Narrowed down between Strongsville and Avon Lake (Cleveland, Warren: crime, houses)

[lisa12230]

Good News...We are definately moving west bound in late april...I don't know what has happened to the east side, (at least Warrensville/Shaker) but it's not to great...We went out to dinner on the west side last night, and all of the shops, have move over there...The west side of cleveland has more to offer then some of the east side...Now keep in mind, (before I get more hate notes from people), I'm not talking about all of the east side...Beachwood, Chargrin Falls, Auroura, Richmond Heights, Pepper Pike, Chardon, and so on are very nice areas....I just feel more connected to the west side...It has more of that home like feeling...

[andrew61]

Between your two choices, I think I prefer Avon Lake... IMHO it's prettier and has more residential character, and is, after all, right on the water... and there's nearby beach access at Huntington in Bay Village, which I'd bet would be fun for the kids.

Strongsville has lots more shopping, especially since South Park Mall opened in the '90s, but the downside is that it's brought lots more congestion to the area. Also, I lived in Strongsville for a year as a teenager, and my recollection is that the people were too socially conservative for my taste. Now, keep in mind that it was over 30 years ago so that may well have changed, especially since Strongsville has about twice the population it had then.

For recreation, however, Strongsville has direct access to a very nice section of the Metroparks.

[lisa12230]

Originally Posted by andrew61

Between your two choices, I think I prefer Avon Lake... IMHO it's prettier and has more residential character, and is, after all, right on the water... and there's nearby beach access at Huntington in Bay Village, which I'd bet would be fun for the kids.

Strongsville has lots more shopping, especially since South Park Mall opened in the '90s, but the downside is that it's brought lots more congestion to the area. Also, I lived in Strongsville for a year as a teenager, and my recollection is that the people were too socially conservative for my taste. Now, keep in mind that it was over 30 years ago so that may well have changed, especially since Strongsville has about twice the population it had then.

For recreation, however, Strongsville has direct access to a very nice section of the Metroparks.

I was going for that...Just what I wanted to hear...Love both areas, even Avon...I wasn't sure if Strongsville was as congested since they did get all those shops over there....I'll Stick to Avon, lol....We'll visit Strongsville..A lot, lol

[Cleveland_Collector]

Eh, the far west side is "cookie-cutter" just like Strongsville. Avon/Avon Lake will be just like Strongsville in 10 years.

[Peregrine]

Agree with Collector, except I'd say Avon Lake is already at Strongsville's level. Every try to get off 90 at 83 around rush hour? *shudder*

/Still doesn't understand why Rocky River hasn't made your short list. You seem to like areas with a lot of retail. River has it in spades but has about 1/3 less congestion then EITHER of those cities.

[lisa12230]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

Agree with Collector, except I'd say Avon Lake is already at Strongsville's level. Every try to get off 90 at 83 around rush hour? *shudder*

/Still doesn't understand why Rocky River hasn't made your short list. You seem to like areas with a lot of retail. River has it in spades but has about 1/3 less congestion then EITHER of those cities.

Havn't ruled out rocky river....matter of fact, we wil be driving out there on wednesday because my husband has a doctors appointment

[Cleveland_Collector]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

Agree with Collector, except I'd say Avon Lake is already at Strongsville's level. Every try to get off 90 at 83 around rush hour? *shudder*

That intersection is definitely an omen of things to come.

/Still doesn't understand why Rocky River hasn't made your short list. You seem to like areas with a lot of retail. River has it in spades but has about 1/3 less congestion then EITHER of those cities.

And, though lily white, it is certainly much closer to the diverse areas of the GCMA.

[Clevelander17]

Originally Posted by lisa12230

Good News...We are definately moving west bound in late april...I don't know what has happened to the east side, (at least Warrensville/Shaker) but it's not to great...We went out to dinner on the west side last night, and all of the shops, have move over there...The west side of cleveland has more to offer then some of the east side...Now keep in mind, (before I get more hate notes from people), I'm not talking about all of the east side...Beachwood, Chargrin Falls, Auroura, Richmond Heights, Pepper Pike, Chardon, and so on are very nice areas....I just feel more connected to the west side...It has more of that home like feeling...

Shaker Heights has changed a bit, but it's not terrible, still has a LOT to offer, and certainly should not be mentioned in the same sentence as "Warrensville."

[Marty711]

Originally Posted by Clevelander17

Shaker Heights has changed a bit, but it's not terrible, still has a LOT to offer, and certainly should not be mentioned in the same sentence as "Warrensville."

I agree but even Warrensville isn't that bad. It's certainly declined in the past 10-20 years but it's hardly rampant with crime and vacant houses. The biggest issue in Warrensville is the school district. It's still a fairly middle class minority city. I think it has a bad image and that makes people think that it's worse than it is. That's a problem with most of the inner ring suburbs.

[lisa12230]

Originally Posted by Marty711

I agree but even Warrensville isn't that bad. It's certainly declined in the past 10-20 years but it's hardly rampant with crime and vacant houses. The biggest issue in Warrensville is the school district. It's still a fairly middle class minority city. I think it has a bad image and that makes people think that it's worse than it is. That's a problem with most of the inner ring suburbs.

Certain parts of warrensville isn't bad at all...But after being away on the West Coast for 10 years, you come back, and there is a difference....Parts of the city has declined a lot...I see a lot of "forclosures" in parts of Shaker and University Heights...Still very nice though indeed...I took my family to the Conventry area which is still nice...We also went through shaker, richmond, and other areas...some parts haven't changed at all...But most have