Cleveland Suburb Shaker Heights Still Popular With Homebuyers by Blanche Evans
The birthplace of philanthropist and movie star Paul Newman, Shaker Heights is located just eight miles east of downtown Cleveland. "Shaker Heights is a distinctive suburb of tree-lined neighborhoods and architecturally interesting homes," says Realtor Wayne Francis. "Seventy percent of Shaker Heights is located within an historic district that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is Ohio's first planned garden city with wide, tree-lined streets." Francis explains, "Shaker Heights is the only one of Cleveland's eastern suburbs with two rapid transit lines connecting it to downtown and to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Its business community includes over 1,000 businesses, from family-owned to the international headquarters of a Fortune 500 company. Local and national retail shops mingle well in this community. Dining opportunities abound. Shaker Heights has easy access to museums and the Cleveland Orchestra at University Circle. It is only minutes away from the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic. It's near Cleveland's sport and concert arenas and the famed Blossom Music Center. The city has four lakes, plenty of park land, an indoor swimming pool, and ice skating arena." "The city is known nationally as a model of diversity and superior public education," Francis continues. "Shaker Heights has a population of 29,000 and has nationally acclaimed schools boasting 28 college-level Advanced Placement Classes in which approximately one-third of the students participate. It has a Performing Arts Program, and a 90 percent college attendance rate. It is home to a regional Nature Center that is identified as a National Environmental Education Landmark." About the housing market, Francis observes, "Shaker Heights has had strong home sales since the beginning of 2005. The month of May saw 97 homes come on the market with 94 of them selling for an average price of $272,869.00 in an average of 40 days. January till May saw 421 homes come on the market with 363 of them selling in an average of 81 days. The average sales price of these 363 homes was $245,219.00. The demand for homes in Shaker Heights is growing, not slowing down, and this will continue to push the prices even higher." |
