Please try and sell Cleveland to me (Columbus, Cincinnati: cliquey, to rent)

[Marty711]

Originally Posted by deskjockey

I don't know about the education system in Texas. Several public school systems in Cleveland suburbs are good. Mayfield Heights is not one of the best suburbs of Northeast Ohio.

You are smart, you are renting first. Don't buy unless it makes clear financial sense

Mayfield Heights is always on Cleveland Magazines "Best Bargains" list. Whatever you think of their silly lists, I think there is some value in it and Mayfield has some great neighborhoods, especially around Hillcrest at a much lower price than Highland Hts. or Mayfield Village. The advantage of Mayfield Hts. is just that. You get great schools for a low price. Obviously Mayfield Hts. isn't an exclusive city, but they have great services for the money. Of the Eastern burbs, it's one of the places that gives you more for your money. I always recommend it for that and it's convenient location. It's neighbors are some of the most desirable suburbs in the area yet it's minutes to downtown or the beach. The only thing that the Hillcrest area burbs lack are good community owned fitness centers. Instead, everyone goes to Lifetime or Urban Active.

Also in this case, the poster is trying to rent. Mayfield Hts. has a good number of rentals that are single family homes. I'm thinking that it would be easier to find a rental there than in Orange or Beachwood. Those areas do not seem as rental friendly. I lived in Mayfield Hts. for several years and there were always some nice rentals on the market. If someone can find a rental that is comparable in Orange or Beachwood, then yes, that is probably the better choice. But you shouldn't limit yourself to just those areas especially when trying to rent a home.

[Cleveland_Collector]

Originally Posted by hmcruz

Well I moved to Cleveland 10years ago from Wyoming and I hate it. I came here when I was in 10th grade. I felt the education sucked. But I came from a small town so the classes were a lot smaller. But still, I don't think the teachers put in enough effort. The weather is depressing. Winters are long and seem to never end. Summers are always cloudy and rainy. Lots of humidity!!! We only get like 42 days of sunshine. Don't spend your nice days at the lake cuz it reeks and it's very dirty. Nothing really fun to do. Cedar point and the science center are about all you get for entertainment. The zoo is depressing cuz all the animals look sick. People suck at driving. I can't wait to move back west. 1 more year in this dump! Also, it is ranked the 7th most dangerous city in the U.S. but it doesn't really mean anything unless your dt late at night or in the super ghetto. But that doesn't mean that you're still safe. I would suggest getting your ccw and carry everywhere!

Ha, right... 1 suggestion: GTFO.

[Cleveland_Collector]

Originally Posted by deskjockey

Selling Cleveland to you, that's an insult to sales thugs. Chagrin Falls, Orange are nice, nice. Go with Orange. Longer commute from Chagrin Falls though. Don't worry, Northeast Ohio has lots of clicky and shallow shallow people too. Who are oil ex-pats?

Yeah, out of the mouth of another yokel who never gets out.

Oil ex-pat: A person who moved to TX from somewhere else who has decided that the sun rises and sets in big oil's butt crack and has decided that Houston is the best place on Earth because of it ...even though he hasn't realized that Houston is mainly a pencil-pusher town anymore. Katy is loaded with them.

[Cleveland_Collector]

Originally Posted by trippleT

So how does winter in Cleveland compare to Toronto's?

Toronto is colder at it's more northerly latitude while Cleveland gets more snow because it's usually downwind of the lake (aka, "lake effect"). Toronto is generally upwind of Lakes Erie and Ontario so it gets the brunt of the colder and less precipitous arctic air in the winter. We're basically in the same climate zone, but Lake Erie has a big effect on our weather.

Especially the drive to Chagrin Falls where he went for meals a few times. According to him it reminds him a lot of England or Canada.

But my biggest concerns are that we will struggle to find a nice house to rent, a good school and pre-school for the kids and I am nervous about the gangs and crimes. But are loving all the nice things I am getting from all you folks so far. Thanks.

Rest assured, where you've been looking, crime isn't a problem. The crime in Cleveland is very concentrated. I often tell people who worry about moving here the same thing. That is, there is nowhere I won't go in the entire Greater Cleveland Area during they day. At night, there's all of about 6 square miles that I would avoid. The crime news you hear is waaaaay overblown. It's like any other bigger city; stay alert and you should be fine.

Houston's gangs makes Cleveland's gangs look like a Sunday School class. In the classic sense of the word, there really are no gangs here.

[UKUKUK]

As a frequent visitor of Cleveland... I've only felt unsafe once and that was on a road off of E. 55 Street. Avoid the southeast side and parts of St. Clair-Superior neighborhood and you'll be in good shape most of the time. Cleveland is a wonderful city with a more lively sports culture than Chicago (I kid you not, people REALLY love their teams even when they lose), more diverse arts scene than Minneapolis or Indy, and friendlier people than just about anywhere I've been.

[deskjockey]

Originally Posted by Cleveland_Collector

Yeah, out of the mouth of another yokel who never gets out.

Oil ex-pat: A person who moved to TX from somewhere else who has decided that the sun rises and sets in big oil's butt crack and has decided that Houston is the best place on Earth because of it ...even though he hasn't realized that Houston is mainly a pencil-pusher town anymore. Katy is loaded with them.

Told you tripleT, Cleveland has lots of shallow shallow arseholes.

[Clevelandgal]

I am not originally from Cleveland, just passed through for 8 years and loved it. I am going to be blunt, but I don't care for Houston. My husband lived there and hated it. I just asked which was better and he had no trouble saying Cleveland. Obviously the elephant in the room is the weather. People can say all they want about the change of seasons, but the dead of winter sucks. Budget to get out for some sunshine. Still I would rather live in Cleveland than Houston. Cleveland somehow manages to be sorta big city with a cohesive small town feel. It is incredibly family oriented - every business values family obligations. You will be pleased to find either parent can walk out of work early for the little ones soccer game, doc appt and not an eye brow raised. No more ugly Houston commutes to keep you away from family as traffic is light.

[Clevelandgal]

edit to add..the likely decreased commute time and value of family in Cleveland will allow your spouse to enjoy his family more than he may be able to in Houston. You can't put a price on that.

[costello_musicman]

I would much rather live in Cleveland than Houston as well.

[sheena12]

"Texas" and "education" do not exactly go hand in hand in the minds of most people.
Texas is the state where Creationism is taught in the public schools.

Given the choice between the oppressive heat, ultra right wing politics, horrible traffic, and chauvinistic attitude of most Texans, I'd take Cleavland over Houston any day! I also like trees, the Autumn. four distinct seasons, beautiful architecture, and nice down to earth people.

And besides "Cleavland Rocks" - Ian Hunter