What is Cleveland, OH like?

[Anonymous]

I grew up in Cleveland, and I love it there. I would not have left, except that my Fed job was not available anywhere except DC. Lots of arts and culture. It has a world class art museum that is free, so I often stopped by to look at a few things in depth. It has a nice modern art center and a great orchestra, too. There are great restaurants and parks. There are , safe places to live with excellent public schools. I grew up in the Moreland Hills/Pepper Pike/Orange area (Orange school district), which is suburban (takes about 25 minutes to reach Cleveland proper). The winters definitely are long, though.

I liked the Anthony Bourdain show "No Reservations" episode set in Cleveland. It shows some interesting parts of the city.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9axN9w1n2Z8&feature=related

[Anonymous]

Haven't you heard the song? Cleveland rocks! (Akronite here.)

[Anonymous]

http://www.cleveland.com/living/index.ssf/2010/07/lebron_james_may_be_gone_but_h.html
A list of a few of the brighter parts of living in Cleveland.

To the former Akronite, Kent grad here -- I always thought our mascots sucked (Akron zips, Kent flashes) - wtf? Haha! So happy to hear from so many former Cleveland residents - go Buckeyes (now there's a mascot)!

[Anonymous]

I just took a business trip there and found the downtown strangely empty and depressing. When I remarked to some locals that the restaurants seemd empty (thinking there was some specific reason), they all said, "Oh, that's Cleveland!" I found it very sad. There was no rush hour either, which seemed odd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just took a business trip there and found the downtown strangely empty and depressing. When I remarked to some locals that the restaurants seemd empty (thinking there was some specific reason), they all said, "Oh, that's Cleveland!" I found it very sad. There was no rush hour either, which seemed odd.

No rush hour? Sounds like heaven.

[Anonymous]

I grew up just West of Cleveland. I don't love it, putting it mildly. I find it depressing (icky weather, poor economy) and very provincial. I don't say that as some globetrotter or to sound superior. But, you asked what people thought.

That said, I know some wonderful people who live there still and who love it with all their heart and soul. So, it must have something going for it.

[Anonymous]

Oh, and I should add that the folks I know who love Cleveland live in Strongsville, Lakewood and Mentor areas. I believe -but don't know for sure for all- that these are all Western suburbs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, and I should add that the folks I know who love Cleveland live in Strongsville, Lakewood and Mentor areas. I believe -but don't know for sure for all- that these are all Western suburbs.

Lakewood is a very close western suburb and Strongsville and Mentor are north-east. Most people don't actually live IN the city itself but in a surrounding burb (of which there are many nice ones on all sides.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.cleveland.com/living/index.ssf/2010/07/lebron_james_may_be_gone_but_h.html
A list of a few of the brighter parts of living in Cleveland.

To the former Akronite, Kent grad here -- I always thought our mascots sucked (Akron zips, Kent flashes) - wtf? Haha! So happy to hear from so many former Cleveland residents - go Buckeyes (now there's a mascot)!

Another pp from Summit County here. I always thought it was amusing that the U. Akron teams were called the Zips after the fact that Akron used to be a zipper manufacturing center. But by the time I was growing up it was a rubber/tire manufacturing center so they should have been called the Rubbers! Sorry about that! Couldn't help myself.

[Anonymous]

My friend lives in Cleveland, but I've never visited him. He recently told me, " god hates Cleveland". After hearing that, I decided to put my planned visit off for another year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Like Buffalo without the charm.

Are you from Buffalo--does Buffalo have charm?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I grew up in the area and spent most of my life there. Pretty much everything that people have said is true. Winters are long, dark and dreary. On the other hand, it's really nice to live so close to the lake (Erie). Not much industry left there and the recession is still going strong (I have a fair amount of friends/family unemployed right now - we moved here due to job loss ourselves). As someone mentioned, housing is rock bottom cheap right now -- I have first hand experience in that department (want a lovely house in Lakewood?) I will say this though -- there are many very nice suburbs with very lovely old (or new, depending on the suburb) homes and good schools. The east side of Cleveland is where the Clinic is and the Universities and the Art school, etc. - it's got a very artsy feel to it and quite a bit of charm. The west side is nice too - just more modern and suburbian (although Lakewood is older - my house was built in the 1920's, as were most of the homes there). Cleveland has it's pros and cons. I wouldn't recommend moving there for the hell of it right now --but if you had a job there or some other connection - there are plenty of nice areas. I'm happy to email you off list and answer any questions for you.

I would love a house in Lakewood, it's just too bad I am not in the market for one. My parents are both from the Cleveland area and it's a city rich in family history. My grandfather played for the Browns, before they were the Browns, and ran for city office at one point. I have aunts, uncles and cousins who still live there and we always have places to go and people to see. I would love to live out that way again (I don't mind the winters) but DH wouldn't be able to find employment there.

I agree with those who say the recession has really hit there and my family is having a hard time. I have one cousin who has luckily has a job, and has had it for years, but it's only seasonal work and he has every summer off. He usually works a summer job but the last few years has had to file for unemployment instead and when he hasn't been able to find a better position or year long employment. It's sad because he was worked at this place for years and when he started he worked year round but there just aren't enough positions in the summer during their slow time. If things don't improve for him he is going to move in with us because there are posiitons here .

[Anonymous]

What would bring you to Cleveland, OP?

I grew up there and I agree with some others -- don't be haters! My Dh went there for the first time this year and actually wanted to move there. I'm not dying to go back, but there are definitely worse places.

Cleveland has a lot going for it. The arts are strong, cost of living is low and life is simpler in many ways. Sure, there are downsides to the simple lifestyle, but with the money you save on housing, you can take trips to NYC and other places several times a year.

I think it's definitely worth a look. I've lived both east and west (unusual for a Clevelander). Both sides of town have their redeeming qualities.

[Anonymous]

I grew up in NE Ohio too. My cousins and friends who stayed in Ohio mostly live in Cleveland Heights, and seem to find lots to love. PPs have covered the pros and cons. They really do roll up the sidewalks downtown after 5:00.

[Anonymous]

My family and inlaws live in/near Cleveland. My cousin & husband live in Cleveland and will be moving out to a west suburb (Avon maybe) so they can put their son in a better schools. The Cleveland district schools are horrible. It's depressed and very racially divided area. Still black/white neighborhoods and people aren't as accepting to other minority groups. They do have a big Eastern European influence - Polish, Jewish, etc. areas. Great Italian eateries. Good festivals and nice in the summer but the winters stink. The jobs there are hard to come by. A lot of my family who live there have lost their jobs. The steel mills are gone in NE Ohio and GM factories are mostly shut down, now it's what they call the "rust belt." So sad.