Avon, Avon lake, Bay Village or Rocky River???

[buzzards27]

Originally Posted by tribecavsbrowns

No, not really, in particular Avon and Bay. Avon grew 85 percent in the last decade, Bay I believe lost population. That's not to say I prefer Avon, but it is a tipoff that the communities are very, very different.

They are very different. As I kid in the 1950's Avon Lake was a sleepy little town of 7,000. Much of those lived in summer cottages in the 45 allotment (Tomahawk to Lear), various streets built off tiny beaches along lake road and a few streets near Saddle Inn. Almost everything south of Electric was vineyards, nurseries and farm land.

Avon was considered to "other side of the track" and largely farm land.

Bay was suburbia even then. Houses were a big step up from the Avon Lake cottages.

Rocky River, at least to that kid in the 1950's a city on its own.

Coming from the west 67 and Lorraine area of Cleveland we rode thru these cities every weekend to visits family. Lake Road, over to Detroit, Sloan, Clinton and off to the south of Lake.... Hundreds of trips.

Where was I going... Oh, yeah. If you like an older historical type of community and housing stock, Rocky River. If you're into modest and up scale post war homes, Bay is nice. Lots are small on a lot of the streets. Living in a house with huge oak trees a few feet away can be scary. Bay may still have many of their pre war cottages, similar to AL, but the tear down and replace with mini mansions has taken many out over the years. Even Dr. Sheppard's home by the gun club bit the dust.

Avon Lake is a mix. Many of the cottages have been reworked, some are great some not so much. It is amusing to walk on a street like Vandals and see a proud owner living in a reworked of a place that was once a wreck of a home, if they only know, LOL. Much of the newer stuff is thanks to Bucky Kopf. No a huge fan of his work but it is on par with anything Pulte or Parkview are doing. Avon Lake has kept up with infrastructure needed by its growth. Last time I drove thru Avon they seemed to be behind.

[buzzards27]

Originally Posted by tribecavsbrowns

No, not really, in particular Avon and Bay. Avon grew 85 percent in the last decade, Bay I believe lost population. That's not to say I prefer Avon, but it is a tipoff that the communities are very, very different.

Bay has been fairly stable, I'd think they were over 90% built out back in the 1970's. Any population drops likely be due largely to empty nesters. Enrollment number might suggest a decline.


Avon Lake is still building out. Not sure, I'd guess 80% maybe more. What's Avon, 60% maybe?

Based on land area, Avon will have more people. Is there a 2 acre lot size in part of Avon? I recall something about a 2 acre lot size in the French Creek area, or something.

[yrsayngling]

None of the above. Gosh, there are so many more interesting places in Cleveland to live, including the city of Cleveland itself.

[Cumberland78]

They are all very nice suburbs, each have their pros and cons. Rocky River is the closest to downtown a bit more urban but still quiet depending which street you live on.

Bay and Avon Lake are very much alike and on the lake. Rocky River is too.

Avon has a lot of retail but not directly on the lakeshore, although you can easily get to the lake in a matter of a few minutes.

[SmittyXCWRU]

For me, I'd take Rocky River because it has the most urban feel, is the closest to the city, and is right along the Rocky River Reservation, which is perhaps my favorite park in the Cleveland area.

Bay and Avon Lake are both nice if a more suburban feel for people who are looking for that. The main thing to point out here is that Avon Lake is in Lorain County, so there's probably a tax difference.

[Stuck Here]

Avon is a great city- tons of growth happening all over the place and very quickly.
Bay is a beautiful, quiet, lakefront bedroom community.
River is quicky growing and has tons to do.
Don't know too much about Avon Lake.

Just depends on what you are specifically looking for.