Rocky River Versus Westlake?? (Cleveland: how much, homes, neighborhood)

[jtimper]

Anyone have opinions on whether or not Rocky River or Westlake is a better living option for a family with 2 small kids...any place outweigh the other? Also how much shorter is the commute REALLY from Westlake to Cleveland Clinic vs Rocky River to Cleveland Clinic?

[KMHFoster]

I live in River and went to the Clinic at 1:00 on a Tuesday and it took me about an hour.

[jtimper]

Wow...is that typical?? We did the drive just twice while we were in town-in no traffic-and it took about 20 minutes. ??

[1watertiger]

20-25 minutes in light traffic , parked.

[YaFace]

Commute is about 5-10 minutes shorter from River, but it all depends how close you are to I-90.

[WeSoHood]

Originally Posted by KMHFoster

I live in River and went to the Clinic at 1:00 on a Tuesday and it took me about an hour.

Did you ride your bicycle?

But OP.. both are great places. I like Rocky River a little bit better.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by WeSoHood

But OP.. both are great places. I like Rocky River a little bit better.

I do, too... Rocky River has more character, is a bit more urban, and even somewhat walkable in places. Westlake, having mostly been developed later, is more of a typical "sprawl" suburb. I guess it depends on one's preference.

[rockyriver]

Rocky River has better schools and not all the problems as Westlake. Rocky River has a small town feel and is very walkable, with actual places to go. I used to live there and walk to to a lot, grocery store, places to eat, fantastic wine bar and now a new brewery, grap a coffee at Starbucks, Einstiens or Caribu. Westlake is all drive by car every where. My wife worked at University Hospitals and drove it every day for 5 years, only took her no more than 30 minutes except on bad snow days. When the weather was bad she would drive to the Triskett RTA Rapid Train Station in Westpark (7 minute drive) and take the train in (25 minutes) to University Circle. We loved it there, have not lived all around the country and may want to move back. Kids there are great, you can tell parents are involved in their life. Can't go wrong with River.

[romeo62186]

Rocky River is older with more character...Westlake for newer "cookie cutter" suburb. That being said...I would prefer Westlake although I have never lived in either.

[shakeababy]

Both are really nice, conservative. Rocky River is maybe a smidgen more diverse, but that's not saying much. It's walkable around the Old River shopping area, north of Detroit Road on the eastern edge near the river. i love the neighborhood of pre-WWII homes north of the Old River shopping area right on the lake, but by-and-large i feel that rocky river is a hodge-podge of random buildings from random decades and not much planning.

westlake is "newer" in most areas, but you'll find some mid-century homes on the market as well. westlake isnt walkable, unless you live near crocker park, a great new shopping center with a downtown feel! i love crocker park.

the commute will take you 25-30 min under normal weather/traffic conditions, or if you want a shorther commute, you could look at the East Side. Gasp!!!!!