Yes, another relocation thread :) Hudson, Chagrin, or Solon?? (Cleveland, Akron: transplants, crime)

[lisalisa26]

OK, so we are definitely coming to Cleveland soon, and we have found homes we like in Hudson, Chagrin Falls and Solon. I am happy with the schools and commute for my husband in all of these areas.

What I am wondering is which of these places would be most welcoming of transplants to the area, would have plenty for families to get involved, groups for stay at home moms, etc..
Reason being, since my family relocated to NH from PA just 2 yrs ago, I am heavily involved in NH with several moms groups, book clubs, PTA, newcomers club, softball, etc..so I need someplace where community is important.
Since, of course I have to build an entire circle of friends AGAIN.

Our town has 20,000 residents, still you feel like you know everyone, seeing someone you know on each trip to the library, the grocery store, coffee shop, playground, etc..and I love it that way.

I know this is not the standard best schools, commute, crime question. But any help is much much appreciated.

[LoveCleveland#1]

Originally Posted by lisalisa26

OK, so we are definitely coming to Cleveland soon, and we have found homes we like in Hudson, Chagrin Falls and Solon. I am happy with the schools and commute for my husband in all of these areas.

What I am wondering is which of these places would be most welcoming of transplants to the area, would have plenty for families to get involved, groups for stay at home moms, etc..
Reason being, since my family relocated to NH from PA just 2 yrs ago, I am heavily involved in NH with several moms groups, book clubs, PTA, newcomers club, softball, etc..so I need someplace where community is important.
Since, of course I have to build an entire circle of friends AGAIN.

Our town has 20,000 residents, still you feel like you know everyone, seeing someone you know on each trip to the library, the grocery store, coffee shop, playground, etc..and I love it that way.

I know this is not the standard best schools, commute, crime question. But any help is much much appreciated.

Hello and welcome!

I'd have to say Husdon or Solon... I live very close to those areas you've mentioned. If I had to choose between the two, it would be Solon. However, Hudson is fabulous!

[Krambo III]

I'd recommend Chagrin (which is where I live), but Hudson would work too. I think Solon is way too big and commercialized for what you're looking for. In Chagrin, you're definitely going to run into the same people over and over again. It has a wonderful small town/community feel.

I personally am not aware of any groups or clubs, but I am sure that they exist. It's just that kind of town.

[Traveler87]

All three are great communities with good schools, beautiful countryside, and close to just about everything you need. Solon is big and growing fast, and Hudson has an awesome downtown, but my favorite would be Chagrin.

[tribecavsbrowns]

Originally Posted by Krambo III

I'd recommend Chagrin (which is where I live), but Hudson would work too. I think Solon is way too big and commercialized for what you're looking for. In Chagrin, you're definitely going to run into the same people over and over again. It has a wonderful small town/community feel.

I personally am not aware of any groups or clubs, but I am sure that they exist. It's just that kind of town.

Population
Solon 23,348
Hudson 22,262
Chagrin Falls 4,113

Land Area
Solon 20.6 sq mi
Hudson 25.9 sq mi
Chagrin Falls 2.1 sq mi

[ZnGuy]

Originally Posted by Krambo III

I'd recommend Chagrin (which is where I live), but Hudson would work too. I think Solon is way too big and commercialized for what you're looking for. In Chagrin, you're definitely going to run into the same people over and over again. It has a wonderful small town/community feel.

I personally am not aware of any groups or clubs, but I am sure that they exist. It's just that kind of town.

I agree with choice of Chagrin, we lived there 00-04 and really liked the community, small time feel. Schools are obviously great and the downtown charm is tough to beat.
IMO Solon has good schools but lacks some of the quality of life than Chagrin, Hudson have. I'm not big on all the retail and traffic you need to deal with in Solon. Benefit of Chagrin is you are close to Cleveland ammemities which I preferred, Hudson feels more part of the Akron area.

[Traveler87]

Originally Posted by tribecavsbrowns

Population
Solon 23,348
Hudson 22,262
Chagrin Falls 4,113

Land Area
Solon 20.6 sq mi
Hudson 25.9 sq mi
Chagrin Falls 2.1 sq mi

Did not know Hudson had that many people.

[Krambo III]

Originally Posted by tribecavsbrowns

Population
Solon 23,348
Hudson 22,262
Chagrin Falls 4,113

Land Area
Solon 20.6 sq mi
Hudson 25.9 sq mi
Chagrin Falls 2.1 sq mi

Very interesting, I didn't realize Hudson was so big. Admittedly, I have only been there a few times...but in my experience, it at least has more of a small town feel than Solon does.

Chagrin, though, is the real deal.

[lisalisa26]

Thank you so much for all the information. It is really tough to gauge an area in just a few visits before having to buy a home..

[Marty711]

Originally Posted by Krambo III

Very interesting, I didn't realize Hudson was so big. Admittedly, I have only been there a few times...but in my experience, it at least has more of a small town feel than Solon does.

Chagrin, though, is the real deal.

Hudson grew through annexation. When people think of Hudson, they think of the historic Main Street area. About 15 years ago, Hudson annexed the surrounding township which is all subdivisions. It would be kinda like if Chagrin Falls annexed Bainbridge. The size grew tremendously when they annexed the township.

To answer the OP, it depends on what you want. Solon is much more suburban than the other communities. Solon is loaded with traffic and has plenty of industry within its boundaries. There are some great neighborhoods in Solon but depending on what part of the city you're in, you also deal with a ton of congestion.

Hudson has its historic downtown and has more of a country feel with two lane roads, etc. surrounding subdivisions. Chagrin is a small village and its location makes it feel sorta isolated even though its a short drive to Bainbridge, Solon, etc.