I've posted on here before - it's been awhile and after well over a year of looking my wife and I still cannot decide where to live.  Currently residing in Lakewood in a very small home that I bought 5 years ago.  Either we are going to sell it or rent it.  The current market is looking like a sell would require a loss to us.  Depending on how deep of a loss - it might be something we are willing to deal with. 

 

Our current situation:

 

Our Age - early to mid 30's

Kids - Trying

Price cap - 300K (with tax abatements)

Price cap - 220-250K (with tax depending on tax rate)

 

Would like to be further East.

 

We love new construction and modern design and would love to get into something newer if possible.  Townhomes aren't our #1 choice, but we would consider them. 

 

Also looking for a relatively safe area.  I know safe is a relatively broad term, so by safe - I mean we feel safe in Lakewood and would feel safe there with a child.  The transitional areas of Cleveland do inspire us.  We've looked in Ohio City and Tremont, but after hours of driving and walking through those 2 areas have decided they aren't for us. 

 

Also - as far as schools go - we are open to private schools if the areas pubic system is lacking. 

 

So - if anyone can point us to something that they think would be a good fit - please feel free to do so.

 

"We've looked in Ohio City and Tremont, but after hours of driving and walking through those 2 areas have decided they aren't for us."

 

If you don't mind my asking - what didn't work for you about Ohio City and Tremont? 

No problem asking - My wife and I rode our bikes there last summer and went up and down many blocks - I asked her after the bike ride if it was a place she would feel safe strolling along with a baby by herself in the early evening and her reply was no - I sort of felt the same way - didn't think I'd feel comfortable with her doing this either. 

Fair enough. And to other forumers - there's no need to get all worked up, they're entitled to their opinion :-)

So I assume that your feelings of the area and if you were in my/my wife's shoes would feel completely different about the area? 

Im a big burly guy and I don't think I'd want to walk in SOME parts of Tremont and SOME parts of Ohio City at dusk. I've written about it before and I will say it again, its those big groups of kids nobody is watching that have caused me the most trouble. The thing is, both areas have quickly up-and-coming sub-neighborhoods where I would feel just fine and I wouln't mind my girlfriend going out either. Easpecially Tremont's east side...take another stroll/bike/drive.

^And of course check out downtown...I actually see strollers at the Bingham!  :-D

So I assume that your feelings of the area and if you were in my/my wife's shoes would feel completely different about the area? 

as a female I would and do feel comfortable in these areas-but certainly respect 100% someones opinion, esp since parts of these areas are not statistically low crime. There are some areas in oc I would not want to walk around alone at night. I would not spend that kind of money in a neighborhood you did not feel comfortable. What amenties are you looking for in a neighborhood? I think of places like Old Brooklyn as really safe, but there are not the dining, grocery and other amenities as say oc. OC is actually child friendly.

So I assume that your feelings of the area and if you were in my/my wife's shoes would feel completely different about the area? 

 

here are my two cents..

 

I live in Ohio City and am currently taking off two weeks to stay home with a newborn and our 2.5 yr old. I have been very encouraged by the amount of young moms walking around the neighborhood with strollers during the day. A lot of young moms putting the jogging strollers to work.

 

I'm not saying that you should or should not feel comfortable, but just that a lot of young moms do feel comfortable.

 

 

How much further east do you want to go?  Not too much further, and you may try Edgewater, maybe the area along Baltic.  A little further you might check out Battery Park, though if OC and Tremont don't feel safe, that area may not either.  Check and see.  You may check out Little Italy or Cleveland Heights to, if you want to go over to the east side.

So I assume that your feelings of the area and if you were in my/my wife's shoes would feel completely different about the area? 

 

I live in Tremont and I'm the first to admit there has been a *rare* occasion or two where I've not felt the safest, but no more than I would in any urban neigbhorhood in the US. Like goteenb has said, some of the older kids in groups can be reason for concern. However, my comfort level is likely different from yours (different, not better) and if you and your wife don't care for Tremont/Ohio City, or whatever neighborhood - that's fine. :-)

 

I was asking so we could address any specific concerns and/or dispel any inaccurate information. No one's going to think any less of you, and whatever info you can give us can help us steer you somewhere that's more to your liking.

There are many newer homes in the South Hills part of Old Brooklyn.  Try taking a ride along Spring Road and the streets north of it just west of the Jennings Freeway (I-176).  Here's the Google Maps Street View with which you can play around.

 

The neighborhood is very safe and quiet, and for what it's worth, a lot of police officers and City of Cleveland employees live in the area.  The CMSD schools in Old Brooklyn are supposedly some of the best in the district, and there are a few quality public schools, like St. Leo's, that aren't too far from South Hills.