Is Cleveland a Friendly City (Chardon, Minerva: sales, 2014, renting)

[JakeinChina]

People are very easy going and friendly, from all of the Ohio people I met over the years. I grew up in North Jersey and now live overseas, but my companies main office is in Solon Ohio and I travel there often. Everyone for the most part is really easy going, down to earth, and a lot of fun to be around.


If I was older I would retire in Cleveland or other Ohio areas, but there are two things you need to consider. First is the weather, as its not at all a warm destination. Second, the property taxes in many towns are very high. Some even close to NJ/NY high. Research that if you decide to buy a home there.

[teacherdad]

Second, the property taxes in many towns are very high. Some even close to NJ/NY high. Research that if you decide to buy a home there.

Agreed. This is why, as a retiree, I would consider renting an apt near transportation, or just right downtown. Especially, if you move from another higher cost of living area where you can rent out your home + get your retirement.

Cold winter? You are retired....travel!

[WRnative]

Originally Posted by JakeinChina

If I was older I would retire in Cleveland or other Ohio areas, but there are two things you need to consider. First is the weather, as its not at all a warm destination. Second, the property taxes in many towns are very high. Some even close to NJ/NY high. Research that if you decide to buy a home there.

Winter weather in Cleveland is much more tame than in decades past due to global warming. Is it still cold in winter? Yes, but the summers and autumns are brilliant compared to many regions in the U.S. And due to the relatively plentiful rainfall (there is lake effect rain as well as lake effect snow), Greater Cleveland is relatively verdant compared to many regions in the U.S., especially in the summer.

This thread discusses winter weather in Greater Cleveland in the eyes of a southern transplant and the impact of climate change on Cleveland winters.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/cleve...land-area.html

Greater Cleveland may have high real estate tax rates (these vary very greatly by community and are somewhat low for example in Solon) and municipal income taxes, but property values are so much lower than elsewhere, such as in New Jersey, that the actual property taxes aren't relatively excessive compared to higher-cost regions for homes of similar quality. Of course, these taxes pay for superior public schools and amenities.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by WRnative

Winter weather in Cleveland is much more tame than in decades past due to global warming. Is it still cold in winter? Yes, but the summers and autumns are brilliant compared to many regions in the U.S. And due to the relatively plentiful rainfall (there is lake effect rain as well as lake effect snow), Greater Cleveland is relatively verdant compared to many regions in the U.S., especially in the summer.

This thread discusses winter weather in Greater Cleveland in the eyes of a southern transplant and the impact of climate change on Cleveland winters.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/cleve...land-area.html

Greater Cleveland may have high real estate tax rates (these vary very greatly by community and are somewhat low for example in Solon) and municipal income taxes, but property values are so much lower than elsewhere, such as in New Jersey, that the actual property taxes aren't relatively excessive compared to higher-cost regions for homes of similar quality. Of course, these taxes pay for superior public schools and amenities.

I don't know, seems from this to be pretty normal still: Annual Cleveland snowfall totals since 1950-51 | cleveland.com

Couldn't find from the past 5 years.

https://www.currentresults.com/Weath...est-cities.php

Looks like CLE is snowier than Boston, Minneapolis, Denver, all of which most people think as pretty snowy. My point is that it's not the case that the snow is an overlookable factor if you don't absolutely love winter. In fact, almost all other major cities have less snow than Cleveland.

But certainly the spring, summers, and especially falls are incredible. I think fall is the best.

[Minervah]

When people ask is so-and-so a friendly city, the answers they get are often comparisons of cities. So that's what I'm going to do.

I was born and raised in Chicago. I lived there until I was in my early thirties in 1978. Then I moved to Portland, Oregon. Nearly three years ago I moved to the Cleveland area. So here's my thoughts.

Moving to Cleveland was a very pleasant reminder of how nice people could be. I had grown used to the self-centered West Coast attitudes. Relocating to the Great Lakes Region
reminded me of my years in Chicago living among friendly people.

I know there are jerks everywhere and each generation produces more of them but on the whole if someone is looking for a place to live with a ratio of far fewer jerks to nice friendly people I would definitely choose Cleveland.

[WRnative]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

I don't know, seems from this to be pretty normal still: Annual Cleveland snowfall totals since 1950-51 | cleveland.com

Couldn't find from the past 5 years.

https://www.currentresults.com/Weath...est-cities.php

Looks like CLE is snowier than Boston, Minneapolis, Denver, all of which most people think as pretty snowy. My point is that it's not the case that the snow is an overlookable factor if you don't absolutely love winter. In fact, almost all other major cities have less snow than Cleveland.

But certainly the spring, summers, and especially falls are incredible. I think fall is the best.

You can find totals here. In my head, I counted about 36 inches of snow for this winter.

Cleveland weather history: find weather details for any date since 1871 | cleveland.com

I did find season snowfall totals for prior winter seasons here:

http://www.cleveland.com/datacentral...s_for_cle.html

My posts in the linked thread pretty conclusively show that winters are more mild now, but it's not Miami.

Anecdotally, my snow-blowing efforts are much less than in years past.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

But certainly the spring, summers, and especially falls are incredible. I think fall is the best.

The first half of Spring can be quite chilly and breezy if you live near the lake. (It was the same in Chicago.) I keep getting fooled by the forecasts which say one thing, and then I go out and experience something quite a bit less pleasant.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by Minervah

I was born and raised in Chicago. I lived there until I was in my early thirties in 1978. Then I moved to Portland, Oregon. Nearly three years ago I moved to the Cleveland area. So here's my thoughts.

Moving to Cleveland was a very pleasant reminder of how nice people could be. I had grown used to the self-centered West Coast attitudes. Relocating to the Great Lakes Region
reminded me of my years in Chicago living among friendly people.

I know there are jerks everywhere and each generation produces more of them but on the whole if someone is looking for a place to live with a ratio of far fewer jerks to nice friendly people I would definitely choose Cleveland.

I lived in Chicago much more recently, and I don't think today's Chicago is nearly as friendly as it was back in the day. Especially in the areas with lots of transplants. One thing I had to learn after moving there was not to make eye contact with people on the street.

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by andrew61

I lived in Chicago much more recently, and I don't think today's Chicago is nearly as friendly as it was back in the day. Especially in the areas with lots of transplants. One thing I had to learn after moving there was not to make eye contact with people on the street.

That doesn't surprise me. Portland was not as friendly as Chicago in the late 70's when I first moved there but it was much more friendly than it is today. And I believe that has a lot to do with transplants as well.

[gouldnm]

Thanks to those of you who have answered my question (OP here). A few comments:

#1. I am not at all concerned about the cold. I grew up in Western Michigan, right on the coast of Lake Michigan, so I know all about lake-effect snow and cold. It does not bother me. Here in Maryland, it's hot and humid, and we get hurricanes. I'll take the snow and cold any day! The only concern I'd have is with shoveling, but since I don't plan to buy a house, I'm not too worried about that.

#2. Taxes. Given the cost of living on the East Coast, I'm not too worried about the taxes. Worst case is that I may end up paying the same as what I do now. Right now we are planning to rent for a few years, and then eventually move into a retirement community.

#3. On East Coast unfriendliness: I think that varies tremendously depending on where you live. I think people tend to be less friendly when they have long commutes and/or high-power careers. I'm hoping that won't be the case so much with Cleveland. The traffic is nothing compared to the coasts or even Chicago, and it's hard to imagine that people could be more career-driven than people in NYC, D.C., or Silicon Valley. But feel free to educate me if I'm wrong!

Anyway, please keep your comments coming. I look forward to reading them!