Shoreham vs. Oliver Manor (Lakewood vs. SS) (Cleveland, Rocky River: 2014, apartments)

[tatonetti]

Hello!

I made a post a month back as my wife and I boomerang back to CLE. We have been here for a month hotel living and are needing to finalize out apartment decision this week. Looking for updated advice as we changed our area focus.

I work in Collinwood (K-8 Principal) and we have a townhouse (CircleEast) lined up in University Circle. We are looking at two other options because CE moved so slow on approving us, responding to calls/e-mails, and we see it as a red flag to timeliness in future needs.

We are now looking at Oliver Manor in Shaker Square and Shoreham in Lakewood. Any advice?

From us:
Shoreham has excellent reviews on ApartmentRatings.com, both commutes are about 20 minutes which is fine, and Lakewood is pretty family friendly and fun (we are both 28 and have a 3 month old). It isn't walking distance, but otherwise seems good.

Oliver Manor has no reviews but 1 negative one on AR.com but is walking distance to SS and on the north side which I've read is good. I love love love SS and saw a few condos but most were not updated well. With a lack of reviews I am concerned, but otherwise it has what we want.

Let me know any input you have on experiences with these properties as we finalize if we are ditching UC for Lakewood or SS.

[L2DB]

I'm not directly familiar with either, but walking distance to Shaker Square would be a huge plus, IMO. We drive there at least every other week in the summer for the farmers market, Yours Truly, a movie, Playmatters, etc. There's concerts and things going on on the lawns there fairly often in the summer as well.

[tatonetti]

Thanks L2DB! That's what I love about it. It seems UC does similar things at Wade, but I am not sure about safety walking there from where CircleEast is. I grew up in the city, I am street smart, but I know carrying a young child can make me or my wife an easier target if someone wants to commit a crime.

[WRnative]

A couple considerations come to my mind, not related to the actual apartments.

If you're working in Collinwood, you'll be subject to the Cleveland municipal income tax.

In Shaker Square, you're also likely living in Cleveland (check on this).

In Lakewood, you'll additionally be subject to the Lakewood municipal income tax. Check to see if Lakewood offers a full credit for taxes paid to Cleveland. If not, you'll pay additional income taxes in Lakewood. Keep in mind that Lakewood could change the credit at any time.

If the Shaker Square apartment is located in Cleveland, you won't automatically be able to use Shaker Hts. rec services without perhaps paying fees, if that is an issue.

However, Shaker Square is in the Shaker Hts. school district (confirm this) and so you might be able to participate in some or all rec programs without a fee. One program you should especially consider is the toddler learn-to-swim/"waterproofing" program, which at one time was excellent in Shaker Hts. SH also offers skating lessons for kids.

This new bus line may interest you in your Lakewood considerations.

Cleveland State University RTA line launches bus service on Clifton Boulevard | cleveland.com

One big advantage of Lakewood is the proximity to the Cleveland Metroparks Rocky River Reservation and to Lake Erie beaches (e.g., Edgewater, Huntington Beach).

What parks are near Shaker Square, especially a neighborhood park with good swing sets, slides, etc.? Ditto with the Lakewood apartments.