Not sure what other posters are thinking but there is very little in common between Shaker and Cleveland Heights except for geographic proximity. Except for area around Fairmount Blvd, Cleveland Heights has become a suburban ghetto. Section 8 is rampant, crime everywhere and schools are a disaster. Sure, some crazy liberal thinks that schools are acceptable but only a fool would risk the safety of their child in that school district. There have been shootings after school and local police have a strong presence near the high school every day to keep thuggish behavior in check. Google the news for crime in Cleveland Heights and search the local paper, Sun Press, and see the police blotter to confirm what I am saying.

Shaker is opposite of Cleveland Heights: predominantly all safe neighborhoods except for south west corner which borders Cleveland. This area is very ghetto and filled with section 8 and foreclosures. Shaker schools have done a much better job of keeping things under control and is really two schools: extremely high performing for one half and average performing for other half, dividing line being socioeconomic of course. Shaker has problems too but not nearly as bad as Cleveland Heights.

As to investing in either community, my advice is don't. The Cleveland area has some of the worst leadership that I have ever seen. High tax, high regulation, high poverty, strong union and very anti-business. Buy in either city and you will have city housing inspectors breathing down you neck for such serious offenses as chipping paint. Sadly, the area is in a slow long term decline and will not get better anytime soon. See housing appreciation for proof positive: many houses are sold for less than they were 10 years ago. See history right here on trulia.

Too bad for if you got rid of the lousy leadership and liberal mentality the permeates the area the it might have a future.

I would say that both communities have pockets that are not as nice. However, I work in the CH schools and would send my own children to them. They are not 'very bad' but have gotten that reputation perpetuated by people who have probably never even set foot into one of the CH-UH schools. Come visit and see for yourself.

Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights have very low crime rates for urban suburbs. Cleveland Heights has the lower crime of the two although the schools in Cleveland Heights are very bad and the Shaker Schools are good. The areas are headed up thanks to the National Trust, Renovaters, Flippers, and the residents. They are becoming more desirable areas. I am looking to invest in some of Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights' grand mansions.

Some web sites are very useful in this area... this one, trulia.com, is one of them, you might also try contacting a realtor to help you with cleveland hts, shaker hts and other areas with comparable information... crime rates, schools, and other areas of concern when purchasing a house.

This website might be helpfull.
http://www.bestplaces.net/crime/?city1=53403940&city2=50465000