-tina

Sorry, I should have drafted a little more carefully. I didn't really mean my earlier comment as an offensive to homeless people and I think it sort of came off that way. I was already aware there were a number in the area adjacent to Stonebridge but this particular guy came up to me while I was sitting in my car, which somehow felt threatening to me. I think it is all about perspective. But in any case, I am very excited about my move. I hope to meet some UO'ers in the neighborhood. If you see somebody carrying around textbooks all the time, that would be me. I'm sitting for the bar exam this summer, but hope to be a normal person again about mid-August. :-D

Some felt that the area was unsafe, especially for a single female. I only live a couple miles away now, so I did my own test. I walked to Edgewater Park, under the Shoreway, up into the neighborhood, and all the way back down Lake Ave at about 8pm. I never felt unsafe. So I decided to disregard their advice. Now, when I looked at a couple units at Stonebridge, in my quick visit there I was approached by a homeless man while I was in my car. That did freak me out a little. Sometimes I just wonder because I grew up in the country and maybe don't have the requisite street sense. But I think some common sense plus a little Mace on a keychain should be all I need.

Hi all - I am moving to Battery Park (as a renter) in a few weeks so I just wanted to say hello to some of my new neighbors! I am moving from Edgewater, but don't know anybody in D-S. In fact, I'm moving to the neighborhood against the advice of some well-meaning friends. Any advice for a newcomer to the neighborhood?

I'm glad to see this headline. I've been saying the same thing since I moved here from Detroit a couple years ago. It's really a remarkable difference!

I love the color enhancements. It really brings the winter city to life.

Since they closed the eastbound right lane (until summer 2010 IIRC), the morning commute is a lot less nice. Still OK in the off-peak times though.

Yep, I am female. :laugh: But maybe the camera isn't.

While northern Ohio was in the throes of a major winter storm earlier this month, I was visiting Marietta. Here are a few pics that I was able to get before my shooting finger got numb. Unfortunately, I didn't have the time/blood flow to get to some of the amazing old homes in town. <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/PQ_nqlYCPX0YO9SsfjusSg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_uL2ECqw02tQ/SWrnvOU-qII/AAAAAAAABQQ/YeRnM9qzgPU/s800/IMG_1933.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WtwI2a9OcfFRYJZgBXf6cg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_uL2ECqw02tQ/SWrnovmDwxI/AAAAAAAABQA/W-q0XpNNxcg/s800/IMG_1923.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/pKmON5KLEr1HUeXpybf-2A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_uL2ECqw02tQ/SWrnx-4HfMI/AAAAAAAABQY/NngPntGDRP4/s800/IMG_1934.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/v-6C2UHvFmZ1RefXQr3-bA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_uL2ECqw02tQ/SWrn1xL95XI/AAAAAAAABQg/SQGLt6S-Ojw/s800/IMG_1935.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/viRlfCvxhR7Xs3m0al3jWw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_uL2ECqw02tQ/SWrn4VI4omI/AAAAAAAABQs/x09k5G6DviQ/s800/IMG_1936.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ospyO_156dYWV8wonqtqZQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_uL2ECqw02tQ/SWrn6bw0IgI/AAAAAAAABQ0/cfI2qTNhIrc/s800/IMG_1938.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0cKWThYXfYpK3822FnTaqA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_uL2ECqw02tQ/SWrn_jQkHsI/AAAAAAAABQ8/gRzSAV9nVN8/s800/IMG_1941.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BQPYcPJ1uJI0YB9apgQypw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_uL2ECqw02tQ/SWroFB55c1I/AAAAAAAABRE/tpxYUp5G8kQ/s800/IMG_1943.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ys_nEs3byrOuYmZCRAV72Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_uL2ECqw02tQ/SWroNclbCgI/AAAAAAAABRY/9uIvJmbWm3U/s800/IMG_1945.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-CzbUWFf3iip_443SJgDpg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_uL2ECqw02tQ/SWroR2ZrCtI/AAAAAAAABRg/9dQ2CJqPXiY/s800/IMG_1946.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/H9TGd6ouHwHUheqpV8TidQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_uL2ECqw02tQ/SWroViE7pjI/AAAAAAAABRo/jNnUZIK6i6M/s800/IMG_1947.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MCgejz0H8ka9ggXARF0j_Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_uL2ECqw02tQ/SWroaUQBYLI/AAAAAAAABR0/ZlCz6ds8hcY/s800/IMG_1948.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Gqew6nsn8OIjnpwfXroNwA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_uL2ECqw02tQ/SWrofpycYVI/AAAAAAAABR8/xTOLWvmehgM/s800/IMG_1949.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/h2Vg_qEaJj9oaQ_Kb15AKQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_uL2ECqw02tQ/SWrokDUqHWI/AAAAAAAABSE/VuYXKz2f_N8/s800/IMG_1950.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/r4_8JrRo1WkqCkOIEmmWng?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_uL2ECqw02tQ/SWropGb6pwI/AAAAAAAABSQ/LtWchVj3oT4/s800/IMG_1951.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dpH1fw9jdoZZZ7yTVY7bMw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_uL2ECqw02tQ/SWro6TzmONI/AAAAAAAABSs/2kNGaP4PeEY/s800/IMG_1954.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/sQDQhss3Mq2q7KOinjAF3g?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_uL2ECqw02tQ/SWro_60LTNI/AAAAAAAABS0/ICF52-PCoko/s800/IMG_1958.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TJ2Y_FKVRbOpF7Beb4fbtg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_uL2ECqw02tQ/SWrpEIkDHJI/AAAAAAAABS8/MfufGyoXS4Y/s800/IMG_1959.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hobb1wZ66426RkfUOpRX8w?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_uL2ECqw02tQ/SWrpIDQt0KI/AAAAAAAABTI/zeHILWqN5-w/s800/IMG_1960.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EvMGRs9wwVMl5KCPaVdSBg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_uL2ECqw02tQ/SWrpM6lTAtI/AAAAAAAABTQ/RDtyGw3qgTg/s800/IMG_1961.JPG" /></a>

A beater saxophone so I can learn to play. Don't expect to get one though because it's too complicated of a gift, i.e. not available at Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, or Wal*Mart. Santa just ain't what he used to be.

You know things are bad when there is little hope left for Detroit even in a place of energy and enthusiasm like UrbanOhio. I'm a little embarrassed, but mostly saddened, to admit this is why I'm a former Michigander.

I recognize that line from Tommy Boy.

love the Faygo truck in pic 30

I've heard that the double space between sentences traces back to the use of manual typewriters. They didn't have the high degree of control for character spacing like electric typewriters (and computer printers, obviously!) and sometimes the punctuation at the end of one sentence would appear too close to the first letter of the next. The extra space ensured the gap.

In chronological order... Columbiaville, MI Kingston, MI Ypsilanti, MI (school) Dearborn, MI (couple months) Houghton, MI (school) Milan, MI (summer) Harrison Township, MI (summer) Rochester, MN (summer) Fremont, CA Albany, CA Ypsilanti, MI (again!) Royal Oak, MI Cleveland and in a few weeks, I'm moving into my new house in Lakewood! Hoping to stay in one place for a while this time.

I lived there for a summer in... 1999, I think. Were these pics taken in the early 90's? I remember the plaza by the bookstore being very nice (and complete!) I really liked my short stay there. Super nice people, a lot to do for such a small city, and good access to parks and trails.

Great thread! I wish I had asked this question when I moved to Cleveland last summer. Though I am a law student and have precious little time at present to participate in anything anyway. :-(

Update on the bar situation: we were just told a couple days ago that the bar will be open to residents and the public on a limited basis starting next week. It is supposed to be open Mondays and Tuesdays from 5pm to midnight. There will be an assortment of soups, salads, and sandwiches available in addition to the good stuff you really came for. Not sure how long this will last, but it's a great opportunity to get a close look at the bar/lobby of the building. I'll probably be there Tuesday night. Hope some of you can come check it out!

It wasn't totally conjecture on my part about students moving in. It's already happening. Like Vulpster said, when you consider the cost of tuition and housing at Case, a parent spending half or third of a $1800-2700 rent isn't far fetched at all. And there are a number of grad students living here now, some of them even on their parents' dime. However, I would agree with JeffreyT that Case kids are probably not as likely to create an obnoxious party scene. But alternative college housing is not what I think PLV was originally trying to sell the place as, and it may detract from a goal of maintaining that image. Jax -- as far as I know that bar is never going to be "open". First there was supposed to be a restaurant in the building, but they never found a tenant so the space was restored back to a ballroom use. Now they are affiliated with a local catering company, and they rent the ballroom and bar out for special events... maybe about one or two a month now. There certainly hasn't been any word to residents about it actually opening as a business. Believe me, quite a few of us would make a good attempt to keep it afloat! :-D But I seriously doubt they are going to be hiring actual bartending staff to hold the place open nightly. There is virtually no foot traffic in this location, and unless the bar is attached to some other draw like a restaurant or a special event rental, I don't know how it would generate enough business.

Tough questions! I have mixed feelings about the place to be honest. To preface my answers, my husband and I are planning on purchasing a home this summer, so that might be the short answer. :-P But, that's partly because we miss being homeowners (ah, to mow a lawn!) and we've settled in here in Cleveland after relocating last summer. It's probably easiest to as a list of pro's and con's: Pro's new construction in an historic building good neighbors (mix of grad students, professionals, international folks) proximity to CWRU and Cleveland Clinic Cleveland address (if you also work in the city... lower taxes) combination of amenities that are hard to find (decent kitchens, central air, fitness center, garage parking) Con's premium price - I think the 1-bed units are a great value, but there are only a few there and will always be scooped up by students construction is still going on even though it was supposed to be complete last fall (can't be an issue forever though... right?) and a LOT of issues related to construction some promised things haven't materialized, like the bar being open (it's only used for special events) or bike racks being installed residents are starting to get nickled and dimed ... once-free community events now usually have a per person price tag, for example heat pump HVAC units are extremely loud and generally ineffective... runs forever! management's focus clearly is on public rental of ballroom (and likely future condo conversion) rather than high-end rental... attitude shift started early on some irritating design things... storage lockers are tiny, game room is freezing cold all the time, satellite radio sound system for lobby and fitness room are inextricably linked so the fitness room sound has since been turned off (read: lame music in gym), etc. bigger/more expensive apartments aren't renting out well... pretty high risk of Case undergrads rooming up and changing the character of the "neighborhood" while the floorplans are interesting, a lot of them are pretty impractical, especially the living rooms I would argue the location isn't really all the great, except for proximity to some big employers. If you want to walk to/through attractive commercial areas for coffee, drinks, dinner you are better off in one of the many other locations in the area like various points in Cleveland Heights, Lakewood, or Ohio City I think it's a great option for people just moving to the area and looking for certain amenities like I listed above. It's a great transitional place and I expect that's what it will be for quite a while. Also, I think the "luxury" image is really trumped up. But I suppose that's really subjective, and in a city with a low cost of living like Cleveland, I suppose a lot of the "luxury" clientele would just buy a condo or single family home instead. UrbanOhio open house party? Have to get back to you on that! :wink:

To anyone reading this thread and considering living here ... I'm currently renting at PLV and would be happy to answer any questions, on the board or through PM.

I'll second http://www.parklanevilla.com. I've been living here since the building opened last summer, and it definitely meets your needs for amenities, particularly the parking (gated, covered garage). There are a handful of Cleveland Clinic people living here. While the location is very close to the Cleveland Clinic, it is not necessarily situated in an area known for safety. However, I walk to class at Case Western during the daytime hours and have never had an issue. And I don't see any suspicious activity at night from my windows! I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about this apartment building, though I'm fairly new to Cleveland myself and can't answer much else. :-)

Or get permission from the blogger.

Anybody have any experience with Alltel? A google search revealed a lot of love for Alltel but I've never heard of it before.

My husband and I are in the process of moving to Cleveland. We are finding that our current carrier, Sprint, seems to have weak signals in the most important places for us (work, school, and home). Which carriers have the most dependable coverage overall in and around Cleveland?

Thanks for the hearty welcome! I have to say I can't think of anybody who really loves living around metro Detroit. It's just a depressing area and has been for a long time. I am a Mich native and was hoping to make a go of it in my home state, but opportunity knocks elsewhere. I'm going to be heading to law school at Case and my husband found a job pretty easily in Cleveland even though a lot of people said the market was bad. Guess it's all relative! We're going to be living at Park Lane Villa, which is right on the edge of Univ Circle. I'm sure some of you are familiar with the project. (http://www.parklanevilla.com) I love to see this kind of redevelopment and I'm thrilled that we are able to be in the first group of residents. I'm glad to see the comment from MyTwoSense about the large law market. While we know we're in it for 3 years, we might just end up staying for good.