Choosing A Community (Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights: mcmansions, apartments, condos)

[ProudCavalier]

Does anyone know what it is like to work for Ohio Permanente Medical Group? I have heard good things about it. Is the salary high? Is it hard to gain status?

[ProudCavalier]

I would like to also obtain some information on the communities of: Bay Village, Rocky River, Gates Mills, Hunting Valley, Pepper Pike, Moreland Hills, Chagrin Falls,
Solon, Bainbridge, Bentleyville, South Russell, Bratenahl, and Beachwood. I would also like information about the area public and private schools. If you have any other recommendations, please include.

[gtsurfer05]

Bay and Rocky River schools are good. The communities are quite stable too, mostly middle to upper class people, especially along the lake. Private school wise you'd be looking at St. Eds in Lakewood or St. Ignatius in Cleveland(both high schools) Education wise though, I think that you can get your money's worth in a good public school and learn more. Typically private school kids also tend to be really arrogant and badly behaved.

[CortlandGirl79]

Oh no, i think gtsurfer just opened a can of worms. Please, let's not turn this into a private vs. public arguement........those never get anywhere.

[ProudCavalier]

I have been able to get some research done. I have rulled out the communities of Bratenahl, Beachwood, Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, and Lyndhurst. I rulled out Bratenahl because I think we would rather live in a good school district that have more convenience. Beachwood because I was not able to find any suitable housing. Shaker Heights because we would like something newer than the stuff that is going up in Shaker. Cleveland Heights because of crime and the school system, and Lyndhurst because of the schools. I am still considering Bay Village, Rocky River, Gates Mills, and Mayfield. Bay Village and Rocky River are on the westside and my family is on the eastside and that is what I am familiar with. The High School in Gates Mills and Mayfield starts in eighth grade and I want my son to be able to start at the begining. I am focusing further research on the towns of Bentleyville, Chagrin Falls, South Russell, Moreland Hills, Pepper Pike, Hunting Valley, and Solon. I might consider Aurora but it seems like it is very far away. I understand that Solon is very hilly. We have a 4 wheel drive sedan for the winter. Is that enough? I always assumed that Orange High School was outstanding, because of the nature of the surrounding communities. The GreatSchools profile gives it a 9 of 10. Some of the reviews are critical but most are very possitive. What is Kenston High School. I noticed that parts of Chagrin Falls is served by this high school. I have never heard of it before. Is it reputable? If anyone has any other recommendations please feel free to post them.

[tribecavsbrowns]

I suggest the neighborhood north of Lake Road in Rocky River. 15-20 minutes from downtown, all residential north of Lake, very close to the valley (the Rocky River Metroparks, where you can hike, fish, boat, bike, etc.), and solid upper-middle-class. Probably one of the safest cities in America. You can probably find a lakefront property at your price, if that interests you.

Rocky River High School is a very good school, probably the best on the west side in a sense, but I would look at St. Ignatius High School instead because River is a small school and your son would be an outsider among a tight-knit group of kids who have grown up together. St. Ignatius is usually first or second in the area (up there with Shaker) in number of National Merit Finalists. It's an all-male Jesuit school. Given your wealthy, educated background, I'm not sure I'd recommend much else on the west side and I know little about the east side.

The closest equivalent to Rocky River in Chicago is probably Wilmette, so if you're looking for something totally different from what you have now this probably wouldn't work. But if you are looking for a similar place but one where you can get around a little easier and stretch your dollar a little (okay, a lot) further, Rocky River might work.

[cleveburg]

Hi ProudCavalier,

Ok . . . here goes . . . my honest opinion . . .

I've lived on both the east and west side of Cleveland. The city has changed a lot since you've lived here. *Both* sides are diverse; however the east side is more diverse than the west side. Going by what you've stated as far as price range, political diversity, and schools, you can choose several locations.

The east side communities of Gates Mills, Pepper Pike, and even Chardon may spark your interest. You cannot expect to purchase a house in that price range and not have a select crowd of people. That is just the way it is. The richer communities of the east side are in closer proximatey to the less expensive (and also run down) neighborhood (except for Chardon . . . it's out there a ways). Whereas the rich neighborhoods of the west side are somewhat isolated.

Rocky River and Bay Village are very nice areas. Old money; however the older crowds with this $$ are dying off and the more suburbanite / professional crowd is moving in. Don't get me wrong . . . they've always been there . . . but now they are moving in at higher rates. A lot of the professional athletes tend to live in Westlake and Avon Lake . . . regardless of race!

As far as great school systems . . . Gates Mills, Orange, and Pepper Pike have great systems. So does Beachwood!!! The east side has more private institutions with outstanding reputations: Hawkins, University School, Gilmore (I can't remember if you said you have a boy / girl).

West side has great school systems, and some of the highest ranked in the state including, Rocky River, Olmsted Falls, Bay Village, Avon Lake, and Avon. Westlake's school system is very good, but I know several teachers that have told me they are having some severe problems with the rapidly growing middle eastern students. They are forming their own little gangs and displaying a high level of disrespect toward teachers and students (particularly harrassing girls). The cultural belief that men are superior has caused huge problems where the administrators are unsure yet of how to handle the situation. Many incidents haven't been made public because of political correctness.

The only very good private school on the west side (outside of the religious based listed by a poster above which are very good) is Lake Ridge Academy (very good school). It is located in North Ridgeville.

I understand your wanting to be close to work. I really believe the commute from the west side is less congested than the east side, but given your preferences (culture, political diversity, schools), you may have more options on the east side.

Both sides are nice . . . I really liked both. Each have pros and cons. But please do not get into your mind that the west side is racist. It isn't. People are people, and you'll find open and close-minded people on *both* sides of the city.

Hope this helps:-) Good luck to you!!

[ProudCavalier]

Where are the apartments in Pepper Pike and Solon?

[newmex]

Originally Posted by cleveburg

Hi ProudCavalier,



West side has great school systems, and some of the highest ranked in the state including, Rocky River, Olmsted Falls, Bay Village, Avon Lake, and Avon. Westlake's school system is very good, but I know several teachers that have told me they are having some severe problems with the rapidly growing middle eastern students. They are forming their own little gangs and displaying a high level of disrespect toward teachers and students (particularly harrassing girls). The cultural belief that men are superior has caused huge problems where the administrators are unsure yet of how to handle the situation. Many incidents haven't been made public because of political correctness.



Hope this helps:-) Good luck to you!!

Too much NPR softens the spine
Harrass them right back, and out of the country! Please folks, don't be like France or Canada. Your jobs are stripped away, let's not have these idiot's strip away our dignity and our way of life here in America. Don't be a doormat for these social refractory types.

[airics]

you are incorrect about the schools starting in the 8th grade in mayfield/gates mills... both in the mayfield school district.. there is gatesmills and lander elementary, mayfield middle school, and mayfield high school... there are a few areas in mayfield i think you should avoid, several streets are "rental streets" and then there are some very very nice homes, especially behind hillcrest hospital... traffic is in issue for a couple more years since the mayfield construction.. taxes are high but not as bad as shaker/beachwood etc... overall a decent community..... gates mills, i wouldnt really know, i couldnt afford a shed in one of the back yards..