Jayel-p

Oh, DUH! Fixed/edited haha :) Just got accepted to an exchange at CSU and I'm super excited having explored the city even more deeply yesterday :)

I've got a few apartments picked out, but am thinking about finding someone to split rent with. I've never lived alone and think it could get quite boring at times. So is anyone here a student looking for a place, of student age with a steady income, friends with anyone in this situation? If so, hit me with a message and a little about yourself and we'll see what's up. I'm not sure if I want a roommate or not. If I can find an agreeable person though, it is likely. Just figured I'd throw it out there! I'm looking to move to the area after the end of this semester. Edit: I forgot this was a general Ohio city life forum :P I'll be in the Cleveland area but am looking at Lakewood particularly near the 117th rapid station. CIA/CSU/Case students, Tri C, within 18-27 basically, if not a student - not hard to get along with.

Thank you all! Words cannot describe how ready I am to complete this move.

While people were making jokes about Arizona being third world... I know a girl who moved to Phoenix from Cleveland, liked it for 2 weeks, then got her first water bill and made no friends. I don't see what the big deal is about Cleveland's climate! 3 feet of fresh power > grey, 35 degrees, concrete and mud that you find in Lexington, Atlanta, Dallas. Combine that with cooler, comfortable summers and Cleveland has it made! Cleveland embraces winter and I find that beautiful as I've always wanted to live somewhere that does. Go Browns. The city is doing great, and improving. I'm proud to say I'm a future-Clevelander.

I'm in love, in more ways than one. I also made a stop to my hometown of Chicago (the city, not the 'burbs) and realized something... While I adore Chicago and once thought I wanted to spend the rest of my life there... Cleveland has so much to offer that I may take it instead! While it doesn't have the sheer density of Chicago, it seems much more livable in terms of cost while still offering the walkable, safe entertainment areas and great people. The parks were absolutely amazing and I just loved every little bit of my time in the city. Yeah... It doesn't have the skyline of Chicago... but the RTA train smells better than the blue line and the people seem to smile just a little bit more (no knocking on the people of Chicago). For a place ranked a "miserable city", Cleveland city was freaking amazing. University Circle reminded me of the neighborhood I grew up in, while Ohio City and Tremont were both great as well. Lakewood still will be my likely choice for cost reasons (Birdtown was perfect, I thought), but as of now I'm looking out on craigslist for possible roommates to keep the rent low wherever I go and that may lead me into the city or the Heights. Oh, and I got a number that I definitely don't want to lose! ;) ...Go Browns!

I am making a trek up soon at the end of this month to visit friends and hopefully drag them to visit some various neighborhoods with me :) Finished this semester as of today with a great GPA and all signs are pointing north! Any recommendations on food in Shaker Square? Things to do in Birdtown (Lakewood)? Any other good neighborhoods IN the city aside from Tremont/Ohio City/Buckeye-Shaker? Any recommendations at all to fill this weekend, please let me know :) Thank you all so far for your helpful advice. I'm going to try and get around on the bus this weekend because I've never ridden an actual useful public trans system outside of Chicago's El trains which are way easy to use.

Thanks so much everyone for being patient and answering questions! I'm actually planning a trip up after Christmas to tour a few complexes :)

Anyone got any good shots of Gallipolis? I love that little town.

Well, would you consider Shaker Square, Tremont, and Ohio City to be as safe as Lakewood and Cleveland Heights?

Message sent. I urge all of you to do the same. I'd love to be able to take a train to visit friends in Dayton and Cinci once I move to Cleveland.

Sorry I've not replied so soon! It's finals week at UK and I'm up to my ears in work! Earlier there were mentions of changes at CSU... Care to go into detail? Also, as far as the places off of E. 30, those rent for wayyyyy too much, even if they do have a good location. If I spend that much money I'd probably end up in Ohio City just out of general preference of the area. I'll scour the listings and average rents of Shaker Square in just a bit, as well as look up the area. I've only driven through it I think. Either way, I've heard bad things about living IN the city in terms of safety. Back on the Highland Place argument, what kind of troubles are you referring to? I'm looking at Lakewood crime maps right now and it doesn't seem to be that bad. I don't mind a slightly gritty neighborhood, but want to be able to walk home at night without getting mugged. How safe is this area? Shaker Square? Addition: Shaker Square looks to be moderately affordable and looks nice on the street views. Are there any other student-popular eastside suburbs besides Cleveland Heights which are worth living in/within an hour's by public trans? Where do most Tri-C/CIA/Case/CSU students live? Also, KJP, I don't mind posts about the area. Anything relevant to Cleveland will be welcome by me, good and bad. I'm set on moving there as I love the area and the people, so even anything negative said won't change my mind. I can promise that! In fact, I just got my acceptance email for the exchange program today :) I'm C-town bound :)

12060 Lake is the address for West Court. As for the bus, CSU offers the U pass which is unlimited rides on all RTA for $25 a semester I believe. Right now the Mayfair is leading as I know someone who lives there and have ridden the bus TO campus, it's fairly speedy! Can you just walk on the train with a bike? I don't even know when I'll even be using my car! I'm not used to having public trans around, and am excited for it!

Be glad for that. One of the reasons Detroit was hit harder than Cleveland by white flight is the sheer size of the area compared to the amount of people lost from the tax base.

I already have some friends in greater Cleveland. However, I would prefer to live in an area near nightlife and not in a dorm (which is why I chose Lakewood, and am not restricting myself exclusively to it, but the other area I'm looking at (Coventry in Cleveland Heights) is a bit more pricey, as are dorms) The two areas I've been to that I've liked best are Lakewood and Coventry in Cleve Hts. but does anyone else have recommendations for cheap, fun living? I know CSU has a rep as a commuter school but I'd like to be around other people my age and within public trans distance (just because I commute every day right now to UK and hate it. Driving in rush hour traffic is horrible.) I do like density and I'd prefer rent under $500 a month but that's negotiable. I'm willing to have a roommate if that makes things easier. I have friends on Hampshire in Cleveland Heights as well as a few in Mayfield Heights, so the east side does look good to me, however, driving through Lakewood is awesome as well. I've been looking at the following in Lakewood: Lakewood Club Mayfair a place on Detroit and Giel West Court Highland Place I plan to go on a few tours of those soon. I'm having trouble finding cheaper 1BRs in CH, but I'm sure there are shares and the likes out there.

I currently attend the University of Kentucky and have never lived on my own before, but in my recent travels have fallen in love with Northeast Ohio. In short, I'm partaking in the National Student Exchange program for my senior year to Cleveland State University (for those that don't know what this is, you pay in-state tuition, which means FREE for me, to your home institution and attend elsewhere). I am looking for some general tips in moving such a large distance, for getting around (is taking the bus every morning really a viable option? Lexington's public trans is rubbish, but I hate to drive so much) Do I need to re-register my car? Get a new license? My family is not supportive of this as they are fearful, hateful shut-ins (they listed "TOO MANY BLACKS" as a reason to avoid the area) and I am more than financially capable. I will basically be out on my own, with no assistance, for the first time ever. Any advice at all? Where are the jobs at in Lakewood/western Cleveland? Best recommendation for moving a bed? My car is a 110hp 4 cylinder, doubt it could pull a trailer safely. Any opinions on CSU? Recommendations for things to do? I've met a few great people in the area that have pledged to help me make the transition but I still worry about what it will be like, how I will occupy my time with no one to tell me what to do every second of the day. In the meantime I will say that I love Ohio, from Athens to Toledo, Cincinnati to Cleveland. It's a truly special state in which I've met some of the most amazing people I've had the honor to have in my life. :mrgreen: Edit: I plan on checking them out when the time comes, of course, but the apartments and duplexes under $500, are they too good to be true? :O Lakewood real estate is so cheap, it seems! Any advice on finding a roommate or anything of the sort? I want to keep the cost as low as possible for me in order to have spare spending money. One final thing... I'm a firm believer in giving back to the community and have always enjoyed putting forth a helping hand. Are there any volunteer organizations in Cleveland? I love the city and believe every person's effort counts and therefore would love to chip in my own.