The "right" suburb? Help me choose! (Cleveland, Mentor: fit in, neighborhoods)

[MommaBear123]

I have been perusing the forum for awhile, and while I have a good idea of the best places to be, I'd really appreciate any input (personal or otherwise) that you could offer to help narrow down the field.

We are looking to relocate solely based on school systems (and looking for an overall better community in which to raise 3 kiddos).

What we are looking for in school:

1. Solid performance record
2. Good gifted program in elementary
3. AP/gifted offerings for middle/high
4. Strong Special Education department
5. Heavy technology use in the classroom, especially for MS & HS
6. Strong athletics programs (particularly basketball & football)

What we are looking for in community:

1. Great rec center
2. Family oriented city
3. Decent sized lots - like to have room for kids to run, possibly a pool and still have space left for kids to play kickball, etc., don't want to be living on top of our neighbors.

We are considering the following communities (and I tried to list them from most interested in, to least interested in, but that changes daily )

1. Rocky River
2. Brecksville
3. Broadview Heights
4. Chagrin Falls
5. Westlake
6. Solon

We have no personal experience with any of these cities, and have always been on the west side in working class neighborhoods. The last three locations on the list are cities that I have never even been to, so I wouldn't have the first clue as to what they are like.

We are a young, blue collar family. Most of these communities are fairly affluent, so there is a concern about "fitting in" as well. Where do you think we would best "fit in", while meeting the needs of what we are looking for?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer

[CHEFJASON911]

You should check the small part of Bainbridge Township that is part of Chagrin Falls school system. You would get a big lot, great schools, and no local income tax. That is where we are planning on moving to.

[MommaBear123]

Oh no, two MORE places to consider?!

Seriously though, thank you for the input.

[ZnGuy]

Originally Posted by CHEFJASON911

You should check the small part of Bainbridge Township that is part of Chagrin Falls school system. You would get a big lot, great schools, and no local income tax. That is where we are planning on moving to.

We used to live in Bainbridge, great area, schools. If I had to live in NE OH this would be the spot.

[Peregrine]

Originally Posted by MommaBear123

Oh no, two MORE places to consider?!

Seriously though, thank you for the input.

How about another: Fairview Park. Excellent schools, every kid gets a Netbook on his first day of High School. CLose access to the MetroParks. Top notch library and rec center.
A bit cheaper then just about every choice you have listed.
WIN WIN

Bainbridge and Solon are too damn far... and in the snow belt.

[Townes Van Zandt]

Originally Posted by Peregrine

Bainbridge and Solon are too damn far... and in the snow belt.

Too far from where? They're more than likely commuting to downtown, not Kamm's Corners. You need to leave your west side state of mind every once in a while.

[Peregrine]

Originally Posted by ksu sucks

Too far from where? They're more than likely commuting to downtown, not Kamm's Corners. You need to leave your west side state of mind every once in a while.

No way. Die hard west sider here buddy.
If it's east of 77, south of 480 or west of 71: it's too damn far.

[ClevelanderinNC]

I worked in Chagrin Falls in 2004-2005. I have been to Solon frequently! I would recommend either of those two. I didn't have kids when I lived and worked there, but some of my co-workers did and they were happy with the schools.

I don't know anything about anything on the West side (grew up in Mentor/Painesville, have lived in Eastlake, Cleveland Heights, and Shaker Heights).

[LuvOrlando]

From your list, I'd pick Broadview or Chagrin. Then, in order, Brecksville, Westlake, Solon.

Solon is just getting too busy. Too many cars. Turning itself into Mayfield. But it's fine.

Bainbridge is nice, too.

[Marty711]

Originally Posted by LuvOrlando

From your list, I'd pick Broadview or Chagrin. Then, in order, Brecksville, Westlake, Solon.

Solon is just getting too busy. Too many cars. Turning itself into Mayfield. But it's fine.

Bainbridge is nice, too.

I think you're painting these areas with too broad a brush when it comes to traffic. There's plenty of places in Solon and Mayfield that are quite quiet and lack traffic. Along the main routes, probably not, but around the metro parks and in the valley, they are just as peaceful as the other places you mention.

I'd argue that Broadview, Brecksville, Westlake and even Bainbridge has as much traffic issues as those places thanks to urban sprawl. I can't speak too much for Broadview and Brecksville but parts of Westlake and Bainbridge regularly backup because the area can't handle the capacity. It wasn't built for it. There are exceptions (certainly much of Bainbridge is still undeveloped), but they aren't quiet rural places anymore, especially along the main roads.