Cleveland Neighborhood Boundaries - University Circle area (Euclid, Cleveland Heights: apartment, rent)

[lokipie]

Hi,
I'm moving to Cleveland from FL to attend Case law, and am looking to buy a house. I need a safe, stable area and a house without many POS violations. I'm looking at Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, University Heights, and South Euclid, which I hear meet these requirements. My problem is an inability to determine what streets are the "borders" to these areas - being out of town, I can't visit an area and see for myself, and I can't find any maps or text descriptions of the limits of the above-mentioned cities/neighborhoods. I'd rather not be in an area with a lot of forclosures and vacancies or borded up buildings.

I've been advised to avoid East Cleveland, but was wondering where the safety zone actually lies since E. Cleveland borders Cleveland Heights. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Also, would anyone recommend or warn against Garfield Heights? Or Lyndhurst and Mayfield Heights?

[dweller]

I would strongly discourage you from buying a house in these areas- that is the eastern suburbs. First of all, they are all on a decline and are suffering population loss. Second, taxes are sky high. Third, property values are still declining and have a long way to go.
If you are by yourself, rent an apartment- there are plenty of cheap apts in little italy or Clev Heights with easy access to Case that will run you $600 a month for 2 bedrooms. If you buy a house, you will lose out on property taxes, excess utilities such as water and sewer, mortgage interest minus the tax shield (which tax shield won't be much if you have no taxable income cause your in school), and the prinicple that you won't recover when (not if) you sell at a lower price.
Once you are done with Law School, then maybe decide what you want to do. All of Cuyahoga County is on a decline and is on the point of no return. If you buy now you will be sorry. The only areas that I would say its OK to buy is downtown. There is high demand there and lack of inventory. The Euclid Corridor project should be done soon so you could take public transport from downtown and be at Case quickly.

[lokipie]

Hi, Thanks for the input, but I'm pretty well decided to buy, as rent also represents a loss of money - and that loss is guaranteed, independent of the area's decline or rehabilitation. I also have two quite large dogs, which makes renting a less likely option. The property taxes and insurance rates in Cleveland are far below those in FL, and I will not be mortgaging the property so will not loose the interest. I do not wish to commute from downtown - I'd prefer a walkable distance in the warmer months, bus service in the winter.

I'm primarily concerned with the safety of various areas.