POLL: Does Solon Lack a Sense of Community?

We all know what Solon has. . . .

But despite those great aspects, does Solon lack something important: A sense of community?

Yes, it's a nebulous thing not easily quantifiable, and the answer will be different for every resident. But data gathered in the 2012 Community Survey as part of the city's master plan process suggest that Solon may be viewed as a transient place lacking that sense of home and togetherness that goes into the word community.

Last week, the citizens master plan committee discussed data that seemed to suggest that Solon may be regarded by resident's as a transient place in their lives, more as a stop along the way rather than home.

Said Planning Director Rob Frankland to the committee: "I think the people in this room would like to have more of a sense of community than we have."

The question is, Solon, do you agree? Head down and take our polls, and then debate and discuss in the comments!

But first, some data from the survey that suggests a lack of community:

1. Schools are great, but what else?

By far, residents said the quality of was the main reason why they moved here.

But 34 percent of those survey said they were considering moving away from Solon in the next five years. The most common answer was because they said they wanted to downsize their home.

Are these two related? Very likely, the survey suggests.

Since most residents move here because of the schools, once the kids graduate residents may not feel incentive to stay. These empty-nesters are then living in a too-large home and looking to move, often away from Solon.

More evidence of this trend: In 2001, 43 percent said they were interested or knew someone interested in living in senior housing in Solon. This year, only 20 percent responded that way.

2. Where is "downtown" Solon?

Downtown areas can be a unifying place that connects residents together. Solon doesn't have a place like that.

You hear it all the time: Residents wish Solon had a downtown like Chagrin Falls or Hudson. Nor is there a public square like Twinsburg.

When asked what Solon's biggest weaknesses were, some residents said that Solon lacked a town center and that's its downtown area had a poor appearance.

What is the center of town? Is it ? The ? The ? Veterans park?

3. Do you want to be buried in Solon?

Here's an interesting piece of data: most residents surveyed said that Solon did not need more cemetary space.

What does this mean? Most people want to be buried near their loved ones, among their families, in a place they consider home. It suggests that people who live in Solon now don't necessarily want to be buried in Solon.

Follow Solon Patch on Facebook and Twitter, and sign up for our daily newsletter. Want to contact the editor? E-mail Chris Mazzolini at chrism@patch.com.