Hey everyone-

 

I've read through a lot of the posts on this forum regarding relocating to Cleveland but couldn't find anything really applicable to our situation.

 

My fiancee and I are considering moving to Cleveland from Houston, TX sometime this fall.  I'm originally from the midwest and want to get back closer to my family, experience four seasons again (I'm tired of the hot & humid season, and the not quite so hot & humid season) and enjoy the outdoors more.  The job I would be taking is located just west of NASA and the airport in Brook Park.  My question is: what neighborhoods/suburbs would you recommend living in, given the following:

 

Late 20s couple

Considering kids in the next few years (probably would home school)

Like parks/hiking/trails

Occasional trips to museums/concerts

Not really into clubs/dancing/late nights at the bar (although I do like beer)

Would like to commute, grocery shop & run errands on foot/bike

Would consider taking the bus/train to work but don't want to spend a lot of time switching trains or walking to a stop

Rent on a 2+bedroom apartment less than $1000 per month

 

It seemed to me that Rocky River wouldn't be a bad area.  Is there a "downtown" part of Rocky River where we could live and walk/bike to dinner/pub/grocery store?  If so, what are some intersections?  I'm a little concerned about noise living too close to the airport.

 

Any other suggestions (Kamms corner, west park, fairview park)?  We'll be coming up for a weekend in 2 weeks to check out neighborhoods and decide if we really want to do this.

 

Can anyone comment on their experience taking a bike on the bus/train?

Is there a recommend website(s) for apartment finding or an apartment locator service?

 

Thanks so much!

Welcome AeroScarr!  Good luck on your move.  I can't help you on a westside relocation but, when you move bring the whole damn Galleria Mall, including both Westins, with you!  :laugh:

I used to live in the Rice Hotel on Texas and Main. 

What is your favorite part of Houston, and why and I will try to offer some advice.

 

 

Right now I live in Clear Lake on the southeast side of Houston.  I really like The Heights and Rice Village areas (Montrose isn't bad either), but they're too much of a commute for me when you figure in Houston traffic (and the houses were a little too pricey for a first home).  The neighborhood I live in now is actually really convenient; only 4 miles to work, less than a half mile to the grocery store and tons of restaurants (where in Houston doesn't have a ton of restaurants though?).  Riding my bike in my neighborhood isn't too bad, although in most of the rest of Houston it's terrible/dangerous.

You seem to be on the on right track already with the communities you've mentioned!!!  I'd also add Lakewood into that mix (especially if you want to rent because in Lakewood you have A LOT of realy neat options). West Park (actually a city of Cleveland neighborhood that includes Kamm's Corners), Lakewood, Fairview Park and Rocky River seem to meet all your standards. These are all what we call "inner-ring" suburbs. They really have the advantages of urban and suburban living, have a beautiful older stock of homes that you couldn't build today, and attract middle class families as well as some singles and childless couples.

 

-All are accessbile to the Cleveland Metropark's Rocky River Reservation which is a fantastic park system with miles and miles of multi-purpose trails and other recreational opportunities (http://www.clemetparks.com/index.asp) - you will love it.

 

-All these communities have convenient transportation options. They are served well by public transit - but West Park is the only one with immediate Rapid Red Line access.

 

-Most of the neighborhoods in the communities are within walking distance to commercial areas (convenient stores, grocery, restaurants, pubs, etc.). Detroit Avenue is the major commercial thoroughfare through Lakwood and Rocky River. Lorain Avenue is the major commercial thoroughfare through West Park and Fairview Park. You could certainly think of these avenues as "downtown", but if you are to say "downtown" in these communities everyone will think you are talking about downtown Cleveland.

 

-From Rocky River and Lakewood it is very convenient to take the Shoreway or I-90 east to go towards Downtown and University Circle for concerts and museums. From Fairview Park or West Park it is very easy to get on I-90 or I-480 (depending on what end you live on) to head east and access Downtown and University Circle.

 

Rocky River and Lakewood are a little more on the ritzy side - Rocky River especially - because they are lakefront communities. They've got some especially nice lakefront parks and recreational opportunities. The homes and neighborhoods right on the Lake are very prestigeous. I'd also say that Detroit Avenue through Lakewood and Rocky River have more nicer options in terms of neighborhood amenities, retail, dining, and entertainment than Lorain Avenue.

 

The noise from the airport certainly won't be a factor in Lakewood or Rocky River, and the noise is probably not a factor anywhere North of Lorain Avenue in West Park or Fairview Park.

 

If home-schooling is your personal preference that's fine, but just to let you know: the public school system in Rocky River is fantastic and the systems in Fairview Park and Lakwood are very decent. There are also A LOT of parochial schools in these communities. A lot of people send their children to these schools because they are Catholic, but a lot of other people send their children there because they consider them a relatively cheap alternative to the public schools. Again, if its your personal preference to home-school that's great, but I just know I've heard that public school systems out west are terrible and private schools aren't too numerous or affordable. Here in Cleveland that's not really the case.

 

Rocky River would be a good choice near the little downtown, though outside of that it is pretty sprawlville.  Check around the intersection of Detroit and Wooster Rd.  If you decide against home schooling, Rocky River does have the best schools of all the places we're discussing (in fact some of the best in the region), but it sounds like that is a years-off concern.

 

Lakewood, just across the Rocky River (the river the burb is named for), is a better choice if you want a more urban lifestyle.  Especially consider the west end of town, as you will have easy access to the Rocky River Reservation (you would have easy access to this if you lived near downtown Rocky River, too).  You could use the Rocky River Reservation to commute on your bike, or by car.  It would be one of the most beautiful commutes a person could have.  I don't know about transit connections, bus if any.  There are plenty of restaurants, pubs, and specialty shops, including small grocers within walking distance anywhere in Lakewood.  There is a grocery store downtown, though it would be a hike from the west end.

 

You could also check the Kamm's Corner area of Cleveland.  Check around the intersection of Lorain and Rocky River, the old neighborhood center of this area, and go north towards the Lakewood border from there, not south.  This area would have a little more jet noise, though still not bad, unless you go South of where I indicated.  Access to the Rocky River Reservation is excellent, and the nicest housing tends to be nearest to the reservation, it becomes more working class as you get past Warren.  You'd also be in biking distance of the Red Line, which could take you Downtown or to University Circle, Cleveland's cultural center.

 

Fairview Park and Westpark outside of Kamm's Corners (which is a subneighborhood of Westpark), are kind of bland and sprawly.

 

You may want to check out Ohio City or Tremont, which have been amply covered in the relocation threads here.  They are bit more urban and happening than the places mentioned above, but don't have the access to outdoor amenities you mentioned you would like, and would be a bit longer of a commute.

 

Good luck!

To answer your questions about taking bicycles on trains and buses... All RTA buses are equipped with bike racks that can accommodate up to two bicycles. There is no time of day restriction on taking them on buses. There is, however, a restriction on taking bicycles on the trains. You can't takes bikes on trains between 7-8 a.m. and 4:30-5:30 p.m. weekdays, or duing special events (like Indians/Browns/Cavs games, Air show, etc.) when there are large crowds on board. Only two bicycles are allowed on each train car at a time on first-come, first-served basis. See http://www.riderta.com/ro_bike.asp for more information on taking bikes on RTA.

 

As for suggestions on where to live, all of the areas mentioned are good -- the areas along the Cleveland Metroparks Rocky River Reservation (the Metroparks calls each of their geographic areas "reservations"). There is a string of them that encircles the metro area called the Emerald Necklace. You can bicycle on the parkways or on all-purpose trails throughout the whole necklace. And, at the bottom, or southern-central part near Brecksville, the Cleveland Metroparks trails and parkways connect with the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The CVNP has its own system of trails (the spine is the Towpath Trail) and is served Wednesday through Sunday, April through December, by the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad which allows bikes on the trains (no limit on the number).

 

Commuting between areas along the Rocky River valley (especially on the west side of the valley) would most likely be by car or bicycle, as transit service is limited here. Transit is better on the east side of the valley (primarily in the City of Cleveland), where the #86 bus operates the length of Rocky River Drive, from Lakewood, through Kamm's Corners area of Cleveland, to Berea (another historic town surrounded by suburbia).

 

Berea is worth considering, too! It is the home of Baldwin-Wallace College (founded in the mid-1800s), has a great old downtown with some new construction, has the Metroparks and some very pretty lakes for recreation.

You may also want to try the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood.  I'm not sure about what rental properties are available but lots of for sale and new development.  It is covered under other threads here under Batter Park (new development), Gordon Square (arts district) and Detroit Shoreway.  You could contact the Detroit Shoreway Community Development Corporation for information.  I work in the Strongsville/Brunswick area which is south of the airport area where you will be.  For me it is a 35 minute commute but yours would not be as long, I don't believe. 

The good news is that Brook Park is served by commuter train, known locally as the Rapid. The West Park neighborhoods are only a couple stops away -- about a 10 minute ride, tops. The stops in that neighborhood are more "park and ride" than pedestrian-oriented, but you could easily walk or ride your bike to them from most parts of West Park. In fact, depending on how long of bike ride you can handle, you could bike to work pretty easily from West Park, Lakewood or Rocky River. Rocky River Drive (Route 237) would be a good route -- it runs between the aforementioned three neighborhoods to the airport, and is a very pleasant street.

So glad you did not say "I like the Gallaria area"  :)

Those were my favorite spots in Houston, my favorite bar is the Ginger Man in Rice Village, not to mention the BW-3s with the big Ohio State flag.

 

Anywho my suggestions would be:

1. Detroit-Shoreway (usually my first choice anyways)

2. Cleveland Hts.

3. Tremont/Ohio city

 

I will let you use our search function to gather info on those communities.  You can also go to the main urban ohio page and do a neighborhood tour.

 

I live in the SW corner of Lakewood, on the Westpark border.  From my house to Brookpark Road, it is about 5 miles straight down Rocky River Dr.  I would say that anywhere north of Kamm's Corners (intersection of Rocky River Dr and Lorain) in WestPark (staying on the streets that come off of Rocky River Dr) would be perfect for what you are looking for.  Its a nice neighborhood.  Rent shouldn't be more than$600-$800 (and maybe cheaper).  You'd be less than a mile from Kamm's, where you can do your errands (grocery shopping, banks, drugstore, restaurants, pubs...especially Irish pubs, etc).  There is also an entrance to the Rocky River Reservation less than a mile away off of Old Hogsback Rd.   You can get to I-90 very quickly at McKinley Ave. 

 

Feel free to ask or send me a private message if you want more information about this area, or Lakewood/Rocky River/Fairview Park/Westpark in general.

One thing I do need to let you know is that you aren't just looking for proximity to the Rocky River Reservation, but access points, they can be a little scarce, so check a map carefully.

Thanks everyone!  We really appreciate the information and it sounds tons better than Houston already.  We can't wait to come up and check out the city next week.

Well let us know what things you want to see do.

 

Most folks here are realist and will tell you what to "really" expect and be straight to the point about it!

definitely go for rocky river or lakewood! however finding rentals in lakewood may be a bit easier. there are awesome ivy-covered gothic apt. buildings right on the lake. *check out clifton blvd. or edgewater*, which are right on the lake - beautiful. detroit is great too but more hectic, though you would be able to walk to a lot of places. western or central lakewood are nicer than eastern lakewood as a general rule. i am relocating to lakewood from nyc myself in 9 days, with my fiance! just bought our first house. :)

Fantastic! Welcome to my neighborhood (Lakewood resident at east end of Clifton since 1996).

definitely go for rocky river or lakewood! however finding rentals in lakewood may be a bit easier. there are awesome ivy-covered gothic apt. buildings right on the lake. *check out clifton blvd. or edgewater*, which are right on the lake - beautiful. detroit is great too but more hectic, though you would be able to walk to a lot of places. western or central lakewood are nicer than eastern lakewood as a general rule. i am relocating to lakewood from nyc myself in 9 days, with my fiance! just bought our first house. :)

 

From NYC?  What part?  I swear there are just as many UrbanOhioans in NYC as there are in Ohio!  LOL

definitely go for rocky river or lakewood! however finding rentals in lakewood may be a bit easier. there are awesome ivy-covered gothic apt. buildings right on the lake. *check out clifton blvd. or edgewater*, which are right on the lake - beautiful. detroit is great too but more hectic, though you would be able to walk to a lot of places. western or central lakewood are nicer than eastern lakewood as a general rule. i am relocating to lakewood from nyc myself in 9 days, with my fiance! just bought our first house. :)

 

Congrats on the house, and welcome to C-town. Are you originally from NYC?

^ and ^^ - Just a reminder:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=10350.0

thank you!

i am originally from mentor. i've lived in nyc for the past 7 years -- ALL different parts of it (queens, manhattan, bklyn).  astoria is where i've lived for the past 1/2 year or so. i am very excited to finally be coming back to cleveland! i appreciate it 100x more now than i did growing up.

^ and ^^ - Just a reminder:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=10350.0

 

ha ha! i can't believe it's finally happening next week.

thank you!

i am originally from mentor. i've lived in nyc for the past 7 years -- ALL different parts of it (queens, manhattan, bklyn).  astoria is where i've lived for the past 1/2 year or so. i am very excited to finally be coming back to cleveland! i appreciate it 100x more now than i did growing up.

 

So where in NYC are you currently?

astoria, as i said! :)

astoria, as i said! :)

I guess I'm having a Senior moment.  Oh...just across the water from me.   

so you're not "living large in beautiful shaker square"?

so you're not "living large in beautiful shaker square"?

 

I live in both places.