North Canton or Medina? (Cleveland, Akron: house prices, neighborhoods, buy)

[stew2730]

My family will be moving up to the Canton - Akron - Medina area early next summer. We are somewhat flexible on location between these three towns. We have heard positives about both North Canton and Medina. Key factors are schools and quality of life. Traffic does not really scare us as we are moving from Atlanta. We are looking for suggestions as to the best area to settle. Thanks!

[hokiejane]

If you're from Atlanta, is proximity to Cleveland important? If you're used to attending sporting events, concerts, plays, etc..., you'd probably want to live further north than North Canton.

Medina County is nice. Check out Wadsworth if you want a nice, safe small town with a sense of community.

[cannondahler]

North Canton schools rate pretty highly, it was one of the reasons we purchased a house here. Property values are kind of shaky now that the Hoover Company (a community staple for a hundred years) has closed it's plant here. It was a tidy, attractive industrial facility right on the town square, believe it or not.

My son lived in Medina for about six months and I was pretty impressed. Don't know anything about the schools, but they've got a nice, historic-looking downtown with some real activity there after dusk. It's pretty close to Akron and Cleveland, but it's got a small-town feel and if you go west or south you are out into farm country like flipping a switch...which is somethign you're not going to get in North Canton...unless you can travel back in time about thirty years.

[qtbern]

Move to Twinsburg or Streetsboro area.

[jkbowen1021]

I would prefer Medina. Like the previous post said, go about 10 minutes outside the city and you have country. The schools are pretty good, but the house prices are high. Depends on what you can afford. I would personally chose Medina. And it is only about 30 minutes drive to Downtown Cleveland (on a weekend with no traffic) About 1 hour in rush hour. Hope this Helps. I live in Brunswick, which is right next to Medina.

[bubbagirl]

Been in your shoes!

I do not know much about N. Canton other than I really wouldn't want to deal with the commute if headed to Cleveland regularly. I was commuting from just outside of Wadsworth up 77 daily to downtown Cleveland... and nope, I'm done with that. Its and easy commute off peak hours, but rush hour I cannot handle - not because of the traffic, but more of the poor driving. If there is 30% chance of rain in the forecast, guaranteed the highway (2 lane, mind you) is a parking lot of HOURS because of accidents.

Wadsworth is a nice little town. If you want to go smaller (but still in good proximity to civilization), you can opt for Doylestown or Rittman. I really like Medina. I'm in around Medina/Brunswick/Strongsville daily. I think I would choose Medina over Akron just for ease of commuting, whats available, and housing options - but, as said before, it does cost more. The commute along 71 is great during most hours, and rush hour isn't as bad.

As for schools.... most all smaller community schools are EXCELLENT. The larger school systems (Akron, Canton, etc) are not as good.

[tl1000crf250]

I lived in North Canton Ohio for 18 years, went to there schools,& played in there sports- all very good. The area has grown alot. There is alot of shopping, restaurants, movie theaters,& nice neighborhoods to live in. Football is the #1 sport in North Canton. I also wrestled at North Canton, very good program. They also have a good vocational classes. The high school is only about 10 years old. They have two really good hospitals inthe area.
I know live in Wadsworth area. It is located in Medina county. I do not know what the schools are like, other than what I have read about them. They seem to be very good. The town is nice, it has shopping, starting to get some restaurants, basically the size of North Canton when I was growing up there. It is close to Akron, Canton and Cleveland. It also has nice neighborhoods to live in. They also have a hospital.
My wife grew up in Medina, she says "the schools are also really good also". Medina has alot of shopping & restauants, movie theaters and nice neighborhoods to live in. I would say soccer is Medinas #1 sport. Medina has a good hospital as well.
All three places would be good areas to live in. I lived in Akron for 2 years but would not buy a home in Akron... that is just me though. Akron does have alot of things to do. Fun city . If you choose to live in Wadsworth or Medina area make sure you buy a snow blower, if not you will be shoveling alot of snow ! This area is about where the snow belt starts. I just own a little push snow blower nothing major.
I hope this helped you out, sorry for the long post.