Considering Maple Heights Ohio (Cleveland, Akron: crime, hotels, home)

[cmw99us]

Hi,

I am new to this forum. My mom and I are considering a move to Ohio. We are fed up with the politics of the northeast. After much research, and meeting several people from Ohio, we are considering a move. We love the warmer climate, but, are willing to negotiate the four seasons for living around warmer people. Does the area around Cleveland get very harsh winters? I have a BS in Psychology, but have worked in an office environment, and with computers to an extent. How is the employment situation in the Cleveland area? My mom is a senior with an extensive professional singing background, very outgoing and people oriented. Are there opportunities for seniors in the Cleveland area?

Thank you.

Crista

[NewToCA]

Well, to summarize responses to your questions

- Winters are pretty tough, generally quite a bit of snow with wind and temperatures frequently in the teens and 20's

- Employment is tough all over the USA, however Cleveland has a comparitively low cost of living so you won't need a whole lot of money to get by fairly well

- Greater Cleveland is one of the most accepting and engaging cities I have ever been associated with, so your mom should be fine if she gets out and about

[cmw99us]

Thank you for the information. Have a wonderful holiday.

[Sam_in_ND]

Why Maple Heights? This suburb has had its share of crime problems, and the housing prices have really plummeted. There may be some good values there, and you can get a fairly nice home cheap, but the schools have really went downhill and the city services have also suffered. I think that there are other cities nearby where you can get a better value for you buck, even though you may pay more initially for your home.

[ottomobeale]

cheaper better suburbs with less crime than Maple Heights:

North Olmsted, Berea, Brook Park. Heck Parma is better. Im sure east siders could come with a list also. Mine are all west side.

[billmesh]

I would stay away from the Maple/Garfield Heights area. A better option would be Lakewood... Friendly and family oriented town with a nice park on the lake and plenty of shops and restaurants. If your mom sings, there is a great performing arts center there. Downtown Cleveland is very accessible via public transportation (bus or train).

Winters, well, I consider us a tough breed here because of the harshness they can bring. Get through a couple of them and 30 degrees will feel like a heat wave to you, too.

[sandlotbully2]

I strongly suggest that you do not move to Maple Hts. There are many other areas more suitable for a professional such as yourself. Safety is an issue there. Here is a list of more preferable cities:


Eastside:

Hunting Valley
Chagrin
Solon
Aurora

Westside:

Rocky River
Westlake
Avon
Avon Lake
Bay Village

Southside:

Stongsville
Brecksville
Broadview Hts
North Royalton

While no area is crime free, these are all nice communities with access to Cleveland and Akron. They are safer than the city you suggested and communities that I would live if I were to move. I would suggest taking a few days before you move and visit one area in each location, if possible. Talk with the local businesses ( hotels, eating establishments etc) as they will give you a perspective you may not see or receive. I did this when needing to set up another home away from home in Indy. It worked out very well and I located a city that was just right.

Best in your new location.

[rippedoff0421]

DO NOT MOVE TO MAPLE HEIGHTS!!!! Some affordable eastside suburbs would be Solon, Lyndhurst, Aurora, ,Shaker Heights and University Heights.

[EMJ]

I would not move to Cleveland at all. I live here and I'm trying to get out. The weather sucks and so does the job market. If you go downtown on a weekday after 6:00 its a ghost town. There is nothing to do.

[1mimi1]

Stick with the west side, the sandlot list above is good, but a few that can be added to it are Olmsted falls/Twp., Berea & N. Ridgeville (desirablity in that order).