duder27

Thanks for the links everyone. So from everyone's comments it sounds like the following would appeal the best for me: Willoughby - Good School rating - 30 min to dwtn, 40 from Ashtabula, demographics primarily white, nice neighborhood Solon - Best School - 30 min to dwtn, 70 min to Ashtabula, demographics good mix, up and coming neighborhood Mayfield - very good Schools - 25 min to dwtn, 60 min to Ashtabula, demographics good mix, Pepper Pike (Orange) - very good schools - 25 min to dwntn, 65 min to Ashtabula, demographics primarily white Rocky River - very good schools, 20 min to dwtn, 80 min to Ashtabula, demographics primarily white, close to beach I know Rocky river is on the west side, but i still wanted to include it. More than likely i would like the east side. It is a touch decision since I plan on buying and staying in the same place for at least 10 years.

My wife was born and raised in Japan, she moved to the states about 10 years ago. She has been to Cleveland before as well as Columbus (her cousin works for Honda and lives in Columbus). One thing she really liked about Columbus is that her cousin sends her daughter (4 years old) to a Saturday school for Japanese children so that they can learn to be bi-lingual as well as interact with other children who have similar culture. This is something my wife really would like and I am just not sure if there is a strong enough presence for something like that in the Cleveland area.

Well, maybe I can tell you a little more about us to help with some of these discussions: * we are 29 years old * wife is pregnant with first child * Currently living in a condo in downtown Chicago (everything within walking distance) can spend 280K-320K on a home * Looking for young safe neighborhood, good parks, good schools, (would like a neighborhood feel), good shopping, would want a yard for kid(s) * Wife is Japanese and we would like some ethic diversity (i know there is not much in cleveland compared to columbus) * We are both outgoing and like going out and doing things (we love trying out new restaurants, going to events, walking in the parks, etc.)

Solon would be as far as I would go in terms of distance from downtown and ashtabula. I am not a fan of Shaker Heights as the taxes are high, the older homes, etc. I have been to Shaker and it is a beautiful neighborhood, it is just not for me. I do not know much about Solon besides that it has good schools. If you would compare Mayfield, Orange, beachwood and Solon in terms of demographics, schools, and generally a nice neighborhood to live, what would you suggest?

Thanks for the replies. My parents live in ashtabula county so i want to stay on the east side and I would like to be close to both downtown and them. It sounds however, that if I want any kind of asian demographic that I need to stay closer to downtown so willoughby and kirtland are probably out. I heard some people say Mayfield, Solon, Hudson, Orange, Beachwood, etc. What would you recommend from neighborhoods in that area? Shaker Heights is a little too close to the city, i would like to be more east so that it is easier for me to get to Ashtabula area.

My wife is Japanese and we are moving to northeast ohio for a job that is located downtown (close to Jacobs field). I would like to know where you feel is the best place to live that also provides an asian atmosphere for our kids. We would like to enroll them Japanese language classes and also have them experience being around all cultures. We were looking at Mayfield Heights, Willoughby, Kirtland, etc. It is very difficult for me to find online where there is a good asian community. Can you provide any help on where you think a good safe place is to live that is on the east side of Cleveland (not downtown or chinatown), that also has a strong asian presence? Thanks!