Cleveland Neighbourhoods (Cleveland Heights, Warren, Shaker Heights: rentals, crime, houses)

[michiganirish]

We'll be relocating from Michigan to Cleveland. My husbands new job is in Macedonia, which is (from what I can tell) not a long commute from Cleveland. We'd like to purchase an older home, don't like those new cookie cutter things. I've been to realtor.com and found some lovely houses but am curious about the neighbourhoods, such as Cleveland heights, Shaker heights etc... as far as crime etc..

My husband grew up in Detroit and we certainly don't want to go into an area that is like many of Detroit's neighbourhoods. We live near Ann Arbor MI now and are in a lake district where crime is nearly non-exsistant.

Have any advice for us?

[snapdragon]

I live in Shaker Heights. It's very nice, and so far the crime seems low. It will depend mostly on what part of which city you move to.
Hopefully someone who is from here can give you more of an idea on the crime.

[cutejanelle1]

If your husband works in Macedonia, his commute would be a little bit of a hike from Shaker and Cleveland Heights because they dont have much access to the highway. He'd do a lot of street driving just to get to the express way, and there are a billion lights in each neighborhood. Personally, I would not move to Cleveland Heights... Unfortunately, there is a lot of white flight and the neighborhood isn't as pretty as it used to be. Shaker still has some very beautiful neighborhoods, with nice older houses. I'd stay away from houses between Van Aken and Warrensville road... that area is declining... lots of rentals and its a little transient... just my opinion.

If I were you, I'd look at Solon (great schools, older homes on the North side of Solon near Orange). I"d also look in Hudson (beautiful neighborhood and good schools, very similar look to Shaker, except more prestine because residents tend to stay, not many rentals in that neighborhood)...

I tried to be as honest as I could, if you want to know any more specifics, just let me know.

[nlschr0]

I agree that Hudson is a good town - not as much of an urban vibe as Shaker or Cleveland Heights, but very charming and unique. It tends to be more expensive than some of the other areas, though.

[happy camper]

I think that you would be looking at a too long of a commute from Cleveland Hts. area. You want to closer to the freeway. If you want a Great community check out Lyndhurst, Mayfield Hts. area. Close to the freeways ( it only takes me 10 minutes to get to the freeway) and the schools are ok.
Best of luck to you. But I do have to admit that I could check out Solon, Orange, Beachwood before Cleveland Hts, Shaker hts. Just for the commute.
Good Luck!