Another moving thread - quaint NE OH town? (Cleveland, Akron: condos, neighborhood)

[121804]

Originally Posted by Steve36

So which quaint towns on the west side offer a 30 minute commute to downtown; an active independent town center that's easily navigable by foot or bicycle; older homes with some space around them for around $200,000; parks and hiking trails not too far away; community events and are not suburban plazaland where you feel as though you need a car to get anywhere? I'm sure there are some but I don't know which would be best to suggest.

"Maybe" Rocky River but RR is so "suburb" in its overall feel. There are some amazing homes there along with great access to Cleveland Metroparks. There is a cute shopping area along Detroit but unfortunately has not been able to keep up with Crocker Park in Westlake (where people in River now shop as seen by several stores leaving Beachcliff).

A $200k home in River is not going to be in the prettier area by the lake. It is going to either be off of Westwood or off of Hilliard/Detroit. Very, very busy interesections.

But it is going to be tough to find a livable home in Chagrin for $200k.

Either way, River on the westside or CF on the eastside. That would be my pick. We were priced out of both areas but we also have kids to take into account.

[BelieveInCleve]

Try Oberlin, Sheffield Lake, Avon Lake, Bay Village, Willowick, Eastlake.

[Steve36]

Originally Posted by 121804

"Maybe" Rocky River but RR is so "suburb" in its overall feel. There are some amazing homes there along with great access to Cleveland Metroparks. There is a cute shopping area along Detroit but unfortunately has not been able to keep up with Crocker Park in Westlake (where people in River now shop as seen by several stores leaving Beachcliff).

Agreed. As a past resident of RR, I just couldn't decide if it fit the "quaint" qualifier or not (I guess my answer would have to be not). None the less, we liked RR and would recommend living there to others.

[chartbury]

Hi there,

I saw your post and know exactly what kind of community you are looking for but, unfortunately, you will have to make some choices looking in the $200K price range.

Shaker Heights doesn't have the central town like Chagrin Falls but it does have Fairmount Circle, the shops at Van Aken, Shaker Square etc which may be walkable to depending on where you live. It does have great walking areas, parks and jogging trails so is definitely a "healthy" community. You will also find some cute houses in the $200K in the Fernway or Sussex neighborhoods and in the streets near Shaker's Thornton Park Recreation Center (tennis courts, swimming pool, ice rink). There is a farmer's market (North Union) on Shaker Square. Farmers Market at Shaker Square

Alternatively, you may be able to find a deal in Mayfield Village which has access to the Metroparks and, like Shaker, it is another community where people walk, rollerblade, cycle etc. Mayfield Village has a bandstand for community events, grocery store and restaurants, CVS etc all located together.

Best of luck with your move!

[SongbirdNW]

Originally Posted by CortlandGirl79

I believe the OP said she is also moving home to be closer to family. She said she is originally from Poland (Youngstown area), so i'm assuming her family is still there. If her family does still live in Mahoning Co. the east side would be a lot closer to home.

CortlandGirl79, you are correct. We have family in Mentor and Youngstown, and are therefore looking for someplace that's no more than 1-1.5 hrs. drive from each. Thus, South or East of Cleveland is preferable to us.

Thanks for the ideas, everyone!

[Traveler87]

Brecksville and Sagamore Hills. Right next to the Cuyahoga Nat'l Park.

[CrissCT]

Originally Posted by Clevelandgal

I don't live on the eastside. In fact I prefer Downtown, and the near west side of the city. However I am able to put aside my own values to make a recommendation. I do not think any westside areas within 30-45 minutes of downtown fit what this poster has expressed (a self contained town,a town center). I think Lakewood is great and worth checking out, but like CH, it is very connected to the mothership(sweet cleveland). Just my impression, but many of the smaller westside towns are very sprawly and centered around life in the sub division or strip mall/Walmart and childrens sports. You really cannot walk anywhere but to your car. This may work for many people, but not sure this fits with what the poster wants.

Bay Village is very walkable and quaint and on the West side. There are homes of all different sizes and prices. They are somewhat self contained with a grocery store and parks, but close enough to Westlake and Avon for those that need to get to the chain stores.

[kd222]

if you like to be on the lakefront you could try vermilion, I love it here. 35 mins to downtown cleveland. maybe 1.5 hrs to youngstown and 1 hr to mentor. it is pretty far west for what you asked about. but its location to I 90 and the Ohio tpike make it fast to any suburb or cleveland. 200K will be good here too which is hard to say about all the other places mentioned especially brecksville and hudson. Vermilion has a couple parks that are right on the lake, good schools, low taxes and a small, quint downtown area. Stow, Twinsburg on southeast would be good for you also, both growing and appreciating.

best wishes

[WhiteDove428]

Take a long hard look at Mayfield.

[aschuler]

Hi!

I grew up in Chagrin Falls. Great town, old homes, picture perfect town. Great schools. Downside? $200,000 is not going to get you much. It is worth the commute (realistically 40 minutes) downtown. Good luck!