Moving to University Heights (Cleveland, Lakewood: low crime, houses, neighborhood)

[billmesh]

Well, after spending the last 9 months abroad... it's time to move back to Cleveland.

I am a life-long West-sider (Lakewood) and my wife has spend about the past 10 years on the West-side. However, we will be living in University Heights. I am somewhat familiar with the area, but don't really know the quirks about it that you get from living there.

For example;
-Is there an overnight street parking ordinance?
-Can we have a firepit in the backyard?
-How is the police presence?
-Any community events? Farmers markets, etc...

I have heard that Geraci's Italian Restaurant is good, and we are within walking distance of that. Anywhere else local that is a must? Again, I know the area, but never have really spent any time there so I don't know the details of it.

[L2DB]

I don't know for sure about overnight street parking, but probably there is. Call, IMO. Same with firepits.

Can't speak to police presence.

AS for community stuff, restaurants, etc., you're basically piggy-backing off of Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights, IMO. The farmer's markets Saturday mornings at Shaker Square and the restaurants there and along Lee Road and Coventry in Cleveland Heights.

Pizza - Dewey's (Lee)
Thai - High Thai'd (Coventry)
Upscale - Sasa (Shaker Square)
Sandwiches/Soup - Stone Oven (Lee)
Bakery - On the Rise (Taylor and Fairmount)

There are other good places as well.

Also, I think Whole Foods does some themed tastings and stuff Fridays from 5-7 so you may check that out as well.

[Cleverfield]

Originally Posted by billmesh

Well, after spending the last 9 months abroad... it's time to move back to Cleveland.

I am a life-long West-sider (Lakewood) and my wife has spend about the past 10 years on the West-side. However, we will be living in University Heights. I am somewhat familiar with the area, but don't really know the quirks about it that you get from living there.

For example;
-Is there an overnight street parking ordinance?
-Can we have a firepit in the backyard?
-How is the police presence?
-Any community events? Farmers markets, etc...

I have heard that Geraci's Italian Restaurant is good, and we are within walking distance of that. Anywhere else local that is a must? Again, I know the area, but never have really spent any time there so I don't know the details of it.

Lived right over the border in Shaker for years, so I'll tell you what I know.
-No overnight street parking on most streets. You might be able to make special arrangements with the city though.
-Not sure about the firepits, but 99% sure you can.
-Police presence is pretty good, UH is really a pretty low crime area as it is.
-UH itself is only about 1 square mile big, so it doesn't have all that much to offer in terms of community events, besides things involving the university, like sporting events. If you want farmers markets and other events, you could head out to Shaker Heights, and Cleveland Heights. There is a very nice farmer's market I've heard every weekend at Shaker Square.
-Other local restaurants that are a must: Bialy's Bagels (best bagels in the city IMO), Jack's Deli (best corned beef in the city IMO). The restaurants on Fairmount Circle: Dave's Cosmic Subs, Ben and Jerry's, and Pizzazz are all worth checking out. And of course, there are tons of restaurants in Cleveland Heights on Coventry, and Lee Road. But for UH, those are mostly the local hotspots. You'll notice there is a substantial Orthodox Jewish presence in UH, (hence the bagels, and Jewish style deli).

[jmv]

...and coming this fall Sweet Melissa restaurant opening in Fairmount Cirlce (in the former North Park Grille location). As a former west sider, you might be familiar with their Rocky River restaurant. It is FABULOUS!

[Clevelander17]

Originally Posted by billmesh

Well, after spending the last 9 months abroad... it's time to move back to Cleveland.

I am a life-long West-sider (Lakewood) and my wife has spend about the past 10 years on the West-side. However, we will be living in University Heights. I am somewhat familiar with the area, but don't really know the quirks about it that you get from living there.

For example;
-Is there an overnight street parking ordinance?
-Can we have a firepit in the backyard?
-How is the police presence?
-Any community events? Farmers markets, etc...

I have heard that Geraci's Italian Restaurant is good, and we are within walking distance of that. Anywhere else local that is a must? Again, I know the area, but never have really spent any time there so I don't know the details of it.

My hometown...welcome!

-You cannot park overnight unless you call the police and request permission (which they usually grant if you have a good reason, like guests and not enough room in the driveway).

-Yes you can have a fire pit.

-Decent police presence (not like Cleveland Heights though and few, if any, speed traps). Most crime is petty and related to John Carroll University student mischief. JCU has its own police/security team which helps.

-University Heights is known mostly for its long-standing Memorial Day parade and its neighborhood block parties. Unfortunately you won't get to experience either for a few months.

-The closest farmer's market is at the church in Shaker Heights on Fairmount Boulevard (near the intersection with Eaton). Not sure of that church's name, but the market is on Wednesday evenings from 4-7 P.M.

Other than that, I think everyone else hit on just about all that you would need to know. There are some fantastic dining/entertainment options if not in UH then in nearby Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights.

[bjimmy24]

University Heights is a fine area. I know a couple roommates together in Tremont who just moved to UH actually, appreciating the fact that their cars are much safer in UH. Really small land area, so it's really just an extension of Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights (anything going on in Shaker or CH, you are also right in the middle of). Not much crime to speak of except for college mischief, usually on Warrensville. I always like getting pizza at Geraci's or Pizzaz, and subs from Dave's Cosmic Subs. Used to go to O'Brien's pub sometimes too. Hardly anyone knows about the place, it's definitely not as "sexy" as other bars in Cleveland Heights or near west side, but I always liked going there. Melt is also right across the street from the UH border with CH on Taylor.

[Clevelander17]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

University Heights is a fine area. I know a couple roommates together in Tremont who just moved to UH actually, appreciating the fact that their cars are much safer in UH. Really small land area, so it's really just an extension of Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights (anything going on in Shaker or CH, you are also right in the middle of). Not much crime to speak of except for college mischief, usually on Warrensville. I always like getting pizza at Geraci's or Pizzaz, and subs from Dave's Cosmic Subs. Used to go to O'Brien's pub sometimes too. Hardly anyone knows about the place, it's definitely not as "sexy" as other bars in Cleveland Heights or near west side, but I always liked going there. Melt is also right across the street from the UH border with CH on Taylor.

O'Reilly's Pub?

[L2DB]

I miss Jimmy O'Neil's.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by Clevelander17

O'Reilly's Pub?

O'Reilley's! Haha sorry, been away for too long... you know what I mean. Damn Irish people.

[TheProf]

^All the comments are pretty on target... UH is a very pleasant little suburb right in the core of the Heights area. Crime is low and the only thing that may be a bother are the college kids, although JCU is a quality, moderate-size campus with a lot of clean-scrubbed Catholic kids. The college "strip" such that it is, is a moderate complex of about 2-3 restaurants/grills, a CVS and a couple doctor's offices... Houses are solid -- it's an upper middle class suburb generally... And the Green Line Rapid Transit line in Shaker is about a half-mile walk either down Belvoir or Warrensville.