For those of us located in Northeast OH, we suffered through a time when literally all types of media had LeBron James as the lead story (and, it happened, again, yesterday). I am a professional basketball fan; yet, I am tired of it. Let LeBron have the Miami Heat and South Beach. I've been to South Beach - nice location for a vacation. But, for someone who has lived in Northeast OH for the majority of my life, there is so much more to know about the place I call home.
We have a great cost of living. And, when Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC recently released its Home Listing Report, it listed Cleveland as one of the top 10 most affordable housing markets in the U.S.
We have four distinct seasons. There is no boredom here. This provides for a variety of activities all year long. We have Lake Erie, which provides all types of water activities in the warm weather and snow activities in the winter months. The Metro Parks, also called the Emerald Necklace, encircling the Greater Cleveland Area, gives us green space for anything from golf and horseback riding to fishing and picnicking.
We have entertainment. Cleveland has the second largest theatre district - second only to NYC's Broadway. Then, we have our major sports teams - the Browns for football, the Indians for baseball and the Cavaliers for basketball. Clubs and restaurants for fine dining are located in downtown Cleveland, more in the Warehouse District and the Flats. Cedar Point, the well known amusement park specializing in roller coasters, is about 45 minutes away from the Western suburbs. In and around the same area as Cedar Point are the Lake Erie Islands that provide more entertainment activities with Miller's Ferry (you can go alone or take your cars and bikes with you) and the Jet Express (for fast transportation - no vehicles) providing access to South Bass Island.
Our affordable housing is varied. In downtown Cleveland, there are traditional apartments, traditional condos, lofts in the Warehouse District and condos trailing down the side of the bank leading to the Flats and the Cuyahoga River and the Old Viaduct. The suburbs provide every type of housing one could want. We have lakeside high-rise condos and single homes, classic older homes (including century homes), homes in established developments and new home developments, cluster homes, traditional condos, large custom homes on multiple acres, and homes of multiple sizes on varying lot sizes. And, we are in an area where our homes can and most do have basements, for additional storage and, in many cases, additional living space in basements that are finished.
We have to admit we have seen our share of foreclosures and unemployment. But, we did not have the inflation of home values that both coasts and Florida have experienced. Our home values have been affected by the Great Recession, but not to the extent of those heavily affected areas. We should rebound faster.
For all that I have said, I am staying where I am. However, I might vacation in South Beach again sometime....
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