Berea or Medina... (Cleveland, Akron, Canton: apartment, rent, condo)

[TheCLE]

I currently rent in Medina, but my wife and I are considering buying a house. We've pretty much decided on Medina is where we will buy, but I want some imput on potential resale value down the line.

Personally, I would rather buy in Berea, since it is closer to where we are from, but considering I work in the Akron-Canton area, the commute is a little too far.

At the same time, we want to buy an older home, in the low $100,000s, in an area that has top-notch schools and still has an urban feel (walkable neighborhoods, close to "downtown"). Both Berea and Medina have that.

My question is what area is more desirable to somebody that doesn't have the same job restraints, but wants to live on the westside or southwest side, outside of Cleveland city limits, but still wants a house in an older neighborhood?

I'm torn. Both places offer that.

Berea has good schools and a lot of gorgeous older homes. It's also closer to downtown Cleveland and is more "urban" in general. It's also a more liberal city because of Baldwin Wallace College.

Medina has one of the best school districts in the state. It also has a lot of gorgeous older homes, though IMO, the "run-down" houses for the most part in Medina have a more "hillbilly" feel than those in Berea. The square in Medina, however, is better than Berea's. But Medina is also twice as far from downtown Cleveland. But Medina, while having it's old part, is also a mega-suburb with a ton of newer houses selling for more than $200,000. It's a growing area, while Berea has suffered from a population decline.

We want to buy an older house (in a "city" neighborhood) at a bargain price while the market is low, then modernize it. I expect whoever eventually buys the home will probably be a younger couple or a young professinal that is looking for the same things we are. With that being said, what area has the better resale value?

I'm thinking Medina will, (especially because it is close enough to commute from both Cleveland or Akron) but I'm interested in hearing what others have to say because I think both cities have their pros and cons.

[PalmettoGuy]

Maybe I can give you a newcomer's perspective on Medina. My wife and I are young professionals (early 30s) and are moving to Medina in August. We are new to the Cleveland area (moving from the south). During my visit to the city for a job interview, I was very impressed with Medina. I was afraid it was going to be old, dirty, and industrial. Just the opposite impression -- it looked clean, new, and safe; although I didn't have much time to explore, I did not see any parts of the city that looked seedy. At the same time, it was surrounded by countryside so I didn't get the feeling that I was in the midst of urban sprawl.

I'll actually be working in Medina, so commuting is not a concern for us. However, if I had to speculate, a commute to downtown Cleveland might be a hassle, but I would consider it worthwhile if I couldn't find a closer place that struck the same balance between rural and suburban as Medina. Then again, we are not really socialites, so we're looking for someplace more family-friendly than an area with active nightlife, arts, etc. Being from the south, any "hillbilly" effect will not bother us. The fact Medina has an excellent school system was very encouraging.

As an aside, maybe you could give me some pointers on renting in Medina? I have not been able to find any apartment communities with 3-bedroom floorplans, though I have found some in Brunswick and in Copley. Outside of that, we are looking for a newer, 3+ bedroom house with attached garage in a safe neighborhood. You mentioned there are tons of newer homes going up in Medina. Any specific subdivisions/neighborhoods you could point us to? The closer to the town square, the better. Thanks!

[Medinaman]

Berea is nice place, but you'll deal with the college population- gets bigger in fall, drops off in summer. I've found I dont personally car for that. Medina is an excellent spot- lived all over cleve area, settled here. cheaper taxes too

[nocondorfx]

i love berea because of the close proximity to the metroparks, a quaint little downtown, 3 nice lakes, and being 5 min away from everything.

medina also has a really nice downtown. However its way out there if you ever want to go to a tribe game or a new restaurant, being that it was a farm town not too long ago, there is a little hillybilly factor as you said as well. And everybody's kids play soccer.

My vote is for Berea. If I had to pick an affordable city in the Southwest burbs, berea would be my choice.. Plus if you want to get away into the country Columbia Station and Olmsted is pretty close.

[Medinaman]

Originally Posted by nocondorfx

medina also has a really nice downtown. However its way out there if you ever want to go to a tribe game or a new restaurant, being that it was a farm town not too long ago, there is a little hillybilly factor as you said as well. And everybody's kids play soccer.

hillbilly factor?
downtown is 45 minutes away with half the crime, 1/3 the traffic and I cant remember the last time I saw a homeless person holding the front door of a restaurant hostage.....

My vote is for Berea. If I had to pick an affordable city in the Southwest burbs, berea would be my choice.. Plus if you want to get away into the country Columbia Station and Olmsted is pretty close.

And no hillbilly factor there? Interesting. Insulting, but interesting.
median income higher, along with median rent, housing, taxes only a fraction higher. Other than the extra drive, its different here, but hillbilly factor isn't something I've encountered.

[divehpu]

Maybe there is no hillbilly factor, but you can definitely tell it was recently a farming community. The politics range from conservative to neoconservative and are dominated by a "good old boy" network.

Originally Posted by Medinaman

hillbilly factor?
downtown is 45 minutes away with half the crime, 1/3 the traffic and I cant remember the last time I saw a homeless person holding the front door of a restaurant hostage.....


And no hillbilly factor there? Interesting. Insulting, but interesting.
median income higher, along with median rent, housing, taxes only a fraction higher. Other than the extra drive, its different here, but hillbilly factor isn't something I've encountered.

[CityGrrl77]

Originally Posted by PalmettoGuy

As an aside, maybe you could give me some pointers on renting in Medina? I have not been able to find any apartment communities with 3-bedroom floorplans, though I have found some in Brunswick and in Copley. Outside of that, we are looking for a newer, 3+ bedroom house with attached garage in a safe neighborhood. You mentioned there are tons of newer homes going up in Medina. Any specific subdivisions/neighborhoods you could point us to? The closer to the town square, the better. Thanks!

I lived in Brunswick (Medina's neighbor to the north) for 18 years and worked in Medina for almost 7. Although I never, personally, cared to live in Medina, I always thought it was a nice area. Very safe, good schools and it's become quite the shopping mecca. I never thought it was 'hillbilly' by any means. I'm not too keen on the newest developments (because they are always going up every time you turn around) but I always thought that the housing developments behind Target and in that area were nice. Also, altho not brand new, the housing development off Sturbridge (near Medina Hospital) is quite nice. I could be wrong - and anyone else chime in if i am - but you arent going to find new housing developments any closer than 5-10 minutes from the square (driving).
If I had to live in Medina, I would choose Chapman Grove, just because Im young, and I like the modern feel of these townhomes (they are located diagonally across from Target off of East Reagan Pkwy) Chapman Grove: Medina, OH, New homes by Zaremba Homes
Cleveland Ohio Builders - Developers - Zaremba Homes - Building Better Places to Live.

[PalmettoGuy]

We moved to Medina (from the South) in August, and we really like it here. CityGrrl is right: good schools, safe, and plenty of places to shop. I work right on the square, and we live in a subdivision right on the southern edge of the corporate limits. It only takes about 5 min to get to work. I definitely do not consider it to be a "hillbilly" place.

[newmex]

Originally Posted by nocondorfx

i love berea because of the close proximity to the metroparks, a quaint little downtown, 3 nice lakes, and being 5 min away from everything.

medina also has a really nice downtown. However its way out there if you ever want to go to a tribe game or a new restaurant, being that it was a farm town not too long ago, there is a little hillybilly factor as you said as well. And everybody's kids play soccer.

My vote is for Berea. If I had to pick an affordable city in the Southwest burbs, berea would be my choice.. Plus if you want to get away into the country Columbia Station and Olmsted is pretty close.

Hillbilly Factor? More like Cleveland White Flight factor, and they brought their downtown C-town driving habits with them

[Berea mom of six]

Berea is a beautiful down to earth city. The history of this wonderful city is all around us shown in every building and house. Our residents and businesses take pride in the curb appeal that is visible everywhere. No hussle and bussle going on here. We are a very close community and choose to keep it that way. No big shopping stores to draw outsiders into our little domain. We have the luxury of closing off the triangle and setting up our lawn chairs and blankets. The street lights go off and we watch a peaceful free movie with our neighbors, family and friends several times a year. It is an honor to have this closeness with them. The parades are something to look forward to. Our Christmas parade is followed by a movie for the kids and hot chocolate in the library. It doesn't bother me to go to surrounding cities for some shopping, it is less than a mile away. Berea City Schools take pride in our Children. Rated Excellent over and over again. Daughter Tiffany age 9 says " It is the best place in the world, she loves her school". Son Chris age 11 says " It is nice, and great to know your way around. Everything is so close, we just walk". Son Cameron age 6 says " I like the Metroparks the best".
Baldwin Wallace College is here. The students are wonderful. They respect this city and are a pleasure to have here with us. I wouldn't change a thing!
The only thing I know about Medina is it is big....