Moving to Painesville Twp! (Mentor, Fairport Harbor: 2010, apartment, for rent)

[ShellnD]

Hey everyone! We are looking to buy a house in Painesville Twp.! I am totally unfamiliar with the area. Can someone please tell me everything there is to know about it? I am from NE Ohio, so I know about the weather, but what about the community, the schools, the people, crime, etc... I know what can be looked up online, but I want some personal point of views! Schools are a huge priority for us. Also, "niceness" of the area. We want a small town feel. Does this town have festivals & stuff like that??? Thanks in advance for all the help!

[keloucks]

Actually if you want a smalltown feel, Painesville City is the place you might want to check out. They constantly have something going on in the square downtown. The people are pretty nice and make Painesville City feel like a real community. Of course, not everyone is sugary sweet and smiley but no town has that, right? Painesville City has a charm that I haven't found to be replicated anywhere else in Northeast Ohio. It's cute, it's historical, it's just interesting to live here.

The schools are getting better in their testing scores but it's not fantastic. What I can tell you about the schools is that if you have kids who want an education and who want to learn, there are many, many REALLY great and inspired teachers who want to teach and who want to take the time with your kids to make sure they understand the material. I came out of there an independent, smart, intelligent human being who is open to all kinds of people.

The school system in Painesville Township is good. There's nothing wrong with the teaching abilities. There is a high ratio of caucasion to african american students. In my own experience, I've seen a lot of kids come out of this school system and have a difficult time knowing how to react to people outside of their race. I think my education was rounded out by interacting and being friends with different races all my life. I don't know why, but Painesville City has a big number of different races that other suburbs in the area just don't have.

Painesville Township is really nice but it's very spread out. If you're looking for the smalltown feel, I'm not sure Painesville Township is for you. In Painesville City, you can walk almost anywhere. You're right on top of a grocery store, many banks, the highway entrance (both 2 and 90), a bunch of brand new schools (the high school, I believe is the last building to be completed in 2009 or 2010), a new, 4 floor library, a couple of nice restaraunts (namely Rider's Inn on Route 20 and the newly renovated Chester's on Chester St). There are also a couple of bed and breakfasts (Fitzgeralds on Mentor Ave and the above mentioned Rider's Inn on Route 20). I believe there is one more but I can't think of the name right now.

People will tell you that it's a bad neighborhood and there are gangs and drugs and whatever else they have heard but it's not true. Most of the time, the people who tell you about Painesville City's reputation, have never lived in Painesville City and are passing on only what they have heard from others. There are bad neighborhoods in Painesville City just as there are bad neighborhoods in any city or town you go to. You just need to know where they are.

One more thing I almost forgot is Rec Park. Harvey High School uses this for their football games, track meets, and softball games. Painesville City and possibly Township uses it for their T-ball and Little League teams. However, it's not just for the school or established groups. It's a pretty big park with pavilions (some right next to the Grand River), grills, basketball courts, and a trail around the perimeter with several benches overlooking the Grand River. You can rent out a pavilion for several hours at a time for parties or whatever you want. You can also just go there and spend a relaxing few hours watching the river or playing catch with your kids. You can use the grills and the pavilions as long as there is no notice nailed to it saying that it's reserved for someone. This may be one of my favorite parts of Painesville.

Or you can do what my parents did: move to Painesville Township just over the Painesville City line and still be within reach of all the fun and quaintness that Painesville City has to offer.

Sorry this isn't about Painesville Township but it just seemed like Painesville City might fit you better.

[ShellnD]

Thank you for the info!
We actually are buying a house right now and it is just on the border like your mom, so I guess it worked out perfectly! I am excited to have the best of both worlds! Quiet and out of the way, but just a short drive to all the "quaintness" (if thats a word). My daughter will be able to interact with all sorts of people from all around and get a sense of "community".

Thanks again!

[jhayann1]

keloucks -

My family's also moving to Lake County, due to my hubby's job promotion and relocation to Perry, OH. We haven't had much luck finding a 3BR apartment/house for rent though, cuz'we don't really know where to start looking. We've driven around Perry, Fairport Harbor, parts of Painesville, and briefly through Mentor. I was able to find an apartment online & visit it in Painesville one weekend but I wanted to know your opinion...

It's called Brentwood Apts and they said the school was walking distance. I'm not sure if this is Painesville city or township, but it wasn't far from 20 (Mentor Ave) and 44. Is there a way to find out if it's township or city? I'm trying to figure out which school my son will go to -- right now I'm assuming it's the new one on Chestnut, but I could be wrong.

Also, any info you could give me on employment, crime or hot spots to stay away from, etc. We're a family of 4 (2 kids - 1 of which is still a toddler) so I want something safe but fun. Make sense?

Perry looked kinda dead in terms of fun. :-) Mentor is too much of a city-feel for us to live there, but it's nice that it isn't too far to drive to when needed.

Also, what the heck are the hospitals/medical facilities in painesville? I want to get my kids signed up with a doctor but I don't know names or places, and who's good, etc.

I think I just need someone to mail me a Sunday paper and the local phone book. That would help tons!!! LOL. Unless both are online somewhere, that would be even better....

I live in Crawford County, PA right now (1.5hrs away) and work full-time, so it's hard to take off and take a look around town, especially without a tour guide. :-)

[gonzotg]

I lived in Pnsville township for four years with no problems and good neighbors. When we lived there in the township you would avoid the tax that painesville city residents had to pay but if the area continues to grow I would assume that they annex what they can.

[Austinman]

I grew up in Painesville and I do not think a better place to grow up can be found. However that was the 60s and 70s and things do change.
But not in my memories...

[jamiejame411]

i'm looking to move to painesville twp so they landlord says it is but on the map it wasn't the house is on Pontiac street can anyone tell me how that area is, can't be worse than lorain where i live now

[jamiejame411]

i'm looking to move to painesville twp so they landlord says it is but on the map it wasn't the house is on Pontiac street can anyone tell me how that area is, can't be worse than lorain where i live now