Good areas for Families to live around Cleveland close to the Lake (Lakewood: house, transfer to)

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by ferraris

How are you defining "good access" to the lake? How often do you envision doing things there?

You might be interested in North Collinwood and Euclid, as both have neighborhoods directly on the lake with private beach access just for homes in the subdivision. You might be swayed away from it because of the school situation, but you'd also be saving like $150K on the house, so private school would be an option.

Two kids through 12 years of private school though, I'm not sure you're saving money at all.

[Cleverfield]

Check out North Collinwood, north of Lakeshore Blvd. Really great community close to downtown. All the streets have neighborhood beach clubs at the end of the street. It almost feels like living in a vacation community.

[ferraris]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

Two kids through 12 years of private school though, I'm not sure you're saving money at all.

No, I wouldn't choose it for the express purpose of saving money, but it might be a roughly equivalent cost, and worth the hassle of figuring out schools if they are looking for the sort of lakefront living experience Cleverfield describes.

Also there are some alternative options like magnets and charter schools.

I haven't researched it heavily, but the public schools might even be acceptable at the neighborhood level, even if both Euclid and Cleveland Metro schools are overall rated poorly.

Originally Posted by Cleverfield

Check out North Collinwood, north of Lakeshore Blvd. Really great community close to downtown. All the streets have neighborhood beach clubs at the end of the street. It almost feels like living in a vacation community.

[TheProf]

Originally Posted by ferraris

How are you defining "good access" to the lake? How often do you envision doing things there?

You might be interested in North Collinwood and Euclid, as both have neighborhoods directly on the lake with private beach access just for homes in the subdivision. You might be swayed away from it because of the school situation, but you'd also be saving like $150K on the house, so private school would be an option.

Good point ferraris. While Shaker has access to its own lakes, it isn't immediately convenient to THE lake. It's at least a 20 min/or so, drive to Gordon Park up MLK Blvd though; and getting to Edgewater park/beach doesn't take much longer.

[ferraris]

Yes, we go to Edgewater or Euclid Beach about once a month, so the 30 minute drive isn't a big deal.

The Shaker Lakes probably don't really count for what OP wants. They are basically just cosmetic, not recreational. No swimming, boating, fishing, or beach. There are some other lakes in the area that allow those activities, though. The one at Punderson State Park jumps to mind. There's probably similar lakes around Dayton.

[1watertiger]

I second the Rocky River area. Great access on interstate 90 to Edgewater ,Lakewood and downtown. Safe with good schools and close to the Rocky River Reservation metroparks system, which is one of the best metroparks system in the country! Westlake and Lakewood are great for families also. If you prefer a more urban experience parts of the westside are starting to gentrify and some neighborhoods are connected to Edgewater Park Beach. However the Cleveland schools are still not very good and parts of those Westside neighborhoods are still rough.

[Buttrfly298]

Thank you everyone for your input. Unfortunately private schools are not really an option at this point so having a good public school district is important. As far as being close to the lake being able to walk to it from a couple of blocks would be ideal but I understand with our housing budget probably not possible. Getting to Lake Erie beaches within a 20 minute drive though I think could be doable?

We are a pretty active family and like to get outside to do things. As long as the access to Cleveland and Lake Erie is reasonable we are open to anything.

[TheProf]

Originally Posted by Buttrfly298

Thank you everyone for your input. Unfortunately private schools are not really an option at this point so having a good public school district is important. As far as being close to the lake being able to walk to it from a couple of blocks would be ideal but I understand with our housing budget probably not possible. Getting to Lake Erie beaches within a 20 minute drive though I think could be doable?

We are a pretty active family and like to get outside to do things. As long as the access to Cleveland and Lake Erie is reasonable we are open to anything.

Shaker, therefore, may be your best option, especially because of the high quality schools and housing within your reach. Getting to Lake Erie (again Gordon Park on the East Side) is 20 minutes or less, depending on where you would live in Shaker and the time of day (rush hour through University Circle can be a slow slog/pain in the arse)... Jetting down Kinsman Ave to Woodland Ave and the freeways to the West Side/Edgewater Park (and beach) is generally a 30-35 minute ride.

[cadmen]

Considering your desire for good schools at the 250,000 range I think Rocky River is an ideal choice. The schools are always ranked as some of the best in the state while there is housing in that price range south of Detroit road. People often think of Rocky River as an upscale city and that is true along the lake but once you get south of Detroit road the house prices drop considerably. Most of them are much smaller and the neighborhoods are always well maintained.

Plus it's walkable and not congested. Good shopping and restaurants. All in all a great choice for a young family.

[usaf_1832]

I would also suggest checking out Lakewood ... along and north of Clifton Blvd.

Rocky River as well...but you may be a little below the target price point when you get super close to the lake.