From San Diego to Cleveland (Lakewood, Warren: neighborhoods, elementary school, university)

[lacostacindy2]

We are moving after 7 years in San Diego to Cleveland. I am looking at Beachwood/Shaker Heights to start the search for the right community. My primary concerns are keeping my kids close to nature, close to the outdoors, finding a good fit with a community that will keep them outside and engaged with other kids, being close to a wonderful library, a Whole Foods store, a great health club (I sound like such a CA health nut), and something with a good sort of "downtown" or village area, preferably walkable. Oh, and if it's not too much to ask, close to water of some kind since I'm leaving a beach that's 2 miles away. And maybe can someone offer some wonderful words about Cleveland?? It would be encouraging. I need that right now.
Thanks Cleveland
Go Browns, we are long-time Browns fans!

[BelieveInCleve]

Cleveland is a great city and there is a lot of things to do here. We have the Indians, Cavs, and the Browns along with a lot of minor teams. The Cleveland area also has a lot of museums, a lot of them are in University Circle close to Shaker Heights and Beachwood Shaker Heights and Beachwood are both still nice places. They both seem to have some health places and are close to parks and other things. Most of the Cleveland area is within 20 minutes of Lake Erie and beaches so chances are you will never be too far away from the lake, and even if you move away from the lake there is still a lot of rivers and ponds and things, but yeah almost all of the Cleveland area is close to the lake.

Other good cities would be Lakewood, Rocky River, Bay Village, Pepper Pike, Westlake, Avon lake. There are a lot of good places but Shaker Heights, Beachwood, Lakewood, and Rocky River are probably the best for what you are looking for.

[complexsimplicity]

I live in Shaker Heights and it provides most of what your asking for. As far as nature, you can take the kids to Shaker Lakes. Its wonderful and it also offers camps for kids in the summer. Shaker is a very fit community. The area around Fernway is a wonderful area for the kids and the elementary school is great from what I hear. Also there is an elementary school called Lomond that is good, but I like the area around Fernway better. The Fernway neighborhood is very family oriented. In the summer months, I always see parents out with their kids whether its bike ridings, or just taking a stroll through the neighborhood along with their dogs.

Shaker has a public library on Van Aken/Lee Rd and there is also another one located on Warrensville Road I believe. I'm not sure if there are any health clubs in Shaker, there probably is maybe even in Beachwood, but there is a Farmer's Market on Van Aken and Warrensville Center Rd. and also a Whole Foods Market not to far away in neighboring University Heights and I love that store! Beachwood is also a great neighborhood, but is not as family oriented as Shaker Heights IMO.

[lacostacindy2]

This sounds wonderful, thank you!

Originally Posted by complexsimplicity

I live in Shaker Heights and it provides most of what your asking for. As far as nature, you can take the kids to Shaker Lakes. Its wonderful and it also offers camps for kids in the summer. Shaker is a very fit community. The area around Fernway is a wonderful area for the kids and the elementary school is great from what I hear. Also there is an elementary school called Lomond that is good, but I like the area around Fernway better. The Fernway neighborhood is very family oriented. In the summer months, I always see parents out with their kids whether its bike ridings, or just taking a stroll through the neighborhood along with their dogs.

Shaker has a public library on Van Aken/Lee Rd and there is also another one located on Warrensville Road I believe. I'm not sure if there are any health clubs in Shaker, there probably is maybe even in Beachwood, but there is a Farmer's Market on Van Aken and Warrensville Center Rd. and also a Whole Foods Market not to far away in neighboring University Heights and I love that store! Beachwood is also a great neighborhood, but is not as family oriented as Shaker Heights IMO.

[lacostacindy2]

Thank you - this is great. I'll see some neighborhoods in March...

Originally Posted by complexsimplicity

I live in Shaker Heights and it provides most of what your asking for. As far as nature, you can take the kids to Shaker Lakes. Its wonderful and it also offers camps for kids in the summer. Shaker is a very fit community. The area around Fernway is a wonderful area for the kids and the elementary school is great from what I hear. Also there is an elementary school called Lomond that is good, but I like the area around Fernway better. The Fernway neighborhood is very family oriented. In the summer months, I always see parents out with their kids whether its bike ridings, or just taking a stroll through the neighborhood along with their dogs.

Shaker has a public library on Van Aken/Lee Rd and there is also another one located on Warrensville Road I believe. I'm not sure if there are any health clubs in Shaker, there probably is maybe even in Beachwood, but there is a Farmer's Market on Van Aken and Warrensville Center Rd. and also a Whole Foods Market not to far away in neighboring University Heights and I love that store! Beachwood is also a great neighborhood, but is not as family oriented as Shaker Heights IMO.

[mmmbarb]

Cleveland is a great area to look for all of the things you require. i know that in lakewood there is a lot of diversity as well as a good school system, close proximity to the lake (what we call our beach) and many places that focus on health. in the neighboring suburbs there are many options for a place to exercise like civic centers and fitness places. in lakewood there is a store called natures bin where everything is organic and health food oriented. there is also a section in almost all of the grocery stores around here that provide organic food as well as healthier options. I hope you have a good time visiting and finding what you are looking for. Good luck to you.

[Donna7]

Originally Posted by lacostacindy2

We are moving after 7 years in San Diego to Cleveland. I am looking at Beachwood/Shaker Heights to start the search for the right community. My primary concerns are keeping my kids close to nature, close to the outdoors, finding a good fit with a community that will keep them outside and engaged with other kids, being close to a wonderful library, a Whole Foods store, a great health club (I sound like such a CA health nut), and something with a good sort of "downtown" or village area, preferably walkable. Oh, and if it's not too much to ask, close to water of some kind since I'm leaving a beach that's 2 miles away. And maybe can someone offer some wonderful words about Cleveland?? It would be encouraging. I need that right now.
Thanks Cleveland
Go Browns, we are long-time Browns fans!

You might be surprised to find out that many people in NE OH are as healthy nutty as you or even more. In addition to what's been recommended already, I strongly recommend Mustard Seed Market, which is a comprehensive organic food market in Solon as well as Montrose. In addition to be a full-fledged organic store, there is also a restaurant inside, banquet rooms, and cooking school. You will be happy to note that there are two Trader Joe's as well in the area.

May I ask what prompted your move back to NE OH? My husband and I lived briefly in OC in the early 80's. We moved back here to be with family as we were expecting at the time. Wishing you the best.

[chartbury]

You'll love Shaker Heights, its walkable neighborhoods, family atmosphere and parkland areas (Shaker Lakes Nature Center and Horseshoe Lake Park) are second to none. The Fernway and Malvern neighborhoods are just beautiful and Onaway is a great elementary school also. Whole Foods is nearby in University Square, Wild Oats and Trader Joe's are in Woodmere (just zip along South Woodland Road to get there) and Fresh Market is in Shaker Heights itself. We love the North Union Farmers Market (Shaker Square and other locations depending on the season) also. Shaker libraries are wonderful. Good luck!

[chartbury]

Also, here are names of some of the nicest, friendliest Shaker streets (depending on your price range): Grenway (Fernway neighborhood--this street historically has the best block parties), Sutherland nr. Shaker Family Center (Sussex neighborhood, Lomond school), Carlton-Oxford-Manchester (Malvern, Onaway school), Glengary and Litchfield. I'm sure there are lots of others, but this is a start!

[Traveler87]

Cleveland is a great city that offers so much diversity and cultural activities.

We have a great metro park system, a national park about 45 mins from downtown. Yes, a national park in a metro of over 3 million people. A growing and bustling downtown. We have a diverse and growing economy. We are a cheaper city to live in. Cleveland offers a lot.

Check out Rocky River, Avon Lake, Westlake, Olmsted Falls for the western suburbs. Brecksville, Solon, Seven Hills, Sagamore Hills, Shaker Heights, Mayfield Heights and Beachwood.

Cleveland is a great city that offers quite a bit of nice suburbs. Best of luck in the move!