Thinking about buying a home? Here's a tip -- don't buy one in Berea, Ohio. The taxes in this suburb are among the highest in Cuyahoga County (metro Cleveland area), but the city doesn't hold up its' end of the bargain by enforcing its' supposedly tough Exterior Maintenance codes. Code enforcement is less then lax. Properties are getting more and more run down, and property values are nosediving. The City Council members are clueless and lazy. The Building Inspectors seem like nice folks when you call but nothing ever gets resolved. As the property values drop less desirable people are moving in, which is also pulling down test scores in the schools. Be smart, stay away from Berea, Ohio.