possible relocation to Cleveland, looking for housing location advice

[Peregrine]

Originally Posted by lifeinlimbo

Also, could you tell me a bit about the cleveland rec centers? Do you need to live in a particular city/town to use it or can you use any? Seems like a nice amenity. My kids love to swim and that would help pass the winter time.

Well, when you say CLEVELAND rec centers, we think you mean CLEVELAND, CITY OF. You are really asking about suburban ones and they are all different.
Cleveland is much more open about it then most suburbs. Cleveland does not charge anything for residents to use the Rec Centers. FREE. As it should be.

Which is why I have to smirk when people say "We have awesome city services in *insert suburb here*."
For all it's problems, Cleveland offers almost all the same services and some times even better ones.

To be fair: there really aren't many suburbs here that have poor city services.

[citymama]

Perigrine-- Having said that in my last few post about city services I feel compelled to clarify that I'm making comparisons to my cleveland suburb to cities I've lived in in other states. We had much less in the way of city services in my suburb of Nashvile than what we have now in Rocky River. But you are right-- seems like all the suburbs around cleveland have comparable services which is probably what the op needs to know anyway so I'll stop rambling on now......

[lifeinlimbo]

It does seem to me that the suburbs are very comparable which is nice. I am use to having to live here or there to get good schools and amenities. I am use to paying $600 for 10 weeks of summer pool usage. Nothing comes free in PA.

We are receiving an education in property taxes. Hubby was discouraged at the high (compared to us) taxes. It seems like in order to afford a decent house we need to live in Madina County. We are scaling back on our housing planning on me not working for a year post move, worst case scenario.

Looks like commute will be 30-40 minutes but I guess that is the price you pay. I am looking at Strongsville and Wadsworth more closely. One nicer than the other?

I am way nervous about moving! I am just taking it one day at a time.

[RaisedRustbelt]

As a Strongsville resident I'll chime in here

our schools are rated with excellence (as a recent high school graduate I can attest to that) and the rec center is fantastic (although you will have to pay for membership, but its not that expensive), and I know for a fact that our High school swim team is good too.

In regards to commute I'd say 25 mins, that is if you avoid the mall (South Park) traffic like I do.

Also about every neighborhood in Strongsville is safe and family friendly so no worries there.

Good Luck

[SimplyThis]

to North Royalton. It is an excellent community