Get to Know Your Neighbors: The Deuches

The Deuches love to travel, but Brecksville is home—and it has been for more than 30 years and three different houses.

The Deuches first moved into the area in the ’70s, said Joan Deuch. They were living in South Euclid at the time and were looking for something closer to the airport. David Deuch had an aunt in the area, but he was a bit hesitant to leave the east side. Still, when they visited Brecksville, they fell in love with the area.

The two became staples in Brecksville. Joan worked with the student activities in the and , helping with clubs, sports and dances. David served on for 12 years. They've volunteered and taken part on boards.

So what turned these two into full-fledged Brecksville residents?

For one, Brecksville is close to downtown Cleveland’s amenities, David said, but it’s a community with plenty of places to spend time outdoors. Joan said they like the fact that a third of the city is still parkland.

And it’s the people that really tie them to the community.

They knew many of their new neighbors before they even moved in to their newest home—there were old neighbors from past homes, families they knew from when their children were in school, people they knew from their professional lives. Their children and their families live in town. And the Deuches try to shop local and turn to local business owners for home repairs and renovations.

“It’s nice, all those connections,” Joan said.

And while they love to travel—Joan said the couple has been to about 90 countries, and they recently bought a winter home in Florida—Brecksville will keep them coming back.

What do you love about your town? Tell us in the comments!