Wife offered her draeam job, help me feel that I can enjoy a life in Cleveland... (Lorain: apartment, condo)

[WRnative]

Originally Posted by teacherdad

Regarding that house on Zillow above...what the heck went on with the taxes?

2018 $9,285(-84.3%) $78,680(-0.3%)
2017 $59,296(+88.6%) $78,890
2016 $31,444(+4.6%) $78,890

Bizarre. The only thing that I can think of is some sort of assessment or lien.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by TheProf

... and btw, I find Chicagoland's natural areas, aside from the great Lake Michigan (though Lake Erie and Rocky River and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park are pretty strong), pale to those of Greater Cleveland, esp given Chicago's total flatness compared with the sizable escarpments, deep ravines and rolling hills of Greater Cleveland.

I would add, having lived in both cities, that Chicago's Forest Preserves pale in comparison to Cleveland's Emerald Necklace.

[WRnative]

Originally Posted by andrew61

I would add, having lived in both cities, that Chicago's Forest Preserves pale in comparison to Cleveland's Emerald Necklace.

Why do you say this?

Cook County has about twice the land area of Cuyahoga County. Cook County's Forest Preserves have 68,000 acres, many more than the 23,000 acres in the Cleveland Metroparks, with many of the acres located outside of Cuyahoga County. Apparently, all of the Cook County Forest Preserves are located within Cook County.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest...of_Cook_County

If all of Greater Cleveland's metro parks and Cuyahoga Valley National Park acreage is combined, the combined total acreage exceeds 75,000 acres, but this is much larger land area than just Cook County. I suspect other Greater Chicago counties also have nature parks.

See post 41 here for Greater Cleveland park acreage.

https://www.city-data.com/forum/colu...us-over-5.html

So why are Greater Cleveland's nature park acreage so superior to those in Greater Chicago?

[TechieTechie]

Originally Posted by cubsguy81

At this point, we are planning on buying a very affordable house in Cleveland Heights or very near CCF ($200-300K) we've seen many online, and living there for 1 to a max of 3 years.

Cubsguy, I just spent pretty much the last four days with a realtor (SH born and bred) who was fabulous. Got a great sense of both SH and CH...and specific neigborhoods within them. Happy to answer any basic questions (that I might know) if it's helpful.

I've been using these to help get my bearings on neighborhoods...though use caution with the nextdoor maps as they don't always follow city boundaries

https://www.clevelandheights.com/273...istoric-Places
https://www.clevelandheights.com/Doc...Map-PDF?bidId=
https://nextdoor.com/neighborhood/eu...d-heights--oh/
https://nextdoor.com/neighborhood/sh...r-heights--oh/
https://www.shakeronline.com/275/Vacant-Lot-Program

And, from an old C-D thread:
Cleveland Heights may be considered two cities in one and moving in opposite demographic and socio-economic directions. The line is a bit serpentine, but generally the more desirable areas are as follows:
WEST OF COVENTRY ROAD: South of Mayfield Road
BETWEEN COVENTRY AND LEE ROADS: South of Mayfield/Superior Roads
EAST OF TAYLOR ROAD: South of Cedar Road
BETWEEN LEE AND TAYLOR ROADS: Along and South of Dellwood Road. (followup post): I'm no CH buff, but from my bit of shopping for homes and rentals last year, I would extend the area between Lee and Taylor up to Cain Park (Superior Road) instead of Dellwood. The only downside to that area that I can think of is the proximity to the high school which might be a nuisance.

Shaker Heights is more affluent than Cleveland Heights or University Heights. Although smaller in population (28,000 versus 44,000), Shaker Heights generates 2.5 times the number of single-family residence transactions over $300,000 annually compared with Cleveland Heights. The neighborhoods west and south of Van Aken Boulevard are generally perceived as least desirable (Ludlow, Moreland, Lomond, Sussex), but Ludlow has experienced some revitalization and tax-abated new construction in recent years; aggressive demolition in Moreland has created vacant lots and opportunities for tax-abated new construction; and Sussex (already the most affluent of these four neighborhoods with the highest-quality housing) has benefited from the new Van Aken District and capital infrastructure improvements.

[dr_j_planning]

TT, thanks very much for the re-post. I maintain the information I provided about SH and CH is still valid. Happy to answer any specific questions from either newcomer about the Heights.

DR J

Originally Posted by TechieTechie

Cubsguy, I just spent pretty much the last four days with a realtor (SH born and bred) who was fabulous. Got a great sense of both SH and CH...and specific neigborhoods within them. Happy to answer any basic questions (that I might know) if it's helpful.

I've been using these to help get my bearings on neighborhoods...though use caution with the nextdoor maps as they don't always follow city boundaries

https://www.clevelandheights.com/273...istoric-Places
https://www.clevelandheights.com/Doc...Map-PDF?bidId=
https://nextdoor.com/neighborhood/eu...d-heights--oh/
https://nextdoor.com/neighborhood/sh...r-heights--oh/
https://www.shakeronline.com/275/Vacant-Lot-Program

And, from an old C-D thread:
Cleveland Heights may be considered two cities in one and moving in opposite demographic and socio-economic directions. The line is a bit serpentine, but generally the more desirable areas are as follows:
WEST OF COVENTRY ROAD: South of Mayfield Road
BETWEEN COVENTRY AND LEE ROADS: South of Mayfield/Superior Roads
EAST OF TAYLOR ROAD: South of Cedar Road
BETWEEN LEE AND TAYLOR ROADS: Along and South of Dellwood Road. (followup post): I'm no CH buff, but from my bit of shopping for homes and rentals last year, I would extend the area between Lee and Taylor up to Cain Park (Superior Road) instead of Dellwood. The only downside to that area that I can think of is the proximity to the high school which might be a nuisance.

Shaker Heights is more affluent than Cleveland Heights or University Heights. Although smaller in population (28,000 versus 44,000), Shaker Heights generates 2.5 times the number of single-family residence transactions over $300,000 annually compared with Cleveland Heights. The neighborhoods west and south of Van Aken Boulevard are generally perceived as least desirable (Ludlow, Moreland, Lomond, Sussex), but Ludlow has experienced some revitalization and tax-abated new construction in recent years; aggressive demolition in Moreland has created vacant lots and opportunities for tax-abated new construction; and Sussex (already the most affluent of these four neighborhoods with the highest-quality housing) has benefited from the new Van Aken District and capital infrastructure improvements.

[teacherdad]

Funny, based on these posts, I shared them with my wife who ONLY will live near water. All of a sudden, she's researching CH's and can't believe what 200K gets you...in some cases less.

There are some neat neighborhoods in CH. I know that she's into the Wade Oval area.

[WRnative]

Originally Posted by teacherdad

Funny, based on these posts, I shared them with my wife who ONLY will live near water. All of a sudden, she's researching CH's and can't believe what 200K gets you...in some cases less.

There are some neat neighborhoods in CH. I know that she's into the Wade Oval area.

You probably know this, but Wade Oval is in University Circle in Cleveland, but certainly within walking distance of nearby CH neighborhoods.

Having lived on Lake Erie for many years, it becomes old and I would much prefer living closer to UC with its myriad attractions.

[teacherdad]

Yep. She's looking around https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...878504?view=qv

and that area.

[teacherdad]

University Circle would also not be a bad deal for her as well.

It's kind of fun researching these "neighborhoods" within the cities...I know, posts on this topic covered for DAYS..... I'm not starting a new one.

I found some sites from CH city site that have their own neighborhood sites. Pretty neat.

[cubsguy81]

Originally Posted by TechieTechie

Cubsguy, I just spent pretty much the last four days with a realtor (SH born and bred) who was fabulous. Got a great sense of both SH and CH...and specific neigborhoods within them. Happy to answer any basic questions (that I might know) if it's helpful.

I've been using these to help get my bearings on neighborhoods...though use caution with the nextdoor maps as they don't always follow city boundaries

https://www.clevelandheights.com/273...istoric-Places
https://www.clevelandheights.com/Doc...Map-PDF?bidId=
https://nextdoor.com/neighborhood/eu...d-heights--oh/
https://nextdoor.com/neighborhood/sh...r-heights--oh/
https://www.shakeronline.com/275/Vacant-Lot-Program

And, from an old C-D thread:
Cleveland Heights may be considered two cities in one and moving in opposite demographic and socio-economic directions. The line is a bit serpentine, but generally the more desirable areas are as follows:
WEST OF COVENTRY ROAD: South of Mayfield Road
BETWEEN COVENTRY AND LEE ROADS: South of Mayfield/Superior Roads
EAST OF TAYLOR ROAD: South of Cedar Road
BETWEEN LEE AND TAYLOR ROADS: Along and South of Dellwood Road. (followup post): I'm no CH buff, but from my bit of shopping for homes and rentals last year, I would extend the area between Lee and Taylor up to Cain Park (Superior Road) instead of Dellwood. The only downside to that area that I can think of is the proximity to the high school which might be a nuisance.

Shaker Heights is more affluent than Cleveland Heights or University Heights. Although smaller in population (28,000 versus 44,000), Shaker Heights generates 2.5 times the number of single-family residence transactions over $300,000 annually compared with Cleveland Heights. The neighborhoods west and south of Van Aken Boulevard are generally perceived as least desirable (Ludlow, Moreland, Lomond, Sussex), but Ludlow has experienced some revitalization and tax-abated new construction in recent years; aggressive demolition in Moreland has created vacant lots and opportunities for tax-abated new construction; and Sussex (already the most affluent of these four neighborhoods with the highest-quality housing) has benefited from the new Van Aken District and capital infrastructure improvements.

Thank you for this share. Gold!