blinker12

Elmwood Avenue between Downtown and the Art Museum. ALSO, the abandoned Buffalo Central Terminal, west of downtown in a depressed neighborhood, is fascinating if you're into that sort of thing. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_Central_Terminal And the grain silos down by the lakefront are architecturally very cool too. http://www.pbase.com/kjosker/elevators

Yeah, as stated before I would stay north of Bridge in Detroit-Shoreway, and east of W. 74th. I believe I've heard good things about Dixson Hall!

This is some of my favorite stuff too! Additional suggestions along those lines: 1. Someone already mentioned it, but DO NOT MISS the Ingenuity Festival coming up this weekend - it takes place in one of the coolest spaces in Cleveland (in the undercarriage of a bridge, in an old subway tunnel) and features interesting experimental art, music etc. You won't feel at all out of place showing up by yourself, because there are tons of random people wandering around. http://ingenuitycleveland.com/ 2. DO NOT MISS the Cleveland International Film Festival, which takes place in March every year. http://www.clevelandfilm.org/ 3. The Cleveland Cinematheque, inside the Cleveland Institute of Art, shows European and revival films that don't get shown anywhere else in Cleveland (or the region). I don't know that you'll meet people, but it's great for film enthusiasts! http://www.cia.edu/2ColNavPageBuilder.aspx?pageid=125 4. Join the POP UP CITY group on Facebook. This is a series of art/music/performance events in little-known spaces around the city. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cleveland-OH/POP-UP-CITY/26640197309 5. Join the mailing list of City Artists At Work to learn about underground art openings and chances to tour cool loft spaces on the city's near east side: http://www.cityartistsatwork.org/ 6. I'm sure you already know about the monthly Tremont Art Walk - second Friday of each month - but if not, it's well worth checking out. Again, easy to do by yourself because you won't be conspicuous. http://www.tremontartwalk.org/ 7. Do you know about Visible Voice Books in your neighborhood? My favorite bookstore in the City, and they have lots of readings/music/etc. http://www.visiblevoicebooks.com/ 8. Join a Book Club. The Lit, a local literary nonprofit, sponsors a Book Club that meets monthly. Check it out here: http://www.the-lit.org/page1/page8/page8.html 9. The Cleveland Public Library hosts awesome readings by nationally known authors. The schedule is here: http://writersandreaders.cpl.org/schedule.html 10. Start taking yoga classes. I find that people who do yoga are very open to meeting new people & the idea of community & generally artsy. Studio 11, in Tremont, has a variety of classes. http://www.studio11tremont.com/ Well, there are 10 ideas for you!

Hi Ruthanna, It sounds like you're into outdoor/active type stuff. Try the Cleveland Rowing Foundation, In the Flats not far from the Bike Co-Op. There are also lots of 5ks and other runs coming up sponsored by the Hermes organization. The Midtown Classic is one that attracts lots of hip urbanites, and it's coming up this Fall. Are you a member of the CSU Rec Center? It offers lots of classes where you might meet people. In terms of nightlife, my favorite bars to hang out are the Happy Dog, at 58th and Detroit, and Prosperity Social Club in your neighborhood. Both attract an indie unpretentious crowd, and have good music on a lot of nights. Coffee shops can be a good place to meet people - and also be sure to check on the flyers inevitably posted on the bulletin boards for meetings/art openings/events that might interest you. My favorite coffee shops are Gypsy Beans at 65th and Detroit, Loop on w. 11th in Tremont, Erie Island on e. 4th Downtown, and Phoenix on w. 9th Downtown. There are lots of grass rootsy things going on in Cleveland these days and lots of chances to get involved.. Friends of Edgewater Park, lots of local food events (check localfoodcleveland.com), farmers markets, etc. Also check out Cleveland Critical Mass (on Facebook) if you're into bicycling... They organize monthly bike rides that attract hundreds of young folk.

No. Where's the vomit emoticon?? I've never encountered a grocery store that felt so much like a prison before...

I used to live in Asiatown and live in Detroit Shoreway now, so I can speak a bit to both areas. They both have a lot to recommend them. Asiatown pros: walkable to Dave's, very convenient to downtown, fascinating old industrial buildings. Shoreway pros: increasingly vibrant commercial/entertainment district, access to the Red Line, proximity to the lake/Edgewater Park. I would say that overall, Shoreway has a stronger community feel and *feels* more walkable because of recent streetscape improvements. It lacks a decent grocery store, which is a huge drag. Rentals cheap in both areas. In terms of location, the most desirable areas tend to be west of E. 45th (and better west o E. 40th) and north of Chester in Asiatown; between W. 54th and W. 74th and north of Bridge in the Shoreway.

Flaming Ice Cube is awesome. I got the Tempeh "Chickenless" Salad Sandwich - it tasted surprisingly authentic without trying too hard. A side of black bean salsa. My friends were both happy with the vegan burgers too. Service was a bit slow, but not terrible.

I went on the second night they were open. I was really disappointed - the tacos were lackluster and the beans & rice were coated with what tasted like that powdered Mexican seasoning you can buy at any supermarket. And at $4.25 per taco, I expected something a lot more special. I'm cutting them slack because they're so new, but I'm surprised a chef as prominent as Marlin Kaplin would associate himself with food this ho-hum. I hope they get their act together soon because I really like the concept.

I'm told there are ongoing discussions between neighborhood leaders and CMSD about saving this building (or at least its facade). Will keep everyone posted with anything else I hear.

Did anyone catch this in yesterday's article about school demolitions? "South and East high schools are on the demolition list. So is a dilapidated section of Watterson-Lake Elementary, which will remain in operation." http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/05/cleveland_school_district_want.html I am afraid this refers to the lovely old school building at the intersection of Detroit and W. 74th. Anyone have any further information? That building should be saved; it could provide awesome loft-style apartments in an area that is burgeoning and could easily absorb additional market-rate rental options.

Depending on your budget, and whether you want to rent or buy, you could check out the Pinnacle Building (completed 2005ish) or the Avenue loft building (2009), both condo buildings downtown with high-end finishes and gyms on-site. http://www.pinnacle701.com/ http://www.theavenuedistrict.com/homes/elegant-lofts/

I've heard Trader Joe's isn't even considering expansion opportunities right now outside the coasts.

ksonic - Is the Chase ATM accessible outside bank hours? Last time I checked there was no after-hours access.

Another Detroit Shoreway-er here. I moved in in January after renovating an old Victorian house. You're right, the best deals of the three near West neighborhoods you mention are definitely here. There's also good energy among the residents and a general spirit of "let's chip in and make the neighborhood better" - at least the sub-neighborhood north of Bridge, between W. 54th and W. 70th. Lake access is unbeatable - we strolled to Edgewater one night last week and hung out at the lake... lots of other people around doing the same. Very urban, very beautiful. What you're trading is easy access to certain amenities (no decent grocery store, no ATM(!)) and of course you're a little further from downtown. I do think that Ohio City is a great transition neighborhood for folks moving back to Cleveland from a bigger city. It's got perhaps the best balance of intact urban fabric, access to transit, array of amenities and proximity to downtown of any neighborhood in the City. When I moved back to CLE from Brooklyn, NY, I rented on Jay Avenue and the only thing I had to drive or bike to was a drug store. Everything else is in walking distance.

Looks like the new Indian restaurant across from Minh Anh will be called Indian Delight. There is also a place in the Galleria food court called Indian Delight. Probably the same owners. Anyone eaten there? I'm excited about this place - Indian is my favorite cuisine.

Kayteeohh, try Indian Flame on Euclid and E. 117th St., right by the Euclid Tavern. Great, authentic Indian food and I believe they have a lunch buffet. Also, if you like Mexican, try Mi Pueblo, also on Euclid near E. 116th-ish.

The first neighborhood I thought of from your description was Tremont. Most of the housing stock is wood-frame houses divided up into apartments, but there are a few apartment buildings. Depending on your price range, you might try the Gospel Press building, http://www.tremontplacelofts.com/ This is an old Mennonite book bindery that has been turned into apartments. It's a good location, within a 5 minute walk of most of Tremont's main attractions. Tremont is probably different from Chicago neighborhoods you're used to in that the restaurants, stores, etc. are scattered randomly throughout the neighborhood. Although Professor St. comes close, there isn't a main commercial artery where most stuff is located. This gives the neighborhood a "sleepier" feel than many big city neighborhoods because there's no critical mass of activity in any one place. The one thing that Tremont still doesn't have in walking distance is a grocery store. You'll have to bike or drive to the West Side Market or Dave's in Ohio City. If you're looking for a neighborhood that feels a little more bustling, you might try the area around W. 25th and Lorain in Ohio City, as 3231 previously suggested.

I like (and go to) Brad Knapp, who has an office in the Hanna Building in Playhouse Square. Number is 216-241-5745.

Yes. You can order all main dishes either mild, medium or hot.

Has anyone posted about Indian Flame, the new Indian restaurant in University Circle? It's at Euclid and E. 117th, next door to the Euclid Tavern. I went two weeks ago for dinner. The food was excellent, though the service was somewhat slow. The naan was especially mouth-watering. They also do a lunch buffet. I was pleased to see a steady stream of eat-in and take-out customers despite the lack of publicity. I think it's a perfect fit for the neighborhood, with a casual cafe atmosphere that would make any CWRU student feel right at home.

Cross-post from "Filling in Euclid Avenue" thread: The two brick/stone apartment buildings at Euclid and E. 77th received demolition approval from the Midtown-UCI Design Review committee. This is the site that Pirhl is trying acquiring for a senior low-income housing project. It's frustrating to me that rehab wasn't more seriously considered, as that would have 1) saved two high-quality buildings and 2) provided 45% of costs for a project that hasn't yet secured full financing.

The two brick/stone apartment buildings at Euclid and E. 77th received demolition approval from the Midtown-UCI Design Review committee. This is the site that Pirhl is trying acquiring for a senior low-income housing project. It's frustrating to me that rehab wasn't more seriously considered, as that would have 1) saved two high-quality buildings and 2) provided 45% of costs for a project that hasn't yet secured full financing. This thread should maybe be renamed "Dismantling Euclid Avenue"?

Great set of an area that doesn't get photographed much! Looks like you were mostly west of E. 55th along Euclid, Carnegie and Prospect avenues. Prospect between E. 30th and E. 55th has huge potential. The relatively narrow street and intact building stock make for a very cozy feel.

Stumbled on this photo... Here are the Eli Mann buildings (Euclid E. 9th-E. 12th) in 1975: http://images.ulib.csuohio.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/press&CISOPTR=1308&CISOBOX=1&REC=11 (Also, I want one of those cars!)

From the article on Tremont Art Walk today in Friday! magazine: There's a passing reference to a new record shop, called Loop, opening on W. 11th. Sounds like it'll carry vinyl only. I've noticed the signage has been up on the storefront for a while but I wasn't sure what it was going to be. Sorry if this is old news! This is actually the second vinyl shop to open in Tremont in the last 6 months or so. The other is on Kenilworth near Visible Voice Books.