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Yeah I actually looked at Pointe at Gateway, called them, and they said they didn't have any 1br's available for rent at the time :-| It seems like a nice place, I'm happy that there's something around 700 in that building though! I'm sure that apt will be gone by the time I'm moving in May, right?

Thanks for the heads up!

Alright, here goes my update. I'm still looking, not for lack of finding options I liked, but for fear that none will be available the time I need it to be, so I'm making back up plans :-) After two trips to Cleveland in the last month, I've decided I'd really like to live downtown simply because I will be working downtown and even on off peak hours, I didn't enjoy the commute when visiting areas in the suburbs. I'm used to traffic like that, I would just like to avoid it if possible. For the price range, I found a few that I really liked: 668, Euclid Block (part of East 4th apts), Huron Square, and W.T. Grant Lofts. They all pretty much had what I was looking for and are close to work. ALL of these places however had a waiting list and they either weren't sure what they had available yet or they offered to give me an apartment two months in advance if I paid for it which I'm definitely not willing to do if I'm not even living there. I looked in the Warehouse District at the Bingham and Bridgeview. I liked the actual apartment, but the area didn't feel as safe to me, and I would need to rely on public transportation for work (which I'd greatly prefer not to do) unless I wanted to pay for TWO parking garages in the city. As for the suburbs. The problem was... for what I was looking for, I couldn't find one that was priced right. I looked at many on the Gold Coast area in Lakewood. I understand you're paying some for the lake view, but the apartments they seemed to bragging about that had recent updates were still not as updated or well kept as the newer ones downtown AND it was more expensive AND it will involve a commute. I looked at a couple in Brook Park, but the combo of the commute and the prices being almost the same as downtown just didn't make sense to me. I have one more weekend in April that I'll head out to Cleveland and possibly see a few more apartments. I guess if anyone has very specific suggestions that would be really helpful or if someone talked me into relying on public transportation in Cleveland so I could spread the web of where I'm looking downtown, that would be great, too. Thanks to everyone again for your input and advice, it's been very helpful!

Thank you everyone for posting your thoughts, they've been very helpful! @MyTwoSense: I appreciate it, really, and don't worry, I haven't completely ruled out downtown! @KJP: Thanks for a lot of helpful info. If I live on my own, I think I've ruled out living in a duplex just for safety/peace of mind reasons if I live by myself. I looked into the Gold Coast area in Lakewood, and will be visiting some of those this week. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond! @RnR: Thanks for the advice. I'm hoping when I go visit these places I'll get a feel for the community but it's hard when you're there for only an hour. I guess I'm not too worried about having nightlife and such because I'll be working downtown and feel I'll be downtown plenty. :-) I'm accepting the fact I'll probably end up moving a lot as people have told me. Anyways, truly, thanks for the input! @Hts121: I felt like I had to rule out an area because looking at both suburbs AND downtown got to be overwhelming with all the options and my timeframe. Thanks for giving me specific recommendations though, I'll be sure to visit the Cedar areas you mentioned next week! @Hootenany: Thanks for the specific advice and the downtown pitch. :-) I have an appointment with Bridegview and Crittenden next week. Do you have any more specific thoughts about what you like/dislike about Crittenden? @jmjr: Thanks for the recommendation; I'll look into Battery Park!

@MyTwoSense: I decided I didn't want to live in a younger neighborhood or among undergrads as I'm trying to make the transition OUT of college life. Nightlife isn't incredibly important to me as other things I've listed, too. I've visited Cleveland before, and have actually stayed with some friends in the East 4th area.

Hmm. Yes, I'm still 50/50 on downtown vs. the suburbs. Either way I will have a car, and if I live downtown, I hope to plan ahead and make at most one grocery shopping trip per week outside of the city. For the suburbs, the biggest turnoff is the most likely 20-30 minute commute when there are apartments literally across the street from my future workplace. Also, if I live in an apartment complex in the suburbs that charges me monthly for parking, I will pay that, the gas to get to downtown, AND for the downtown garage. There is also the factor of time and weather (again, I'm from Syracuse, usually ranked #1 for snowiest city) and if I don't have to deal with that, that would be swell. :-) Please let me know your thoughts on this!

Thanks for merging the posts! I posted in the 'city discussion' before I saw more about renting/apts in 'city life.' I grew up near Syracuse, NY, one of the more crime ridden cities in America, so I thankfully have been brought up with basic common sense when it comes to city living. When I say safe, there ARE places that just have a higher crime rate, and that is what I am trying to avoid.

Thanks so much for your quick response! To clarify, I'm willing to pay 700-1000 for rent, not including things like some utilities or parking. I'll look into North Olmsted now though!

Thanks for the quick response! I think I've ruled out Statler because of reviews that I've read and (someone tell me if this isn't true) their parking is $120-180 extra per month. By safe I guess I mean I wouldn't worry too much about leaving my car in the parking lot... :-) This is my first time living on my own, as I go to a residential college.

Hello all! I am a 22 year old female moving to the Cleveland area from New York in May for my first job and have done significant research on many apartment buildings already. I’m going to visit some apartments in one week, but I was wondering if anyone had specific suggestions of places to go see while I am there (it will be my only chance to visit before move-in day!). I have appointments with the 668, East 4th apartments, and some locations in the suburbs. If I am downtown, it would be preferable to be in walking distance to my work. As for the suburbs, I’ve really liked what I’ve seen in Rocky River, Westlake, and some Lakewood locations. In general, I’ve found that I’d like to stay on the west side of Cleveland if I do not live downtown and a 20 something minute commute would be the farthest I’d like to go. I’m planning to pay around 700-1000 before utilities and such for a 1 bedroom. Here’s what I’m looking for: A “safe” area and a secure building. A newer or recently updated building. A garage/off-street parking, preferably covered and attached to the building. Air conditioning/Heat. Internet capabilities (I found some that had this included!) Incredibly lovely things that I’m not expecting to find in the same place that has the above: In-suite laundry or hook-ups Hardwood floors Very up-to-date kitchen. Larger floor plan. I am incredibly grateful for any help or advice you could give me on living downtown or any of the western suburbs… even advice on finding your first apartment as I’ve never done this before! Thank you so much for your time!