Buffalo NY to Florida to Cleveland OH (Akron, Mentor: fit in, mortgage)

[tmkilanowski]

Relocated to South Florida 2 years ago from Buffalo, NY. Husband lost job in mortgage mess but has opportunity to get better job in Cleveland. We know what we're in for as far as weather goes and housing is cheap.

How does Cleveland compare to Buffalo?

Does the State of Ohio have a school website that shows what each area's school is rated?

Are people generally friendly - they are not in South Florida & it is hard to meet people/make friends, even for kids in school.

Thank you.

[MABCle]

Cleveland and Buffalo share similarities in that they are both on Lake Erie and at least the far northeastern stretch of the burbs get hit with Lake effect snow.

For everything else expect a bigger more diverse metro area than Buffalo. Buffalo metro has around 1.5 Million, while the Cleveland-Akron Metro has around 3 million, so basically Cleveland is twice as big a B-Low. The state does have its state report card ratings that come out each year, and was recently revamped so this years rankings should be the fairest yet. Their site is: http://ilrc.ode.state.oh.us/

[MiamiU08]

Originally Posted by tmkilanowski

Are people generally friendly - they are not in South Florida & it is hard to meet people/make friends, even for kids in school.

I think you'll find that Cleveland people are some of the nicest and friendliest in the country - certainly the greatest bunch of people that I've ever found. Of course, it helps if you like Cleveland sports or Ohio State , but we tolerate sports differences as long as you don't bash ours.

I have no doubt that you and your school-age children will find friends without much trouble. Introduce yourself to your neighbors (if they don't beat you to it), and be active in your community (church, school, local activities, etc) and you'll be more than fine. Many of the Cleveland suburbs are very community-oriented, so the more direct involvement you have, the quicker you will make friends.

Best of luck!!

[MiamiU08]

Also, this website is a little more user-friendly and personal than the OH District Report Cards site. Go figure, a government website would be confusing or cryptic...

[eyebuck]

I had to relocate to N.Y. state from Cleveland due to job lay off back in the 80's during my time in N.Y. state I have been in Buffalo in the winter months and in comparison I think the winters are about the same with cold and snow however getting around the Cleveland area is much better in Cleveland. I am now retired and planning on returning to the Cleveland area very soon. Ane the people in the Cleveland area are much more friendly and helpful. Good luck to you

[Traveler87]

I have family from Buffalo. My uncle moved to Cleveland in the 90s from Buffalo. I have been to Buffalo, and I am a big fan of the new growth in cities today, but Buffalo has really struggled. Still even to this day it is having trouble with development and getting rid of that factory look. Cleveland being a much larger city has been rebuilding, new construction, and new jobs are moving in. I have been to Buffalo on the weekends, and all the action on Fridays and Saturdays is going on in the suburbs, here in Cleveland a lot of people head to downtown, maybe for a sports game, or for the fine restaurants or clubs. Cleveland is a large city that offers a lot, and much more to come in the coming years. Good luck in the move!

[chartbury]

I moved from Florida to Cleveland in the middle of winter and immediately suffered from sunshine withdrawal symptoms! I know south Florida (Jupiter area) and know how difficult it is to make friends there. Cleveland has some of the warmest, friendliest people on earth and most people don't care at all what car you drive or what brands you wear or carry. It's a breath of fresh air. You do need to know the differences between eastside and westside though. The westside is traditionally the working-class white areas that are less used to outsiders whereas the eastside ... Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, Pepper Pike, Russell etc has more outsiders come in through the hospitals, universities and corporations. Mentor is like a city to itself and a very big, suburban area. Best school districts are Chagrin Falls, Solon, Shaker Heights, Orange, Kenston, etc, depending on what you are looking for (AP offerings, college guidance, diversity, sports etc) and Mayfield is diverse and has vocational offerings and chess (Russians there made them state champions!) It all depends on where you feel you'd fit in, but you have a great choice. Good luck!

[Traveler87]

Originally Posted by chartbury

I moved from Florida to Cleveland in the middle of winter and immediately suffered from sunshine withdrawal symptoms! I know south Florida (Jupiter area) and know how difficult it is to make friends there. Cleveland has some of the warmest, friendliest people on earth and most people don't care at all what car you drive or what brands you wear or carry. It's a breath of fresh air. You do need to know the differences between eastside and westside though. The westside is traditionally the working-class white areas that are less used to outsiders whereas the eastside ... Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, Pepper Pike, Russell etc has more outsiders come in through the hospitals, universities and corporations. Mentor is like a city to itself and a very big, suburban area. Best school districts are Chagrin Falls, Solon, Shaker Heights, Orange, Kenston, etc, depending on what you are looking for (AP offerings, college guidance, diversity, sports etc) and Mayfield is diverse and has vocational offerings and chess (Russians there made them state champions!) It all depends on where you feel you'd fit in, but you have a great choice. Good luck!

Glad to hear you like the Cleveland metro area.