Would this be possible in Cleveland? (Lakewood, Cleveland Heights: for rent, house, neighborhoods)

[Conroy25]

To live in a nice urban enviorment with good public schools and a safe place to raise children? My wife and I are mid 20's with a 6yr old daughter. We now live in the suburbs and cannot stand it but it's safe for the kiddy. I am relocating to Cleveland at the end of July and will be renting with a budget of $1000-1300. We are looking for a single family home. I will be working in the federal building downtown, so I would like to be within 15mi of that. I see a lot of the homes in Lakewood look ok but seem very old and drafty. Rocky River didn't have much of selection online, so I really can't make any judgements on that. Haven't looked many other places yet but will keep researching. Any pointers would be appreciated.

[Beavercreek33]

Cleveland is a very diverse city that has a lot to offer for just about everyone. Cleveland also has a lot of great inner ring suburbs too, with good school systems. The western suburbs are awesome with some great shopping, also some of the suburbs down by Cuyahoga Nat'l Park are great too, but about 30 mins from downtown depending on the morning and evening rush hour. Are you looking for suburban living, or living in the city?

[Conroy25]

City living if possible. My wife and I and kind of foodies and enjoy the arts and diverse cultures. We cannot stand the bland suburbian "applebees" lifestyle. But if that is what we have to do for good schools, then I guess we'll bite the bullet on that. I don't want live in the ghetto but I don't want to live in "snootsville" either. I've heard Lakewood is where most people in my age range congregate; how are the public elementary schools there?

[Beavercreek33]

I don't know how Cleveland schools are doing? Not the best I know of that. But I know Bay Village, Avon Lake, Rocky River, and Westlake all have great school systems, some of the best in the country. Lakewood doesn't seem bad either. The great thing is Cleveland's traffic is not always that bad, and it doesn't take long to get to downtown.

Clevelanders could probaly lead you in a better direction than me.

[JR_C]

I've never lived in Cleveland, so take this with a grain of salt. But, there might be some decent public schools in Cleveland, but you might have to research school by school. Overall, I hear the district is in trouble. But, I've read that some individual schools are good. Having said that, and reading that you're "foodies" I'd suggest looking in Ohio City. (I have no idea about the public schools there) Ohio City is where the West Side Market is, though you could certainly take the bus/train or drive there.

Good luck with your search!

[Beavercreek33]

Cleveland has a pretty good rapid/public transit for a city of its size. Also, don't forget about Tremont, Conventry, Little Italy, Uptown or Downtown for possible house locations. Ohio City like the previous poster mentioned is good too.

[WeSoHood]

Originally Posted by JR_C

I've never lived in Cleveland, so take this with a grain of salt. But, there might be some decent public schools in Cleveland, but you might have to research school by school. Overall, I hear the district is in trouble. But, I've read that some individual schools are good. Having said that, and reading that you're "foodies" I'd suggest looking in Ohio City. (I have no idea about the public schools there) Ohio City is where the West Side Market is, though you could certainly take the bus/train or drive there.

Good luck with your search!

Ohio City is just a neighborhood in Cleveland.. the schools are then, of course in Cleveland's school district. And I'd say private schooling would be needed if you want good schools.

[LewLew]

You should look into Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, University Heights. All of those areas will offer great programs and schools for your child (Shaker being way better than the CH/UH school district) They all have the general safety you crave, the urban lifestyle, diverse area, community feel etc. Shaker Heights also has direct access to downtown on the rapid line. Check it out at www.shakeronline.com
I grew up there, and can't say enough about it, and we are moving back to raise our son there in a couple weeks. Good luck to you.
Oh, and you should do fine with that money in a rental. Shaker offers duplexes that mimic single fams very nicley redone for that money, and there are some single fams for rent currently between 1200-1600.

[JR_C]

Originally Posted by WeSoHood

Ohio City is just a neighborhood in Cleveland.. the schools are then, of course in Cleveland's school district. And I'd say private schooling would be needed if you want good schools.

I do know that Ohio City is a neighborhood in Cleveland. I'm just saying that there may be an elementary school in that neighborhood that is a good one.

A school district may not be rated highly, but still have individual schools that rate highly.

Someone posted a link to this site last night in the General US forum.
Schooldigger.com -- Search and compare elementary, middle, and high schools.
I find it interesting for the demographic information. (and history) I don't know how reliable their ratings are.

Anyway, I mentioned OC because it seems to have all the other amenities they are looking for, and has the West Side Market. (I knew someone from New Zealand who, when moving to Cleveland, chose the OC neighborhood specifically because the West Side Market was located there.)

[jam40jeff]

I will second the Shaker Heights suggestion. You are close to downtown (and have the option of 2 light rail lines connecting Shaker Heights to downtown for commuting if you don't want to drive). Also, the Heights area is great for foodies (which is one of the best things about the area for me, you'll never catch me at a Crapplebees or its ilk). You are close to Little Italy/UC, Shaker Square has good restaurants, and Cleveland Heights also has many great ones. The reason I am recommending Shaker Heights over Cleveland Heights however is because their school system blows the socks off of Cleveland Heights. The homes in this area are all very nice as well, as are the neighborhoods.