Where to live for Case Western Reserve (Cleveland, Lakewood: fit in, for sale)

[Mtngoat]

Hi,
I may be starting law school at Case this fall and we're looking at moving to Cleveland from Nashville. We have a 20 month old son and want an area that is reasonably safe and with good schools. We would like to buy a home under $200K, but might go higher if something cool comes up. We have renovated several homes so fixing up a house in a great area would be a possibility. Ideally we want a 3 bedroom 2 bath house with charm and 1600-1800 sf. Something contemporary would be cool. What are the general housing types (brick, cottage, craftsman, etc) in Cleveland heights, Shaker heights, and any other areas you would recommend for attending Case. I'm willing to commute via mass transit or freeways, but don't want to be sitting in traffic every day for the precious hour or so of freetime I'll have. Also, we have 2 dogs and a cat.
Thanks.

[ExCMHer]

I went to CWRU for undergrad, and I've often wondered where I would buy if I ever moved back to Cleveland. Here's what I found in the 44106 zip code, which is where Case is located.

44106, Real Estate Listings and 44106 Single Family Home for Sale - Realtor.com

You should be fine for your price point, bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage. Real estate in Cleveland has been taking a beating with the subprime mortgage crisis. So, Cleveland is the ultimate buyers market right now.

With a wife and child, I'd tend to buy over in Cleveland Heights, rather than off campus in Cleveland right around Case. There are probably some really good opportunities in the Wade Park area just north of Case, but if your wife is like mine, she wouldn't be too thrilled with living in the 'hood. Having gone to Case as an undergrad, that wouldn't faze me in the least, but the ladies are kinda funny about that sort of thing.

[Mtngoat]

Hey,
Thanks for the information. What can you tell me about the area just north of Case, Glenville, and the Forest Hill neighborhood? In general, what is the housing like within a 1 mile radius of University Circle? Everybody's definition of the 'hood' is different, but we'd like a neighborhood where my wife can safely walk alone with the baby, and where she can be out in the yard alone without having to pack heat

[Mtngoat]

One more thing,
What would the commute be like from Lakewood? What are the general directions that traffic flows at 8am and 5pm and the commutes that I should avoid?

[WeSoHood]

Originally Posted by Mtngoat

One more thing,
What would the commute be like from Lakewood? What are the general directions that traffic flows at 8am and 5pm and the commutes that I should avoid?

I know quite a few people who commute from Lakewood to Case. It's only about 10 miles, depending on traffic I'd say 30 minutes max. I've made the travel in 15 minutes easily.

Some of the surrounding areas are definitely sketchy. Close by are some of the most dangerous areas in the city - which would mean some of the worst in the nation. Very poor. But generally speaking the campus should be fine. I'd suggest living in a place like Lakewood if you have a family.

[TheProf]

C’mon WeSoHood, we know you're a west-sider, but be a little objective....

MtnGoat, you DON'T have to live on the west side to find a nice, safe neighborhood. WeSoHood is painting a very skewed portrait. First of all, the area immediately surrounding the University, the site of a former wealthy old neighborhood, is quite safe. Many beautiful old homes and apts. Cleveland cops are supplemented by University Circle's own police force who's HQ is right adjacent to the new North Side dorm complex. Little Italy, which is part working class, but mostly yuppie upper middle class is very safe, walk-able and interesting. Just up the hill, you have great neighborhoods in Cleveland Heights. Shaker Square's, in the City to the SE is a little farther, but a great old apartment neighborhood which, like U.Circle, is connected to downtown by the Rapid Transit system. All these areas, except Shaker Square, are connected by CWRU's shuttle bus system... Granted, if you go too far North, or East the areas get sketchy, but the bulk of the surrounding areas are safe... So, no, you don't have to drive 30+mins to the West Side or Lakewood to find nice areas. No way.

Unfortunately you've got a number of people, mainly suburban types on this board, who just love to bad-mouth the City. The downside of Cleveland is that Clevelanders (more the suburbanites than city folks) tend to be very negative about the city and help, psychologically, drag it down...try to ignore them.

[andrew61]

I'd say the commute from Lakewood should average about 20 minutes most of the time, except during a snowstorm when it could be much higher. Lakewood is a great community, and loaded with early 20th-century Craftsman-style homes.

Cleveland Heights also has many properties of that vintage, and is much closer to University Circle, so in that regard it might be a better fit. Both communities are loaded with character, and you should easily be able to find the kind of property you want for under $200K.

If you want good schools, avoid the city of Cleveland. And definitely avoid the city of East Cleveland.

[WeSoHood]

Originally Posted by TheProf

C’mon WeSoHood, we know you're a west-sider, but be a little objective....

MtnGoat, you DON'T have to live on the west side to find a nice, safe neighborhood. WeSoHood is painting a very skewed portrait. First of all, the area immediately surrounding the University, the site of a former wealthy old neighborhood, is quite safe. Many beautiful old homes and apts. Cleveland cops are supplemented by University Circle's own police force who's HQ is right adjacent to the new North Side dorm complex. Little Italy, which is part working class, but mostly yuppie upper middle class is very safe, walk-able and interesting. Just up the hill, you have great neighborhoods in Cleveland Heights. Shaker Square's, in the City to the SE is a little farther, but a great old apartment neighborhood which, like U.Circle, is connected to downtown by the Rapid Transit system. All these areas, except Shaker Square, are connected by CWRU's shuttle bus system... Granted, if you go too far North, or East the areas get sketchy, but the bulk of the surrounding areas are safe... So, no, you don't have to drive 30+mins to the West Side or Lakewood to find nice areas. No way.

Unfortunately you've got a number of people, mainly suburban types on this board, who just love to bad-mouth the City. The downside of Cleveland is that Clevelanders (more the suburbanites than city folks) tend to be very negative about the city and help, psychologically, drag it down...try to ignore them.

No I'm speaking in terms of right around the campus has crime issues.. Of course there are nice areas. I just gave them a time of travel like requested. Shaker and Cleve. Hts are great areas - but you making it sound they are part of Cleveland proper. Then go on to bash me about my supposed negative views of the city!

[Mtngoat]

Hey everybody,
thanks for the great information. I've heard there are some strongly Jewish and Catholic neighborhoods and that if you don't fit in the group, it may not be a welcome place to live. Any truth to this?

[Traveler87]

What about the Ohio City area of Cleveland?