From San Diego to Cleveland (Shaker Heights: transplants, preschool, living in)

[treeunderSky]

No worries. Take your time. You will find the best way suitable for you guys.

Probably chat with you next time.

Originally Posted by lacostacindy2

I don't know what our situation will be or when we will arrive to actually live in Cleveland. I will contact you when I know more...not sure if we will rent or sell our house here and stay until that happens and then go buy in Cleveland...there is a lot to consider! I bet you are having a ball in Australia.

thanks - lacostacindy2

[Traveler87]

Originally Posted by treeunderSky

No worries. Take your time. You will find the best way suitable for you guys.

Probably chat with you next time.

Australia is a great country. I have been there three times. By far my favorite country. I have a lot of friends back there. Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth, Adelaide, Cairns, Townsville, great cities all around. What part of Australia do you live in?

Melbourne is my favorite city. Federation Square is amazing. Great transportation system, great downtown, awesome suburbs. Australia is the country to be in.

[treeunderSky]

Yes. It is a lovely country. a lot of fun. Good to know you like Melbourne! I live in Melbourne now. I miss Cleveland often. I enjoy the life here as well. We went a concert in federation Square on Australia Nation's Day. I like the restaurant around, summer activities and festivals. We had been to Brisbane and some northern islands, Tasmania. Lots of beach and sunshine. Our next journey is to Sydney. Good to talk with you.

[Traveler87]

Originally Posted by treeunderSky

Yes. It is a lovely country. a lot of fun. Good to know you like Melbourne! I live in Melbourne now. I miss Cleveland often. I enjoy the life here as well. We went a concert in federation Square on Australia Nation's Day. I like the restaurant around, summer activities and festivals. We had been to Brisbane and some northern islands, Tasmania. Lots of beach and sunshine. Our next journey is to Sydney. Good to talk with you.

Great to talk with you too, and glad to hear you are enjoying Australia. It is one amazing country. I have friends in Lilydale, Victoria, just NE of Melbourne. Melbourne is one amazing city. I know you will enjoy Sydney. There are still those people from Melbourne and Sydney who fight which city is better, Melbourne is expected to pass Sydney up in the coming years as Australia's most populous city. In my opinion, Melbourne is better lol. Both cities are completely different though. I plan on headed back to Australia next year.

[esy123]

After living in San Diego myself for the last 30 years (the majority of my life, although not a true native), I just returned from a one week visit to the Beachwood area to interview for a position that would require relocation. It was the worst weather of the year (blizzard, 6+ inches, freezing rain) but the week ended with that familiar orange glow in the sky and a beautiful sunset as my plane took off.

I loved the bad weather. I was "trapped" in my hotel room but found ways to entertain myself (or get more work done). My kids were thrilled to see the pix of the snow I sent home. I saw some beautiful neighborhoods with gorgeous houses. I heard the battle between East and West. But if I take the job, a short commute would be very important so I would definitely choose the East side. My challenge is finding suitable temporary housing (6 months to a year) in a good neighborhood at an affordable price. I did not have any time to tour any apartments, but would be curious if any of you have suggestions?

And Cindy - I am in Encinitas currently, so I know how you feel! If we both make this move, you have an instant friend in town.

[chartbury]

Two great preschools in Shaker Heights are the JDN Preschool on Fairmount Boulevard (even though JDN means Jewish Day Nursery, it's open to all denominations and is just wonderful. We're not Jewish and my son had a fantastic start there). The other highly recommended one is Carol Nursery at the Shaker Family Center on Sussex Road. I'd take a look at both. Hathaway Brown and Laurel, two private schools in Shaker, also have co-ed preschool programs. Good luck!

[Traveler87]

Originally Posted by esy123

After living in San Diego myself for the last 30 years (the majority of my life, although not a true native), I just returned from a one week visit to the Beachwood area to interview for a position that would require relocation. It was the worst weather of the year (blizzard, 6+ inches, freezing rain) but the week ended with that familiar orange glow in the sky and a beautiful sunset as my plane took off.

I loved the bad weather. I was "trapped" in my hotel room but found ways to entertain myself (or get more work done). My kids were thrilled to see the pix of the snow I sent home. I saw some beautiful neighborhoods with gorgeous houses. I heard the battle between East and West. But if I take the job, a short commute would be very important so I would definitely choose the East side. My challenge is finding suitable temporary housing (6 months to a year) in a good neighborhood at an affordable price. I did not have any time to tour any apartments, but would be curious if any of you have suggestions?

And Cindy - I am in Encinitas currently, so I know how you feel! If we both make this move, you have an instant friend in town.

What I like about Ohio is the CHANGE of seasons. We get a lot of snow, yes, but it is not near as bad as other states. Wisconsin and Minnesota get it so much more worse. Spring brings in new life, summer is great, and fall with all the different colors on the trees. Wish you the best of luck on your possible move to the Cleveland area.

[secondyear]

Personally, I would go for the nicer areas of University Heights and Cleveland Heights over Shaker Heights. The Whole Foods (which is one of the best I have ever been in, and I am from Northern CA) is in University Heights. Cleveland heights has a fantastic library with programs. So does South Euclid. I don't know what the ages of your kids are, but there is a place called the Heights Parent Center in Cleveland Heights off Taylor road (Taylor and Lee) and it is a wonderful parenting resource. All of the employees are great, it is very grass roots in how it approaches parenting and support. They have drop in play times for younger and older kids which is a great way to meet new moms and network. I would say most the moms I have met there are more on the Crunchy side of things (BF'ing past a year, organic foods, no fruit juice, etc).

The Metro parks system is fantastic. My three year-old loves this place called Squire's Castle (and old stone house) and the trails behind it are great fro hiking. So gorgeous in the summer and fall months. I think the park system is the thing we are going to miss the most here in Ohio (we are moving back to CA in a few weeks). They call it the Emerald Necklace of Ohio for a reason, and it is truly a wonderful park system.

GL on your move!

[lacostacindy2]

I think it's so funny that you are thinking of a move to Cleveland, after living in Encinitas. We are South Carlsbad/Encinitas - we live by RSF and El Camino, by the Forum (La Costa Valley). Let me know if you make the move. I haven't checked email as I've had company for the past week. Please email me directly (lacostacindy2@yahoo.com) if you go!

Originally Posted by esy123

After living in San Diego myself for the last 30 years (the majority of my life, although not a true native), I just returned from a one week visit to the Beachwood area to interview for a position that would require relocation. It was the worst weather of the year (blizzard, 6+ inches, freezing rain) but the week ended with that familiar orange glow in the sky and a beautiful sunset as my plane took off.

I loved the bad weather. I was "trapped" in my hotel room but found ways to entertain myself (or get more work done). My kids were thrilled to see the pix of the snow I sent home. I saw some beautiful neighborhoods with gorgeous houses. I heard the battle between East and West. But if I take the job, a short commute would be very important so I would definitely choose the East side. My challenge is finding suitable temporary housing (6 months to a year) in a good neighborhood at an affordable price. I did not have any time to tour any apartments, but would be curious if any of you have suggestions?

And Cindy - I am in Encinitas currently, so I know how you feel! If we both make this move, you have an instant friend in town.

[chartbury]

The Shaker Heights Family Center on Sussex Road is a great resource and has a family playroom where moms and tots can drop in on weekday morning plus an open gym. Take a look! I don't know that I would choose Cleveland Heights or University Heights over Shaker if you have kids -- just look at the differences in the school ratings on the Ohio Department of Education website (report cards). It's the difference between night and day. Also check out libraries, playgrounds, friendly neighborhoods.