ChicagoBuckeye

Thanks for the help. We're intersted in finding an area that will give our kids a unique experience and still be safe to ride their bikes on the sidewalks at dusk.

Thanks for the quick and thorough replies. We currently live in Old Town in a condo right in the center of the city. We're pefectly ok with a larger townhouse, or an 'efficient' smaller house in an urban location. Our preferences for living in an urban locations are typical: 1. Safety for children 2. Own, not rent. probably 3 to 4 bedrooms. small house is ok. no need for a large yard at all. 3. Work will most likely be wherever we can get it (city or sub). We currently commute and have been for years, so we're used to 1 hour each way. We prefer to keep the commute under 45 minutes. 4. We definitely enjoy city living. i.e. walking to restaurants and shopping, patronizing local shops (not walmart, etc). 5. Kids are in diapers now, but our activities would be varied. We enjoy almost all things (lame answer i know); sports, art and music dominating the free time. Thanks,

1. I always associated the city with being a steel-town, with Medical being a part of recent identity (from say the 1970s to current). I definitely think Cleveland can be THE medical destination in the entire world due the Clinic and the entire healthcare community. 2. I've heard mixed reviews on Ohio City.

Hi, newer to the site here, so I hope I have the right forum thread... My wife and I are both from Cleveland, and have been living in downtown Chicago for the past 10 years, both working full time, and have two kids in diapers. We're considering moving back to Cleveland to be near family (cliche story from what I've read) but have obvious concerns about the current economic conditions (local and big picture). Anyway, we may move back and have 2 questions for the forum: 1. Will the city find a post rust-belt identity and what do you think it will be? (Healthcare and higher-ed have big market shares as far as new projects are concerned). 2. We like urban living (many walking destinations). What neighborhood will be good, safe neighborhood for raising two kids?

I used to work for the company that built the Chicago Fire stadium in Bridgeview IL. I was staffed on the project for only a short while and don't have all the particulars. The land was owned by the Village of Bridgeview who developed the site and lured in the team. Games are well attended because the Bridgeview has a diverse ethnic population who are soccer (Futbol) fans. I think this is part of the reason that this particular locations works here in Chicago. The developer's land, funding, etc are all necessary to build the structure, but the fan base is what sustains the life of the franchise after the construction is complete and the paint dries. I also don't think soccer needs to be a large sport in the country and move "up the ladder" past the NHL, NBA or the two big guns; football and baseball. I would just like to see a solid following of fans who would support a 14 to 18 team league. Also, getting 'has beens' from Europe and south America on some MLS team (Beckham) will help sell tickets. What fan wouldn't want to see Ronaldo or Shevchenko (both have a few years left on the big stage) playing here in the MLS. just my two cents... Anyway, I'm living in Chicago, but I'm a big fan of a franchise in Cleveland.

What a great post. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I grew up right there on Ralph Ave in one of the brick bungalows pictured and spent my youth running around Loew fields. I now live in downtown Chicago and have very fond memories of that neighborhood. By the way, the best ice cream shop in the entire city resides at the corner of State and Buechner in Honey Hut Ice Cream Shoppe.

Grew up in Cleveland (in the city) Columbus 4 years - on and off campus Chicago for the past 10 yrs I've been working in Chicago for 10 yrs now but all of my family, and my wife's, are in Cleveland. We make it back several times per year and are die hard Cleve sports fans. Being away from Cleve has given us a new perspective on the area. There seems to be a large number of people with a negative attitude offset by some with a hopeful tone. Much different from Chicago for obvious reasons (size, economy, etc) I'm hoping the Med Mart sparks a turnaround and jump starts Cleveland's re-birth so to speak. I'm a firm believer that Cleve will find it's post rust belt identity and rebound in the next 5 to 10 years, which is why we're looking to move back and be with family. (got completely off topic here - sorry) Great forum by the way. My first post. Cleveland.com is almost unbearable with trolls who are crying in their beer.