Sorry everyone for yet another question about relocation advice, but I need help!!

 

I'm going to be working at Cleveland Clinic main campus. And am okay with upto 20 minute commute. I would like a new or newer place. I've been spoiled living in high rises with granite counters, stainless steel appliances, wood floors and washer/dryer in unit over here in portland.

 

Are there any apartment buildings like this in Cleveland in safe neighborhoods?

 

A full service gym in close proximity would be ideal too.

 

any advice would be appreciated. I know I may pay more for this but am willing.

 

thanks.

Welcome, berkeleycms!  Your best bet is downtown Cleveland.  I have been living there myself for the past two years.  Two of the most densely populated areas downtown apartment-wise with the amenities you desire are E. 4th St. and the Warehouse District.  In addition, there are some other properties not too far away - 668 Euclid Ave., University Lofts, and 1900 Euclid Ave. lofts to name a few. 

 

Downtown is within about 10 minutes of the Cleveland Clinic, so the commute is easy.  Additionally, your commute would be serviced by a 24-hour bus rapid transit line (RTA's Healthline) in the event you don't have a car or want to pay for parking at the clinic!

 

EDIT:  There are also several full service gyms downtown including the Cleveland State University Rec Center, Fitworks, and soon-to-open Titan's Gym.

There are places like that in converted lofts Downtown- not new, but newly converted to housing..  It's close to the Clinic and fairly safe.  Check out the Bingham or Bridgeview in the Warehouse District, 668 Euclid, the Statler or Prospect Place all along Euclid/Prospect (if you're open to public transit these would have excellent access to the Healthline, a BRT system that connects Downtown to the Clinic campus)

 

There are other properties, of course, but those sound the most like what you're looking for.

1900 Euclid would be another option, right on the downtown fringe abutting CSU's campus.  Washer-dryer in units.  I believe there is a small gym on the first floor and parking in the basement.  Healthline right outside.

Oh, and one non-downtown property I can think of is Park Lane Villa, which is adjacent to the Clinic's campus.  The only problem with that building, however, is that isn't not particularly in a neighborhood, so to speak, so besides being able to walk to work, walking to other amenities would be a bit more of a hike.

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 also think downtown would be good, but don't have specific properties to recommend.  But that's where the newer, more modern properties are.  Welcome to the site!

I agree with the warehouse district as mentioned above given you criteria.  The apartments are not "glassy" but most are relatively new and generally well kept.  Many units are pretty cool.  About 6 years ago I lived in a brand new 2 story loft in Bridgeview and loved it.  Lots of character.

 

By the way, and don't take this the wrong way, as everybody from out of town who posts a similar request states the same thing...Why does everybody say they want to live in a safe neighborhood?  I mean who exactly wants to live in a dangerous neighborhood?  I would imagine that such a critera is a given just like hot and cold running water.  I am starting to think that Cleveland really has a bad image for some strange reason when it comes to safety which I don't understand since it does not seem any less or more safe than any other major metropolitan area.

 

By the way, I do not mean to open the floodgates with the above comment...just a thought.

 

Good luck.

Well, some people (ANGELENOS) are more willing to trade safety for a cool area, or to be near a cool area.  e.g. I had a good friend who lived just steps from a very lively scene on Sunset Blvd but it was a horrible, horrible neighborhood. The week she moved in, there was a shooting, a guy running down the street naked and bloody after jumping through a window and a drive-by, but she said it "wasn't that bad" and was always talking up how close she was to the action. 

^Exactly.  Especially in more expensive cities, people often trade neighborhood safety for more apartment, better location or something else.  And overall, the City of Cleveland is a lot less safe than Portland, where the OP is moving from.  If your only trip to Cleveland involved seeing the Clinic, given its location, I don't think it's such a weird thing to ask about.

 

Welcome, berkeleycms!  Though there are a lot of tough parts of the city of Cleveland, downtown is generally pretty safe, so I agree with the crowd here that it's a good place to look, especially if you like being near bars, restaurants, sports venues, etc.  Lots going on down there.

 

If you're more interested in leafier/quiter neighborhoods, you could probably find something in the eastern suburbs, like Beachwood, though the commute time will be at about your max; or you might look at the Park Lane Villa, a completely restored/rehabbed luxury rental building very close to the Clinic, with high quality finishes (or so we've heard; I've never seen it) and I believe an on-site gym: http://www.parklanevilla.com/.  It's right on the boarder of a pretty beaten up old neighborhood which is not so great, and University Circle, the city's cultural center, which is nice and safe.

 

And finally, if downtown isn't a good fit for you, but you still want to be near some action, think about the Tremont Place Lofts (http://www.tremontplacelofts.com/) which are in a gentrifying artsy/yuppie neighborhood just west of the downtown, but still an easy drive (via I-490) to the Clinic.

 

Unfortunately, the perfect option for you-a brand new rental building aimed at your exact demographic- will be under construction soon in the heart of University Circle (fingers crossed), but won't be ready for a couple years.

Well, some people (ANGELENOS) are more willing to trade safety for a cool area, or to be near a cool area.  e.g. I had a good friend who lived just steps from a very lively scene on Sunset Blvd but it was a horrible, horrible neighborhood. The week she moved in, there was a shooting, a guy running down the street naked and bloody after jumping through a window and a drive-by, but she said it "wasn't that bad" and was always talking up how close she was to the action. 

 

Just wondering what part of Sunset your friend was near, since I'm close to it as well?  Haven't seen any shootings yet, but certainly some naked people :-)  I'm guessing she/he was in the Silverlake/Echo Park part.  Not somewhere I would live, although many a poor, starving hipster would disagree with me.  I stick to the West Hollywood/Hollywood part.  Just curious, thanks!

This was several years ago now so it's hard to remember the exact street, but it was an area that bordered nice neighborhoods, but this was definitely NOT a nice neighborhood.  She was not that far east - I seem to recall she was south of the eastern edge of the strip, around La Cienega maybe.  I remember her pointing out how close her apt was to the Comedy Store as she had decided to come out and "make it" as a stand-up artist.  I was only there twice, once to visit and once to pick her up and take her back to my place - the second time, there were gang units of the LAPD all around a car on her block. 

^ I stayed on the Strip near La Cienega for a week last year.  Right accross from the Saddle Ranch and next to The Standard.  I had a great time... but personally witnessed the police taping off two crime scenes.  One was for a death at the building accross the street (not sure what happened - one person told me an overdose and another told me a murder) and another was when the rapper Dolla was shot outside a nearby mall I drove by on the way back to the hotel.

 

To the OP, Cleveland is like most every big city.  We have our fair share of crime.  But the areas we will direct you to are IMO safe enough.  Given your wants, I would check out downtown and maybe accross the river for places such as Stonebridge (some might criticize the quality).  IMO, you can't beat the Residences at 668 which are right in the heart of downtown.  For more of a "neighborhood" feel and not so much of a "concrete jungle" you may want to expand your search into the Heights areas (Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights) or Lakewood, but most of the places there will be older without the amenities you seek (granite, washer/dryer, etc.)

Hey Doc Broc, are any of the condo units in the Avenue loft building being rented out by the owners/developers? 

berkeleycms, that sounds like what you are going after.

 

Is there a neighborhood in Portland that is your ideal?  Maybe we can match it up that way?

 

Welcome to Cleveland!

 

 

 

Not to the best of my knowledge, no.

Thanks everyone for the replies. Cleveland seems to get a bad rap, but hearing all these replies i'm optimistic.

 

In Portland, the ideal place for me is the "Pearl District", I also like "South Waterfront"

 

I'm open to staying in a more suburban place too, but really like the idea of living somewhere newer. So far I'm leaning toward checking out Warehouse district and Tremont. I have a friend in Beachwood who is pushing for that, but i'm not sure there is anything newer out there, I visited the Hamptons and it seemed a little older.

Check out Tremont lofts.  Old building recently renovated into residential units.  Very cool.

Check out the near west side, Ohio City and Detroit Shoreway areas.  It will make it a longer commute, but it has pockets of new construction, nestled in with the old, and has the vibe of the Pearl dist.

 

(and I am basing that on the two different 1 night trips I have spent in Portland..so take that for what its worth)

If you are younger I would really suggest downtown, Ohio city, tremont, detroit shoeeway, or Cleveland heights. If you enjoy being where there's a lot going on and being around a younger crowd I think you'll regret choosing a suburb.

To be clear, Cleveland Heights is a suburb... even if it is not really a "suburb".  I would also add Lakewood to tradition7's list... but that too would make the commute longer and traffic can be a nightmare (rare for Greater Cleveland) traveling between University Circle and the near West Side (where Lakewood is).

It seems to me that your best bet would be somewhere downtown close to the Healthline.  It would be an easy, worry free commute for you and there are plenty of residential units downtown that should fit what your looking for.  The residences at 668 would be perfect for you IMO.  Also check out Statler Arms, Bridgeview, and the Bingham.  Don't ignore the West side of the flats either.  Some of the Stonebridge apartments might fit your bill as well. 

 

Good luck on your search!  I live in the Warehouse District by the way and I love it.  It's pretty lively, fun, safe, and convenient.  There's a small grocery store in the Bingham building on West 9th.

I agree with Hoot, the Residences at 668 would probably be perfect for you...

 

http://668euclidave.com/home.asp

 

Prices and floorplans are here:

 

http://realestate.cleveland.com/?classification=real+estate&temp_type=detail&tp=RE_cleve&property=cleveland.com&finder=rent&ad_id=262017434

 

EDIT: I see in the 668 Euclid thread that lionmilk asked about mold at 668, then got a letter denying his application to live there. I don't know if the two are connected, but I wouldn't put it past K&D. He said he landed at the Euclid Blocks Apartments almost next door....

 

http://www.downtown-digs.com/ME2/Sites/dirmod.asp?sid=771025C7AADE4D42B6E581A94294E3EA&nm=&type=ESpotlight&mod=Directories%3A%3ATravel&mid=95B05E8CCEEA4BBFA93E0DA9E171A7AE&SiteID=F5DD86EE6BB54C5094687CE5A58526DA&tier=3&id=44B2C2A5E72046649B17350492BC0CC9

 

Euclid Block Apartments

2057 E. Fourth St.

Cleveland, OH Historic Gateway Neighborhood (see map)

Phone: (216) 589-1111

 

Units: 64

Price: RENT: $600-$1,400

Parking: $80-$120 per month

Pets: yes; 1 cat allowed

The Basics: All suites are completely remodeled and include AC and washer and dryer.

 

Also see......

http://www.east4thstreet.com/properties.php