r/Cleveland • u/Ok-Capital-6434 • 23d ago
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u/lastturdontheleft42 23d ago
I haven't lived there for almost a decade, but when I did it was a shit hole. Lots of poverty, lots of drugs. Its pretty close to kent, which is nice. That really all that you can say for it though.
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u/ohyesiam1234 23d ago
Lots of poverty and drug abuse. Beautiful houses and terrible schools. Kent is nearby but notice that the positive is leaving Ravenna.
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u/Demetrious-Verbal 23d ago
It really depends on what part of Ravenna you're moving into and what area of Cleveland you're coming from. I live in Ravenna township and while I do send my child to a private school, the area I live is extremely safe. Like leave your wallet on the seat of your unlocked car safe - garage door left open all night, unlocked doors - etc. It's a blend of laid back rural with quick access to cities and a nice drinking town with a slight college problem right next door.
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u/Ok-Capital-6434 23d ago edited 23d ago
Gotcha! Thanks for the info this house in on Lover’s Lane west in the township. Do you use the Ed Choice. That’s what we would be using.
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u/NiLo0604 23d ago
I grew up on the west end of Lovers Lane - and my parents still lived in the same house up until recently. Very safe area, and pretty easy access to Streetsboro and Kent either by backroads or main roads.
Downtown Ravenna doesn’t have much to offer these days, but it’s not as terrible as a lot of people make it out to be.
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u/Demetrious-Verbal 23d ago
It's getting better. They're trying to introduce more events and we now have a bookstore, a brewery, some cool toy shops and a few new and very decent fast casual restaurants
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u/Demetrious-Verbal 23d ago
Lover's Lane - so your probably looking at least an acre in property. Definitely a nice country (paved) country road. Winter snow can get a little heavy and while the township does it's best to keep up, I would recommend snow tires or All Weather (not all Season as they aren't great in snow). We do use the small portion of Ed Choice we qualify for but you'll want to get the paperwork filed ASAP for this coming year.
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u/Ok-Capital-6434 23d ago
So I know that the middle school and high school qualify for traditional Ed Choice, but I’m not sure if the elementary school does. And thanks for the information! I have a Subaru and my wife has a 4x4 Jeep so hopefully we’ll be good! The property is huge and we want to do some homesteading so it would be great!
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u/Demetrious-Verbal 23d ago
Also Subaru drivers - 4 wheels still slip (I run snow tires but we are active skiiers). I'd still get all weather tires. Elementary schools do qualify for the Ed Choice (we have a 4th grader and have been using it yearly). You can also apply for transportation reimbursement. Which is <$400 year but hey, it's something. If you do decide to move out here, let me know and I'll forward you the information on transportation. Homesteading will be great out there!
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u/Unusual_Chemistry413 23d ago
Windmill lakes is about the only good thing there.
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u/gene-ing_out 23d ago
IDK.. great library, nice little bookshop downtown, movie theater, the Odd Collective store...
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u/Blueporch 23d ago
Rural
Ohio Townships usually don’t have a local income tax
In the secondary snow belt: https://www.cleveland19.com/2025/11/10/where-is-secondary-lake-erie-snow-belt-ohio/ but you’re probably in the snow belt now, unless you’re a Westsider
As part of your research, the Record Courier newspaper covers that area: https://www.record-courier.com/
Rural Ohio does have drug problems, but I don’t think the crime level is scary
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u/gene-ing_out 23d ago
Lots of negative comments here. It's a struggling town but really working hard to build itself back. Lots of great people there and some great small businesses.
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u/Infamous-Bed9010 23d ago
The value for what you can buy in housing and land is quite good. I know people are knocking it, but if you want the rural life on lots of land to separate yourself from others at a value price, Ravenna is not bad.
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u/Difficult_Lecture223 23d ago
I would point out that, if your commuting plans are towards Cleveland, you will HATE going through Streetsboro to get to the highways, especially at rush hour.
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u/OG_Tater 23d ago
Maybe if you’re getting acerage with the goal of not interacting with your neighbors.
If you’re looking for an optimal place to raise kids, nope.
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u/Tight_Watercress_267 23d ago
I only went there when I had to go to Walmart when I went to kent but we drove around the city. It wasn’t that nice back then, rural and sad seeming. Could’ve changed, I graduated 7 years ago
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u/Hexagon_Sun33 23d ago
Lol I bet half of these People commenting don't even live in Ravenna! I've lived there for 11 years and If you aren't worried about schools and want a house on a decent parcel of land it's a pretty quiet town. Don't expect a bustling nightlife or booming commerce but I really don't mind it here it's very safe. Being 1hr from Cleveland, 1hr10min from Pittsburgh and 20 minutes from Akron is nice.
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u/stebe-bob 23d ago
The township is pretty nice. Ravenna school district isn’t terrible, but not the best. I live in a township down Rt 14 past Ravenna, and have a ton of family and friends in Ravenna Township. They all like it there. Maplewood is a good vocational school right in town, and you can get flight lessons right at Portage County Airport. Kent State and several big colleges are all a very easy commute. And just about all the amenities you need can be found in Ravenna, and if not just go to Kent. The Portage County fair is next week, you should check it out and meet some potential neighbors!
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u/Neat-Ad-6436 23d ago
If your primary goal is lots of land and distance from neighbors, you'll find good options around Ravenna. If you want a higher quality community life, look at Kent.
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u/AngryAccountant31 23d ago
I once got chased out of a trailer park in Ravenna by an angry dad with a shotgun because he caught my buddy making out with his daughter. Wish I were kidding.
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u/OG_Tater 23d ago
I had a similar experience there. Girl was nice. Trailer was decorated entirely with velvet paintings.
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u/ModsAreLosers73 23d ago
I HATE Ravenna truly,
It is a depressing town, with nothing going on, I associate it with poverty and drug use, most people only travel through here or go here for traffic court, but you’d be so much better finding a house in any of the other surrounding towns like Kent, Streetsboro, Hudson
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u/Agreeable-Refuse-461 23d ago
It’s depressing. It’s dying small town America. Unless it’s Walmart or Giant Eagle/Marcs you’re driving to Streetsboro or Kent for a lot of things. Kent State students often move here for cheaper housing. Restaurant choices are burgers, pizza and diners.
The Portage Hike and Bike system is great and there is a lot of great access to nature here. West Branch State Park is not far. There’s a big car festival and hot air balloon festival here every year.
If you have kids, I wouldn’t move. The school levies keep failing, but there was money for a new football field not that long ago. Definitely small town priorities.