While Shaker is a fine example of a planned streetcar suburbs and these homes (and many more) are beautiful, much of Shaker is working class, white flight continues to plague the city and the taxes are the highest in the state. The future unfortunately does not look bright for Shaker. The rich will stay, send their kids to private schools and most the upper middle class (except for the liberals seeking an extremely diverse schooling for their kids) will continue to flee to Beachwood or points east. Not to mention an extremely high foreclosure rate; My money says don't buy in Shaker....you won't make a thing.

 

Its hard for an outsider looking in to understand why shaker residents love the city so much so i don't expect you to understand, but let me tell you that you are completely off base.  If shaker residents wanted to live in beachwood then they would have done so to begin with.  As for the private school thought of yours, WTF?  One of the great attractions of the city are the fine schools and you pay for them through the high taxes as it is.  You think people want to pay the taxes and then pay $20k to send their kid to private school too?  Not many people I know that's for sure.  I am not a liberal, yet place a high value on the diversity of shaker (there goes your theory) .  I didn't fully appreciate it until I went away to school and met people without the experience I had and noticed how sheltered they were in the ways of people different from themselves.  that is just one of the many things people move to the city for.  What city do you live in and what makes it so much better?  Can't wait to hear this. 

It’s interesting to read all the comments about Shaker Heights. When I was growing up in the 60’s in small town Painesville (30 miles NE), Shaker Heights was considered the crème de la crème of classy suburbs. As I recall its stellar reputation extended well beyond the Cleveland area. When I was in college I worked in a restaurant briefly with a girl from Shaker (who had just come back from Israel for a year, so she was a tough as nails!) who grew up next door to Howard Metzenbaum—so I figured her family had a few bucks. But I guess like all older suburbs, it appears to have changed considerably. PS. Here I have to confess to being an American Idol addict: remember contestant Scott “Vote For the Worst” Savol a few seasons ago? I recall being shocked that such a seemingly lunkheaded individual would be from classy Shaker Heights. Unlike most towns that produce AI finalists, Shaker Heights residents must have been downright embarrassed!!

It’s interesting to read all the comments about Shaker Heights. When I was growing up in the 60’s in small town Painesville (30 miles NE), Shaker Heights was considered the crème de la crème of classy suburbs. As I recall its stellar reputation extended well beyond the Cleveland area. When I was in college I worked in a restaurant briefly with a girl from Shaker (who had just come back from Israel for a year, so she was a tough as nails!) who grew up next door to Howard Metzenbaum—so I figured her family had a few bucks. But I guess like all older suburbs, it appears to have changed considerably. PS. Here I have to confess to being an American Idol addict: remember contestant Scott “Vote For the Worst” Savol a few seasons ago? I recall being shocked that such a seemingly lunkheaded individual would be from classy Shaker Heights. Unlike most towns that produce AI finalists, Shaker Heights residents must have been downright embarrassed!!

 

We'll in the 70's the Hillcrest core, Cleveland Hts., Shaker Hts., Beachwood, Pepper Pike was the richest section of Ohio. 

 

Cleveland Hts. and Shaker Hts. will never lose their "luster" because of the beautiful homes. 

 

My cousin lives north of Chagrin, in Beachwood, in those Gawd awful tacky as 70s houses.  Who will want to live in that in 20 years?  They certainly wont appreciate like the homes in the Heigh  My parents house is 80 years old, the homes around are similar in age.  Just like the homes in Forest Hills, someone will always want to live there.

 

The Shaker/Cleve. Hts. area has always been popular with local entertainers and athletes.

 

Savol actually lived in Cleveland, Shaker Square.

Cleveland Hts. and Shaker Hts. will never lose their "luster" because of the beautiful homes. 

 

My cousin lives north of Chagrin, in Beachwood, in those Gawd awful tacky as 70s houses.  Who will want to live in that in 20 years? 

 

I think this is dead on.  Shaker will continue to change demographically to some extent, but given the quality of the housing and its proximity to the University Circle and downtown (particularly with high gas prices), it will continue to be a sought after community.  I would worry much more about Euclid, Garfield Heights, Maple Heights and even Beachwood, Mayfield Heights and other farther out suburbs with undistinguished housing stock.

 

Also, note that "white flight" does not describe the racial change happening in many places.  It's really about the demographics of the families replacing those who are moving out.

 

The city does face some challenges though- the foreclosure rate is actually pretty significant, but it is almost completely confined to the southwest corner of the city (which has very different housing from the rest of the city).

It’s interesting to read all the comments about Shaker Heights. When I was growing up in the 60’s in small town Painesville (30 miles NE), Shaker Heights was considered the crème de la crème of classy suburbs. As I recall its stellar reputation extended well beyond the Cleveland area. When I was in college I worked in a restaurant briefly with a girl from Shaker (who had just come back from Israel for a year, so she was a tough as nails!) who grew up next door to Howard Metzenbaum—so I figured her family had a few bucks. But I guess like all older suburbs, it appears to have changed considerably. PS. Here I have to confess to being an American Idol addict: remember contestant Scott “Vote For the Worst” Savol a few seasons ago? I recall being shocked that such a seemingly lunkheaded individual would be from classy Shaker Heights. Unlike most towns that produce AI finalists, Shaker Heights residents must have been downright embarrassed!!

 

We'll in the 70's the Hillcrest core, Cleveland Hts., Shaker Hts., Beachwood, Pepper Pike was the richest section of Ohio. 

 

Cleveland Hts. and Shaker Hts. will never lose their "luster" because of the beautiful homes. 

 

My cousin lives north of Chagrin, in Beachwood, in those Gawd awful tacky as 70s houses.  Who will want to live in that in 20 years?  They certainly wont appreciate like the homes in the Heigh  My parents house is 80 years old, the homes around are similar in age.  Just like the homes in Forest Hills, someone will always want to live there.

 

The Shaker/Cleve. Hts. area has always been popular with local entertainers and athletes.

 

Savol actually lived in Cleveland, Shaker Square.

 

Savol actually lived in Cleveland, Shaker Square. :oh, I see, he was trying to upgrade his status! But it forever shattered the myth (self-imagined) that life Shaker Heights was like a 40's  screwball comedy adrift on a sea of high-WASP culture (too many Katharine Hepburn & Cary Grant movies)

It’s interesting to read all the comments about Shaker Heights. When I was growing up in the 60’s in small town Painesville (30 miles NE), Shaker Heights was considered the crème de la crème of classy suburbs. As I recall its stellar reputation extended well beyond the Cleveland area. When I was in college I worked in a restaurant briefly with a girl from Shaker (who had just come back from Israel for a year, so she was a tough as nails!) who grew up next door to Howard Metzenbaum—so I figured her family had a few bucks. But I guess like all older suburbs, it appears to have changed considerably. PS. Here I have to confess to being an American Idol addict: remember contestant Scott “Vote For the Worst” Savol a few seasons ago? I recall being shocked that such a seemingly lunkheaded individual would be from classy Shaker Heights. Unlike most towns that produce AI finalists, Shaker Heights residents must have been downright embarrassed!!

 

We'll in the 70's the Hillcrest core, Cleveland Hts., Shaker Hts., Beachwood, Pepper Pike was the richest section of Ohio. 

 

Cleveland Hts. and Shaker Hts. will never lose their "luster" because of the beautiful homes. 

 

My cousin lives north of Chagrin, in Beachwood, in those Gawd awful tacky as 70s houses.  Who will want to live in that in 20 years?   They certainly wont appreciate like the homes in the Heigh  My parents house is 80 years old, the homes around are similar in age.  Just like the homes in Forest Hills, someone will always want to live there.

 

The Shaker/Cleve. Hts. area has always been popular with local entertainers and athletes.

 

Savol actually lived in Cleveland, Shaker Square.

 

Savol actually lived in Cleveland, Shaker Square. :oh, I see, he was trying to upgrade his status! But it forever shattered the myth (self-imagined) that life Shaker Heights was like a 40's  screwball comedy adrift on a sea of high-WASP culture (too many Katharine Hepburn & Cary Grant movies)

 

My parents neighbors are WASP (think Will's mother on Will & Grace - shes always trying to outdo me) or Jewish.

 

However, North Park & West Park is the height of Greater Cleveland "snobbery" with Fairmount being a close second!

It’s interesting to read all the comments about Shaker Heights. When I was growing up in the 60’s in small town Painesville (30 miles NE), Shaker Heights was considered the crème de la crème of classy suburbs. As I recall its stellar reputation extended well beyond the Cleveland area. When I was in college I worked in a restaurant briefly with a girl from Shaker (who had just come back from Israel for a year, so she was a tough as nails!) who grew up next door to Howard Metzenbaum—so I figured her family had a few bucks. But I guess like all older suburbs, it appears to have changed considerably. PS. Here I have to confess to being an American Idol addict: remember contestant Scott “Vote For the Worst” Savol a few seasons ago? I recall being shocked that such a seemingly lunkheaded individual would be from classy Shaker Heights. Unlike most towns that produce AI finalists, Shaker Heights residents must have been downright embarrassed!!

 

We'll in the 70's the Hillcrest core, Cleveland Hts., Shaker Hts., Beachwood, Pepper Pike was the richest section of Ohio.

 

Cleveland Hts. and Shaker Hts. will never lose their "luster" because of the beautiful homes.

 

My cousin lives north of Chagrin, in Beachwood, in those Gawd awful tacky as 70s houses. Who will want to live in that in 20 years?   They certainly wont appreciate like the homes in the Heigh My parents house is 80 years old, the homes around are similar in age. Just like the homes in Forest Hills, someone will always want to live there.

 

The Shaker/Cleve. Hts. area has always been popular with local entertainers and athletes.

 

Savol actually lived in Cleveland, Shaker Square.

 

Savol actually lived in Cleveland, Shaker Square. :oh, I see, he was trying to upgrade his status! But it forever shattered the myth (self-imagined) that life Shaker Heights was like a 40's screwball comedy adrift on a sea of high-WASP culture (too many Katharine Hepburn & Cary Grant movies)

 

Savol did go to SHHS though.  I prefer to claim Nate Clements (I think they were in the same grade). 

It’s interesting to read all the comments about Shaker Heights. When I was growing up in the 60’s in small town Painesville (30 miles NE), Shaker Heights was considered the crème de la crème of classy suburbs. As I recall its stellar reputation extended well beyond the Cleveland area. When I was in college I worked in a restaurant briefly with a girl from Shaker (who had just come back from Israel for a year, so she was a tough as nails!) who grew up next door to Howard Metzenbaum—so I figured her family had a few bucks. But I guess like all older suburbs, it appears to have changed considerably. PS. Here I have to confess to being an American Idol addict: remember contestant Scott “Vote For the Worst” Savol a few seasons ago? I recall being shocked that such a seemingly lunkheaded individual would be from classy Shaker Heights. Unlike most towns that produce AI finalists, Shaker Heights residents must have been downright embarrassed!!

 

We'll in the 70's the Hillcrest core, Cleveland Hts., Shaker Hts., Beachwood, Pepper Pike was the richest section of Ohio. 

 

Cleveland Hts. and Shaker Hts. will never lose their "luster" because of the beautiful homes. 

 

My cousin lives north of Chagrin, in Beachwood, in those Gawd awful tacky as 70s houses.  Who will want to live in that in 20 years?   They certainly wont appreciate like the homes in the Heigh  My parents house is 80 years old, the homes around are similar in age.  Just like the homes in Forest Hills, someone will always want to live there.

 

The Shaker/Cleve. Hts. area has always been popular with local entertainers and athletes.

 

Savol actually lived in Cleveland, Shaker Square.

 

Savol actually lived in Cleveland, Shaker Square. :oh, I see, he was trying to upgrade his status! But it forever shattered the myth (self-imagined) that life Shaker Heights was like a 40's  screwball comedy adrift on a sea of high-WASP culture (too many Katharine Hepburn & Cary Grant movies)

 

Savol did go to SHHS though.  I prefer to claim Nate Clements (I think they were in the same grade). 

 

Did he?  When did he attend? 

Clements graduated in 1998.  Year after me.

Clements graduated in 1998.  Year after me.

oh geeeeezus, you babies!  why did I ask, i feel sooooooooooooooooooo old!

Clements graduated in 1998.  Year after me.

oh geeeeezus, you babies!  why did I ask, i am sooooooooooooooooooo old!

 

Fixed that for you. :laugh:

While Shaker is a fine example of a planned streetcar suburbs and these homes (and many more) are beautiful, much of Shaker is working class, white flight continues to plague the city and the taxes are the highest in the state. The future unfortunately does not look bright for Shaker. The rich will stay, send their kids to private schools and most the upper middle class (except for the liberals seeking an extremely diverse schooling for their kids) will continue to flee to Beachwood or points east. Not to mention an extremely high foreclosure rate; My money says don't buy in Shaker....you won't make a thing.

 

Are you on smack!?

Judging from history, the only way I could see that happening is maybe if there was racially charged riots nearby or something. Looking at the demographics online I'd hardly call it "working class". I hate that term by the way; granted the more money you make, the less you work but they still work.

 

Cleveland Hts. and Shaker Hts. have lots of working class neighborhoods, however, on the surface they appear upper middle class.

 

I'd say that upper class neighborhoods, are a small part of CH & SH, with a sizeable proportion of upper middle class and middle class neighborhoods.

 

The incident with the lawyer who was beaten is a prime example why white flight will not happen in shaker hts or cleveland hts.

 

the neighborhoods are strong and people value their neighbors.

 

Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights both encompass broad ranges of the spectrum.  The south side of CH and the north side of SH (which border eachother) are going nowhere.  They are high class (for the most part) and always will be.  The only hang up IMO is that most of the homes on the market right now in those areas do not have forced air (a must for me to buy).  Beautiful homes nonetheless.

 

The north side of CH (where I grew up) and the south side of Shaker are different stories.  Both have gone down IMO and will continue to do so.  Where I grew up near the intersection of Noble and Monticello was a GREAT family neighborhood in the 1980s.  It just seems so much colder now.  Neighbors are not outside in lawnchairs as they were back in the day.  I can't remember the last time I saw a block party.  Many of the mom and pop shops that defined that neighborhood have left.  And the age of some of the houses are starting to get emphasized due to lack of care and maintenance.  I am not saying that it is 3rd world or anything... it is still an acceptable place to raise a family... just not like it use to be.

 

The southern parts of Shaker are surrounded by other cities/neighborhoods that have no relief in sight (Warrensville, Kinsman, Buckeye) and that inevitably spills over.

Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights both encompass broad ranges of the spectrum.  The south side of CH and the north side of SH (which border eachother) are going nowhere.  They are high class (for the most part) and always will be.  The only hang up IMO is that most of the homes on the market right now in those areas do not have forced air (a must for me to buy).  Beautiful homes nonetheless.

 

The north side of CH (where I grew up) and the south side of Shaker are different stories.  Both have gone down IMO and will continue to do so.  Where I grew up near the intersection of Noble and Monticello was a GREAT family neighborhood in the 1980s.  It just seems so much colder now.  Neighbors are not outside in lawnchairs as they were back in the day.  I can't remember the last time I saw a block party.  Many of the mom and pop shops that defined that neighborhood have left.  And the age of some of the houses are starting to get emphasized due to lack of care and maintenance.  I am not saying that it is 3rd world or anything... it is still an acceptable place to raise a family... just not like it use to be.

 

The southern parts of Shaker are surrounded by other cities/neighborhoods that have no relief in sight (Warrensville, Kinsman, Buckeye) and that inevitably spills over.

 

Our points of view vary.  My cousin lives on oakrdige, which is near you and that are is really nice.  I can't image it being worse or going downhill.  And my cousin who was looking in Richmond Hts., is looking at a house on Yellowstone.

 

Where are/were the mom and pop stores.  The whole are seems very residential.

 

 

The Oakridge neighborhood (b/t Yellowstone and Cle Hts Blvd) is wonderfull.... but just a few short blocks.  Not indicative at all of the neighborhood as a whole.  You might be suprised by how many people have lived there their entire life and don't even know about it.

 

Most of the mom and pop shops were along Noble from Mayfield to Euclid... such as Deli's right across from the Noble library.  It was a grocery store with a butcher's shop that was probably half the size of a modern CVS and we shopped there religiously.  I used to ride my bike to Ruckisan's (might be way off on spelling) at the corner of Roanoke for baseball cards, candy and they even had a counter area where you could sit and have a milkshake.  At those places, first names were common practice.

 

I would not even begin to list all the mom and pop shops that have left that area of Mayfield Road.  But most of all, I miss Gerome's restaraunt which was right next door to Cleveland Sporting Goods (another one depending on how you define "mom and pop shops").

 

A couple are still around such as Dunn's (now affiliated with ACE though) and that upholstery place on Noble the name of which I cannot think of at this time.

Interesting, I dont know that much about the noble road area to have a point of reference.

I love Shaker Heights, and if I had to live in Cleveland, I'd live there and probably send my kids to Shaker Public Schools. My aunt and uncle live on Laurel, right next to the high school (sent their daughter to SPS) so I've been up there a few times a year my entire life (33 years) and while that is by no means the same as growing up there, I have had the pleasure of listening to some big Shaker Boosters talk about their concerns for the city for a long time.

 

The taxes are a huge issue and fewer families with young children (ie going to attend public schools) are moving in because of a variety of reasons, mainly housing costs (relative to what you get further out especially now related to heating and cooling because of housing age and poor insulation), safety concerns (percieved or otherwise), racism, taxes, etc, etc...

 

One point, just recently a family (parents in late 30's) from CA moved in next door. The area where they live has $350K homes...not cheap, not expensive (especially compared to many parts of Shaker) but good for a family making about $100K/year ...They were thrilled to see them move into the neighborhood becuase it had been years since a family (with young kids) moved in on the street. In fact, it was great to just see the home sell becuase it had been on the market for so long, as well as others on the street, at that price point...

 

While I doubt that Shaker will ever turn into the ghetto, my point was that I think it will be a smaller (as a percentage of the whole) diverse rich enclave where parents send their kids to private schools and while much of the remainder loses its diversity and the housing prices decline to the point where parts become worse off (especially those closest to Cleveland and Maple Heights)...Shaker Square is hardley self sufficient and has not become the destination envisioned when "revitalized" a few years ago, and really and unfortunately I think that Shakers future is really tied to the economic future of the Cleveland area, more so than itself...

 

If the Cleveland area can ever turn its act around and attract more jobs and more importantly people, then ultimately the suburbs such as Shaker will benefit as well.

 

 

 

 

I think the "rough" part of CH in question is roughly defined by The E.C. border on the west, Monticello Blvd to the South, Noble/Randolph(one block north of Noble) to the North/east. Along Quilliams to the extreme north is still mostly quiet and filled with 1950's- early '60s housing stock. But I get what you're saying it is different from even 10 years ago.

Shaker Square is hardley self sufficient and has not become the destination envisioned when "revitalized" a few years ago, and really and unfortunately I think that Shakers future is really tied to the economic future of the Cleveland area, more so than itself...

 

Once again, what neighborhood do YOU LIVE IN?

 

As a resident of Shaker Hts. or Shaker Square for 37 of my 42 years, you are so wrong.

 

The Square has alwasy been and will always be a destination.  I've seen the square (along with Buckeye and Larchmere) go thru many changes, most for the good.

 

People used to think of S. Moreland as the worse side of the Square, but my has that changed.  There are more stores on the Square than ever.  People from all over come to the square, not just the immediate residents.

 

If the Cleveland area can ever turn its act around and attract more jobs and more importantly people, then ultimately the suburbs such as Shaker will benefit as well.

 

All of NorthEast Ohio is tied to Cleveland - Period!

 

Another misconception, Cleveland has plenty of jobs, we don't have people QUALIFIED TO FILL THEM.

^Exactly. Most of the jobs being lost are manuacturing jobs. A good portion of those being laid off don't have the skills to compete for the new jobs being offered in NEO in the fields of Medicine, finance, insurance etc..

a photo thread from MTS? I think I have to reply on principle.

 

 

My Two Sense...I live in Charlotte, NC now and have never lived in Cleveland and only spent 9 years of my 33 in SW Ohio, namely Cincinnati and Oxford.

 

I don't doubt that you know more about Shaker because you live there.

 

Shaker because of its history, schools, diversity, and neighborhoods has been and continues to be special and unfortunately unique place. While I hope for the best for the city and schools, I think that a "tipping point" will eventually come, primarily because of the general lack of population growth in the region, especially from young couples with children...and many...not all...of those who do move to Cleveland, will look to other areas for more steady demographics, newer housing stock.....and lower taxes; all of which are partially represented by Shaker's seemingly perpetual population decline of 1% per year.

 

That's all. IMO, Shaker won't become a ghetto, but its eventually schools will lose the diversity that makes it special today...further depressing property values, etc, etc. Personally, I hope I'm wrong.

 

 

a photo thread from MTS? I think I have to reply on principle.

 

 

 

If you didn't notice Mr. Man, I posted three.  So HUSH!    :-P

My Two Sense...I live in Charlotte, NC now and have never lived in Cleveland and only spent 9 years of my 33 in SW Ohio, namely Cincinnati and Oxford.

 

I don't doubt that you know more about Shaker because you live there.

 

Your posting from that One Trick Hillbilly Haven and you want to give an analysts on where I grew up (Shaker Hts.) and where I currently live (Shaker Square).  Ay please!

 

NEXT!!

 

Where is the damn block button?

I love Shaker Heights, and if I had to live in Cleveland, I'd live there and probably send my kids to Shaker Public Schools. My aunt and uncle live on Laurel, right next to the high school (sent their daughter to SPS) so I've been up there a few times a year my entire life (33 years) and while that is by no means the same as growing up there, I have had the pleasure of listening to some big Shaker Boosters talk about their concerns for the city for a long time.

 

The taxes are a huge issue and fewer families with young children (ie going to attend public schools) are moving in because of a variety of reasons, mainly housing costs (relative to what you get further out especially now related to heating and cooling because of housing age and poor insulation), safety concerns (percieved or otherwise), racism, taxes, etc, etc...

 

One point, just recently a family (parents in late 30's) from CA moved in next door. The area where they live has $350K homes...not cheap, not expensive (especially compared to many parts of Shaker) but good for a family making about $100K/year ...They were thrilled to see them move into the neighborhood becuase it had been years since a family (with young kids) moved in on the street. In fact, it was great to just see the home sell becuase it had been on the market for so long, as well as others on the street, at that price point...

 

While I doubt that Shaker will ever turn into the ghetto, my point was that I think it will be a smaller (as a percentage of the whole) diverse rich enclave where parents send their kids to private schools and while much of the remainder loses its diversity and the housing prices decline to the point where parts become worse off (especially those closest to Cleveland and Maple Heights)...Shaker Square is hardley self sufficient and has not become the destination envisioned when "revitalized" a few years ago, and really and unfortunately I think that Shakers future is really tied to the economic future of the Cleveland area, more so than itself...

 

If the Cleveland area can ever turn its act around and attract more jobs and more importantly people, then ultimately the suburbs such as Shaker will benefit as well.

 

 

 

Everyone knows that taxes are an issue but what do you mean by the racism remark?  Are you saying young families would leave shaker and expect to find less racism in the outer ring somewhere?  If so that is the complete lunacy.  I would think the opposite would be true.  Look, you are welcome to your opinion, but I strongly disagree with most of what you said.

kal-el.  I completely agree.  People MOVE TO Shaker Hts. and Cleveland Hts. because of the city services and do not mind paying them.

 

Potential residents know - in advance - they will have good protective services (even us folks on Shaker Square can often times get overlapping service from Shaker Hts. police), good schools, great parks, and various community services.

 

I can't believe I'm defending Shaker as much as I hated it growing up.  Ohhhhhh the irony.

Everyone knows that taxes are an issue but what do you mean by the racism remark?  Are you saying young families would leave shaker and expect to find less racism in the outer ring somewhere?  If so that is the complete lunacy.  I would think the opposite would be true.  Look, you are welcome to your opinion, but I strongly disagree with most of what you said.

 

I think he means the racism of people choosing where to live.  And he's right that there are many people who choose to live in other suburbs because they associate Shaker's racial diversity with crime, decline, and poor schools etc- wrongly in my opinion.

 

If the Cleveland area can ever turn its act around and attract more jobs and more importantly people, then ultimately the suburbs such as Shaker will benefit as well.

 

And that's just it- Shaker happens to be adjacent to University Circle which is one of the few parts of Cleveland that is seeing significant job growth- and in the sectors that employee people disproportionately likely to choose Shaker Heights as a place to live.  It is by far the most highly educated suburb in the Cleveland area outside of the Chagrin Valley (Gates Mills, Hunting Valley, Bentleyville).

 

I agree Shaker will change and evolve, in some cases for the worst (the poorer neighborhoods in the southwest in particular), but I don't believe it is anywhere close to a tipping point that will send it into some kind of downward spiral. People have been predicting the collapse of Shaker Heights for as long as I can remember. 

There are more stores on the Square than ever. 

 

I adore Shaker Square, but this is just craziness.  The Square has evolved into a moderately successful neighborhood and destination dining cluster, with some neighborhood services that make it a great place to live.  But a lively retail center it is not- certainly nothing like what it was in its prime.

There are more stores on the Square than ever. 

 

I adore Shaker Square, but this is just craziness.  The Square has evolved into a moderately successful neighborhood and destination dining cluster, with some neighborhood services that make it a great place to live.  But a lively retail center it is not- certainly nothing like what it was in its prime.

 

And at the same time, we don't live like we did in the 60s.At that time Larchmere and Buckeye were pretty bare. I'll give you that we no longer have an anchor department store.  Yet the space has been put into adaptive reuse.

 

There is more to Shaker Square than restaurants and there isn't anyplace else east of lee Road for folks to shop (for basic needs), unless they go into Cleveland hts. (lee-Cedar)  or Shaker hts (lee-Chagrin).

 

Evolved??  Come on its ALWAYS been a succesful, not to mention stable, neighborhood and destination.

 

 

Everyone knows that taxes are an issue but what do you mean by the racism remark?  Are you saying young families would leave shaker and expect to find less racism in the outer ring somewhere?  If so that is the complete lunacy.  I would think the opposite would be true.  Look, you are welcome to your opinion, but I strongly disagree with most of what you said.

 

I think he means the racism of people choosing where to live.  And he's right that there are many people who choose to live in other suburbs because they associate Shaker's racial diversity with crime, decline, and poor schools etc- wrongly in my opinion.

 

If the Cleveland area can ever turn its act around and attract more jobs and more importantly people, then ultimately the suburbs such as Shaker will benefit as well.

 

And that's just it- Shaker happens to be adjacent to University Circle which is one of the few parts of Cleveland that is seeing significant job growth- and in the sectors that employee people disproportionately likely to choose Shaker Heights as a place to live.  It is by far the most highly educated suburb in the Cleveland area outside of the Chagrin Valley (Gates Mills, Hunting Valley, Bentleyville).

 

I agree Shaker will change and evolve, in some cases for the worst (the poorer neighborhoods in the southwest in particular), but I don't believe it is anywhere close to a tipping point that will send it into some kind of downward spiral. People have been predicting the collapse of Shaker Heights for as long as I can remember. 

 

poor schools?  anyone that thinks that is not paying attention.  Second most national merit scholars in the state this year with 6.  Newsweek's annual top 1300 public high schools lists shaker is at #372 in the nation.  Only NEO schools ahead of Shaker are Solon (#132), chagrin falls (#135), and orange (#264).  There were times when Shaker was higher, but come on.  If someone doesn't want to live in SH because they think the schools are not good, then that is fine.  I would rather have people live here that appreciate what they have.

There are more stores on the Square than ever. 

 

I adore Shaker Square, but this is just craziness.  The Square has evolved into a moderately successful neighborhood and destination dining cluster, with some neighborhood services that make it a great place to live.  But a lively retail center it is not- certainly nothing like what it was in its prime.

 

And at the same time, we don't live like we did in the 60s.At that time Larchmere and Buckeye were pretty bare. I'll give you that we no longer have an anchor department store.  Yet the space has been put into adaptive reuse.

 

There is more to Shaker Square than restaurants and there isn't anyplace else east of lee Road for folks to shop (for basic needs), unless they go into Cleveland hts. (lee-Cedar)  or Shaker hts (lee-Chagrin).

 

Evolved??  Come on its ALWAYS been a succesful, not to mention stable, neighborhood and destination.

 

 

 

speaking of S SQ, when is that wine bar opening MTS?

speaking of S SQ, when is that wine bar opening MTS?

 

Who knows, your guess is as good as mine!  lol

poor schools?  anyone that thinks that is not paying attention.  Second most national merit scholars in the state this year with 6.  Newsweek's annual top 1300 public high schools lists shaker is at #372 in the nation.  Only NEO schools ahead of Shaker are Solon (#132), chagrin falls (#135), and orange (#264).  There were times when Shaker was higher, but come on.  If someone doesn't want to live in SH because they think the schools are not good, then that is fine.  I would rather have people live here that appreciate what they have.

 

You don't have to convince me!  [hence the "wrongly, in my opinion" in my post].  But that attitude is certainly out there.  I agree with your last sentence: part of what makes Shaker so great IMHO is the self selection that shapes its populaton- residents are disproportionately likely to share certain political and social values and aspirations.

My Two Sense...I live in Charlotte, NC now and have never lived in Cleveland and only spent 9 years of my 33 in SW Ohio, namely Cincinnati and Oxford.

 

I don't doubt that you know more about Shaker because you live there.

 

Your posting from that One Trick Hillbilly Haven and you want to give an analysts on where I grew up (Shaker Hts.) and where I currently live (Shaker Square). Ay please!

 

NEXT!!

 

Where is the damn block button?

 

Daaaaaamn boyyyyyyy! MTS, you are something else! lol

The Square has alwasy been and will always be a destination. I've seen the square (along with Buckeye and Larchmere) go thru many changes, most for the good.

 

 

You can't predict the furchur. You need to leave that to the palm reading threads.

 

igon, while you may mean well, your comments smack of the type of understanding lacking an outsider would have.  Your comment that you don't think Shaker would decline to becoming a ghetto, inadvertently play into the hands of dimwits who believe diversity is the 1st step in that direction...

 

As to your comment that Shaker Sq hasn't become the destination envisioned, you likewise seem ill informed.  Shaker Square is not designed to be another Coventry Village. While there is diversity in retail and customers, the Square has long sought to be family friendly: a place for kids and seniors, alike.  Hence there are no bars or clubs on Shaker Square, haven’t been for decades (if ever), and few of them a block north along Larchmere Blvd... There are some retail vacancies on the Square, but vacancies are a part of the shopping center way of life just so long as they don't become dominant... I was recently in Boca Raton, Florida’s Mizner Park, widely recognized as one the nation's swankiest suburban retail centers in an burb with a comparable national upscale image of Shaker Heights, albeit slightly higher these days ... Even Mizner has vacancies; even more per capita than Shaker Square.

 

Wow I just noticed this thread looking through old sets... very interesting.  MyTwoSense, you sound like me!  I grew up on, still live on, Carlton Rd. next to Courtland Blvd. and I had the same sentiments, there was never anything to do as a kid, which is why the focus on redevloping the end of the Blue line, Van Aken and Chagrin is so important.  I dont think Shaker is "falling" or going anywhere.  The trend of ex-urbs is what is falling and as all the kids that grew up in the middle of no where make money and decide where to live they are going to pick the city, or if they are fortunate enough a place like Shaker over no name exurb fill in the blank.  In 1962 Shaker was the richest per capita city in America and though it isnt going to reclaim that title any time soon I disagree with anyone who thinks its headed for the tanks.  Not to be rude, but you dont GET shaker.  People here are different, I am white and of my group of ten closest buddies, there were only two other white guys... seven of us made national merit, five went to Ivys and the rest went to great schools.  People dont move here to be like other people, they come here to take part in a social experiment.  We redefiend race relations, we have a strict zoning board that my dad loves to hate and as far as planning goes, the Van Sweringes did a top notch job.  The roads between the main streets (say for example South Woodland and Shaker BLVD.) dont go straight thorugh (except major streets, Lee, Attleboro, Torrington/Eaton, Courtland, Warrensville) they bend and create beautiful "garden" inspired vistas.  Some people call us limosuine liberals, others call us ass holes.  But I'm from Shaker Heights and I have to say, if I had to be born in a suburb, Ide pick Shaker.  History, Housing Stock, Schools, Progressive Additude, Light Rail, Diversity (not perfect but where is?)... I'll take that over cookie cutter-r-us haters.

case in point, we like being different and eccentric, or atleast i do

Wow I just noticed this thread looking through old sets... very interesting.  MyTwoSense, you sound like me!  I grew up on, still live on, Carlton Rd. next to Courtland Blvd. and I had the same sentiments, there was never anything to do as a kid, which is why the focus on redevloping the end of the Blue line, Van Aken and Chagrin is so important.  I dont think Shaker is "falling" or going anywhere.  The trend of ex-urbs is what is falling and as all the kids that grew up in the middle of no where make money and decide where to live they are going to pick the city, or if they are fortunate enough a place like Shaker over no name exurb fill in the blank.  In 1962 Shaker was the richest per capita city in America and though it isnt going to reclaim that title any time soon I disagree with anyone who thinks its headed for the tanks.  Not to be rude, but you dont GET shaker.  People here are different, I am white and of my group of ten closest buddies, there were only two other white guys... seven of us made national merit, five went to Ivys and the rest went to great schools.  People dont move here to be like other people, they come here to take part in a social experiment.  We redefiend race relations, we have a strict zoning board that my dad loves to hate and as far as planning goes, the Van Sweringes did a top notch job.  The roads between the main streets (say for example South Woodland and Shaker BLVD.) dont go straight thorugh (except major streets, Lee, Attleboro, Torrington/Eaton, Courtland, Warrensville) they bend and create beautiful "garden" inspired vistas.  Some people call us limosuine liberals, others call us ass holes.  But I'm from Shaker Heights and I have to say, if I had to be born in a suburb, Ide pick Shaker.  History, Housing Stock, Schools, Progressive Additude, Light Rail, Diversity (not perfect but where is?)... I'll take that over cookie cutter-r-us haters.

 

Oh just on the other side of the tracks!  LOL

 

time to move out Junior!

case in point, we like being different and eccentric, or atleast i do

 

Nice two posts Enzo.  I am like you in that I grew up here and ended up moving back after college and a few years of living out of the area (Cleve Hts - real far I know).  When I was looking for a place to buy a home this was the place I wanted to be.  So many great things about the city. 

Shaker Heights is nice...although you make it look more sprawly than it is with these photos.

Shaker Heights is nice...although you make it look more sprawly than it is with these photos.

Sprawly?  This looks sprawly?  I wish I could show a whole street view as there are very few home on "sprawly" large lots.

I bet ya he is thinking Shaker Sq. not hts.