Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Oak Park has the best downtown by a mile. And is the most vibrant. Probably prefer the aesthetic and diversity of SFH housing stock in the different Grosse Pointes. Plus, the lake is a nice add there. Shaker Heights, to me, feels like one of the polished, exquisite neighborhoods within Grosse Pointe.
Interesting that schools aren't one of your criteria, considering that many people choose to live in these communities because they have some characteristics of the big cities they sit right next door to, but with MUCH better public schools.
Interesting that schools aren't one of your criteria, considering that many people choose to live in these communities because they have some characteristics of the big cities they sit right next door to, but with MUCH better public schools.
Yes I did not think about schools...I added that as a category.
2. Downtown connectivity -- close between Shaker and Oak Park; both are served by 2 rapid transit lines. Shaker gets my slight nudge because the 2 Rapid Lines serve Shaker so intimately with stops all over; but Oak Park's L trains are more frequent and get to the Loop quicker.
3. Connectivity to surrounding suburban neighborhoods -- Shaker; it's part of the Heights block of Eastern burbs; seamless between lower Cleveland Heights with the grand homes and mansions plus the Lakes. Beachwood, University Hts. and Warrensville, all adjacent, are easily accessible/connected as well.
4. Neighborhood vibrancy - Oak Park and, perhaps, Grosse Pointe may edge out Shaker in this regard... Shaker tends to be quiet-er, although the new Van Aken District and the older downtown tend to belie this.
5. Cost of living -- Grosse Pointe and Shaker may be even here.
6. Scenery -- Grosse Pointe (Detroit River) and Shaker (Shaker Lakes, winding leafy streets) have significant natural beauty. Oak Park is part of the Chicago grid which is flat; no major water bodies come to mind.
7. Retail/Dining -- Oak Park in a runaway with its large and vibrant downtown the other 2 can't match.
8. Crime -- sadly parts of Shaker have had issues of late crime-wise. I can't speak on the other 2.
9. Schools -- Shaker and Grosse Pointe have great reputations; Shaker has only slightly faded, but is still very strong, esp in terms of teaching, student achievement and college placement, which still stands at well over 90% of all graduates (and Shaker High itself has a very high graduation rate).
I would have changed this to Oak Park/River Forest instead of just Oak Park, since the two share the same high school and are interchangable. If that were the case, the scenery would change for the better to having a river and more upscale housing, and there would be a greater gap between OPRF and the Grosse Pointes and Shaker Heights. As far as being relevant and vibrant, Oak Park for sure. But I like the feel of Gross Pointe. To me, Shaker Heights just seems to be struggling.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
