Cleveland Ohio? (Update 1st post)

[Cool-Beans]

Wow. I love the East side, but I also love the NE Ohio area, which you refer to as a "hellhole" so I guess we just disagree. lol

I grew up on the east side and know it very well. It's fine in the summer. Well, parts of it are. Mayfield is too damn crowded and Solon, for all its zoning/planning (they STILL don't have a drive-thru McDonalds, for God's sake) has turned itself into a mini-Mayfield.

And the Beachwood Mall still sucks. Better than it was back in the 80's, but still not great. If you want a decent mall, you have to drive to Mentor. Mentor isn't bad, but a little too crowded and suburbany for me. A little east of Mentor is nice, but, again, snow.

Go a little further east than Chagrin and you get peace and quiet, but SNOW and turkey vultures (hideous things) and coyotes and the occasional BEAR. A bear shows up in Pepper Pike and Beachwood and it is on the flippin news. A bear shows up here, well, look where you live: what do you expect? Get a shotgun.

OP, do want city-like? Suburban cliche? A little more rural? VERY rural? We've got it all.

 

[KimmyDisneyNerd]

Just wanted to add, I'm east too, and as you may have noticed I am directing her southwest
The snow difference is no joke. I lived in Strongsville and Rocky River for a few years and enjoyed my time out there MUCH better.

 

[ajk912]

Chagrin/Chagrin Falls has been mentioned a few times but I do want to make sure you are clear about how much snow they get out there. Like I said before, they are deep in the snow belt there and my ILs pay a pretty penny for their snowplow guy. Anyway, I guess they were saying that Cleveland had 40 inches of snow in January (according to the news), and they were thinking they had at least 10 inches beyond that..so think, 50 inches of snow, over 4 feet in one month.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I live in NW Ohio, but we played a football playoff game in Avon Lake and boy was it a nice HS! I had college friends from Lakewood too and that seemed like a nice area.
Robin M.

 

[harleyquinn]

Thanks for all of the recommendations.

My husband will not have to commute to work in the traditional sense. His office will be at our house. The company requires him to live within a certain distance from Cleveland because he will need to go there regularly. However, he will also need to go towards Columbus. And, I guess east and west of Cleveland as well.

I am not sure of our housing budget yet. We haven't gotten that far. This opportunity came up yesterday. So, I have just started researching the area.

Sounds like you should look at the southern 'burbs. There are great ones to choose from already mentioned and they'll put you all in a centerally located area, which will be helpful in his travels.

You can look up all the school districts on the Ohio Department of Education website.

 

[harleyquinn]

Chagrin/Chagrin Falls has been mentioned a few times but I do want to make sure you are clear about how much snow they get out there. Like I said before, they are deep in the snow belt there and my ILs pay a pretty penny for their snowplow guy. Anyway, I guess they were saying that Cleveland had 40 inches of snow in January (according to the news), and they were thinking they had at least 10 inches beyond that..so think, 50 inches of snow, over 4 feet in one month.

It really wasn't that bad. Yes, the figures you mention are correct, and it was crazy, but we are used to it! That means things get plowed quickly, and most of us know how to drive.

January was the second highest snowfall recorder EVER, so it shouldn't be that high again and even if it is, we handled it just fine. It will be quite a shock from 'Bama though...

 

[Cool-Beans]

If you move way east, you will need to either purchase a snow blower, pay someone (reliable - ask around) to plow, or spend like ALL of your free time shoveling that crap.

West-siders don't have to deal with that. It's just as cold on the west side, but they get so little snow compared to us.

And speaking of cold...have you been in the South your whole life? 'Cause it gets COLD here. Not just freezing (which we consider pretty warm in the winter), but bitter cold.

We had a couple weeks where it was around 0-15 for two weeks. And you know how they say, "Once it is freezing, it doesn't make much difference." They're FULL OF IT! The difference between freezing and 0 is the same difference between 90 and 58. And it is as noticeable. It really is that much colder.

And the sun disappears. Goes away in October and comes back late March, early April. The sunny day in those months is rare.

I'm not trying to slam Cleveland. Just think you should know all this. Wouldn't want you to pick up and move here and then say, "Oh, God! I hate this! Why didn't anyone tell me?! I wish I'd known!"

We're close to Cedar Point. We have theaters downtown and most of the bigger shows make their way here eventually.

We have pro baseball (GO TRIBE!), football, basketball and (I think) Hockey. Maybe soccer, I dunno, we're not big soccer fans here. If we have a team, I don't even know it.

We have EXCELLENT medical care. Not only do we have the Cleveland Clinic (a big-time research hospital), but you can't swing a cat around here without hitting a hospital (mostly owned by the Clinic). We have a decent metropark system at least one nice summer camp for kids. And we have that bacteria-infested cesspool we lovingly call "Lake Erie." The signs in many areas will tell you not to swim in it , but it is very pretty to look at and go out on boats and all that.

So, there is some good stuff. I've lived here my whole life and I do love Cleveland, but it is a dying city and the weather sucks.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I live in NW Ohio, but we played a football playoff game in Avon Lake and boy was it a nice HS! I had college friends from Lakewood too and that seemed like a nice area.
Robin M.

Lakewood was a nice area, but it is kind of scary now, especially the east end. All the gays moved to Ohio City and the criminals replaced them.

I LOVED Lakewood. Next to no snow, close to the lake and it had a great mix of people - rich and poor, old and young, students, widows, a few crazy people, drunks (there's a reason there are so many bars and drug stores there!), black and white, gay and straight, etc. It was a GREAT place to live and pretty cheap, too. And the prettiest park with such a nice view.

You know the old Lakewood joke: Lakewood is like a bowl of cereal: You've got your fruits, you've got your nuts, and the rest are just flakes.

It was a great place to live. But it's getting worse every day.

eta: I'm on the phone with a friend who lives in Lakewood and she'd like me to clarify that ALL the gay people didn't move. SOME of the gay people still live in Lakewood. Lakewood is absolutely still a gay-friendly kind of town. But a LOT of the gay people moved to Ohio City. You don't see too many drag queens walking home from the bus stop these days. And one of the two big gay bars closed down and opened a new place in...Ohio City. (Duh.)

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

If you move way east, you will need to either purchase a snow blower, pay someone (reliable - ask around) to plow, or spend like ALL of your free time shoveling that crap.

West-siders don't have to deal with that. It's just as cold on the west side, but they get so little snow compared to us.

And speaking of cold...have you been in the South your whole life? 'Cause it gets COLD here. Not just freezing (which we consider pretty warm in the winter), but bitter cold.

We had a couple weeks where it was around 0-15 for two weeks. And you know how they say, "Once it is freezing, it doesn't make much difference." They're FULL OF IT! The difference between freezing and 0 is the same difference between 90 and 58. And it is as noticeable. It really is that much colder.

And the sun disappears. Goes away in October and comes back late March, early April. The sunny day in those months is rare.

I'm not trying to slam Cleveland. Just think you should know all this. Wouldn't want you to pick up and move here and then say, "Oh, God! I hate this! Why didn't anyone tell me?! I wish I'd known!"

We're close to Cedar Point. We have theaters downtown and most of the bigger shows make their way here eventually.

We have pro baseball (GO TRIBE!), football, basketball and (I think) Hockey. Maybe soccer, I dunno, we're not big soccer fans here. If we have a team, I don't even know it.

We have EXCELLENT medical care. Not only do we have the Cleveland Clinic (a big-time research hospital), but you can't swing a cat around here without hitting a hospital (mostly owned by the Clinic). We have a decent metropark system at least one nice summer camp for kids. And we have that bacteria-infested cesspool we lovingly call "Lake Erie." The signs in many areas will tell you not to swim in it , but it is very pretty to look at and go out on boats and all that.

So, there is some good stuff. I've lived here my whole life and I do love Cleveland, but it is a dying city and the weather sucks.

I don't live in Cleveland (thank goodness Woo hoo Steelers) But I have been there many times for dogshows and numerous Browns-Steelers games.

All the people we have met have been friendly and nice. Cool-Beans you are so funny! I am cracking up at all your posts.

 

[kydisneyfans]

hi, this is lisa's daughter. I just moved from the Cleveland area. Canton and Akron are nice and they have extra activities for children. If you are looking for something smaller. The Aurora area is great and very close 480. Many of my friends grew up in this area and the kids have tons to do with the arts and education. People in the Aurora area still leave their doors unlocked!! This is not true of Akron or Canton. My friends younger sister was taking trombone and economics at the age of 8 in the public school system in Aurora.

If you left your door unlocked anywhere inside the Canton city limits at night, you wouldn't have any money or prescription meds left in your house the next morning. I have never seen a city drop off the map as quickly as that one. We moved 5 years ago and cringe when we have to go back to visit family. At least they have good pizza in town.

There are nice areas. I always liked the area between Akron and Canton (Green, Jackson, etc). There are many nice areas between Akron and Cleveland too. Amish country is real nice too. If travel to Columbus is needed, find a town along the I71 corridor.

But please, please, please stay out of the city limits of Canton like the plague. There are many other areas to consider.

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Thanks for all of the recommendations.

My husband will not have to commute to work in the traditional sense. His office will be at our house. The company requires him to live within a certain distance from Cleveland because he will need to go there regularly. However, he will also need to go towards Columbus. And, I guess east and west of Cleveland as well.

I am not sure of our housing budget yet. We haven't gotten that far. This opportunity came up yesterday. So, I have just started researching the area.

Sounds like you should look at the southern 'burbs. There are great ones to choose from already mentioned and they'll put you all in a centerally located area, which will be helpful in his travels.

You can look up all the school districts on the Ohio Department of Education website.

I agree with southern to southwest of the city. Something with easy access to I-71 if he will need to travel often to Columbus. Strongsville has good schools and a good mall. Brecksville/Broadview Hts schools are good also and nice area.

Please post when you narrow it down or PM some of us and we can give some insight. It is really a pretty good place to be. Especially in the summer

Good luck!

Debbie

 

[Cool-Beans]

I don't live in Cleveland (thank goodness Woo hoo Steelers) But I have been there many times for dogshows and numerous Browns-Steelers games.

All the people we have met have been friendly and nice. Cool-Beans you are so funny! I am cracking up at all your posts.

I think we're a good bunch. I was coming out of the grocery store this morning and woman was fidgeting with her glove and looked up at me and said, "Where is Spring?!" I laughed my butt off because I say that all the time. She continues by saying that one of her kids gave her the gloves for Christmas so she has to wear them sometimes, but they don't keep her fingers warm. BTDT!!!!

I like the people in Cleveland. Really and truly. And living where you are whomped with snow all the time gives people something in common. Builds character, too. There is a "We're all in this together" kind of thing that happens when people have snow problems.

Once upon a time, I got the car stuck and some guy helped shovel me out. Then another guy came and the two of them pushed - I just sat there and steered - until I was on my way.

I helped some folks push some woman's car through the parking lot last year when she went out in that big snowstorm (the big one, remember?) and someday she'll help someone else. Picked up a woman, her toddler and baby who were walking (well, the baby wasn't walking - it was hanging in one of those things around her neck) down the street (because the sidewalks were snow-covered) a couple weeks ago when I was leaving a friend's house and drove her to Marcs. She's a student at Cleveland State studying some forensic something or other - some day she'll see someone and pick them up.

We ALL know what a pain snow is. You learn to help people with snow problems, you learn to help people in general, KWIM? And the way we all help each other with winter-related problems brings back faith in humanity. It isn't an entirely bad thing.

But I'll bet there are nice people everywhere. And I have all the character I need.

 

[mickeymedic]

I lived in Solon, OH for 7 years. My parents moved back there a couple years ago. It's a great community. There are neighborhoods that meet many different housing budgets. We lived in one of the older neighborhoods - so the houses were not too expensive. But it was still a GREAT neighborhood. The Solon schools are fantastic, too. If you have any questions about Solon, feel free to PM me.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I lived in Solon, OH for 7 years. My parents moved back there a couple years ago. It's a great community.

It's a great community with no drive-thru McDonalds, though.

There are neighborhoods that meet many different housing budgets. We lived in one of the older neighborhoods - so the houses were not too expensive. But it was still a GREAT neighborhood. The Solon schools are fantastic, too. If you have any questions about Solon, feel free to PM me.

Did you live on the ABC streets? My first real boyfriend (with a car, who could come get me and with whom I fell into that soulmate kind of teenage love) lived on the ABC streets.

Solon has this section where all the streets start with letters of the alphabet. Tell me if I'm right - Arbordale, Brooklyn, Copley, Dunedin, Edgmoor, Fox Grove, Glenallen, H, Inwood, J, Kingswood, Longwood.

I know my Cleveland cities.

DH (and I) have a friend who is a major drunk. He called once and said, "Can you come get me? I'm walking down the street. I don't know where I am but I might be in Lyndhurst. And can you hurry because I met a girl in the bar and I think she stole my coat." Said he was walking down the street (had left the bar) and that while there had been "stores and stuff" where he'd been, he was now in a residential area, but there were bus stops.

That's it. That's all he could give us for location.

And I flippin found him.

A friend of mine once said she was going to get in her car and drive for 30 minutes and just tell me to come find her without any clues.

I know this city so well. (Familiarity breeds contempt, though.)

 

[XYSRUS]

I agree that anyone who is moving here should know about the snow. I live in Chardon. I grew up in Euclid. I had NO idea how much snow could fall in one place. Yeah it gets plowed quickly and life doesn't stop , but the snow! Did I tell you about the snow? It makes you crazy!

 

[Cool-Beans]

I agree that anyone who is moving here should know about the snow. I live in Chardon. I grew up in Euclid. I had NO idea how much snow could fall in one place. Yeah it gets plowed quickly and life doesn't stop , but the snow! Did I tell you about the snow? It makes you crazy!

Chardon gets waaaay more snow than Euclid. Dated two guys from Euclid. Married one!

I wouldn't want to live there, now, though. Euclid's going down, too.

Also got thrown across the whole intersection at 260 & Euclid (we were on Euclid) by drunk driver who was flying down the road (it was really late, we were on our way to Denny's) and never saw us, just crashed into the back of the car and sent us all the way across the intersection and almost past the National City Bank that used to be on that corner.

Highjack over!!! I'm bailing on this thread. (Sorry.)

 

[mickeymedic]

It's a great community with no drive-thru McDonalds, though. Did you live on the ABC streets? My first real boyfriend (with a car, who could come get me and with whom I fell into that soulmate kind of teenage love) lived on the ABC streets.

Yes! I lived on Brookland. My parents moved back to the same neighborhood - different street, though. Which street did you're boyfriend live on?

 

[Denine]

Here is my take: NE Ohio is a Hell hole. I have lived here my whole life and can't wait to get out! Cleveland is dying and there are very few jobs to be had anymore. Stay away from the Cleveland schools!!!!!!!!!

That being said, I grew up in Solon, way too much snow.
We lived in Broadview Hts, again too much snow.
We lived in Strongsville, nice, but getting busier all the time. Good school disctrict along with the above 2 mentioned.
We live in North Ridgeville now, Lorain County, but the school district isn't great, I home school, so I don 't really care.
Also in Lorain County is Avon which is really nice and Avon Lake. Both have good schools.
Westlake is also nice with good schools.
I hate Parma and North Royalton and most places in Summit county except maybe Hudson which is expensive but has good schools.
Medina County has Brunswick which I hate, even though there is an elementary school named after my grandfather there.

 

[Denine]

It's a great community with no drive-thru McDonalds, though. Did you live on the ABC streets? My first real boyfriend (with a car, who could come get me and with whom I fell into that soulmate kind of teenage love) lived on the ABC streets.

Solon has this section where all the streets start with letters of the alphabet. Tell me if I'm right - Arbordale, Brooklyn, Copley, Dunedin, Edgmoor, Fox Grove, Glenallen, H, Inwood, J, Kingswood, Longwood.

I know my Cleveland cities.

DH (and I) have a friend who is a major drunk. He called once and said, "Can you come get me? I'm walking down the street. I don't know where I am but I might be in Lyndhurst. And can you hurry because I met a girl in the bar and I think she stole my coat." Said he was walking down the street (had left the bar) and that while there had been "stores and stuff" where he'd been, he was now in a residential area, but there were bus stops.

That's it. That's all he could give us for location.

And I flippin found him.

A friend of mine once said she was going to get in her car and drive for 30 minutes and just tell me to come find her without any clues.

I know this city so well. (Familiarity breeds contempt, though.)

I lived on Linden Dr, the one all the ABC streets ended on.

 

[Denine]

Oh yeah and the sun doesn't shine most of the time during the winter so get used to clouds and we can get snow 6 months out of the year; October through April. I hope you like snowy Easters!