Considering moving from FL to Cleveland (Akron, Parma: apartments, renting, crime)

[**keli925**]

My husband has been offered a great job with opportunity to grow with a co. in Parma.. We are in our mid 30's.. no children, not interested in school districts. My background is Interior Design I love that Cleveland has alot of historically restored homes and a green initiative. He seems to think that I will most enjoy living in Lakewood, but from what I can tell, not an easy drive to Parma for him everyday. We want to live west of downtown Cleveland, but open to suggestions to other suburbs where we can feel safe walking after dark, that has intersting retail, nightlife and dining (vegetarian a plus!)
I appreciate any feedback that is given. I'm just starting my research. I'm waiting for it to warm up before we take a trip up. Thanks!

[LewLew]

Where in FL are you? My husband and I are moving back to Cleveland from FL within the next few months. I grew up there (on the East side in Shaker, so we are going to that area), but I think you would like Westlake. Easy commute to east side, other areas, the airport etc. However, I'm not sure Westlake has the historic type homes you are referring to. It's a relatively newer area. We are in our mid 30's as well. Anything with access to 42 (I think) won't be too bad. Ohio City is good for young couples I hear. (not sure what the commute would be for you) Sorry I don't know more about Brookpark, Strongsville and those areas. I think Lakewood could potentially be fine as you are commuting to Parma and not downtown. 480 traffic is the worst, not really the alternate routes. However, depending on where in FL you are coming from, Cleveland traffic may be a breeze.

[**keli925**]

We live in Orlando and both of us work about 20 minutes from home. I'll look into the places you suggested.. Thanks!

[BelieveInCleve]

Why not Parma itself?

Or Parma Heights.

Lakewood would also be a good choice, the commute really isnt that long. I would also recommend most of the other westside/southside suburbs excluding maybe Brooklyn.

[Kasey77]

what is so great to hear is that your husband was offered a great job with the opportunity to grow and it is in Cuyohoga County!
I read such gloom and doom on hear and when I speak to my friends and family they are all doing just fine. A little cold, but not losing jobs or homes.

I wish you much happiness in your new home. I know Clevelanders will welcome you with open arms.

[LewLew]

Originally Posted by Kasey77

what is so great to hear is that your husband was offered a great job with the opportunity to grow and it is in Cuyohoga County!
I read such gloom and doom on hear and when I speak to my friends and family they are all doing just fine. A little cold, but not losing jobs or homes.

I wish you much happiness in your new home. I know Clevelanders will welcome you with open arms.

I agree with you. My family and friends are all doing fine as well. I sometimes think this board is an outlet for frustrated folks, and thus you see all the negative. Good to see positive folks. And, I couldn't agree more that Cleveland area folks are welcoming and friendly. (salt of the earth people my mother always said)

[gtsurfer05]

You have a number of possibilities to choose from on the west side to live in.
Parma itself is a older community, noted for having a big eastern european background(Poles in the 50's-70's when Cleveland went down hill, nowadays there is a big community of Ukranians, Serbs in the south, and much more), along with the Bungalows. There is a imaginary line that divides the city roughly north and south, with the south being more ranch style, and non-bungalow, while the north is bungalow. Apartments are also scattered around the city. Safety wise Parma is fine, no problems at all walking around. The "higher" crime area is the border of Cleveland, and Parmatown mall area, b/c it being commercial.

Other cities in the south are Independence: small, wealthy, safe, borders the national park/metroparks- bike trail following the canal which goes from north of Indy. (will eventually lead to lake), down south past Akron. Borders Parma, easy access to I-77 and then to I-480

Seven Hills: bedroom community basically, safe, kind of another parma since you don't notice a difference crossing over and their schools are attached(not that it matters for you), borders Parma, easy access to I-77
Broadview Heights: Another bedroom community, safe, borders parma to the south, easy access to I-77, shopping in Parma is 15-20 minutes reach, Strongville is 20-30 minutes,

Brecksville: sister community of Broadview Hts b/c of schools, Wealthier and thus more "arrogance" towards areas like Parma, borders national park, police are not well like for their love of giving out 'speeding tickets' and such, access to I-77 however takes a bit longer getting to Parma depending on where you live, o and safe as well, more so than Parma.

North Royalton: Bedroom community, safe, borders Parma, relatively quick access to I-71, and also 77(bit longer), Southpark and Parmatown Malls are within 20 minute reach.

Parma Heights: Basically another Parma

Places to avoid: Brookpark: the industrial part of the west side, famous strip club row on Brookpark for all those auto workers, actual community area is blue collar and not bad, but as a preference I would not live there.
Brooklyn: Basically safe, housing stock is old and small however and is on the front line of the crime spill over from Cleveland, 20-30 years from now it won't be ghetto, but also not nice either.

Someone said Ohio City- Its a urban environment so take it for what it is, its part of Cleveland(poor city services, long police response time, etc), Still alot of economically depressed areas, with some gentrification. I wouldn't suggest it, but some people are into the urban pioneer yuppy thing.
---------------------
Since someone mentioned Lakewood, it has more of a "feel" to it, than the other cities on the west side which tend to be bland. Its also more urban. Areas to avoid buying would be on the border of Cleveland. The drive would not be the best however to Parma via highway, or city streets.

Other cities on the west side of the West side are nice as well, however I won't go into them b/c they're further away from Parma

Hope the info is helpful.

[ottomobeale]

A few nits.

1) Parma is generally safe but selling a house, even in good times is a PITA. The schools are "eh". My SIL lives in Parma. Most neighbors are good but there is always 1 family of hillbillies renting within 10 houses. Just when they get rid of 1 set, another one moves into another house.
2) Westlake is very nice but a PITA to drive to Parma from.
3) Strongsville, Brecksville-Broadview Hts have good schools and are closer.
4) Lakewood is a decent inner ring suburb. The drive is a PITA tho.
5) The city services in the city of Cleveland are beyond horrid.

[kaydub]

Funny. My husband and I are moving from Orlando, FL to Kent, OH tomorrow! Small world, I guess. He grew up in Strongsville, but his new job requires that we live in Portage County - from what I've seen of the area, I like it a lot and I'm excited to be moving to NE Ohio. I've never been to Cleveland but I am looking forward to living [somewhat] nearby.

P.S. I had to laugh when I read your post, ottomobeale - after living in Orlando and being surrounded by the southern country-folk here (cue banjo music), the one stipulation I had on our moving to Ohio was that we just not live anywhere in proximity to rednecks/hillbillies. Guess I won't necessarily be getting my way!

Originally Posted by ottomobeale

A few nits.

Originally Posted by ottomobeale

1) Parma is generally safe but selling a house, even in good times is a PITA. The schools are "eh". My SIL lives in Parma. Most neighbors are good but there is always 1 family of hillbillies renting within 10 houses.

[CortlandGirl79]

Welcome to Northeast Ohio. Oh, and prepare yourself, we just got a ton of snow!