Cleveland Heights - Good spot for married couple in early 30s? (Lakewood: real estate, rentals)

[MARKI13]

We are looking to relocate to Cleveland from Florida. We are married, in our early 30s and are expecting our first child. We like the idea of Cleveland Heights with its architecture and proximity to nightlife/action/vibe (I spent 4 years in NYC and am going crazy in old red neck Florida). Since we are early in the child raising and ultimately see ourselves using private schools, the schools aren't a big isssue. Is Cleveland Heights a good area for us? Are there other young professional couples in the areas we see with housing in the 300-600,000 area or is this going to be old money areas within older demographics?

[airics]

ever changing area going downhill, i would avoid.. move farther out richmond hts, lyndhurst, mayfield

[costello_musicman]

If you've lived in NYC, you'd hate Richmond hts, lyndhurst, mayfield and other further suburbs.

You could definitely be happy in Clevelands Hts. Sounds like you've visited already? They're are both older older generations and newer generations living there, but Cleveland hts is different all over, so you should scout out as much as possible.

I would also look into Shaker Hts and Lakewood. Especially if you're using private schools, that does open up a lot more areas as well.

Here's a link that may have a little more info on the area, plus has some good information on bikes (which I saw related to your previous post): Cleveland Relocation Guide

[MARKI13]

I haven't spent much time in Cleveland Heights other than a drive through on the way to Shaker. I've read a lot about the Coventry area though. I don't mind a diverse area as long it is vibrant with a buzz and a young professional scene. If there are any other areas on the east side that include great housing options as well as those desires above, I'd love to know.

[costello_musicman]

East side wise, Coventry area definitely has a "buzz," but nightlife is generally about 50% college kids just so you know. Overall buzz, I would say Little Italy area, Coventry area, and Shaker Square area all fit the bill. Most of Cleveland Hts and Shaker Hts border/are in these areas. Plus, you're only be about 4-6 miles from Downtown/Tremont/Ohio City, which probably has most young professionals in the city.

[MARKI13]

Thanks for your help.

In your opinion, if we will want to spend lots of time in those areas you mention with buzz, and like the old school 1920s architecture, being close to shopping, don't mind a lot of snow, from the east coast, have child on the way and can afford 300-400,000 for house, what area would be best for us?

[Steve36]

The area of CH you would primarily be looking at in that price range has a mix of age groups. As costello mentioned there are many rentals particularly around the Conventry and Cedar-Fair areas that attract a younger crowd along with a younger crowd that comes to visit the bars. That crowd is college age to just out of grad/med/law school but they generally are not as loud or drunk as you might expect (certainly not as loud or drunk as I was at that age). The home owners in that general area include many youngish medical professionals who work at nearby UH and Cleveland Clinic. There is also an older population but plenty of this group seem to fit more into the aging hippy group than the stuffy old money group. Some of the more interesting and colorful characters in the Cleveland area live around there (Harvey Pekar, Bill Watterson).
Most of the nightlife on Coventry caters to the younger crowd (especially at night) although there is talk of a more upscale bar coming there soon. On Cedar, you have NightTown. The crowd there is often older but it can be cool on the right night. Little Italy is fine for dining but be careful where you go (some of the places there are great but at others the food is TERRIBLE: think Chef Boyardee) but its really not very exciting other than during the Feast.
I partially agree with airics in that Cleveland Heights in general is heading downhill. However, the area where you would be looking for a home in your price range is different. That area is a prime location for those working at the nearby hospitals and Case. I've found the housing market there to be suprisingly steady, partially at least, due to the high turnover rate at the hospitals. Keep in mind that north Coventry (Coventry Rd. north of mayfield Rd) is crappy and getting crappier and the home values in the area east of coventry, south of euclid and north of cedar are pretty variable. Values are steadier in the area west of coventry, south of euclid all the way down to north park if you avoid areas with rentals. Also, convery rd south of cedar, all of Fairmount rd, all of north park rd and alot of the area south of cedar, north of Fairmount and west of Lee (generally sticking close to Coventry and/or fairmount) are the areas that are most desirable. I totally don't agree with the suggestion to look at Richmond hts, lyndhurst, or mayfield as these areas are nothing like CH or Shaker (Mayfield village is nice but in a small quiet town kind of way). Costello's suggestions of Downtown/Tremont/Ohio City are worth a look if you want vibe (personally, I wouldn't live in these locations with a child but that's just me).

[costello_musicman]

Originally Posted by MARKI13

Thanks for your help.

In your opinion, if we will want to spend lots of time in those areas you mention with buzz, and like the old school 1920s architecture, being close to shopping, don't mind a lot of snow, from the east coast, have child on the way and can afford 300-400,000 for house, what area would be best for us?

IMO that general area is fairly interchangeable in regards to distance to everything. Unless you'd want to live on the main strip on one of the more active areas listed above, I would say finding your favorite house in the Cleveland Hts, Shaker Hts, Shaker Square area would be your best approach.

In Cleveland/Cleveland Area $300,000-$400,000 can get you a lot compared to most places outside of the Midwest.

For example:

SHAKER HEIGHTS (man, some gorgeous houses...)
3085 Chadbourne Road, Shaker Heights OH 44120 - Trulia
MLS ID#: 2341432 - Residential Real Estate | Shaker Heights, OH 44122
MLS ID#: 2418333 - Residential Real Estate | Shaker Heights, OH 44120

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS
MLS ID#: 2450930 - Residential Real Estate | Cleveland Heights, OH 44106

CLEVELAND--SHAKER SQUARE AREA:
MLS ID#: 2437629 - Residential Real Estate | Cleveland, OH 44120

Also, you can look at the areas with google "street view" in the Maps portion.

[AndyF667]

If you are putting your kids in private schools I would suggest Cleveland Heights, the taxes are comparable to Shaker (high), but you'll get more home for your money. And the housing stock is comparable. Resale might do better in Shaker due to the better schools. But who knows.
For an area in Cleveland Heights I would suggest start looking at houses West of Lee Road, North of Fairmount, South of Cedar and as far a East borders there are a few blocks of rentals for Case students (these would be E.Overook thru Grandview). And there are certainly some gorgeous homes north of Cedar near Coventry Road (Derbyshire, etc.).
Howard Hanna (Realtor) has a pretty good search engine.
If you have boys and want to send them to Catholic school (Ignatious/Eds), move to the west side (Lakewood, Bay, Rocky River). For the prep schools or girls Catholic (US, Hawken, Gilmour or Hathaway, Laurel, etc.) stay on the East Side.
Good Luck.

[Clevelander17]

Originally Posted by MARKI13

We are looking to relocate to Cleveland from Florida. We are married, in our early 30s and are expecting our first child. We like the idea of Cleveland Heights with its architecture and proximity to nightlife/action/vibe (I spent 4 years in NYC and am going crazy in old red neck Florida). Since we are early in the child raising and ultimately see ourselves using private schools, the schools aren't a big isssue. Is Cleveland Heights a good area for us? Are there other young professional couples in the areas we see with housing in the 300-600,000 area or is this going to be old money areas within older demographics?

Considering your parameters, Cleveland Heights would be a great fit for you. Shaker Heights would be, as well. You can find very nice houses in both areas for 300k-600k, probably more for your money than what you'd find in New York and Florida. Besides housing, Cleveland Height and Shaker Heights are the locations for all of the best private schools in the Cleveland area, including University School (lower), Hathaway Brown, Laurel, Beaumont, Ruffing Montessori, St. Ann's, Gesu (in neighboring University Heights), and St. Dominic's.

If you have any more questions, perhaps looking for specifics about the cities, fire away, I know a lot about the area.