WarehouseGal

I just wanted to say thanks everyone for the opinions! I posted my question and then ran off on vacation, so it was great to come back and have all this info. I appreciate it! We're going out looking (probably the first of a few days of it) this weekend and I feel like I have some good info to go on.

And to state the (perhaps) obvious: given the current market, I think there's going to be ample room for negotiation on rent, and I wouldn't assume that the more expensive buildings downtown are necessarily out of your range. See them, and if you fall in love, I would negotiate. I'd be surprised if you couldn't talk them down, especially for bigger units. (1 beds are most in demand around here I think.)

I don't want to spread rumors, but I have heard some really unpleasant things about Reserve Square --- the bedbugs, as well as something about faulty wiring which caused fires. This was from a good friend considering moving there, a trustworthy person, but it's secondhand so take it with a grain of salt, I suppose. But, to be frank, neither is as big a deal, really, as the fact that I think you'd be happier on E 4 or in the Warehouse District because there are places to go at night *other than* your building. To me, Reserve Square seems like a model of what *not* to do in urban planning --- namely, build a massive self-contained compound rather than developing a neighborhood. As far as the buildings you ask about, I did know someone who lived at National Terminal, and it worked for them. There is some subsidized housing in the building, so it's mixed income; I think you should be aware of that, but I don't think it's a reason not to live there at all. See it for yourself. I live in the Hat Factory and have been happy with the apartment, the management, etc. It's one of the less expensive buildings, so I'd add that to your list, too. It's managed by Colliers Ostendorf-Morris, mostly a commercial management company.

Okay, folks, this seems like *the* place to ask this question. When I moved to Cleveland about a year ago from Boston (after growing up in New York), I knew I wanted to live somewhere walkable. Since I'd be living alone, for the first time (I could finally afford to!), I was also concerned with being somewhere I felt safe walking around alone into the evening hours. It's important to note, I don't mean that in the sort of paranoid suburban sense. To me, a safe urban neighborhood is a neighborhood with people in it, on the streets, doing things, right? Fast forward a year, and I am now planning to move in with my boyfriend, looking for a bigger place, and am considering whether to stay in the Warehouse District, which I really do like, or move to Tremont. My primary concern with Tremont really is safety. There are lots of reasons I love the area (I work in the arts and I'm much more a gallery opening person than a club person), and I go there all the time, but do you think it is *as safe* as the Warehouse District for a young single girl? Having cool places in walking distance is no use to me if I'm not going to feel totally safe walking to them. Most of my experiences walking around by myself in Tremont have been weekends and Art Walk nights. What about a random Tuesday, walking home from a yoga class at Studio 11? In terms of stats, we'll be looking for a two-bedroom, willing to pay up to $1500 but prefer more like $1000 or less, which is easy in either neighborhood. Also: I'm thinking about Tremont Place Lofts, the new renovation opening in the Gospel Press building. Does anyone know anything about the developer or property manager? You never know with a new place ... Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!