Moving to Cleveland from Colorado (Parma, Lorain: appointed, section 8, crime rate)

[CTownNative]

Originally Posted by UK Wildcat

Since this is a moving to Cleveland because of the Cleveland Clinc, I guess it would be a good place for my first post. First of all I know nothing about Cleveland, other than what I have read on the internet. In fact I have never been to Cleveland unil my wife had her interview at the CC this past March and then it was in and out (I did get to check out the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame - very cool) My wife and I are from the Lexington, KY area which we like very much. She will be starting a fellowship in Hematology/Oncology beginning July 1, 2008 (the fellowship is three years). I am also in the health care field, currently director of Physical Therapy at a hospital. We have two boys age 3 and 4 weeks. We want to have a close drive to the CC and also want to be in a neighborhood where our kids can go outside in the yard. I have heard both good and bad comments about Cleveland Heights, which is the area that we are initially looking at. But what other neighborhoods fit the bill? Sometimes I wonder would it be better to live farther away for the right neighborhood? At any rate I have a very positive attitude about it. Any tips would be appreciated.

The Heights(Cleveland Heights,Shaker Heights,and University Heights)are decent suburbs with pretty low crime rates,and thier all fairly close to the Cleveland Clinic.Really you can live anywhere in the Cleveland Metro on the Eastside and you'll be fairly close to the Cleveland Clinic.Most of Cleveland's suburbs are safe with low crime,so really any suburb you pick you'd probably be fine in.

[gentlearts]

Hudson would be good. It's full of the highly educated and high achievers, and those who wish to appear that they are. It has a town center that is charming and has good schools. Medina, although further south, is convenient to 71, so you can zip right up to Cleveland, but the downtown has less of a pulse than Hudson. If you change your mind about urban, I'd be happy to sell you my house, woods, fields and pond in Medina County.

[lcinva]

For all of these people moving to Cleveland. Especially the guy from Denver - once my husband finishes dental school, we are out, moving back west!

I don't hate the east coast; I'm from Virginia. I very much dislike Cleveland, however. If you are thinking about moving here (unless you move at least 25 miles away from the city) DON'T.

-crappy weather
-high taxes (getting taxed for WORKING in one city, and LIVING in another??? what city sends you a bill 4 times a year for just living there??? Ohio cities, that's who)
-terrible roads that have ruined my cars
-high crime
-incredible poverty
-terrible city leadership


It's all downhill folks.

[CTownNative]

Originally Posted by lcinva

For all of these people moving to Cleveland. Especially the guy from Denver - once my husband finishes dental school, we are out, moving back west!

I don't hate the east coast; I'm from Virginia. I very much dislike Cleveland, however. If you are thinking about moving here (unless you move at least 25 miles away from the city) DON'T.

-crappy weather
-high taxes (getting taxed for WORKING in one city, and LIVING in another??? what city sends you a bill 4 times a year for just living there??? Ohio cities, that's who)
-terrible roads that have ruined my cars
-high crime
-incredible poverty
-terrible city leadership


It's all downhill folks.

Most of the crime and poverty in Greater Cleveland is mostly confined to Cleveland.Yes,Cleveland has a crime problem,but so does Miami,Baltimore,DC,Philly,Newark,Detroit,Atlanta,B irmingham,Memphis,and Houston,all cities have crime and poverty.Most of Clevelands suburbs are good places to live for example,Cleveland Heights,Shaker Heights,Solon,Lakewood,Willowick,Wickliffe,South Euclid,Lyndhurst,Willoughby,Strongsville,Rocky River,Westlake,Beachwood,Bay Village,Berea,Brook Park,Broadview Heights,Seven Hills,Richmond Heights,North Olmsted,Olmsted Falls,Independence,Mayfield Heights,North Royalton,Pepper Pike,Parma,Parma Heights,and Brecksville.Most of those places are less than 25 miles away from Cleveland and there safe suburbs.Cleveland's metro is really safe,the city of Cleveland isn't the safest place in the world,but as I siad in another thread its a small part of the metro.

[UK Wildcat]

Listening (and reading) what people have to say tends to place Cleveland in a negative light. If Cleveland is so miserable (I don't think that it is) how can the city attract world class physicians? How can Cleveland struggle, and the medical facilities prosper? The Cleveland Clinic is fourth best hospital in the US (US News and World Report) and Univesity Hospital also has a national reputation. Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital is the fourth best pediatric hospital in the country (US News and World Report). It seems to me the city has something to attract these professionals, there are a lot of other hospitals to work at. One thing is for sure, Cleveland is a great place to get sick.

[lcinva]

You are right, something must be here to attract them. These are the few who have such high career aspirations, that they would give up quality of life and live in a dump. Not to mention, more than a few of the professors on the CWRU dental school where I work live out in Solon or Hudson versus Cleveland.

There is no career in the world that would keep me living here!

[lcinva]

You are right, there are nicer places around here. If it weren't for the crime, povert, and OVERT racial tension it might be a nice place to live. Oh and the taxes. Seriously, I will never get over getting a bill from RITA every 3 months so I can live here.

[CTownNative]

Originally Posted by UK Wildcat

Listening (and reading) what people have to say tends to place Cleveland in a negative light. If Cleveland is so miserable (I don't think that it is) how can the city attract world class physicians? How can Cleveland struggle, and the medical facilities prosper? The Cleveland Clinic is fourth best hospital in the US (US News and World Report) and Univesity Hospital also has a national reputation. Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital is the fourth best pediatric hospital in the country (US News and World Report). It seems to me the city has something to attract these professionals, there are a lot of other hospitals to work at. One thing is for sure, Cleveland is a great place to get sick.

People need to understand that the Greater Cleveland area is a very safe area to live.When people talk about Cleveland's problems they act as if its spread throughout the whole metro area,when most of the crime in the metro is confined to Cleveland.People put a negative light on Cleveland by saying things like it has a bunch of crime and poverty.That statement describes most cities.Well most cities crime problems extend into the suburbs,with Cleveland,other than East Cleveland,most of the suburbs are all safe.Then people say things like the weather is terrible in Cleveland.I lived in Euclid,the Northeast area of Cuyahoga county,which is suppoused to be the area that gets alot of snow.Well when I was living there I never experienced a blizzard.Well since I've been in Colorado I've already experienced three blizzards.In my opinion,as someone who lived in Cleveland most of his life,and has lived in Colorado for the last couple years,Cleveland is way better than Colorado.Cleveland is my favorite place in the world,and I am glad Im moving back to my hometown next year.Yes and as you stated UK Wildcat,the hospitals in Cleveland are world class,something that if the city of Cleveland builds around,the actual city of Cleveland will turn around,so than not only will the suburbs be very livable the city will be too.I can only speak for myself though,I think the area is great.Most people I know also think the area is great.But to people moving into the Cleveland area,do not be scared away by people saying poverty and crime is really bad,because most cities have crime and poverty,and almost all the suburbs of Cleveland have low crime rates,and low poverty rates.It just depends on the person what kind of place your going to like.

[Katiana]

This is an interesting thread. I've never lived in Cleveland; I'm from Pittsburgh, currently live in Colorado. I wouldn't want to give it up, either! In the case of the OP, it sounds like the decision has been made, so I think it's best to just go with it.

Cleveland, like Pittsburgh, has these world-class medical facilities because it is an old, established city. Denver's health care facilities are great, but Denver is still the young upstart. (IMO) Many people prefer to work in a world-class facility than in a place with lesser rep. That is their choice.

Colorado has a problem with people applying for jobs hoping to get their ticket to Colorado. I have been on some hiring committees. When the question is asked "why do you want this job?", if the answer is "I like to ski", (or some variation thereof), the resume gets tossed. Just an FYI for all those planning to move out here. You should want the job for the job.

[lcinva]

I would like to dispute that the Greater Cleveland area is safe. I can think of 5 other dental families whose (locked) houses have been broken into in the last 2 years. They live in the Heights.

As a white person, I have been treated "not very nicely" by some other more predominating races here. Not unsafe per se, but makes me feel unsafe.

My parents live in Colorado. They don't lock their doors, and haven't been broken into once. They are not an anomaly.

Any city that is in the top 5 most dangerous cities in the United States, by default, is NOT SAFE! I don't care if it's the suburbs; it's not like there is a physical boundary keeping out the 85 (are we up to 86?) murderers a year out of the suburbs. Any place with as rampant poverty as Cleveland will NOT be safe until there are more jobs and the economy is better.

I would also like to dispute your comments on blizzards. In the last year, twice I was not able to get out of my driveway b/c of 1foot and greater snow. The roads were terrible; another examples of my taxes "hard at work". hahaha.

In Colorado, it snows lightly, and then it's sunny...and it melts. Imagine that! The plowmen are actually plowing, because if not people can't go skiing, and that's their whole economy.

There was gross black snow on the ground for 3-4 weeks at a time this last winter.

Cleveland Clinic is Cleveland's only redeeming feature. And even they want to get out! Have you heard the news? They want to drop their association with CWRU to partner with Columbia University. I wonder why that is? Cleveland's hometown school isn't good enough? Surprise surprise.

For anyone considering moving here, besides subjective (I suppose) things like crime and weather -

You cannot dispute the OUTRAGEOUS taxes.