sent to that article.
Things to Do This Weekend in Cleveland: January 1-4 – Cleveland Magazine
First electric traffic signal installed – History.com
Venture Into a Surreal Salt Mine 2,000 Feet Below Lake Erie – Wired.com
30+ of the Best Local Coffee Shops in Cleveland to Get Your Caffeine Fix – Cleveland Traveler
MORE BLOGS I RECOMMEND
If you enjoyed my blog, you might also enjoy some of my friends’ and colleagues’ blogs! Click their links below to check them out!
APPRAISAL TODAY by Ann O’Rourke
Housing Notes by Jonathan Miller
Sacramento Appraisal Blog by Ryan Lundquist
Real Value Blog and Podcast by Blaine Feyen
The Analog Blog by George Dell
The Appraiser Coach Blog by Dustin Harris
Birmingham Appraisal Blog by Tom Horn
Thanks for being here! I really appreciate your reading my articles and those of my guest writers in 2025. And I hope you have an amazing 2026!
Have a great rest of the week! Stay safe out there!
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If you want to order a residential real property appraisal in Northeast Ohio, click here. I’d love to help you solve your value problem! I’ve been appraising properties in the following counties since 1998: Cuyahoga, Summit, Lake, Geauga, Portage, Medina, Lorain, and Stark.
* Some parts of this post were created using AI tools, with final edits and opinions by me.
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Happy new year Jamie!
As someone who struggles with the heat in the Sacramento Valley, I have my eyes on where I want to live next. We’ve considered the Northwest for a long time but maybe we need to put Cleveland (!) on the radar…..
Thanks Joe! I can appreciate what you’re saying! You’ll have to check out Cleveland. I would love to have you live closer! We can always buy California wine. And we need awesome appraisers like you! My best to you and your family in 2026!