Akron, OH? (Cleveland, Canton, Springfield: ski resorts, house, neighborhoods)

[dawnie417]

Can anyone tell me what parts of Akron(zip codes, etc) are good areas to live with children and what areas I should stay away from? Also, are Akron City schools any good? Thanks!

[Periwinkle04]

Congratulations on a great decision to move to Akron. I just moved from Akron about a year and a half ago - we lived there from 2000 to 2006 and the quality of life is very, very good there. What areas are you looking at? What are you looking for in schools?

Our kids were in the Catholic system in Akron and we were very happy with their academics and social situations, but in different places we've lived we've had our kids in both public and Catholic, and I think a good education can be had at either, depending on the school and the kid.

I would say that Revere schools or Hudson schools were considered the best, but I know several very accomplished kids from Firestone High School which is a city system on the west side of Akron. Top swimming program statewide, too, although the rest of their sports are so-so.

We lived on the west side and really liked it a lot - very lovely and convenient. If I can help with anything else, let me know. We loved Akron and were pleasantly surprised at the great quality of life there. It was fantastic and Akron is a hidden gem in Ohio, for sure. Here are the things I loved about Akron, in no particular order except my memory:

*Housing costs are low - you can get a lovely house for a fair price.
*National park runs right through town. Metro parks are also extensive and nice.
*Large university (UAkron) right in town - recently underwent complete transformation. Good law school.
*Division I sports at UA.
*Pro sports right up I-77 30 minutes in downtown Cleveland.
*Excellent children's hospital and two other hospitals (General and Summa) are top 50 in USNWR and cover almost every category therein. And if you really need it, the Cleveland Clinic is right up the road.
*Right between two airports - Cleveland and Akron/Canton.
*Two small ski resorts.
*Lake Erie 30 minutes up the road if you're into boating.
*Great arts venues in EJ Thomas and the Civic Theatre - they book excellent shows. Carousel Dinner Theatre productions are excellent. New art museum.
*Downtown Cleveland Arts district is convenient - 30 minutes.
*You're not a suburb of Cleveland so you don't live there at all, but you're actually only 30 minutes away.
*We loved our kids' schools (Catholic).

I'm thinking there were other things but all in all it was an excellent experience. The only thing that's a little bad is winter lasts a little longer than it might - it's gray longer into the spring, but it's definitely not too bad. You're in the lake effect belt but not horribly so, so you get a little more precipitation. And the people were very nice and warm in Akron, too.

[Robhu]

Like any area, there are good and not so good areas to live at around Akron. I was born and raised here and have been in the area for over 60 years.
I like my hometown.
There are suburbs like Tallmadge, Revere, Cuyahoga Falls, Barberton, Norton, City of Green, Copley, and others that offer good neighborhoods. Hudson is nice but kind of upscale as far housing prices.
There are the Portage Lakes area for lake activities. Also Nimisila Lake and Mogodore. Lake Erie is not far away for the bigger adventures. Hiking and bike trails. Parks to have a picnic lunch and get some fresh air. You can take a drive to the south down through Amish country and see some nice countryside. About anything you might want, you can find. Not all, but most. I don't think any place has absolutely everything for everyone.
All considered, I think the Akron area is as good or maybe better
than a lot of places to live considering the cost of living, schools, entertainment, safety forces, shopping, etc. Hospitals rate high in national rankings. Akron Childrens hospital rates very high and has one of the best burn treatment centers in the country. Hopefully you would never need that.
Akron is big enough to offer what most people need but not so big that you feel like you are in a concrete jungle. I would tend to stay away from parts of south Akron and some parts of Copley and Kenmore. I live in Barberton and the east and west sides have some very nice areas. I would hesitate to buy in the downtown area though.
It would be best to get a city map and drive around and check out neighborhoods. I'm sure you will find an area you can feel comfortable in. There are a lot of nice places to live and raise a family in the Akron area and the people are generaly friendly and helpfull.
At least that is my opinion.

[Periwinkle04]

To be fair, most of Copley is positively upscale and very very safe, and Revere is a school district, not a suburb.

[ILOVEOHIO]

EVERY single portion of Akron (Kenmore, Ellet, Firestone Park, West, Goodyear Heights and North Hill) have bad areas and good. I hate to say it since I'm from Kenmore but, I would say Ellet would be the best place in Akron especially since Springfield has open enrollment and Ellet is the closest to Springfield Township.

[Periwinkle04]

Ellet may be nice, I'm not as familiar with it, but even if you were basing that solely on schools, Ellet would not be the best place to live in Akron. And the places you listed as EVERY single portion of Akron (Kenmore, Ellet, FP, West, Goodyear Heights and North Hill) have bad areas - well, let's just say there are a number of people in Bath, Fairlawn, and Fairlawn Heights that would take exception with that statement.

[ILOVEOHIO]

Originally Posted by Periwinkle04

Ellet may be nice, I'm not as familiar with it, but even if you were basing that solely on schools, Ellet would not be the best place to live in Akron. And the places you listed as EVERY single portion of Akron (Kenmore, Ellet, FP, West, Goodyear Heights and North Hill) have bad areas - well, let's just say there are a number of people in Bath, Fairlawn, and Fairlawn Heights that would take exception with that statement.

Sorry, I was talking about the AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS. And personally I have never considered Bath and Fairlawn part of Akron.

[Traveler87]

The problem is, most major metro areas across the country have hurting public school systems. People need to invest more in schools. If we don't, the near future will not look good for this country.

[ILOVEOHIO]

Originally Posted by Traveler87

The problem is, most major metro areas across the country have hurting public school systems. People need to invest more in schools. If we don't, the near future will not look good for this country.

Agreed...again!!!