Quality of Life

[Todd Shapiro]

There must be something wrong with ME! I have lived in Lakewood for three years and I love almost every minute of it. In fact, I just came back from spending three days in Chicago last night and I was happy to be home in Lakewood. But every time I log into the Observation Deck all I see is how bad everything in Lakewood is and how it is not the City it was take your pick 3,10, 20, or 35 years ago.

It seems to me that too many people are spending too much time looking for everything and anything that shows the decline of Lakewood. Post after post on this board about this crime happened here, there is a piece of graffiti here, this or that would not have happened in the past and this is from people who are trying to BULID the Lakewood brand? Someone please show me another city in the Greater Cleveland area, that is building new schools, a new library, is home to a new YMCA, has a lakefront park and access to beach (Edgewater) just across the city line? Oh and don’t forget on of the better nightlife districts in Cuyahoga County, the Beck Center and a vibrant arts scene, and new businesses moving in. All of this for some of the lowest housing prices around.

Most of Lakewood’s problems are not problems unique to Lakewood; in fact they are problems across the Cleveland area. I know some of you cringe at the word regionalism but Lakewood is an inner-ring suburb of a dying central city (Cleveland). This region has been losing population for over 40 year while urban sprawl has spread the remaining population deep into Medina, Geauga, and Lorain counties. So how are there not going to be a number of houses for sale and rent in Lakewood? As much as I love Lakewood the reality of living in greater Cleveland area is this region has one of the worst job markets in the nation, some of the worst winter weather in the country and regressive tax policies.
Many of the people leaving Lakewood are leaving for better opportunities elsewhere not to move to the next suburb because a there is no more basketball hoops, or they saw graffiti, or they heard some crime took place on their street.

I have one question for the people who say they wish to leave Lakewood because of whatever problems they perceive in our community, when you factor in all of the issues that equate to quality of life please tell me the community in the seven county (Lorain, Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Medina, Summit, Portage) region where you will find a better quality of life? If you are going to move away to another region, or state I am sure you are moving for better opportunities and the job market is not something we can control here in Lakewood.

If all of us accentuated the positives of Lakewood, while at the same time working to correct the negatives I bet we could bring some new people into Lakewood and take down some of those for rent/for sale signs.

[Gary Rice]

Todd, I agree,

Lakewood is a great place!

The gloom-and-doom crowd, (and if you check all posts, I think you'll agree that they're not much of a "crowd") would have you thinking all kinds of things about our fair city.

Whether it's patently polemic politics or perhaps peculiar pickled perspectives, I cannot tell you- but thanks for the good post. You are not alone in your opinion!

[Robert Bobik]

I agree. I was born in Lakewood, lived in several cities around Cleveland, and now live in Lakewood. The majority of people, regardless of where they live, utter the same refrain, or variations of, "(enter city name) is really going downhill, crime is going up..... My wife and I made the decisiont to live in Lakewood. We love it here. Sounds cornball, but if people would see and expound on what is good, it might make change for the better. Is it perfect in Lakewood? No. Is it perfect anywhere else? No. I'm not saying turn a blind eye to the problems associated with any city, but Lakewood is not a bad place to live and raise your family. Robert

[Jim O'Bryan]

I agree. I was born in Lakewood, lived in several cities around Cleveland, and now live in Lakewood. The majority of people, regardless of where they live, utter the same refrain, or variations of, "(enter city name) is really going downhill, crime is going up..... My wife and I made the decisiont to live in Lakewood. We love it here. Sounds cornball, but if people would see and expound on what is good, it might make change for the better. Is it perfect in Lakewood? No. Is it perfect anywhere else? No. I'm not saying turn a blind eye to the problems associated with any city, but Lakewood is not a bad place to live and raise your family. Robert

Robert

I walks the streets in many cities and go and visit many others for business reasons with friends.

WE ARE ALWAYS GLAD to drive over Highland Ave back into Lakewood.

We really have something nice going on here.

But we must not become complacent, we must act now to make it better and keep it safe and clean.

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[sharon kinsella]

Todd, Gary and JOB on other threads - I concur.

I grew up here and moved back here and told my kids that I will die here (PS my daughter moved back here from Columbus not only because I was here - but because she saw opportunities and lifestlyle that she loves - ditto my oldest boy from Chicago).

I leave my car windows down when I run into Marcs - I talk to people in the stores and parking lots - people smile at me when I walk down the street.

We have a place that is big enough to give us access to art, music, social change and nature but it is small enough to let your voice be heard and impact your community.

In addition re: for sale signs. The whole country has been victimized by predatory lending and foreclosure rates are insane nationwide.

Business turnover - a lot of places that have closed are small businesses - small businesses have a failure rate of over 60% in a 5 year period - look at all the thriving small businesses that we have here - not chain stores. In addition - this is the time of year that people sell houses, move from one rental to another. It's not just Lakewood but the real estate market in general.

I love it here - I will continue to spend my energy here and will also continue to brag to people that I live in Lakewood!

[Gary Rice]

I posted this link on another thread, but it bears repeating here.

Just take a little look. I don't think that we're doing too badly at all.

http://www.city-data.com/city/Lakewood-Ohio.html

[Bill Call]

There must be something wrong with ME! ......

It seems to me that too many people are spending too much time looking for everything and anything that shows the decline of Lakewood.....
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.....Most of Lakewood’s problems are not problems unique to Lakewood; in fact they are problems across the Cleveland area.

Strangely enough I agree with everything on your post except the first sentence. There is nothing wrong with you. You made some excellent points.

According to the US Census web site Westlake is losing population!

http://tinyurl.com/23ssve

I don't think they are panicking. Housing prices in Brecksville are declining! I don't think they are panicking.

There seems to be a disconnect between the economic statistics and the economic reality that people are living. There is an undercurrent of uneasiness caused by a fear of a loss of a job, a drop in housing prices etc.

All things considered Lakewood is doing about the same as every other community in Cuyahoga County. Is that good enough? I don't think so. On the other hand maybe I am expecting too much.

On the other hand the City is going to be facing some serious economic issues over the next three years and I have very little faith in the current administrations willingness or ability to rise up to the challenge.

[Gary Rice]

Bill,

I think you have a good point nailed. As I drive through those bedroom communities having those huge homes built in the last 10 years or so, I see lots of for-sale signs. I think quite a few people over-extended and over-hoped for better times, than have transpired in our region.

It will take real creativity and effective leadership to deal with the challenges facing our city and our region.

In contrast to your position, I do think that the present administration is doing well, addressing many of our concerns.

Having made that point though, I really believe that whomever is in office come November will need to know that "We the Observers" will continue to carefully watch what's going on around here.

Still, I think that we are in a great city, with passionate people who care about Lakewood. I think we'll be fine.

I might not always agree with you 100%, but I do appreciate your posts!

[J Hrlec]

Grew up here, have always lived here, hope to stay here for the long run! Love every minute of it...

I say poopoo on the bah-humbugs

[dl meckes]

****I have edited Bill Call's post by changing his link to a "tiny URL" so it wouldn't break the Deck format. This was the only change I made.

If anyone has a long link, you can go to http://tinyurl.com and make it short.[/url]

[Dan Shields]

Great Thread !
I want to say that it's uplifting to hear from those with positive things to say about living in Lakewood. Here's my contribution.
I was born and raised on the east side, have lived southeast, in Ohio City, and now in Lakewood. It would take too long to list the many reasons my wife and I enjoy residing here, but here's seven reasons to consider:


1. We enjoy having the Metroparks and the Rocky River in our backyard;
2. We like the short, scenic commute to work (and everything else) in downtown Cleveland;
3. As boaters, we love living on the lake.
4. We enjoy the family programs provided at Lakewood Park.
5. We like the alternative shops and restaurants you can only find in Lakewood;
6. We are extremely pleased with the schools;

and finally, our favorite -
7. The streets are filled with people out and about and walking around.

Feel free to add your own...
Dan Shields

[Shawn Juris]

Different strokes for different folks, my friends. Some are great cheerleaders that can do cartwheels and flips regardless of the score and others will constantly review past plays and push hard to find ways to improve for the upcoming season again regardless of what the scoreboard says. As it was in school or sports or any other situation, it's unlikely that these two distinctively different characters get together to chat and more unlikely that they will see the benefits of the other's perspective. Cheers to those that keep coming back to chat with those that view things so differently.

[Jim O'Bryan]

All things considered Lakewood is doing about the same as every other community in Cuyahoga County. Is that good enough? I don't think so. On the other hand maybe I am expecting too much.

Bill


I think Lakewood is doing marginally better, if for no other reason

More importantly we are perfectly designed for the future.

We offer many more opportunities for far less cost in every department.

As long as we do not panic, we are poised for greatness.

Walkable, 10 minutes from nearly everything, homes for any level, and an engaged community.

As some of us have been saying for years.


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