Buying a house in Lakewood? good idea? (Cleveland, Rocky River: section 8, rentals)

[andremclippers]

Hello everyone,

I'm a younger male, looking to buy a house in Lakewood. Basically I just want to see if buying a house there is a good idea.

From the majority of people i've talked to Lakewood is still a great place to live.

There's a few here and there that say Lakewood has really gone down hill. Allowing section 8 and the wrong element to move into the houses. *This is just what I hear.

just curious as to what people think i'm looking to make my decision soon, hopefully some people respond to this.

Any recommendation as to streets?... certain sections of Lakewood?

Driving is not an issue, although i'd like to be within walking distance of shopping, food, bars....

Thanks in advance.

[lisa12230]

Originally Posted by andremclippers

Hello everyone,

I'm a younger male, looking to buy a house in Lakewood. Basically I just want to see if buying a house there is a good idea.

From the majority of people i've talked to Lakewood is still a great place to live.

There's a few here and there that say Lakewood has really gone down hill. Allowing section 8 and the wrong element to move into the houses. *This is just what I hear.

just curious as to what people think i'm looking to make my decision soon, hopefully some people respond to this.

Any recommendation as to streets?... certain sections of Lakewood?

Driving is not an issue, although i'd like to be within walking distance of shopping, food, bars....

Thanks in advance.

Basically Im an eastside person, but if I had a choice on the west side, it would be Lakewood, or Rocky River...Those are very nice areas over there..

[costello_musicman]

Lakewood is defintely my favorite westside suburb.

It was recently ranked a U.S. top ten "coolest" suburb: Coolest Suburbs Worth a Visit- Page 4 - Articles - Travel + Leisure

[YaFace]

Personally I would stay away from Lakewood if you can afford it. If you are getting a good deal on a house, it would be hard to resist, but try to make sure it is in an area that doesn't have a lot of rental properties, because in 5-10 years those areas will be completely downhill. Lakewood's police force is also a negative in my eyes.

[5Lakes]

I have some friends that live in Lakewood and they love it. Good mix a families and singles with a nice selection of bars and restaurants. Most of the riff-raff I have seen is spill over from Cleveland on W. 117th. Although my friend lives close to W 117th and has never had problems. I would not be hesitant to buy there personally.

[Clevelander17]

Lakewood is okay, just pick the right area. The further west (closer to Rocky River), the better in my opinion.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by Clevelander17

Lakewood is okay, just pick the right area. The further west (closer to Rocky River), the better in my opinion.

The farther north would be my specification - the closer to Clifton the better.

[andremclippers]

Thanks everyone!... I appreciate your thoughts... from what i've heard the area closer to W.117th is a little rougher, more rental lower incomes... where as you move West it's more families... younger crowd.

[andrew61]

I would say that Lakewood in general is still a great place to live... but do your homework. Tour as many areas in Lakewood as you can, preferably on foot and at different times of the day and evening. Take detailed tours of as many residential streets as you can, and note things like general upkeep, general noise levels, what kind of people you see out and about, etc. When choosing a property to invest in, try to steer clear of streets that appear to have many rentals, as in doubles, etc. Go for streets where most or all of the houses are single-family and owner-occupied and look well kept. Also take a look at what would be right in back of you if you buy a particular house... tour the next street over as those properties will butt right up against yours, and you'll want to make sure those are OK, too.

[shakeababy]

"going down hill" ........ no way


well, the better sections of the city would be downtown (around warren and detroit) and the west end of the city.

maybe avoid the eastern third of the city.

i believe that "this old house" magazine recently listed lakewood and shaker hts. as 2 places in cleveland where you should buy and invest in an older home. "stable" markets....... etc....