Rocky River River Oaks area (Cleveland, Lakewood: low income, apartments, crime)

[berdde]

There is a new townhome building in this area, linky (broken link).

But it seems to be surrounded by some pretty old apartments. Is it a safe area to live?

The data here does not look good.

[Steve36]

Where is 9 Grandview Rd in Rocky River? When that address is typed into the watchdog website you were using it's not actually marking 9 Grandview Rd it's just centering the map on what it thinks is the middle of Rocky River. We lived in Rocky River when we first moved to this area and we found the town and surrounding areas to be very safe but I don't know exactly where those town homes are. There was no where in Rocky River that we avoided for safety reasons.

[121804]

It may be being built behind River Oaks. Not unsafe but definitely a busy area. River Oaks is right off of Center Ridge & there are several business, restaurants & stores in the area.

It's hard to find an "unsafe" area in Rocky River. You will find your share underage drinking/busted parties when mommy & daddy go away for the weekend. That's about the extent of it.

If anything, the traffic congestion in some of the areas in River is the biggest nuisance.

[berdde]

9 Grandview is a new road so not on the map yet.

If you put "River Oaks Dr, Rocky River, OH 44116" in Google Map and use satellite view then zoom in, you will see a small triangle shaped road west off River Oaks Dr. This is Grandview. There seems to be a lot of apartments buildings on River Oaks Dr.

In Watchdog, Put River Oaks Dr and 44116, you will see the data.

[Steve36]

I see it now. Like mentioned above, that area will be a bit busy and it is not the best area in RR but I don't think it is unsafe. Personally, I wouldn't by a townhome in RR or anywhere in Cleveland unless the location was perfect (downtown, waterfront something like that) otherwise they tend to be a very poor investment especially in areas like Cleveland where the average home value is low.

[WeSoHood]

Not a bad area per say.. There was a couple murders in the River Oaks apartments in the late 90s, but nothing violent as of late. In those apartments you will get the typical teenage groups hanging in the parking lots in the RR oaks apartments. Petty theft would be the main concern.. but definitely not unsafe. I've seen those being built and where they are located you would be absolutely fine. Good location from Downtown Cleveland - 15 minutes in a urban area with very middle to upper class suburban feel. There are a lot of poor apartment areas in River, but none really have changed the crime in Rocky River which has been safe. Great schools to and lots of shopping and dining in walking distance. Rec center is also in walking distance and a couple parks.

[tribecavsbrowns]

Yeah, I think the reason people who live more than one or two suburbs away from River think it's ritzy is because it's so safe and the schools are so good. The logic seems to go that it must all be rich people, then. That's not true at all, and it's one of the things that makes River a nice city.

[WeSoHood]

Originally Posted by tribecavsbrowns

Yeah, I think the reason people who live more than one or two suburbs away from River think it's ritzy is because it's so safe and the schools are so good. The logic seems to go that it must all be rich people, then. That's not true at all, and it's one of the things that makes River a nice city.

Exactly. If you look at median house hold income.. it's pretty similar to Fairview and Lakewood and doesn't compare AT ALL to south and east suburbs. Yet, it's a densely populated city that is safe. There are a bunch of low income housing - Beachcliff Apartments, River Oaks, Kensington Apartmens, and that is excluding a LOT of apartments. Yet, these areas stay safe. It's almost a mentality of the people who move into the city. The last major crimes were double murder in River Oaks in the late 90s, Beachcliff arson, cops shooting/killing an armed man, and the occasional bank robbery. And in the case of bank robberies - those happen everywhere. Very safe community with great schools. Bad traffic at times - but that comes with any dense city. Those townhouses are great and hope you move in! Let me know if you have any other questions! Another thing is appeal, most of these poor apartments are located in places in which most traffic can't even see them. Oh and there is an addition to the rec center with all new indoor pool. RR was rated by Sports Illustrated as the sports/ rec center community of the year not long ago. Rocky River, Lakewood, West Park, Cleveland Heights, and Shaker are all faves of mine in the inner ring suburb area. Although Rocky River isn't technically inner ring, it's just as close as those listed above (West Park of course being in Cleveland proper).

[berdde]

How long these townhouses have been built? If it's a good investment that should be sold pretty quickly, right? Are these good investment?

[WeSoHood]

Originally Posted by berdde

How long these townhouses have been built? If it's a good investment that should be sold pretty quickly, right? Are these good investment?

I'm pretty sure they just finished being built. Overall, you can't go wrong with the city.