Family Moving to Cleveland from Madison, WI (Lakewood, Mentor: house, neighborhoods)

[divehpu]

We are considering a job at AG in Cleveland, but I'm having a hard time finding an area that fits are lifestyle. I'll put list our ideal criteria below and, if it exists, please let me know where to look!

1. Within 30 minutes (during rush hour) of American Greetings
2. Progressive families
3. A neighborhood in which you can safely walk to some stores and restaurants, has usable parks and a place where neighbor kids actually play together
4. Access to good private or public schools
5. Home prices under $400k

Thanks

[costello_musicman]

There really are a lot of areas that fit that bill, just depends on what you value most.

American Greetings is Downtown on E. 9th st, so you could pretty much look anywhere for your 30 minute drive. I'd recommend Shaker Heights, Lakewood, and most places in and around the Metroparks such as Rocky River and Berea. Even something like Little Italy may be worth your time.

And what do you mean by "progressive families"??

[BelieveInCleve]

Rocky River
Westlake
Bay Village
Avon Lake

[airics]

400k gets you a mcmansion and the taxes to go with it.

[AndyF667]

IMO


1. Within 30 minutes (during rush hour) of American Greetings
Assuming you are working on Tiedeman, the prev. mentioned west side comm. of Bay, Westlake, Lakewood, etc.. as well as eastside Shaker, Cleveland Hts., Beachwood, Orange...
2. Progressive families
Assuming progressive means liberal: Shaker, Cleveland Hts, Lakewood...
3. A neighborhood in which you can safely walk to some stores and restaurants, has usable parks and a place where neighbor kids actually play together
Lakewood, Shaker, Cleveland Hts....
4. Access to good private or public schools
Lakewood (access to Catholic schools, not quite sure about the quality of public schools), Shaker (close to pvt schools and very good public schools), Cleveland Hts. (see Lakewood)
5. Home prices under $400k
All of the above, although with my time in CL H & Shaker, that kind of money can buy a lot of house (older classic architecture), but often it seems the neighborhoods with larger homes are a bit less cohesive. I cant speak to Lakewood, but very similar architecture. If you like McMansions, less "progressive", in some cases longer drive, drive to store/restaurants, and good public schools try Solon, Westlake, Avon/Avon Lake, Mentor/Concord, etc. etc. (to generalize, more outer ring suburbs)

[divehpu]

Thanks for the info. There seems to be a rivalry or a general dislike between the east side and west side suburbs. Is this real or am I just reading into the posts? What are the differences between the east and west side burbs?

[airics]

i dont think there is a real rivalry between the sides.... if you are staying in cuyahoga county, the west side in my opinion has more cities that are safer and better. on the east side, you have to go east of euclid and into lake or geauga... on east side, i only recommend mayfield, lyndhurst, beachwood, shaker, and highland hts...

[BelieveInCleve]

Im from the westside and I love the eastside too, I have no problem with the eastside. I just know more about the westside. There are great places on both sides of Cleveland. Theres not really a rivalry, Cleveland is just a big area so people will know more about a certain area.

[1watertiger]

dont forget some nicer west suburbs close to tiedeman rd/480 like independence, seven hills,brecksville/broadview hts. or north royalton. less urban, safe, good schools but close to AG.

[westsider27]

I agree with watertiger. I would definately check out Brecksville and Broadview Heights. The school system is one of the best.