Hudson Ohio (Cleveland, Brecksville, Chagrin Falls: schools, taxes, live in)

[JohnnyHighGround]

Thought I'd add my $.02 as a newcomer to Hudson.

Like surprisingly many of you in this thread, my wife and I just moved back to the Cleveland area from California -- a five-year stint in the San Francisco area. When we got back, we looked at houses all over the Cleveland area. We were open to a lot of different suburbs (among them: Brecksville, Broadview Heights, North Royalton, Chagrin Falls, Westlake) because what we wanted is something you can find all over the place here: reasonably priced houses with appreciable amounts of land in very natural-feeling settings, and a solid public school system.

We ended up in Hudson more because of the house than because of the city, but we're really glad we did. What we found was an older house, meticulously maintained, in an established neighborhood where one house isn't squeezing up against the next. You don't find a lot of McMansions here, or brand-new developments where the developers clear-cut the entire neighborhood. There's a certain sense of preservation about the city (possibly because it's astonishingly old -- founded in 1799, before Ohio was even a state), and that has led to some interesting statutes about building, designed to preserve the feel of the city.

I suspect this is a large part of why people think Hudson is snobby. Or maybe things have changed as the housing market has changed. But we've encountered nothing but a sense of welcome since we've been here. And that's saying a lot; my wife and I neither look nor dress much like most of our neighbors (in part because most of our neighbors are retirees who have been here twenty or thirty years), or many of the people we run into downtown. As a childless couple in our early 30s, we're in a bit of a minority here, so we'd be prime candidates for getting the snobby treatment, lemme tell you. And yet we've felt nothing but a sense of welcome from the vast majority of people we've encountered.

Maybe it's that Hudson just looks snobby. It's a very charming city, and yes, it does have some upscale shops and such. But next to that fancy-pants clothing boutique downtown is a dive bar that serves great wings. Just south of that pristinely manicured public square is a comfortable family restaurant with cheap breakfast specials. Yeah, there's a Joseph A. Banks and a Talbots in that new shopping mall...but just up the street is an independent bookstore and a sub shop.

We've been here less than a month so far, so who knows? Maybe these things will grate on us over time. But as of right now, this is the place we expect to stay in for the rest of, well, ever.

[nlschr0]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHighGround

We've been here less than a month so far, so who knows? Maybe these things will grate on us over time.

Nah - I think you'll continue to enjoy it! Just wait until the Harry Potter book comes out this summer and the entire city goes hogwarts crazy! It is a site to see, everybody out at midnight to get their book from the Learned Owl, a magic parade featuring unicorns and dragons, all kinds of decorations, potions, and parties! We'd never seen anything quite like it - it made national news last time.

And breakfast at Yours Truly - yum yum. Oh how we miss it!

[kmitch]

Strongsville is also a very nice suburb of Cleveland. It's on the opposite end of Cleveland as Hudson/Chagrin Falls. It's got very a good school system and everything you need is right there (a mall, restaurants, stores, a new movie theatre I believe). It's within 20-30 minutes of downtown Cleveland (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Indians and Browns, etc). I have family that lives there and I love it there. The homes are pretty affordable, I believe some are selling for about $220,000, 2400 square foot homes. Just my .02

[sthdrider2000]

I lived in Chardon from birth to age 9 (1970-1979). Though it has been a long time since I lived there, I still have family and many friends there. My wife and I currently live in the south Pittsburgh area about 3 hours from Chardon and still visit 2-3 times per year. Chardon is a very beutiful community, and if you like snow, this is definately the town for you. You would be hard pressed to find a more scenic area in Ohio in the winter. The town has really built up since my days in the 70's but only on the outskirts. The square looks very much as it did to me nearly 30 years ago. Even the theater that I first saw Grease,Jaws,Benji,etc... still looks the same. Yes they have updated some of the store fronts, but still maintains the "Mayberry" feel. As far as Hudson, your in luck as I moved to Stow(neighboring town) in 1979 to 1986. My Grand Parents had lived in Hudson since 1971. Very much the same type of town with a higher average income, in my opinion. Yes as a teen I also called them "Hudsonights" ,our word for snobs, but I think that was more a peer influance than my opinion. My Grand Parents and their neighbors were realy nice actually. I also played football with several kids from Hudson because at the time they didn't have a youth program, Which my father and a few others started for them in th early 80's, and they were no different from me. I think you would be doing you family a great justice with either of these communities and feel you would be very happy in your choice to move there.
Hope to get back myself someday. Chardon was a great place to grow up as a kid, and my family and friends say it still is.
Hope this helps.

[molabear]

In 1965 my parents built a house on Middleton Road. I was back there two years ago. Now there is a golf course right next door. If you were on Middleton Road looking at the golf course, the house is on the left side right next door to the country club. I do miss Hudson, It was a great place to live. I will be back.

[sweetclimber]

My mom grew up in Hudson and we have visited there many times. It is a very picturesque town with a great school system. It is close to larger metropolitan areas and culture. It retains a small-town atmosphere with its village square and New England-like architecture. The outer part of the town has grown quiite a bit in recent years with subdivisions of large, very expensive homes replacing farms. Stow and Twinsburg, nearby towns, may be less expensive alternative, but I'm not familiar with their school systems. Hudson is one of a kind - with lots of history and ambiance.

[January66]

Maureen and Charles:

It is hard to pick a city/town to live in out of thin air. I'm orginally from Pennsylvania but have been living in the UK for 7 years. I plan on moving back to the states some time next year and trying to find a town/city to live in was proving difficult. My other half stumbled across a website which is making things easier for us, especially him because he's English and aside from visiting a few touristy locations in the past he doesn't know the first thing about where we should move. The following link will take you to the website I'm referring to....you can change the location and look at any town in the States and also if you view the details of a house tabs appear across the top of that window that say Crime info, Area facts (demographics), Schools, Map (shows you where in the state is located, etc) Real Estate at Homes.Com for HUDSON, OH

Also, if you'd like to choose a different location, you can do that in upper left hand corner of the page.

Hope this helps you, it's certainly been big help to us. When we come back to visit my family in February we have lots of places to visit.

January

[cindip02]

Originally Posted by MaureenandCharles

Thank you again for your information. Is Hudson considered safe? Also, how pricey as the housing doesn't look too outrageous? Are their sections you wouldn't want to live?

We are not looking for a city feel however would like some shopping. The town we live in now is 1,900 - charming and quaint. I have looked at Chagrin Falls but can't find out as much about it.

Thanks again for your comments.

Chagrin Falls is much more expensive housing wise than Hudson. My husband and I moved to Hudson a few years ago. We were looking into surrounding areas but did not want to move here as you always hear about "people in Hudson" and how they are "yuppies" and not welcoming to outsiders. Yuppies, maybe. To a point. At least more so than some other cities. But the housing does cost more than some surrounding cities. But you get a GREAT, SAFE city with the best schools for you kids. Taxes are also a bit, but that is beacuse you pay in terms of what your home is worh. We lived in South Euclid before, a suburb of Cleveland, not good schools not a totally safe town and the taxes would be double what they are on my house now if I had this house there, so it is all relative. It is a small town. There is SOME shopping in the first & main area, but not awhole lot. The closest mall is 20 minutes and the closet Target and Walmart are 5-10 minutes away. So it's not bad. I am a city girl at heart and am adjusting fine to life here. Although it has taken some time. On the note that some mentioned Hudsonites are not welcoming to outsiders, the majority of the people on my street are from other states. Hudson is a commuinity where many people relocate to because it has so much to offer and is safe and the schools are great. If it is feesible for your family you cannot go wrong in Hudson. There are some amazing homes on the market now, that have been for a while because the real estate market is slow. You should be a ble to get some great deals on a house.


There is also a Newcommers Club if you are interested. I was not, but many people like it. You can join and it has various events to get you aquainted with the city and those who live here. There is also a preschool parents club and a Mothers Support Group. SO there is much to do and many open arms!

Good luck, best wishes, hope you join our community!

[cindip02]

Originally Posted by shawnintennessee

I was born and raised in Cuyahoga Falls.

I can tell you if your thinking about living in Hudson.
You better have a big bank account.

Thats one off the most expensive citys in Ohio.

Not to mention the fact that your from out of town.
People in Hudson are not very friendly to outsiders.

Unless your a complete reclouse I wouldn't suggest it.

I grew up in Cleveland Hts and thought the same thing. When my husband and I moved out here I was almost ready to move again. However, I found that we have wonderful welcoming neighbors, almost all of which are from out of state. We do not a have a big bank account by any means and seem to make ends meet. I would rather pay city taxes here than pay more for a private school by living elsewhere on top of my city taxes. We have been surprislingly happy with our move. Feel almost as if we live in a little story book, the town is that picturesqe

[gentlearts]

There aren't any unsafe areas in Hudson. I don't know what your price range is, but if Hudson is not too pricey, you'll love it. Otherwise, Medina is charming and a lot less expensive.