Canfield Or North Lima??? (Youngstown, Boardman: lawyers, house, transfer)

[clancymom]

Hi all! I currently live in New Jersey and my husband has been transferred to Lordstown, OH (GM). We have tried doing the commuting thing but it isn't working. SOOO..now I am house hunting in Ohio. I have my heart set on Canfield but the husband likes North Lima. Does anyone have any insight on either of these places? Here is some basic info on what I am looking for if it helps...

4/5 BR home under $415,000 preferably with a basement. I have 3 small children so I'd like a cul de sac neighborhood with lots of kids in a good school district (my boys are 5, 4 and 2). I don't want to be ON TOP OF my neighbors. I'd like a newer home. Preferably no more than 5 or 6 years old. Flat back yard is a must (don't want to live on a hill).

Any help you all could give me would be GREATLY appreciated!
THANKS!!!

[CortlandGirl79]

One word of advice, never, ever buy a home in the Mahoning Valley for much more than $275k-$350k, in most cases you will have a hard time selling it in the future, especially if GM decides to close Lordstown 10-15 yrs down the road. You can find a very nice 4-5 BR home in the valley for less than $300k and in most cases it will have a finished basement, large yard, etc.

I think you'll find that the cost of living in the Youngstown area is much much less than what you're used to. Good luck on your search.

[South Range Family]

The first two things are very easy. Everything around here has a basement, and there are no hills.

The location is going to be more of a preference thing. I get the impression that you would be happier in Canfield. They have a larger school district, and more choices of neighborhoods.

North Lima has some nice places off of Sharrot Rd. There are also newer plans on Pine Lake, and in the Highlands. They are getting pretty far out of town, and our school district only has 1300 kids total. Most of the people in the South Range school district are not cul de sac people. They are 5, 10, and 100 acre people.

[truemuck]

I think Canfield would probably be your better bet as its closer to get onto the freeways to Lordstown. Although, if you have an E-ZPass, if you can get someplace in N. Lima closer to the Turnpike, that wouldn't be a bad commute either, although more expensive.

[strudel42]

Canfield has more of what you're looking for, but don't count out N. Lima. My feeling is that in the N. Lima area you could get a large newer home with a very large yard for around $250k. Plus I read recently that South Range is ranked as one of the best school districts in Ohio. You'd still be very close to Canfield/Boardman and Youngstown. I recommend you visit the area with your kids, find out where you're comfortable, and go from there.

[PhillytoCincy]

Canfield is a very nice town. They had a great little town square, and a very busy business district. Seems more upscale too. I believe I saw a Porche dealer in Canfield...

[clancymom]

Thank you for all the comments! I am planning a trip as soon as school ends here, but have my husband visiting properties while he is there. Anyone familiar with the Lakes at Sharrott Hill Subdivision in N Lima? I found a beautiful home online for $345K I am just wondering what the neighborhood is like...

[South Range Family]

Go to Bing.com click on maps. Put in the address and then click on aerial view. The bird's eye view is really good in that area. We have friends that live across the street on Olde Country Lane. The neighborhood on their cul de sac is lawyers, business owners, and an FAA inspector.

This is the last year for the school in North Lima. We are building a brand new campus on route 46. It sits on the Beaver/ Green Township border. That puts the school in the middle of the district.