Best Sections of Cleveland Heights

[LewLew]

Originally Posted by Clevelander17

I forgot what you said about whether you had children and where you planned on educating them (public or private). Anyways, if you're planning on using the public school system of wherever you live, I'd be cautious about Cleveland Heights (or University Heights). The schools themselves (and the teachers/administrators that run them) aren't that bad, but the demographics have shifted and are continuing to shift and it's making things difficult for the district. If I had young kids I think the only elementary school in Cleveland Heights I'd feel alright sending them to would be Roxboro. Maybe Fairfax or Canterbury, too. But none of the others. I say this sadly, as I'm someone who attended the CH-UH public schools for the early part of my life (about 15-20 years ago). I just think things have changed quite a bit.

But as I mentioned on the Shaker thread, and the same applies for CH, you'll be right smack dab in the middle of many of the best private schools in the Cleveland area.

What about the demo of Shaker Schools? We are at a crossroads b/c of a couple things you said. Number one, we do have a child. However, he is so young right now (under a year) that we could buy a 5-6 year home and still be ok. I work from home, so I am really not wanting to be out in Bainbridge, Chesterland, parts of Solon and feel so removed. Working from home is already isolated enough. I want our son to have all the excitement and culture at his fingertips, and for us to be able to easily and readily patronize them. My son is Hispanic. We are not. Thus, we are torn. We don't need to put him where tons of hispanics are, but I also don't want him to be in an all white school with white parents, and always feel somewhat isolated and different. I would like for us to be in an area where we don't get eyeballed for having a child of a different race, and he is not looked at as "strange". I don't want him to feel alone. Therefore, since I grew up in Shaker, and enjoyed the diversity it had, we were looking there. We feel he can go to public school, and always switch over to private or vice versa depending on how the area morphs. Part of the reason we are leaving FL is b/c of the education system, and the need for him to have a more cultural upbringing. Here, he'd feel the need to befriend the hispanic groups. I don't find that bad, but none of the groups mix here. You are either friends with the whites, friends with the blacks or friends with the Hispanics. The only crossovers are the whites who wish they were black Otherwise, it's extremely segregated. Suggestions?

[BelieveInCleve]

As for most bordering suburbs, its sad to say but, the further away from the city of Cleveland and East Cleveland usually the better it gets. At least the roughest areas in the bordering suburbs you will find are closer to the city of Cleveland or East Cleveland.

[Clevelander17]

Originally Posted by LewLew

What about the demo of Shaker Schools? We are at a crossroads b/c of a couple things you said. Number one, we do have a child. However, he is so young right now (under a year) that we could buy a 5-6 year home and still be ok. I work from home, so I am really not wanting to be out in Bainbridge, Chesterland, parts of Solon and feel so removed. Working from home is already isolated enough. I want our son to have all the excitement and culture at his fingertips, and for us to be able to easily and readily patronize them. My son is Hispanic. We are not. Thus, we are torn. We don't need to put him where tons of hispanics are, but I also don't want him to be in an all white school with white parents, and always feel somewhat isolated and different. I would like for us to be in an area where we don't get eyeballed for having a child of a different race, and he is not looked at as "strange". I don't want him to feel alone. Therefore, since I grew up in Shaker, and enjoyed the diversity it had, we were looking there. We feel he can go to public school, and always switch over to private or vice versa depending on how the area morphs. Part of the reason we are leaving FL is b/c of the education system, and the need for him to have a more cultural upbringing. Here, he'd feel the need to befriend the hispanic groups. I don't find that bad, but none of the groups mix here. You are either friends with the whites, friends with the blacks or friends with the Hispanics. The only crossovers are the whites who wish they were black Otherwise, it's extremely segregated. Suggestions?

The demographics of the Shaker Heights schools have changed much more slowly than the demos of other inner-ring suburbs. It's still a very diverse area with people of all cultures interacting and not thinking twice about it. I feel the same is true of Beachwood, Orange, and Solon, as well. Even though those areas don't have a lot of Hispanics (mostly white, Jewish, and Asian and some African-American), they're very accepting of all cultures. The same could be said about parts of Cleveland Heights and some Cleveland Heights schools (like Roxboro), the issue is that every school in CH-UH is minority-majority and some of them (like Oxford, Noble, and a few others) are almost 100% African-American. Opposite end of the spectrum, but still a lack of diversity there.

One thing I find encouraging about Shaker Heights is that despite the demographic changes in the schools, the district still has the highest test scores of any district in the state with at least a 20-30% (or greater) African-American enrollment. It's really a marvel and it's why Shaker Heights has become a model for minority scholastic achievement.

Sorry if this was kind of general, but if you throw some questions about specific areas/elementary schools I think we can dig a little deeper and hit on some specific information.

[buckeye1]

Originally Posted by Cle440

As for most bordering suburbs, its sad to say but, the further away from the city of Cleveland and East Cleveland usually the better it gets. At least the roughest areas in the bordering suburbs you will find are closer to the city of Cleveland or East Cleveland.

I would disagree with this to some extent because there are very nice parts of Cleveland Heights in the Cedar-Fairmount area and Ambler Heights that are very close to Cleveland's border, but due to the hillside, are geographically quite separate from Cleveland.

In Cleveland Hts, I would not buy in the neighborhoods anywhere near East Cleveland, such as the triangle of land bordered by Coventry, Superior, and Mayfield. Also the Noble/Quilliams/Nela area is rougher than average for the Heights. South Euclid is getting a little raggedy too.

For Shaker, you have a point in that the southern end of town borders some sketchy neighborhoods near Lee/Chagrin/Kinsman.

[LewLew]

Originally Posted by Clevelander17

The demographics of the Shaker Heights schools have changed much more slowly than the demos of other inner-ring suburbs. It's still a very diverse area with people of all cultures interacting and not thinking twice about it. I feel the same is true of Beachwood, Orange, and Solon, as well. Even though those areas don't have a lot of Hispanics (mostly white, Jewish, and Asian and some African-American), they're very accepting of all cultures. The same could be said about parts of Cleveland Heights and some Cleveland Heights schools (like Roxboro), the issue is that every school in CH-UH is minority-majority and some of them (like Oxford, Noble, and a few others) are almost 100% African-American. Opposite end of the spectrum, but still a lack of diversity there.

One thing I find encouraging about Shaker Heights is that despite the demographic changes in the schools, the district still has the highest test scores of any district in the state with at least a 20-30% (or greater) African-American enrollment. It's really a marvel and it's why Shaker Heights has become a model for minority scholastic achievement.

Sorry if this was kind of general, but if you throw some questions about specific areas/elementary schools I think we can dig a little deeper and hit on some specific information.

My husband and I found some homes we really like in the Sussex area. The issue with Shaker is that we want to be there, but given the taxes, don't want to pay too much for the house. I grew up in that area of Shaker (started kindergarten at Lomond, then went to Fernway). I love the Fernway area, but the homes are still a little overpriced for what they are. The Onaway area appears to be nice, but kind of starts tapping that Lee area/Cleveland border. However, Shaker Square and Coventry are near there, and they aren't so bad. The middle upper section of Shaker we can't even afford, so I'm not even going to ask about it. Mercer area I like, but if I'm going to pay Shaker taxes to live in a Beachwood looking home without character, then I'll move to Beachwood! LOL Seriously though...what about Sussex, and attending Lomond. I do believe that elem has the highest minority ratio. However, it appears that with the closing of many of the elem schools that the borders have been redone, and all the schools are more equally diversified. When I went there, Mercer was all white and Jewish. Malvern had all the doctor's kids. Moreland was all AA, Lomond was extremely mixed (lot's of single mom's and renters) etc. It seems they have put a little thought into diversifying the whole area more equally. Tell me more! Thanks. Oh, and I don't need my son to be near a ton of Hispanics. (I think the largest Hispanic pop is on the west side somewhere, and we want to be on the east side). Just want what you described...a blend where no one is completely segregated against.

Originally Posted by buckeye1

I would disagree with this to some extent because there are very nice parts of Cleveland Heights in the Cedar-Fairmount area and Ambler Heights that are very close to Cleveland's border, but due to the hillside, are geographically quite separate from Cleveland.

In Cleveland Hts, I would not buy in the neighborhoods anywhere near East Cleveland, such as the triangle of land bordered by Coventry, Superior, and Mayfield. Also the Noble/Quilliams/Nela area is rougher than average for the Heights. South Euclid is getting a little raggedy too.

For Shaker, you have a point in that the southern end of town borders some sketchy neighborhoods near Lee/Chagrin/Kinsman.

This is very helpful; thanks. I did think that the Lee/Chagrin/Kinsman area was the area that was more sketchy. Does the crime really bleed over, or just the possibility?

[LewLew]

Originally Posted by Clevelander17

The demographics of the Shaker Heights schools have changed much more slowly than the demos of other inner-ring suburbs. It's still a very diverse area with people of all cultures interacting and not thinking twice about it. I feel the same is true of Beachwood, Orange, and Solon, as well. Even though those areas don't have a lot of Hispanics (mostly white, Jewish, and Asian and some African-American), they're very accepting of all cultures. The same could be said about parts of Cleveland Heights and some Cleveland Heights schools (like Roxboro), the issue is that every school in CH-UH is minority-majority and some of them (like Oxford, Noble, and a few others) are almost 100% African-American. Opposite end of the spectrum, but still a lack of diversity there.

One thing I find encouraging about Shaker Heights is that despite the demographic changes in the schools, the district still has the highest test scores of any district in the state with at least a 20-30% (or greater) African-American enrollment. It's really a marvel and it's why Shaker Heights has become a model for minority scholastic achievement.

Sorry if this was kind of general, but if you throw some questions about specific areas/elementary schools I think we can dig a little deeper and hit on some specific information.

Beachwood Really? It's not just a Jewish burb anymore? That was the one predominantly Jewish burb when I grew up. All my Jewish Shaker friends (I'm 1/2 Jewish as well) drove into Beachwood for temple and their own Bar/Bat Mitzvah's

[AndyF667]

Originally Posted by buckeye1

I would disagree with this to some extent because there are very nice parts of Cleveland Heights in the Cedar-Fairmount area and Ambler Heights that are very close to Cleveland's border, but due to the hillside, are geographically quite separate from Cleveland.

In Cleveland Hts, I would not buy in the neighborhoods anywhere near East Cleveland, such as the triangle of land bordered by Coventry, Superior, and Mayfield. Also the Noble/Quilliams/Nela area is rougher than average for the Heights. South Euclid is getting a little raggedy too.

For Shaker, you have a point in that the southern end of town borders some sketchy neighborhoods near Lee/Chagrin/Kinsman.

The L/C/K are that borders is the streets between Lomond & Scottsdale, and yeah a bit sketchy. Lots of rentals and stock is not in great shape in general. Steer clear.
The school Lomond, I have heard, is top notch. The houses are nicer and nicer the farther east in this neighborhood you go (and farther north away from Scottsdale)
We are in Fernway and I think you can get a nice 4 bdroom still for low 200's. Maybe not updated sexy kitchen, but solid home. As far as crime bleeding in, yes it does occasionally. Common sense things like either put your car in the garage or lock the door overnight helps deter troublemakers. So the SUn Press has the weekly police blotter and sure enough a coupel people had cars busted into....
Agree on Mercer as Beachwood with high taxes. Those houses, ughh.
Post where you are looking and it seems there is plenty of feedback on specific neighborhoods/streets.

[Clevelander17]

Originally Posted by buckeye1

I would disagree with this to some extent because there are very nice parts of Cleveland Heights in the Cedar-Fairmount area and Ambler Heights that are very close to Cleveland's border, but due to the hillside, are geographically quite separate from Cleveland.

In Cleveland Hts, I would not buy in the neighborhoods anywhere near East Cleveland, such as the triangle of land bordered by Coventry, Superior, and Mayfield. Also the Noble/Quilliams/Nela area is rougher than average for the Heights. South Euclid is getting a little raggedy too.

For Shaker, you have a point in that the southern end of town borders some sketchy neighborhoods near Lee/Chagrin/Kinsman.

Spot on, my friend. The area of Cleveland Heights that borders Little Italy is pretty decent, too. Not as wealthy as Cedar-Fairmount, but certainly a nice middle class area. In fact, Cleveland Heights is odd in a way in that almost all of its border with Cleveland is okay. It's the border with East Cleveland that is where the problems areas are.

[Clevelander17]

Originally Posted by LewLew

My husband and I found some homes we really like in the Sussex area. The issue with Shaker is that we want to be there, but given the taxes, don't want to pay too much for the house. I grew up in that area of Shaker (started kindergarten at Lomond, then went to Fernway). I love the Fernway area, but the homes are still a little overpriced for what they are. The Onaway area appears to be nice, but kind of starts tapping that Lee area/Cleveland border. However, Shaker Square and Coventry are near there, and they aren't so bad. The middle upper section of Shaker we can't even afford, so I'm not even going to ask about it. Mercer area I like, but if I'm going to pay Shaker taxes to live in a Beachwood looking home without character, then I'll move to Beachwood! LOL Seriously though...what about Sussex, and attending Lomond. I do believe that elem has the highest minority ratio. However, it appears that with the closing of many of the elem schools that the borders have been redone, and all the schools are more equally diversified. When I went there, Mercer was all white and Jewish. Malvern had all the doctor's kids. Moreland was all AA, Lomond was extremely mixed (lot's of single mom's and renters) etc. It seems they have put a little thought into diversifying the whole area more equally. Tell me more! Thanks. Oh, and I don't need my son to be near a ton of Hispanics. (I think the largest Hispanic pop is on the west side somewhere, and we want to be on the east side). Just want what you described...a blend where no one is completely segregated against.

I think in the late 1980s Shaker Heights closed a few schools and redrew its elementary school district borders. I'm too young to remember that, but it's something I've read.

Here's a link to Lomond's Ohio DOE Report Card rating:

http://www.ode.state.oh.us/reportcar...ILD/021279.PDF

I'm not sure if it's got the highest percentage of minority enrollment in Shaker Heights, but it's up there. To me that makes it even more remarkable that it's retained a rating of "Excellent" from the state. I don't tend to put a lot of weight on those rankings, because I think they can be biased at times, but I do think it means something when a school with that high of a minority enrollment is able to also score highly on the ratings.

I drive through Sussex a few times a week. The neighborhood seems nice and quiet and I've never seen anything that's concerned me. Though the further away from Chagrin Boulevard and Lee Road, the better.

[Clevelander17]

Originally Posted by LewLew

Beachwood Really? It's not just a Jewish burb anymore? That was the one predominantly Jewish burb when I grew up. All my Jewish Shaker friends (I'm 1/2 Jewish as well) drove into Beachwood for temple and their own Bar/Bat Mitzvah's

Beachwood is still very Jewish. However in recent years a lot of middle and upper class African-Americans and Asians have chosen to call the city home. In that regard, it's pretty diverse, even if it still is by far the most Jewish city between New York and Chicago.