Best City for Young Professional Couple with one Child (Cleveland: houses, neighborhoods)

[LewLew]

Hi All,

I grew up in Shaker, so I am very familiar with the Cleveland area. My husband and I are thinking of relocating back for the sake of our children. We want them to enjoy a sense of community, city pride (even though others make fun of it ), sports teams, strong schools, beautiful suburbs, and all the other things that make Cleveland memorable to those who have lived there/grown up there. We currently live in FL, so most think we are nuts to consider it; however FL is transient, and there is not much hometown pride etc here. Plus, while the sun and sea are fantastic, I think a change of season is good for the soul (especially for children) Oh, and our school systems here are below average.

Since I have been gone over 15 years, what are the best areas for 30 something couple with children? We are looking for strong schools, accessibility, tree lined neighborhoods, affordable housing (200-350K), activities for us and for our children.

I was thinking Chagrin Falls (I love that place), Geauga County, MAYBE Shaker again, but it's not the same as I remember it to be, and the taxes are outrageous. Also, Pepper Pike, Beachwood, Mayfield Heights?
I'm not as familiar with Lakewood, Bay Village, Rocky River, Westlake etc, so any info would be greatly appreciated!

Oh, and a sidebar...anyone else leave for a long time, have nicer weather where they are, and decided to return to Cleveland? (Just looking for a little camaraderie to prove to myself I'm not nuts) LOL

Thanks!

[Daytonnatian]

I would say Avon/Avon Lake as my first instinct, but I am also from Daytonnati, not Cleveland, so maybe I'm not the best person to give you advice.

[BelieveInCleve]

Some of the places you already mentioned are good choices.

Would you prefer to live on the Eastside, or Westside (or southside even)?

For the Eastside: Chagrin Falls and Beachwood did come to mind. Also University Hts.

Westside: Bay Village, Westlake, and Avon Lake came to mind. Strongsville also.

[airics]

beachwood or chesterland for the schools.... chesterland is still more rural.

[firefightermom]

If you plan to move to University Hts, you may have to send your kids to private school. When I lived in the area that high school had serious problems, including kids using fake addresses to go there. The public bus stops were full of kids going back to East Cleveland. Cops patrolled the school daily and cop cars were always outside when school was released.

I did read on another post that the school district has been trying to improve, but make sure you look into it thoroughly. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the area but I didn't have kids at the time.

I always heard Beachwood schools were great, but that taxes were high.

[1watertiger]

4 responses... and 2 of them from out of town who dont have a clue. once an east-sider , always an east-sider. right ?

[firefightermom]

Originally Posted by 1watertiger

4 responses... and 2 of them from out of town who dont have a clue. once an east-sider , always an east-sider. right ?

Just because I don't live there anymore doesn't mean I don't visit relatives regularly and know what's going on. My profile states I used to live in Cleveland. I guess I do have a clue.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by LewLew

Since I have been gone over 15 years, what are the best areas for 30 something couple with children? We are looking for strong schools, accessibility, tree lined neighborhoods, affordable housing (200-350K), activities for us and for our children.

I'm not as familiar with Lakewood, Bay Village, Rocky River, Westlake etc, so any info would be greatly appreciated!

As for the taxes, they will be ridiculous anywhere in Cuyahoga Co., IMHO.

If you like the urban experience, Lakewood is probably your choice, north of Detroit and preferably close to the lake. The schools are probably not as good as the others but the area is more affordable and the housing stock tends to be older with nicer architecture. I lived there for five years and had an absolute blast as the town in loaded with families and is a great walking area.

Bay Village and Rocky River are older areas and tend to be more affluent than Lakewood. They are nice areas. Some of the older houses are much smaller and in need of updating. The schools would rank near the top inthe state, but remember that is also a function of WHO you are educating as it is what you are doing.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by 1watertiger

4 responses... and 2 of them from out of town who dont have a clue. once an east-sider , always an east-sider. right ?

Since you are critical of other posts, what is YOUR input to the OP's question?

[BelieveInCleve]

Originally Posted by 1watertiger

4 responses... and 2 of them from out of town who dont have a clue. once an east-sider , always an east-sider. right ?

I was going to assume the same thing, but the thread starter also mentioned some westside suburbs.