Well my office is in Wickliffe, so no reason to live in beachwood or shaker heights. I currently reside at the hamptons opp the beachwood mall so I guess am a little biased towards the area and dont really know much about the other cleveland areas. What areas would you recommend for a single guy. If I look for a house I would look small (2 bed/2 bath) but newer construction.

 

I can tell you we have been looking at houses for quite awhile and you can get a 4 bedroom, 2 bath house for almost half the cost you list. I hate to sound like a broken record (if anyone knows what that is anymore), but perhaps the E side is your problem.

 

Not so much even the eastside. We were looking at a new construction subdivision last year in Richmond Heights where you can get a 1700 sq ft 3 bed, 2.5 bath house starting in the mid 140s. Just get outta Beachwood/Shaker if you don't have a child to send to school!

Wow this is amazing. I could easily afford any of these. May be I was looking at houses in the wrong places. I will take a look at these places over the weekend. I know shaker heights well, a friend of mine used to live there and the lake close by is beautiful.

 

You guys are advising me to buy a house !!!! Is anybody in america buying a house except people on the HGTV shows.

 

Dont you watch the news and all? Nobody is buying any real estate because getting a loan is close to impossible unless you have greater than 750 credit score.

 

Are there houses out there for $18,000. Sure there are? But what kind of neighborhood is that. And what will the value of this house be 2 years from now if I lose my job. If I have to buy a house it doesnt make any sense to buy something so ridiculously cheap. I have been looking at Howard Hanna and a decent house would cost around $250,000 for a 2 bed/2 bath place. Thats 50 grand for 20% down payment. May be I should get a MBA with all that money.

 

Um.  Have you looked as Shaker Square or Lakewood (the unit in KJPs complex)? I would even say look at Cleveland Heights or Shaker Heights.

 

This unit in Shaker Courts is available and a steal.

http://realestateexperts2.ohio.remax.com/listings/ListingDetail_r4.aspx?LID=67669220

 

Hell they have a view of my damn house!  Thats a selling plus right there!

 

Shaker Towers has two units available and the (western) views are killer!

http://www.shakertowers.com/suites.html

 

Plus it has a fabulous garden

http://blog.cleveland.com/lifestyles/2008/08/shaker_towers_residents_cheris.html

 

 

This unit in my complex.  and I know you're not going to say I live in a "questionable" complex or neighborhood?!

http://realestateexperts2.ohio.remax.com/listings/ListingDetail_r4.aspx?LID=67666313

 

 

I live IN CLEVELAND.  Shaker Square is in CLEVELAND.

My first ticket was going at 30mph at 25 mph on Euclid in Wickliffe. Second one was on Coventry the very next day going at 34mph at 25mph.

 

Then day before yesterday I got another on Euclid in Wickliffe for License Plate expiration. How did he read that tiny sticker on the back anyways. Or was he just randomly running the plates and why my car? Anyways it was an honest mistake, I have been out of country in europe for a long time now and just recently got back. And then yesterday again they ran my plates found out that it was expired and then gave me ticket for not wearing belt. I guess I cant contest any of these tickets so am stuck with them.

 

Because they generate huge amounts of revenue.

 

You have to know where they regularly sit for one thing (speed traps); only time, experience and other Clevelanders can tell you that. Are you getting ticketed regularly in the same area? If so, they are on the lookout for you and you should be considerably more careful whenever traveling in that particular area.

 

FWIW, I got tons of tickets on the E side when I worked there. I think the first year I worked there I got pulled over 4 times and got 1 ticket, then I got another ticket the next year. I fought most of them in court and won; a couple I did not. I have never gotten a speeding ticket on the W side. I did get a moving violation for supposedly turning R on red without a complete stop, which I couldn't win, and I got parking tickets in Lakewood, but no speeding tickets. IIRC, you are on the E side. So quit speeding when you're over there.

My first ticket was going at 30mph at 25 mph on Euclid in Wickliffe. Second one was on Coventry the very next day going at 34mph at 25mph.

 

Then day before yesterday I got another on Euclid in Wickliffe for License Plate expiration. How did he read that tiny sticker on the back anyways. Or was he just randomly running the plates and why my car? Anyways it was an honest mistake, I have been out of country in europe for a long time now and just recently got back. And then yesterday again they ran my plates found out that it was expired and then gave me ticket for not wearing belt. I guess I cant contest any of these tickets so am stuck with them.

 

 

Wait, are you saying you're upset because you were breaking the law?

No, I think he clearly believes he is being targeted!

Anywhere in Cleveland heights is a cop trap.  Never speed there and never, ever let your meter expire. 

 

The 30 in a 25 in Wickliffe is ridiculous, it sounds like the wickliffe cops are watching for your car and consider you a problem.  Doesn't matter if it's right, wrong or indifferent but you had better toe the line the rest of the time you live there.

 

I'm pretty sure you can get your registration renewed something like 60 days before it expires.  Unless you were out of the country for 60 days and literally just got back the day you got the ticket, again, it's your fault and not theirs.  If you DID just get back that very day, you can contest the ticket in court.  I have been driving for 25 years and have never had expired plates, not even for one day.  There's just no excuse for it, unless someone steals your tags, which happens all the time in LA.  "I didn't get to it" is not an acceptable excuse.

 

You can live anywhere you want in Cleveland.  I lived in Lakewood and worked in Beachwood and Cuyahoga Falls.  If you want to live close to where you work in Wickliffe, maybe you should find some place in walking distance or a place you can take the bus and get off the cops' radar for awhile (no pun intended).

I am upset that they are running my plates all the time. I shouldnt have got the first ticket for expired license, I was out of country, I would have gone straight to the DMV and got it done.

Anywhere in Cleveland heights is a cop trap.  Never speed there and never, ever let your meter expire. 

 

The 30 in a 25 in Wickliffe is ridiculous, it sounds like the wickliffe cops are watching for your car and consider you a problem.  Doesn't matter if it's right, wrong or indifferent but you had better toe the line the rest of the time you live there.

 

I'm pretty sure you can get your registration renewed something like 60 days before it expires.  Unless you were out of the country for 60 days and literally just got back the day you got the ticket, again, it's your fault and not theirs.  If you DID just get back that very day, you can contest the ticket in court.  I have been driving for 25 years and have never had expired plates, not even for one day.  There's just no excuse for it, unless someone steals your tags, which happens all the time in LA.  "I didn't get to it" is not an acceptable excuse.

 

You can live anywhere you want in Cleveland.  I lived in Lakewood and worked in Beachwood and Cuyahoga Falls.  If you want to live close to where you work in Wickliffe, maybe you should find some place in walking distance or a place you can take the bus and get off the cops' radar for awhile (no pun intended).

 

AMEN!  Preach girl!

Why do you think they are running your plates?  All they have to do is look at the sticker color.

MTS, R&R:

 

yesterday Cdawg, today fullymooned, tomorrow who knows?

 

Teaching the younger generation, one kid at a time!

I am upset that they are running my plates all the time. I shouldnt have got the first ticket for expired license, I was out of country, I would have gone straight to the DMV and got it done.

 

Being upset doesn't accomplish anything.  You cannot win against the police.  As I said, were you out of the country for 60 days straight and just got back that very day?  If so, by all means, go fight the ticket in court, you would easily win.  You are mad at yourself for not taking care of the registration renewal when you could and should have.  It's not the cops fault that they caught you.

 

You would be a lot better off making friends with them.  Once I went through the Lakewood citizens' police academy and became friends with some of the officers, I was no longer bothered by them.  My Dad told me when I was little that it's a very good idea to make friends with the police wherever you live, and he was right.  In Westlake, I used to bring them candy or energy bars around different holidays and thanked them for their service and for keeping our community safe.  The one time I had to call on them for assistance, they were there within 2 minutes.  And I never got a ticket there either.

Well I drive a red mini, fun cars I must add :)

 

But you guys have given me a good idea here about buying a house. My lease ends in June and I may just be in the market for a starter home. May be cleveland heights, lots of young people seem to live there. or even richmond heights. What are some good resources to look for a house here? I can always search on this forum for those, which I will. I am sure this ques has been responded quite a few times in the travel and relocation section.

LOL.  I understand the persecution feeling but the fact of the matter is, most of our suburbs are small enough that it's very easy to get the negative attention of the entire patrol force - "watch for the Green Honda, that guy breaks a different law every day!" It's easy work for them to watch consistent lawbreakers and continue to issue them legitimate tickets.

So you think I am been watched then? I dont think that is a reason for me to panisk. I will just take it as a motivation to be extra vigilant.

 

LOL. I understand the persecution feeling but the fact of the matter is, most of our suburbs are small enough that it's very easy to get the negative attention of the entire patrol force - "watch for the Green Honda, that guy breaks a different law every day!" It's easy work for them to watch consistent lawbreakers and continue to issue them legitimate tickets.

Well my office is in Wickliffe, so no reason to live in beachwood or shaker heights. I currently reside at the hamptons opp the beachwood mall so I guess am a little biased towards the area and dont really know much about the other cleveland areas. What areas would you recommend for a single guy. If I look for a house I would look small (2 bed/2 bath) but newer construction.

 

I can tell you we have been looking at houses for quite awhile and you can get a 4 bedroom, 2 bath house for almost half the cost you list.  I hate to sound like a broken record (if anyone knows what that is anymore), but perhaps the E side is your problem.

 

Not so much even the eastside.  We were looking at a new construction subdivision last year in Richmond Heights where you can get a 1700 sq ft 3 bed, 2.5 bath house starting in the mid 140s.  Just get outta Beachwood/Shaker if you don't have a child to send to school!

 

Why does it have to be new construction?  Why not an older building (ie built in equity) where you can just do minor renovation and turn it into the type of unit you want?

 

Newer does not equal better.

 

I bought my apartment for nothing and I mean nothing.  Today, yes today, it's worth 12 times what I bought it for.  Buying a house is not something you do to make a buck in a year.  HGTV has warped people into thinking that.  Buying a home is a long term investment.

 

 

Well I drive a red mini, fun cars I must add :)

 

But you guys have given me a good idea here about buying a house. My lease ends in June and I may just be in the market for a starter home. May be cleveland heights, lots of young people seem to live there. or even richmond heights. What are some good resources to look for a house here? I can always search on this forum for those, which I will. I am sure this ques has been responded quite a few times in the travel and relocation section.

 

Richmond Hts  :wtf:  :wtf:  :wtf: .  You've really got to get out and explore Cleveland.  Richmond Hts??  NO...just no! 

 

Downtown is a hot market, Shaker Square , Little Italy, Tremont, Cleveland Hts (Cedar-Fairmont & Coventry), Shaker Hts. (Van Aken Cooridor)  Those are places where young folks live.  Not EF'in RH!

 

 

Ah, a red mini, very easy for them to spot and remember as a "problem" car since it's unique. 

 

You can look at houses on howard hanna's website; find a realtor in your area through referrals, do not contact the realtor listed on the site, you need your own realtor.  HH just announced a deal yesterday to pay out the remainder of your lease if you are an apartment dweller, and they have a money back guarantee if you lose your job after buying.

Cleveland Heights is a nice neighborhood. But the houses there are very old. No newer properties. Again I dont know much but doesnt an old house have more maintainance issues unlike a new house?

 

Well my office is in Wickliffe, so no reason to live in beachwood or shaker heights. I currently reside at the hamptons opp the beachwood mall so I guess am a little biased towards the area and dont really know much about the other cleveland areas. What areas would you recommend for a single guy. If I look for a house I would look small (2 bed/2 bath) but newer construction.

 

I can tell you we have been looking at houses for quite awhile and you can get a 4 bedroom, 2 bath house for almost half the cost you list. I hate to sound like a broken record (if anyone knows what that is anymore), but perhaps the E side is your problem.

 

Not so much even the eastside. We were looking at a new construction subdivision last year in Richmond Heights where you can get a 1700 sq ft 3 bed, 2.5 bath house starting in the mid 140s. Just get outta Beachwood/Shaker if you don't have a child to send to school!

 

Why does it have to be new construction? Why not an older building (ie built in equity) where you can just do minor renovation and turn it into the type of unit you want?

 

Newer does not equal better.

 

I bought my apartment for nothing and I mean nothing. Today, yes today, it's worth 12 times what I bought it for. Buying a house is not something you do to make a buck in a year. HGTV has warped people into thinking that. Buying a home is a long term investment.

 

 

Well I drive a red mini, fun cars I must add :)

 

But you guys have given me a good idea here about buying a house. My lease ends in June and I may just be in the market for a starter home. May be cleveland heights, lots of young people seem to live there. or even richmond heights. What are some good resources to look for a house here? I can always search on this forum for those, which I will. I am sure this ques has been responded quite a few times in the travel and relocation section.

 

Richmond Hts :wtf:   :wtf:   :wtf: . You've really got to get out and explore Cleveland. Richmond Hts?? NO...just no!

 

Downtown is a hot market, Shaker Square , Little Italy, Tremont, Cleveland Hts (Cedar-Fairmont & Coventry), Shaker Hts. (Van Aken Cooridor) Those are places where young folks live. Not EF'in RH!

 

 

Cleveland Heights is a nice neighborhood. But the houses there are very old. No newer properties. Again I dont know much but doesnt an old house have more maintainance issues unlike a new house?

 

read  this  whole  message.  :)

 

Why do you need to buy a HOUSE?

 

Where are you getting this information about older homes?

 

If a person keeps their home well maintained, its potentially could be better than new construction.

 

I'm not understanding your thought process.  So again, why do you need a new home?

That loud noise you hear is just MTS banging his head against the wall!

 

Hey, it might knock some cents into you!!

Newer homes are more attractive when you resell. New homes save money with efficiency and green building techniques. More Amenities. Fewer Repairs

 

Cleveland Heights is a nice neighborhood. But the houses there are very old. No newer properties. Again I dont know much but doesnt an old house have more maintainance issues unlike a new house?

 

read   this   whole message. :)

 

Why do you need to buy a HOUSE?

 

Where are you getting this information about older homes?

 

If a person keeps their home well maintained, its potentially could be better than new construction.

 

I'm not understanding your thought process. So again, why do you need a new home?

Newer homes are more attractive when you resell. New homes save money with efficiency and green building techniques. More Amenities. Fewer Repairs

 

Wrong.  Newer means not much advantage over another new one next door, when you go to sell, there will be many of the same thing around.  A minimal amount of work in an older home can increase the value much more quickly leading to making some money on the sale.

 

Maybe.  Efficiency costs money you could have used to make upgrades in a classier place.

 

Wrong.  Some new stuff isn't built as well as old.

Newer homes are more attractive when you resell. New homes save money with efficiency and green building techniques. More Amenities. Fewer Repairs

 

Wrong. Newer means not much advantage over another new one next door, when you go to sell, there will be many of the same thing around. A minimal amount of work in an older home can increase the value much more quickly leading to making some money on the sale.

 

Unless you're not handy or have absolutely no free time like me.....  Then you're better off in a new place.  Or if you have the money just to hire people to do it for you (cause, uh, that's what I'd do if I had the money...)

True, everyone has to know their limitations, but you would be surprised at what you can learn to do!

It is not true that buying a new(er) house means less problems.  I just went over to my friend's house for the first time, they have only been in their house 2 years, it was built in 2004.  The front door was completely rotted and needed replaced when they moved in. there were major problems with some pipes that needed replaced.  Newer places are often thrown together with very inexpensive materials. They are not as solid or soundproofed as older homes.

 

Now when you get into REALLY old, yes, there can be some problems where you have to modernize some things or deal with integrity issues, but that's certainly not all of them.  "they don't make them like they used to" is particularly true with regard to homes.  But (IMO) a house built in the 50s to the 70s is going to be a solid, good home.  As long as you find one with a newer roof, you should be golden.  You do not need to buy a new home to find one that is in move-in condition, I've seen plenty of them.

 

You really should do a little reading and research about buying homes, whether they are houses or condos or what have you; the opinions you have sound like a lot of little sound bytes you've heard here and there and are pretty uninformed IMO.

Newer homes are more attractive when you resell. New homes save money with efficiency and green building techniques. More Amenities. Fewer Repairs

 

I'm sorry but I disagree.  If you're "older home" is good shape, it will sell at a much higher price point than a new home.  and as Dan said, new homes are not made the same way as older homes.  They dont have the character of older homes.

 

Using my apartment as an example, you aren't going to find half the charm in a new building.  Nor the size.  Again, I don't think you don't need to buy a house, but an apartment.  In most cases because of the law, things like the toilet or plumbing have already been replaced.

 

Also, in a new home, you're PAYING for the "efficiencies" you discuss in the marked up price of the home. 

 

I bought my apartment for nothin', add in the 40-45k I've put into it, and I've still come out 350-400k cheaper than the same sized apartment in a new(er) building.