The first time my husband mentioned moving to Cleveland, I rolled my eyes. At the time, all I really knew about the city was that winters are beyond cold and last forever.
Coming from Gainesville, Florida, the notion of not seeing the sun for months at a time was frightening. But over the years, it became clear that we missed the conveniences and culture of the major cities we had previously lived in — especially the historical architecture and walkability.
So, four years ago, a job opportunity came along, and we decided to move to Shaker Heights, Ohio, a suburb 20 minutes from downtown Cleveland.
Now that we’ve been here for four years, I’ve fallen in love with everything the Cleveland metro area has to offer.
Living in the suburbs gives us the perfect balance of community and accessibility
After looking at a few houses in the Cleveland metro area, we were smitten with a French Normandy-style home in Shaker Heights, which felt like something out of a Hallmark movie.
We were drawn to the city’s charm, and during the house hunt, we heard there was a strong community and schools within walking distance. Growing up, I walked to school and always wanted that kind of independence for my own kids.
Living here feels like a bit of a time capsule, where families are always gathering around a fire pit in the front yard or holding impromptu BBQs, kids play in the street, and I’ll often pass by a lively block party that closes off the entire street for bikes.
Less than a 15-minute walk from my house is the Van Aken District, a hub for everything from a pilates studio and a coffee shop to Tuesday night trivia nights at the local pub, Craft Collective. My friends and I often gather there for book club, especially in the winter months.
Plus, heading into Cleveland is easy. We live right near the RTA transit line that goes directly into downtown Cleveland every 30 minutes.
I can simply hop on a train to catch a show or watch the Cavs play without worrying about parking. This was a major perk for us, as convenient public transportation was not something that was as easily accessible in Florida.
My home is perfectly positioned for spending time in nature
One of my favorite things about living in Shaker Heights is that, whether I’m looking to embrace the rush of the city or the peace of the outdoors, I can find something to satisfy me.
Each season tells a new story, which is something I welcome after living in the mostly monotonous Floridian weather. Although I had to get used to shoveling my driveway in snow pants, I’ve found that the winters aren’t that bad if you’ve got the right clothing.
In fact, even when the temperature drops into single digits, I can find splendor in the landscape — especially if I look out to the Lake Erie shoreline that transforms into something out of Narnia.
Come spring, cherry blossoms surround the Wade Lagoon in front of the Cleveland Museum of Art — and I never have to compete with tourists for photos, like in Washington, DC.
In the summer, I can’t get enough of the moss-covered rock formations on the Ledges trail in nearby Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
And, of course, the golden colors of the fall are unmatched, and I love exploring the Holden Arboretum (which is included in the Botanical Garden membership).
Overall, I couldn’t be happier with our choice to settle in the Cleveland metro area
When we first moved to the Cleveland area, I was immediately taken by how proud the locals seemed to be of living here. Everywhere I turned, I saw Cleveland shirts and gear repping the city and its many sports teams.
And even though I live in the suburbs, the sentiment is the same. I truly think this is rooted in the fact that people care about their community and have immense pride in living here.
Although I never thought I’d live in Ohio, now that I’ve built my own community, I have no plans to go anywhere else. In fact, it feels like I’ve lived here all along.
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