The first time my husband mentioned moving to Cleveland, I rolled my eyes. At the time, all I really knew about the city was that the winters are beyond cold and last forever.

Coming from Gainesville, Florida, the thought of not seeing the sun for months was terrifying. But as the years passed, it became clear that we missed the amenities and culture of the major cities we had previously lived in, especially the historic architecture and walkability.

Then, four years ago, a job opportunity arose and we decided to move to Shaker Heights, Ohio, a suburb 20 minutes from downtown Cleveland.

Now that we’ve been here for four years, I’ve fallen in love with everything the greater Cleveland area has to offer.

Living in the suburbs gives us the perfect balance of community and accessibility.

After looking at a few homes in the greater Cleveland area, we fell in love with a French Norman style home in Shaker Heights that looked like something out of a Hallmark movie.

We were drawn to the city’s charm and, during our house search, heard there was a strong community and schools within walking distance. As a child, I walked to school and always wanted that kind of independence for my own children.

Living here feels like a time capsule, where families are always gathering around a front yard bonfire or having impromptu barbecues, kids play in the street, and I often pass a lively block party that closes the entire street to bikes.

Less than a 15-minute walk from my house is the Van Aken district, a hub for everything from a Pilates studio and coffee shop to Tuesday night trivia nights at the local pub, Craft Collective. My friends and I meet there often to form a book club, especially in the winter months.

Plus, heading to Cleveland is easy. We live near the RTA transit line that goes directly to downtown Cleveland every 30 minutes.

I can just hop on a train to see a show or watch the Cavs play without worrying about parking. This was a big plus for us, since convenient public transportation was not as accessible in Florida.

My house is perfectly positioned to spend time in nature.

One of my favorite things about living in Shaker Heights is that whether I’m looking to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city or the peace of the outdoors, I can find something that suits me.

Each season tells a new story, something I appreciate after living in Florida’s mostly monotonous climate. Although I had to get used to shoveling the driveway in snow pants, I discovered that winters aren’t so bad if you have the right clothing.

In fact, even when the temperature drops to the single digits, I can find splendor in the landscape, especially as I look toward the Lake Erie shoreline that transforms into something out of Narnia.

Come spring, cherry blossoms surround Wade Lagoon in front of the Cleveland Museum of Art, and I never have to compete with tourists for photos, like in Washington, DC.

In the summer, I never tire of seeing the moss-covered rock formations on the Ledges Trail in nearby Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

And of course, the golden colors of autumn are unparalleled and I love exploring the Holden Arboretum (which is included in your Botanic Garden membership).

Overall, I couldn’t be happier with our choice to settle in the greater Cleveland area.

When we first moved to the Cleveland area, I was immediately struck by how proud the locals seemed to be to live here. Everywhere I looked, I saw Cleveland jerseys and gear representing the city and its many sports teams.

And even though I live in the suburbs, the feeling is the same. I truly believe this is due to the fact that people care about their community and are immensely proud to live here.

Although I never thought I would live in Ohio, now that I have built my own community, I have no plans to go anywhere else. In fact, I feel like I’ve lived here all the time.