OT- Anyone in the Cleveland area?

[Beehn]

DH just accepted a job in Independence. I"m looking for some nice communities in that area. I would love some suggestions about suburbs, elem. schools etc. I don't really know where to begin. Thanks in advance!

 

[ajk912]

I am not sure about Independence (isn't that about 30 minutes south of Cleveland?). I know Beachwood is a great area to live if you can afford it, great schools!

 

[Momma2dakidz]

if your asking about cleveland OHIO. Only place i would recomend is beechwood, twinsburg or mantaua. Beechwood is very ritzy (predominantly jewish also). If you have special needs kids though beechwood is not that great in accomodating them.

I live in Youngstown, its about an hour south of cleveland.......AVOID IT. LOL also avoid warren. slums and wanna be gang thugs is all that is in the schools.

Good luck! If you want neat family places to visit let me know, i am the queen of 1 day get aways around here. (cant take foster kids out of state without hassel..lol)

 

[oasispaul]

Welcome to Cleveland, Beehn!

Northeast Ohio has several wonderful family communities. I've lived here most of my life and my wife and I are currently raising a 2 year-old in Twinsburg (about 20 miles south of C-town). What type of community are you looking for? Northeast Ohio communities run the gamut from chic & urban to quaint & historic and everything in between. The "ring" of suburbs around Cleveland is not as extensive as many other "large" US cities. In other words, there aren't endless miles & miles of suburbs (like in Chicago). Rather, there are one or two "layers" of suburbs and then smaller townships, villages & farming communities. So you can basically get from downtown to a small farming community in 30-45 minutes. If you let me know exactly what type of community you're looking for, I can help steer you in the right direction.

In the meantime - every year, Cleveland Magazine puts out an extensive report ranking the top 50 Cleveland suburbs (the rankings take into account EVERYTHING - including school systems, safety, services, taxes, park systems, recreation & entertainment, etc.). The rankings are designed to highlight which suburbs offer the best bang for your buck (i.e. the "value" of the community when considering all factors). In other words, it doesn't necessarily list the suburbs in order of "most desirable" - case in point - I know many NE Ohioans who would move to Chagrin Falls if money were no object. Yet, because of its cost of living (and probably also due to it's lack of diversity), it's only #20 on this list...

Did a quick google search - here are the top 20 from the 2007 rankings:
1)Solon
2)Moreland Hills
3)Mayfield Village
4)Avon Lake
5)Twinsburg
6)Pepper Pike
7)Highland Heights
8)Orange Village
9)Brecksville
10)Independence
11)Chardon
12)Chester Township
13)Aurora
14)Avon
15)Kirtland
16)Beachwood
17)Concord Township
18)Rocky River
19)Westlake
20)Chagrin Falls

 

[two-foxes]

I grew up in Lakewood (just minutes west of Cleveland), but my aunt and uncle have lived in Seven Hills (which is essentially Independence) for many many years. They live in a nice area right by John Glenn Middle school. Since they don't have kiddos school age anymore, I can't help you with that...however, there are many Catholic Schools in the general area...lots of folks send their kids there regardless of religious afflilation. So, you have additional schooling options with that. Overall, expect slightly "older" homes overall...but the further you move out of the immediate Cleveland area, in all directions (except north ), it seems the newer the neighborhoods and homes are.

 

[kitsch4]

Congrats on the new job! The Bath/Richfield area is very nice and the schools are excellent. I've also heard that the Brecksville schools are good, too.

 

[oasispaul]

Several Northeast Ohio public schools have shown up on rankings/lists of the nation's top public schools (including US News). The public schools that have made such lists in recent years include:

Solon
Chagrin Falls
Orange
Beachwood
Hudson

If I recall, there have been a few others to gain national recognition in recent years.

In additon, there are several prestigious private schools in the area.

 

[Beehn]

Thanks to everyone! We are just starting this process. I haven't even been there to look around yet and I'm sure once I do I'll start to feel better about everything. Thanks again for the suggestions!

 

[2carsboys]

We lived in Parma Heights for 4 years and thought it was nice. Also worked in Mayfield Heights which was great!! And love the area southwest of Cleveland. As other posters have said there are a lot of great areas around Cleveland, just avoid Cleveland itself and some of the other towns with Heights at the end of their name.

 

[CarolynMink]

I moved to Cleveland area in 1989. We live in Bay Village, which is right on Lake Erie. Before, I read any of the other responses, my first thought was Solon. There is plenty of new home construction all around. Like an earlier poster responded a lot will depend on what you are looking for.

I came from the east coast and being near water was important to me. I love seeing the lake everyday. Also, a little unknown fact, Cleveland has a great theater district. I love it.

Welcome to the area and please ask away we will love to help you make this an easier move.

 

[LivinInTheCastle]

I have lived around Cleveland my whole life. Broadview heights/Brecksville is a really pretty area, also Strongsville is great, lots of newer houses and tons of stuff to do. Avoid Maple Heights, Bedford, Bedford heights, all older areas that are dying. Independence is a great area to work, high taxes though as far as living. Welcome to the area!

 

[sumlthomp]

You might want to check out Olmsted Falls or Olmsted Twp. We're about 20-25 min from Independence and we have a great community & A+ schools. Another one to check out would be Broadview Heights. The are part of the Brecksville/Broadview Hts School District which is top rated as well. Good Luck!