what would you miss if you moved from Lakewood?

[Ivor Karabatkovic]

As the election season rolls around and things heat up in the city, I think it would be a great time to start a thread about things we love about this city and would really miss if we woke up one day and didn't have it...or if the winds of life took us on a journey away to other things and places.

I began thinking about the things I would miss if I moved from Lakewood. I'm gathering a list of my own, and going to take photos of each item and post it here. If you want to add your own, feel free to. It would be a "Clouds got in the way.." type of thread.

What would I miss? Here's my first one..



More to come.

[Gary Rice]

I think that Dad and I would miss YOU, Ivor!

Great photo, by the way!

Shortly before I retired, I had a couple of issues that developed with Lakewood. At that time, I was bound and determined that, after being freed from the job that tied me to the Greater Cleveland area, that I would pack my bags and get the heck away from here...and the sooner the better!

The lure of "no-steps, no snow" was a very powerful attraction to me, and frankly, still is.

Well, after I cooled down after retirement, I realized that, compared to other areas around here, Lakewood doesn't get buried in snow all THAT often...

Add to that, the fact that steps are not necessarily a bad thing, especially for indoor exercise in the winter (provided, God willing, that people are able TO step...)

Then having the doctors, medical care, and all that we needed close by....that was something to think about.

And then, getting involved with this Observer project...writing for the paper, meeting (and arguing at times) with so many great people....

...not to mention trying to keep the peace on this 'Deck. (there were times I felt like the Dodge City sherriff of olden times...)

This is a great thread Ivor, and a nice reminder that, even in our disputes, we Lakewoodites seem to act more like brothers and sisters, than we do, adversaries.

Uh, usually....

Back to the banjo....

[Donald Farris]

Hi,
I have to agree with Mr. Rice, Ivor that is a stunning picture. Thanks, for sharing.

Additionally, we have always found Lakewood is full of wonderful people. When our City government decided to try and steal our property, so many of you, spoke up and defended our right to own property in Lakewood. You changed the lives of me and my family is such a positive way and I'll always be grateful.

[Valerie Molinski]

Lakewood Recreation- they offer so much to us and so many times that work with anyone's schedule


Fourth of July in Lakewood. It's a great day, from the parade to the fireworks.


My house.

[Danielle Masters]

Well we've left Lakewood twice in the past 14 years so I know quite well what I'd miss.

First of I'd miss my friends, and my family since my parents are here. And I know my children would miss their friends.

I'd miss the schools, we've been in different districts in two different states, Lakewood has the best schools and the best teachers.

I'd miss the weather, I know, I know, winter isn't fun but for a girl who grew up in sunny southern california snow is amazing, plus the seasons in general. I love the metroparks during every season.

I'd miss the quirky streets with all the homes in different styles, there is just a lot of variety

I'd miss the walkability, I can walk anywhere.

I's miss the festivals, the art and community festivals, and one of my new faves the Car Kulture Show.

I'd miss the people, I love that this city is not white bread suburbia, I get to meet amazing people of many different cultures.

Lakewood has a lot to off, it's my home and I love it.

[Hank Trefethen]

I too grew up in sunny southern California and well, while the winter will never be top on my list I love the seasons. I lived in Lakewood from August '04 to July of '06 and once I left I realized what a great place it was.

While I was a Lakewood resident I longed for a bigger city that moved at a faster pace and was positioned economically like the greater Los Angeles area. Since we left we've been back in town at least once every 6 months. We can't seem to stay away. I think a lot of it has to do with the unique cultural experience, the community bond and general good vibe that exists.

There is a lot about Lakewood that my wife and I miss quite a bit. The Library is wonderful, the closeness of everything is great, the community spirit is strong, the diversity is alive and well and we think it'd be a great place to raise a family.

I've been in a lot of places, lived in a lot of cities, I love those areas for different reasons—and perhaps I'm romanticizing a little here—but my wife and I agree that the cities we've lived in and have visited seem soulless in comparison.

Sure there is no perfect place, but we love Lakewood and when the time is right we'll be back because it is a beautiful place through and through.

[Ivor Karabatkovic]

Interesting!

I've always heard from people that move away that there's something that draws them back to Lakewood.

Another thing that I would miss is that I'm one of the few in this town that gets to do this:


Keith Urban and Sugarland perform in Cleveland

[Joe McClain]

I moved from Lakewood to Williamsburg, VA in 2004. I'm not going to say I miss "friends," because that seems to be a given; you miss friends every time you relocate.

Here's what I miss:
Lake Erie
The Rocky River
The indefinable neighborhood feel.
Taverns. The drinkeries here do not have that casual quality that encourages the thirsty soul to drop in for a quick one on the way home from the hardware store.
The food. We have found no substitute for small food vendors such as the Elmwood Bakery and T.J.'s Butcher Block.
The wonderful old houses and the vernacular architecture.
The cost of living, especially no sales tax on groceries.
Breeze. It isn't very windy here and I miss the fresh air coming in off Lake Erie.
The mixture of ethnicity/economic status, etc. of the residents.

Here are some things I DON'T miss:
Nocturnal racket. Car alarms, domestic ruckuses, loud parties to which I am not invited.
The supermarkets.
Anxiety related to population shrinkage/urban decay.
Winter. I really thought I would miss winter. I don't. I think I've scraped my windshield four times in five years.
Maintaining a 100-year-old home. Scraping paint amid a shower of lead-based chips does wonders for eroding the charm of vintage-home ownership. Is this inconsistent with one of the items in my first list? Very well, let it be inconsistent.
Parking. I mean at home. A minor daily hassle.
The schools. Start with the funding situation and continue on down.
The streets. By that I mean the actual roadway surfaces.
The supermarkets.

[Joe McClain]

I forgot! The library. Lakewood Public Library is vastly superior to the one here in supposedly highly literate Williamsburg. The one aspect of the WMBG library that is better is the auditorium in which concerts are regularly presented.