one note on Cleveland winters: in the “heights” (Cleveland heights) people rarely shovel and the city does not put down salt. i went there for seminary, and imagine walking on a thick sheet of ice that is the road. not a fun situation. Cleveland is a place for people who tolerate the cold really well.
a plus side of Cleveland is that the housing is not as expensive, the people are really nice and friendly, and the schools there excellent.
wanderingchana: you left out one beautiful feature. lake erie is very nice, but it also gives cleveland alot of lade effect snow.