Wife offered her draeam job, help me feel that I can enjoy a life in Cleveland... (Lakewood: section 8, crime)

[WRnative]

Originally Posted by cubsguy81

Please send me the link to the house on the lake with private beach access that we can afford. I don't beleive that can be and don't see anything on Realtor.com

I didn't delve into whether these properties have private beach access, but many properties in Euclid do have private beaches and sell at a reasonable cost. Given Lake Erie's high lake level, all or part of these private beaches currently may be under water until later in the summer. Fish kills (often do to rapid temperature changes and not pollution) and resulting rat and bird scavengers are not unknown along Lake Erie.

https://www.zillow.com/euclid-oh/wat...iAAEgJbRfD_BwE

Euclid offers great commutes, but has some challenging demographics and a high income tax rate. I didn't check property taxes, but they should be fairly average as there is a good industrial base and a new Amazon distribution center located there. City services are good with some good amenities and a decent library. If you visit, be certain to check out Sims Park on the lake. Be aware that there is a waste treatment plant at the top of Babbitt Road.

Waterfront properties in Euclid are cheaper than most other locations in Cuyahoga County.

https://www.zillow.com/cuyahoga-county-oh/waterfront/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOTPXz6Xkdc

Euclid also is redeveloping part of its lakefront, perhaps eliminating some private beaches in exchange for erosion protection. This project may boost home values north of Lakeshore Blvd. in coming years.

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2019/...he-making.html

https://nextcity.org/features/view/d...-lakes-foreverhttps://nextcity.org/features/view/d...-lakes-forever

Perhaps check out lakefront condos in Bratenahl (rentals may or may not be allowed), such as Bratenahl Place, or relatively cheaply at Bonneville Tower in Euclid. Check indoor parking availability.

Lake Erie is at record high water levels currently, but these levels are anticipated to fall in later decades as climate change reduces rainfall in the Great Lakes basin.

[cubsguy81]

Originally Posted by WRnative

Lake Erie is at record high water levels currently, but these levels are anticipated to fall in later decades.

Yep, it's probably at it's peak. Lots of summer rain and cold winters creating lots of ice preventing evaporation. Same on all the lakes. A lot of our favorite beaches in Michigan are underwater too.

[WRnative]

Personally, I would rather have a lakefront property with a public trail/erosion project. Maintained erosion protection is worth many thousands of dollars annually, perhaps tens of thousands of dollars annually given lakefront footage and the cost of building erosion protection (often requiring barges and definitely not cheap for individual properties even after obtaining regulatory approval). Any erosion project impairs the value of the private beach.

The views from the high bluff above Lake Erie through most of Greater Cleveland are better than from lake level.

Buying a property near one of the access points for the new Euclid lakefront trail, even if the property is not directly on the lake, may be an interesting speculation and relatively cheap "temporary" housing arrangement IMO.

Having lived on the lake, it gets old after a while. I would much prefer living near parks, trails, etc., but that is just me.

If lake access is important, consider properties near Edgewater Park or Lakewood Park in Lakewood. Both of these parks are very, very good.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...wood_Ohio.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...land_Ohio.html

Again, I would prefer proximity to both of these parks over actually living on Lake Erie. Check out both the upper and lower levels of Edgewater and the nearby Wendy Park.

[WRnative]

Originally Posted by cubsguy81

Yep, it's probably at it's peak. Lots of summer rain and cold winters creating lots of ice preventing evaporation. Same on all the lakes. A lot of our favorite beaches in Michigan are underwater too.

The warm winter should increase evaporation given the paucity of ice cover on Lake Erie.

[TechieTechie]

Originally Posted by cubsguy81

Here's the details of what we are looking for in a longer term home:

Desires/Needs
-700-800K max budget, but not necessary to spend that much. We're perfectly fine with spending less and saving the difference.
-Looking for 4-5 BR homes with outdoor space for a pool, firepit, patio/deck. (Don't try to convince me against a pool - it's something we are going to do. I'm well versed in all the details)
-Close proximity to trails so we could bike or run to them from our driveway if possible (We are marathon runners so a mile or two away is fine)

Avoids
-Really dislike "builder grade" homes and being on top of our neighbors. We do like to socialize with our neighbors, but their house should not be 10 ft away from our house
-Avoiding highest property tax areas
-Avoiding worst of snow belt areas

Well, from what I can see, Cleveland Heights, Shaker, Beachwood and Bratenhal fit the bill. Too bad your wife is set on the East side as I think you could get all of this in Rocky River (particularly GREAT trail access). CH and Shaker have the highest tax rates, but the housing stock, house size and yard size (particularly in your budget) are all do-able. But I find the trail running options from the housing stock to be a bit limited (or maybe I'm missing something).

Bratenhal has some incredibly gorgeous homes and is close to the water...but it's fairly isolated due to 90 and East Cleveland as its southern borders...but it's a pretty painless (and quite scenic) drive to CCF via MLK Blvd. Euclid's housing stock doesn't seem to fit your 'mojo'.

Before your wife accepts, I would strongly urge you guys to make a long weekend to see Real Estate. It's a $1k weekend to make you both feel at ease.

I am flying back to CLE tonight to house hunt myself

[cubsguy81]

Originally Posted by TechieTechie

Well, from what I can see, Cleveland Heights, Shaker, Beachwood and Bratenhal fit the bill. Too bad your wife is set on the East side as I think you could get all of this in Rocky River (particularly GREAT trail access). CH and Shaker have the highest tax rates, but the housing stock, house size and yard size (particularly in your budget) are all do-able. But I find the trail running options from the housing stock to be a bit limited (or maybe I'm missing something).

Bratenhal has some incredibly gorgeous homes and is close to the water...but it's fairly isolated due to 90 and East Cleveland as its southern borders...but it's a pretty painless (and quite scenic) drive to CCF via MLK Blvd. Euclid's housing stock doesn't seem to fit your 'mojo'.

Before your wife accepts, I would strongly urge you guys to make a long weekend to see Real Estate. It's a $1k weekend to make you both feel at ease.

I am flying back to CLE tonight to house hunt myself

We're going to Raleigh-Durham this weekend to scope it out. Cleveland is next. But it's really more to ensure we aren't overlooking anything. You don't pass up your dream job.

My wife is set on east side for now, but once visiting again her mind can be changed. I will ensure Rocky River is on the list.

[cubsguy81]

Originally Posted by WRnative

Having lived on the lake, it gets old after a while. I would much prefer living near parks, trails, etc., but that is just me.

Again, I would prefer proximity to both of these parks over actually living on Lake Erie. Check out both the upper and lower levels of Edgewater and the nearby Wendy Park.

I agree. If we were to live on a lake I'd choose an inland lake as the opportunities to actually utilize it abound. Those don't seem to exist in Cleveland. Lake Erie in your backyard is more to look at than practical use.

[Thelad]

I think you were smart in posting this thread in order to work through your apprehensions because as you've seen, there is a wealth of knowledge to be had from the posters here. In terms of where to live, I would also suggest you rent for 6 months to a year to really figure out what works best for you (there will be MANY more houses listed for sale in the spring/summer as well).

As an Orange Village resident, I am partial to the east side despite the additional snow (keep in mind the most parts of the east side are 500-600 ft higher in elevation than downtown and the west side near the lake and have more interesting topography as a result). A few areas that have not been mentioned that you should check out are Brecksville (Cuyahoga County), Bath Township and Richfield (both in Summit County bordering Cuyahoga). These communities are all directly south of Cleveland, well outside of the snowbelt and are reasonably close to the CC main campus. They are also next to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. And of course, the Summit County locations have lower property taxes. A few examples are below:

Brecksville

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-96053?view=qv

Richfield

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-92606?view=qv

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-72446?view=qv

Bath

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-96593?view=qv

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-99770?view=qv

[WRnative]

Originally Posted by cubsguy81

I agree. If we were to live on a lake I'd choose an inland lake as the opportunities to actually utilize it abound. Those don't seem to exist in Cleveland. Lake Erie in your backyard is more to look at than practical use.

Actually, lots and lots of persons "use" Lake Erie -- superb fishing, power boating, sailing, kayaking, jet skis, etc., not including trails and beaches. In many ways, Lake Erie is far superior to inland lakes.

Aurora Lake is a private lake, but it would be a longer commute.

Aurora Shores -Home

Many persons jog on sidewalks in Shaker Lakes and certainly in the Shaker Lakes area.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/o...er-lakes-trail

https://www.cleveland.com/lifestyles...em_that_s.html

It's tough to top the South Chagrin Reservation and the Rocky River Reservation among areas under consideration by the OP, but note that the South Chagrin Reservation trails are more concentrated.

https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/o...in-reservation

https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/o...er-reservation

[ferraris]

Today's Cleveland.com piece on property taxes might be handy for you. You can look up specific tax rates by city/school district.

Rates are generally cheaper as you get farther out, but the higher tax rate areas are also generally lower property value areas, so make sure to look at the big picture and not just the rates..