I am planning to relocate to Cuyahoga county area but am not familiar with the area characteristics.  I am seeking suggestions related to areas to consider for renting an apartment (for now) and buying a house in a year's time.  A newer apartment for renting and a modest but quality home in a nice community (not a McMansion) for buying is desired. 

 

The north eastern side of Cleveland would be too far from my job location.  Also, expensive communities like Pepper Hike, Shaker Heights are clearly unaffordable.  Public transportation is desired but is not essential.   

 

We are a couple in their early 50's but have a 2 year old grandchild at home.  We would want to send him to a good elementary school.   

 

I would appreciate it if board member would help us with suggestions, recommendations, information, tips... thanks much. 

Welcome to the forum.

 

I have to say that while Pepper Pike is mostly higher-end single family homes, Shaker Heights has a variety of housing beyond the typical Tudor mansions. If you don't mind my asking, can you tell us a ballpark location of where you'll be working (downtown, suburb, etc.)? That will help determine your commute times, public transportation options, etc. I don't have children, but I've heard mostly positive things about some of the inner-ring suburbs like Lakewood (which has a wide variety of apartments AND homes).

 

 

Sparky,

 

Welcome to UrbanOhio. You'll get a lot of advice from the forumers.  A few other people have found this site looking for advice. Take a look at the "Restaurants, Entertainment, Travel & Relocation Assistance" forum page.  To guide you in your search, we'll need to know some info:

 

1. Where are you coming from? Are you used to a Chicago-style urban environment or are you coming a sprawling suburban place like Atlanta?

 

2. What is your price range for an apartment?

 

3. How many bedrooms are you looking for?

 

4. Do you like new suburbs (if so, you're probably on the wrong website)?

 

5. In which part of town will you be working?

 

6. What amenities are important to you? (walk to grocery stores, restaurants, movies, parks, waterfront)

 

7. When you say that you'd like a new apartment, do you mean a suburban-style apartment or an urban loft with exposed brick?

 

Good luck and welcome to the most underrated city in the country!

My best advice for your situation would be Strongsville.  There are pleenty of new apartments in the area and also affordable colonial style houses all over the place.  Schools there are excellent.  Along with that, it is a relativly safve place to live. 

SHAKER SQUARE!

"My best advice for your situation would be Strongsville."

 

Hmm, school-wise and safety-wise I agree, but they're looking for areas that aren't quite "McMansioned" and that might offer public transportation options. Strongsville definitely doesn't fit the bill on those accounts.

 

"SHAKER SQUARE!"

 

Gee, how did I know?  :roll:

Lakewood has fantastic schools. You don't need to go out to St. Rongsville to find those.

I have included more information in uppercase text below.  Thanks for the current responses. 

 

Sparky,

 

Welcome to UrbanOhio. You'll get a lot of advice from the forumers.  A few other people have found this site looking for advice. Take a look at the "Restaurants, Entertainment, Travel & Relocation Assistance" forum page.  To guide you in your search, we'll need to know some info:

 

1. Where are you coming from? Are you used to a Chicago-style urban environment or are you coming a sprawling suburban place like Atlanta?  BOTH URBAN OR SUBURBAN ENVIRONMENT WILL WORK.

 

2. What is your price range for an apartment

 

3. How many bedrooms are you looking for?

 

4. Do you like new suburbs (if so, you're probably on the wrong website)?

 

5. In which part of town will you be working?

 

6. What amenities are important to you? (walk to grocery stores, restaurants, movies, parks, waterfront)

 

7. When you say that you'd like a new apartment, do you mean a suburban-style apartment or an urban loft with exposed brick?

 

Good luck and welcome to the most underrated city in the country!

"My best advice for your situation would be Strongsville."

 

Hmm, school-wise and safety-wise I agree, but they're looking for areas that aren't quite "McMansioned" and that might offer public transportation options. Strongsville definitely doesn't fit the bill on those accounts.

 

"SHAKER SQUARE!"

 

Gee, how did I know?  :roll:

 

 

 

Thats a concern about Strongsville.  We don't wanna buy a McMansion, it would be unneeded space, extra utilities, more money.  Is Shaker Square community within City of Shaker Heights?

Shaker Square is in Cleveland, but its adjacent to Shaker Heights. Due to a strange deal a long time ago, Shaker Square residents are in the Shaker Heights school district (top notch).

 

$250,000-$300,000 will buy you almost whatever you want.  Shaker Heights is definitely not too pricey for your wallet.  I'd recommend Shaker at this point.

 

Long term, do you prefer a home over a condo?

Shaker Square is in Cleveland, but its adjacent to Shaker Heights. Due to a strange deal a long time ago, Shaker Square residents are in the Shaker Heights school district (top notch).

 

$250,000-$300,000 will buy you almost whatever you want.  Shaker Heights is definitely not too pricey for your wallet.  I'd recommend Shaker at this point.

 

Long term, do you prefer a home over a condo?

 

Prefer home to condo long term, I think.  How long of a car commute will it be from Shaker Square to Parma Heights?  Any good apartment complexes in Shaker Square?  Are rent to buy in the future options available in NE Ohio?

"My best advice for your situation would be Strongsville."

 

Hmm, school-wise and safety-wise I agree, but they're looking for areas that aren't quite "McMansioned" and that might offer public transportation options. Strongsville definitely doesn't fit the bill on those accounts.

 

"SHAKER SQUARE!"

 

Gee, how did I know?  :roll:

 

Cause he's looking for a good place to rent, and rentals in the Shaker Square area are large and affordable.  A perfect starting point for someone to get their feet wet in Cleveland.  There is a 2 year old grand child that can take advantage of pre schools in the area and the parks.  The square itself is great for a person in their early 50s who would want to have amenities within walking distance.

 

Hell, I just found out there are TWO three bedroom condos under $115k available in the complex for sale or rental as both owners recently purchased larger units in the building.  Although, I suspect one of these units has the jack-n-jill bathroom shared by the 2 & 3 bedrooms, or it has the type of bathroom where you can enter the bathroom from the hall or bedroom, which is common throughout the complex.  Also, we have a concierge and valet parking which is a plus for a family.

 

Accross the street at Shaker Towers there are some excellent units, with amazing views of Downtown as it sits elevated.

 

My guess is that a commute would be 20 to 25 minutes. 

 

Shaker's apartments are old, but they can be very grand (yet not too pricey). I almost moved to Shaker Square due to the great public transportation and the beautiful Shaker Lakes parks. Parma and its surrounding area is generally what Clevelanders cite when talking about character-less, generic and boring places.

 

Unless you live in the outer ring suburbs, traffic in Cleveland is not bad at all.  What is 'too long' of a commute for you?

 

What do you enjoy about life? Do you like to go to orchestras, museums, parks? Do you prefer to stay home and watch TV? Depending on your lifestyle, our recommendation will vary greatly.   

Shaker Square is in Cleveland, but its adjacent to Shaker Heights. Due to a strange deal a long time ago, Shaker Square residents are in the Shaker Heights school district (top notch).

 

$250,000-$300,000 will buy you almost whatever you want.  Shaker Heights is definitely not too pricey for your wallet.  I'd recommend Shaker at this point.

 

Long term, do you prefer a home over a condo?

 

 

 

Prefer home to condo long term, I think.  How long of a car commute will it be from Shaker Square to Parma Heights?  Any good apartment complexes in Shaker Square?  Are rent to buy in the future options available in NE Ohio?

 

Parma....ummmmmmm. :-( :oops: :?  I can't answer as I know very little about Parma/Parma Hts./Seven Hills.  However, If you're going to be working there, then maybe Ohio City or Edgewater are better options to rent and get acquainted.  Wimwar has a toddler, and could perhaps share his experiences with raising a child in the city proper.

Parma and its surrounding area is generally what Clevelanders cite when talking about character-less, generic and boring places.

 

You left out the plastic pink flamingo displays

My guess is that a commute would be 20 to 25 minutes. 

 

Shaker's apartments are old, but they can be very grand (yet not too pricey). I almost moved to Shaker Square due to the great public transportation and the beautiful Shaker Lakes parks. Parma and its surrounding area is generally what Clevelanders cite when talking about character-less, generic and boring places.

 

Unless you live in the outer ring suburbs, traffic in Cleveland is not bad at all.  What is 'too long' of a commute for you?

 

What do you enjoy about life? Do you like to go to orchestras, museums, parks? Do you prefer to stay home and watch TV? Depending on your lifestyle, our recommendation will vary greatly.   

 

We enjoy parks, museums, music events, bicycling, meeting people, not watching TV, not eating at restaurants.

Parma Heights is on the southwest side of town. Therefore, I'd check out the Edgewater neighborhood in Cleveland or the urban suburb of Lakewood, both of which are on the west side and offer a mix of apartments and affordable, high-quality housing. Parma Heights is actually kinda cute in a kitschy 1930s-1940s way, too.

I'm not sure why people are suggesting stuff on the East Side (such as Shaker Square); that will prolong your commute unnecessarily.

I'm not sure why people are suggesting stuff on the East Side (such as Shaker Square); that will prolong your commute unnecessarily.

 

Because its a great neighborhood and I live there!  damn it!   :whip: 

 

Besides, I only suggested SS, before I knew where he/she stated the job location and after that you notice I did suggest edgewater/clifton on the westside, so don't be gettin' your knickers in an uproar, mate! :-P

Given what you've told us, I can recommend Lakewood - the only thing lacking would be ranch-style newer apartments. The Edgewater area of Cleveland is great (I live there) but again, you're dealing with Cleveland schools.

 

That's not to say there aren't nice apartments or rental homes in Lakewood, it's just that they're older. If I were to include the newer 'burbs (which aren't my cup of tea), Seven Hills would be an option. Parma Heights isn't terribly accessible via transit, so it's likely you'll commute by car. 

 

Believe it or not - there are some lovely areas of Parma and Parma Heights. Streets near the Metroparks (and Big Creek Parkway) tend to have better quality homes. Some of the homes along Elsmere would fit right in with the old mansions on Fairmount - and yes, they're in PARMA.

Some of the homes along Elsmere would fit right in with the old mansions on Fairmount - and yes, they're in PARMA.

 

The MetroPark is nice, but I would hardly compare those homes to the fine estates on Fairmount!  :evil:

 

What about Puritas, Cudell or Kamm's Corners?  Those seem like very nice area's.  Again, I don't know much about those areas, the homes look very well maintained.

 

 

1. Pepper Pike

2. Chardon

3. Mayfield Heights

4. Highland Heights

5. Solon

6. Hudson

7. Independence

8. Westlake

9. Moreland Hills

10. Mayfield Heights

11. Rocky River

12. Strongsville

13. Willoughby Hills

14. Beachwood

15. Bay Village

 

Top 15 overall suburbs as rated by 2003 Cleveland Magazine

 

Comments about this list and areas, if any, please.

1. Pepper Pike

2. Chardon

3. Mayfield Heights

4. Highland Heights

5. Solon

6. Hudson

7. Independence

8. Westlake

9. Moreland Hills

10. Mayfield Heights

11. Rocky River

12. Strongsville

13. Willoughby Hills

14. Beachwood

15. Bay Village

 

Top 15 overall suburbs as rated by 2003 Cleveland Magazine

 

Comments about this list and areas, if any, please.

 

That list is too old and inaccurate.  How the hell did indepence make this list??  No Cleveland Heights or Shaker Heights!  You know this is wrong....just wrong!!

I grew up in the western suburbs (Bay Village) and I would say that Lakewood would give you the most for your money. The city has solid schools and a lot of housing options and it's fairly close to your job.

 

If you want a newer home, but not a Mcmansion, then check out Bay Village. Granted it's somewhat far from your job but it offers excellant schools and it lacks the cookie cutter developments that other suburbs are filled with.

 

In regards to the suggestion about Kamms/Puritas, I coworker of mine recently moved out of the area because of crime and poorly maintained rental homes in the neighborhood. She was a lifelong resident and felt the area was simply going downhill. Also, retail abandonment is becoming a serious concern in that neighborhood since both the grocery store and drug store have closed recently.

Guys, stop it. You're advocating where you would live, not where this couple in their grandchild will live. I lived in the southwest part of the city (Berea) for several years and have relatives who have lived there for more than a decade. Unless you're coming from places east or west near I-480, Parma Heights or Parma are not easy to reach. That's certainly true if you're coming from/going to University Circle, Shaker Square, Downtown Cleveland, Lakewood or places farther west. This is made worse by the Fulton Road Bridge replacement, which will last until 2009 and put more traffic on other north-south roads like Ridge and Pearl.

 

Sparky, Parma Heights is a decent city to live in. Based on what you've described as your various preferences, Parma Heights (and neighboring Middleburg Heights) will offer much of what you're looking for.

 

First, Parma Heights... It has diverse home types, including apartments, condos, smaller bungalows, tudor/ranch homes, and more. It has a very good recreational complex called Greenbrier Commons, off Pearl Road. The complex has a recreation center and a terrific community theater. There is the Big Creek parkway, with a bikepath along it that links to the Cleveland Metroparks -- one of the largest urban park systems in the nation. Also, located part in Parma Heights and most of the rest in Parma is the Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) Western Campus. It's pretty large, with a good cross section of people, and has lots of events (live music, notable guest speakers, adult education and much more).

 

If you want easy to access to downtown Cleveland and Parma Heights, a good choice is Middleburg Heights (just west of Parma Heights). Middleburg has newer townhouse-style condos/apartments, ranch homes, bungalows and larger homes. Schools are decent in Middleburg, as they are in Parma Heights. Middleburg is right on I-71 that goes into downtown Cleveland and is close enough to Hopkins Airport to be convenient but far enough to not be a nuisance. Middleburg also has the Big Creek Parkway and its bikepath, and is closer to the Cleveland Metroparks (the metroparks is a U-shaped "Emerald Necklace" around the metro area). Bus service (the 51X) is frequent along Pearl Road (runs through Middleburg and Parma Heights) plus there is rush-hour express buses from the nearby Strongsville Park and Ride to downtown Cleveland. Just up I-71 is a station on the Red Line rapid transit rail line to downtown and the University Circle museums.

 

However, from a freeway perspective, two of the least accessible areas in the metro area are Parma Heights and the University Circle area (where most of the museums, music venues and other cultural attractions are located). And these two areas are not close to each other. Based on your desire for good education for your grandchild and the type of housing you desire, I would not recommend any areas that are located geographically between Parma Heights and University Circle. Youre best bet is to find a home that's near one or the other, and the type of housing you've suggested would likely be found in greater abundance at the Parma Heights end.

 

I hope this helps.

I grew up in the western suburbs (Bay Village) and I would say that Lakewood would give you the most for your money. The city has solid schools and a lot of housing options and it's fairly close to your job.

 

If you want a newer home, but not a Mcmansion, then check out Bay Village. Granted it's somewhat far from your job but it offers excellant schools and it lacks the cookie cutter developments that other suburbs are filled with.

 

In regards to the suggestion about Kamms/Puritas, I coworker of mine recently moved out of the area because of crime and poorly maintained rental homes in the neighborhood. She was a lifelong resident and felt the area was simply going downhill. Also, retail abandonment is becoming a serious concern in that neighborhood since both the grocery store and drug store have closed recently.

 

I would say that you are describing Puritas and not Kamms. Kamms is very solid.

"That list is too old and inaccurate.  How the hell did indepence make this list??  No Cleveland Heights or Shaker Heights!  You know this is wrong....just wrong!!"

 

The reason that Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights - and Lakewood didn't make it in? Property tax rates - they're absurdly high. Cleveland Magazine's annual Rate the Suburbs has some goofy methodology (aka Beachwood has a higher crime rate because they count the shoplifting at Beachwood Place) and a newer/outer suburban slant) but let's face it - high property taxes don't always mean a higher quality of life.

 

KJP, the reason I suggested Lakewood was that I know several Lakewood residents who work at American Greetings (and a few other places further south on Tiedemann, which aren't far from Parma Heights). They all live in eastern Lakewood and say that the commute is pretty decent down West 117th. Now, if they lived in western Lakewood and worked down at Parma General - yeah, that would be a pain.

^^ Let me second you and you beat me to the punch, KJP. As a Parma boy....Lakewood, Cleveland Heights, Shaker Square...while fine places to live, aren't that convienent to PH. Middleburg has alot of townhomes/simple housing. If you're looking for a house in the 250-300K range, I'd also suggest North Royalton. I lived in PH/Parma...and let me tell you...it's not that bad. The attitudes of people there have sucked over the years, but they've been changing alot over the past 10 years. The biggest drawback is that the schools are truly average. North Royalton has nice schools, Strongsville does too, but the schools are a bit more crowded in Strongsville.

 

Plus, transit to Parma pretty much sucks, so a car is almost guaranteed. Just more reason to live closer.

Given what you've told us, I can recommend Lakewood - the only thing lacking would be ranch-style newer apartments. The Edgewater area of Cleveland is great (I live there) but again, you're dealing with Cleveland schools.

 

That's not to say there aren't nice apartments or rental homes in Lakewood, it's just that they're older. If I were to include the newer 'burbs (which aren't my cup of tea), Seven Hills would be an option. Parma Heights isn't terribly accessible via transit, so it's likely you'll commute by car. 

 

Believe it or not - there are some lovely areas of Parma and Parma Heights. Streets near the Metroparks (and Big Creek Parkway) tend to have better quality homes. Some of the homes along Elsmere would fit right in with the old mansions on Fairmount - and yes, they're in PARMA.

 

Lived in a home in the Twin Lakes area of Parma....it was very nice Tudor built in the 20's. Not all of Parma is post-war bungalows. Took the 51 and the Fulton Rd. (29?) bus downtown all the time. But a good chunk of Parma has no real transit options.

BTW, sparky, while I'm sure you're getting personal mail right now saying never live in North Royalton, there are affordable, MODEST homes there...mainly along the major roads. Ridge, State, Albion, to name a few. Royalton Rd. has several newer style condo's along it. And the views are incredible in some sections of central/southern NR. There's a valley that runs through southern half of NR where the Metroparks cut through. Not as nice as the views from Brecksville east of SR 21, but pretty cool nonetheless.

 

Sparky, Parma Heights is a decent city to live in. Based on what you've described as your various preferences, Parma Heights (and neighboring Middleburg Heights) will offer much of what you're looking for.

 

 

Thank you. Thanks.  Parma, Middleburg Heights area seems to have much of what I am looking for; housing type, public transportation to downtown area, community events, parks, proximity to Hopkins, Tri-C.

 

Obviously, the grandchild's education has the top priority and everything would fit around this.  If the Parma and Middleburg Heights area schools are, "truly average or decent", as noted above...I plan on researching  about the schools in Parma and Middleburg Heights area. 

 

And, no, I haven't received personal mail regarding North Royalton.  NR seems less built up than Strongsville from the map, a good thing, IMO. 

 

I must add that I never thought I would have the opportunity to live close to a national park.  :-)  Looking forward to checking out the 10th biggest national park.  Does the park have a lake?

 

 

"NR seems less built up than Strongsville from the map, a good thing, IMO."

 

Give it time. Also, I'm not sure if anyone mentioned Berea - it's close to Middleburg Heights and seems to get a lot of positive compliments. No idea about the school system though.

"NR seems less built up than Strongsville from the map, a good thing, IMO."

 

Give it time. Also, I'm not sure if anyone mentioned Berea - it's close to Middleburg Heights and seems to get a lot of positive compliments. No idea about the school system though.

 

Given time, is it likely that sprawl will occur beyond south of NR, Strongsville into Medina and Summit counties?  I saw Cleveland Clinic facility in Strongsville.  This lead me to think that the clinic expects this area to continue to grow.

Does the park have a lake?

 

Does Lake Erie count?

Does the park have a lake?

 

Does Lake Erie count?

 

Its not a part of the national park.  This counts. 

The schools aren't bad in Parma. It's 50/50 college/no-college. Alot of people use that as benchmark. It's truly average. NR is something like 90/10. But there are significant income differences between the two cities, so that can skew the numbers. As for NR growth....I think NR has about 30,000 vs. Parma/Parma Hts. (same size in area) has combined population around 115,000. It grows at about 7K-10K every 10 years. Although to be honest, with Strongsville maxing out...the growth may come faster. That being said the Cleveland area isn't like the DC area..you won't see 34,000 homes built in 6 months in an area. Sprawl is much slower, which is one of the reasons I think Cleveland's metro "population stall" is far from a bad thing. MayDay is right....Berea is nice...have no idea about the schools. Same with Midpark High (Middleburg Hts.)...I hear it's good...but no personal experince with it.

 

Also, Parma, NR, Berea, Middleburg, Seven Hills....are all very safe places. Not much in the crime dept.

"Given time, is it likely that sprawl will occur beyond south of NR, Strongsville into Medina and Summit counties?  I saw Cleveland Clinic facility in Strongsville.  This lead me to think that the clinic expects this area to continue to grow."

 

Absolutely. It's already happening there - people who once lived in places like Lakewood, Fairview Park, and North Olmsted left because those areas became "too built up" and "traffic was too much" and moved to places like Strongsville. Now that Strongsville is getting "too built up", people are leaving for places like... you got it, North Royalton and Medina. Look at any of the "built up" 'burbs in Cuyahoga County and you see the exact same pattern:

 

Beachwood/Solon --> Bainbridge/Aurora/Concord and Russell Townships

Westlake/Rocky River --> Avon/Avon Lake/North Ridgeville

Independence --> Brecksville/Richfield

 

The problem with the development patterns of the newer (further out) suburbs is that people move into what seems like a nice "rural" atmosphere with their half-acred subdivisions and lower taxes. Then, a few years later their bucolic subdivision becomes surrounded by other subdivisions and the requisite retail strip which brings traffic and additional development. Schools become overcrowded, so taxes are raised; infrastructure is strained, so rates go up and taxes are raised. What happens next? They move even further out which puts even more strain on resources (federal dollars spent on widening highways, waterlines being extended, etc.). As AmrapinVA said - sprawl may be slower but with a stagnant population, you won't have new blood building up the tax base that's needed to pay for that sprawl.

 

/rant

And in case you happen to choose to live in the City of Cleveland, don't forget about the 15yr tax abatement on all new housing. :)

Mayday - I thought you didn't go anywhere south of I-480 ;)

 

Again, as KJP said.....this isn't about urban wants and needs. This person is working in Parma Heights. The only neighborhood that would make sense in the city is Old Brooklyn. Maybe if the job was located IN THE CITY...there would be better options like Ohio City and Shaker Square. There's an ideal and then there's reality. We can rant about sprawl all we want...but if the CITY dosen't attract more jobs how can you stop it?

Speaking of OB, it's not a bad neighborhood. Are they still busing people all over Cleveland or is Rhodes the neighborhood school now?

"Mayday - I thought you didn't go anywhere south of I-480"

 

I do, I just try to make sure it's done as quickly as possible ;-)

 

I'm not saying, nor have I ever said that people should only live within the city, in a high-rise, or in an area with 100K people per square mile. I'm not saying that the suburbs are some evil no-man's-land and that suburbanites are environment-destroying, nouveau riche jackasses. I've lived in Lakewood, Westlake, and Hudson myself.

 

What I *am* saying is that there are plenty of livable options for families with children in places such as Lakewood, Parma Heights, Middleburg Heights, etc. Places that are away from the city enough to have some quiet, but close enough without having to add yet another lemming to the hordes who think they've "escaped" the hustle and bustle of places like Strongsville by wiping out one more half-acre of trees only to repeat the process 10 miles and five years down the road. I'm not saying people shouldn't have a choice but I do think people should seriously reflect on how their choice affects the region and the world beyond their little bubble (and that goes for everyone).

Fair enough...I agree with that. I just brought up NR becuase it probably has the best public schools in the "region". That's all.

Cleveland students have the option of going to the school they want to go to. Forced busing no longer exists. But if you're neighborhood school is worse than the others, then you're forced to try to get your kid in another school. Rhodes is about as good of a high school you can get in the Cleveland public school system. But there are also some good parochial schools in Old Brooklyn (St. Leo the Great Elementary School, St. Mary Byzantine School, Corpus Christi School). When the kids leave those schools at the end of each day, many walk home unescorted by adults. I think that says a lot about a neighborhood.

"Fair enough...I agree with that. I just brought up NR becuase it probably has the best public schools in the "region". That's all."

 

Don't get me wrong - even though I don't have children, I appreciate the value of quality schools. However - what happens when those schools in North Royalton become overcrowded, and residents seeking tax relief from their previous suburbs are once again faced with passing levies and raising their low taxes? See North Olmsted. I'm not trying to argue, but there's a reason that I steer people away from the outermost 'burbs - I've seen it time and time again.

re: Cleveland Schools

 

The new John Hay is supposed to be exceptional. I have been really impressed by what I've seen at this place. Well-mannered students in uniform, gorgeous facilities, 7:45 to 3:30 daily schedule, and an all-star administration.  Granted, the school is only for 9th graders this year. But its a great strategy to create a new culture.

re: Cleveland Schools

 

The new John Hay is supposed to be exceptional. I have been really impressed by what I've seen at this place. Well-mannered students in uniform, gorgeous facilities, 7:45 to 3:30 daily schedule, and an all-star administration.  Granted, the school is only for 9th graders this year. But its a great strategy to create a new culture.

 

I agree!  I would like to add John Adams

If you're searching based on school quality, I would also suggest Olmsted Falls - excellent school district, smaller enrollment than Parma or Berea.  From their website - "Olmsted Falls City Schools prides itself on outstanding academic programs, modern facilities and well trained staff. The District, which currently serves more than 3,500 students (Pre-K through 12th Grade) has earned the Ohio Department of Education’s rating of Excellent on the annual school report card six consecutive years, one of just 22 schools in the state to achieve that distinction."  www.ofcs.k12.oh.us

 

OF has a quaint downtown area with gift/antique shops, a book store (same owner as Crooked River in the Galleria), tea room, family restaurants, as well as the basic necessities such as drug store, grocery within the town limits, has easy access north to Great Northern for additional shopping  or east into downtown Berea.  Housing is definitely affordable within the range sparky specified.  Metroparks Rocky River Reservation has a nature center and the Frostville Museum off Columbia Rd south of 480.  The commute to Parma Hts would be east along Bagley through Berea and Middleburg Hts; downside is relatively poor highway access (no interchange with the Turnpike that runs through town) and minimal public transportation (although the North Olmsted park and ride is just a couple miles up Columbia Rd.)  Other considerations are frequent train traffic and noise issues related to the airport runways.  City website is www.olmstedfalls.org

 

It's definitely farther from downtown than I would choose to live, but could be a good fit for sparky's situation.

 

For a suburb, I love Olmsted Falls. The only suburb I love more is Chagrin Falls. Must be something about suburbs ending in the word "falls."

For a suburb, I love Olmsted Falls. The only suburb I love more is Chagrin Falls. Must be something about suburbs ending in the word "falls."

 

KJP, I agree, Chagrin Falls is stunning.

 

I noticed something, the majority of UrbanOhio's NE Ohio members are from the West Side of Cleveland.

 

US East Siders are definitely in the minority.

Yeah, but I lived for 26 years on the East Side, and only 13 years thus far on the West Side. So in terms of tenure, I'm still an East Sider. But I consider myself multi-cultural and geographically balanced since I've lived on the northeast side of the metro area (Highland Heights), southeast side (Chagrin Falls/Bainbridge), way-southeast side (Kent), southwest side (Berea) and now west side (Lakewood). And while I've never lived due south, my sister does (in Parma) and so does my father (Brecksville).

Yeah, but I lived for 26 years on the East Side, and only 13 years thus far on the West Side. So in terms of tenure, I'm still an East Sider. But I consider myself multi-cultural and geographically balanced since I've lived on the northeast side of the metro area (Highland Heights), southeast side (Chagrin Falls/Bainbridge), way-southeast side (Kent), southwest side (Berea) and now west side (Lakewood). And while I've never lived due south, my sister does (in Parma) and so does my father (Brecksville).

 

Looks like you're our resident (no pun intended) gypsy!