Advice for family of 4 - good areas in Cleveland Heights to buy a house? (Euclid: houses, employment)

[nmandyr]

Hi there,

We're a couple in our mid/late 30s with 2 elementary-school aged girls (1st and 3rd grade) looking to relocate to Cleveland Heights this coming summer. Optimally, we'd like to purchase a house in a safe area with families with similar demographics and decent schooling options. We have a budget of $30,000-$60,000 to buy a house with, and there seem to be many houses on Trulia which fit the bill.

Can you suggest which areas of Cleveland Heights would be best for us to consider?

Thanks!

Nona

[Cleverfield]

Oh God, you've just opened up a can of worms. For that price range, you're probably going to be looking North of Mayfield, where the schools are under par. But if you're okay with that, I'd look around Quilliams.

[nmandyr]

So south of Mayfield is better? Because there are houses in that price range south of Mayfield too, like this one: 1979 Revere Road, Cleveland Heights OH - Trulia

Is this a good area? Is anything south of Mayfield OK? Or are there more caveats?

(Though seriously? $13,000 property tax in 2012? Is that for real?!)

[Cleverfield]

Yeah, that area's okay. Did you look at the interior photos of that house though? Looks like it's going to take quite a bit of work to fix up. Why Cleveland Heights if I might ask? I know you could find some nice homes in much better condition, and decent neighborhoods, in your price range in Euclid for example.

[nmandyr]

It's close to the Cleveland Clinic (future employment for hubby) and I understand it's a Jewish area, which, though we probably will send our kids to public school, is important to us. And we can't afford University or Shaker Heights , Or Beachwood . Euclid would be quite a commute, wouldn't it? Or did you mean South Euclid?

ETA: Here's another house with what looks like a nicer inside: 3822 Berkeley Rd . And saner property tax!

[L2DB]

Prices in CH are down, sure, but a decent house for that price seems a bit far-fetched. I think anything you're likely to find in that range is going to need some significant work.

Just rent, IMO.

[Cleverfield]

ETA: Here's another house with what looks like a nicer inside: 3822 Berkeley Rd . And saner property tax!

Yeah, that one's not bad. I was going to suggest you look at Bendemeer, and Berkeley is right around there. FYI, you know it's Orthodox over there. I'm not sure what denomination you are, but it's definitely not conservative or reform in that area. The Hebrew Academy is right there on Taylor, along with several orthodox synagogues, Unger's - a Kosher grocery store, and a couple Jewish shops and restaurants.

[nmandyr]

Is the South Euclid area directly to the east of that area of CH also a nice place to live? There seem to be some houses in our price range there. Are the Jews more liberal over there?

[Cleverfield]

Originally Posted by nmandyr

Is the South Euclid area directly to the east of that area of CH also a nice place to live? There seem to be some houses in our price range there. Are the Jews more liberal over there?

Yeah, I think most areas of South Euclid are okay, and you will find more liberal Jews over there. That sounds like a good area for you to look.

[reretarf]

For such a tight budget, don't expect anything great. Cleveland Heights may have a few homes at that price, but they are more likely to be near the Cleveland Heights - East Cleveland border, which i would not recommend moving to. But, Shaker Heights may have homes in that price range, so i would try that.