Hi everyone! I will be moving to Cleveland this fall to earn my M.A. in Psychology from CSU. I am very, very excited for this! However, I'm coming from New Hampshire and don't know too much about the area. I've been researching different neighborhoods online, but I was hoping you guys could weigh in on what would be the best fit for me. I've been seriously considering Lakewood, Tremont, and Ohio City. After reading posts here, I'm starting to wonder if I've been overlooking other neighborhoods (Detroit Shoreway, Cleveland Hts, University Circle, etc).

 

A little about myself and what I'm looking for:

I'm a 23 year old female. I'd like to be somewhere where I feel fairly safe walking alone at night. I heard from someone that Ohio City and Tremont were less safe than Lakewood. I'm not sure if this was exaggerated; again, I don't know the area.

 

I'd like to live in a walkable and bikeable neighborhood. Somewhere with a good selection of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, nearby grocery store, pharmacy, a library or quality bookstore, and access to parks.

 

I want to be around people my own age, but I don't want to be surrounded by college kids. A neighborhoods with grad students, recent college grads, and people in their mid 20's would be great.

 

I'd also like the area to have good public transportation that runs fairly frequently/has later hours. I haven't decided to bring a car or not, so I guess parking availability is an issue for me too. Would I be able to go without a car if I lived in a suburb, or would that really limit me? It seems that the RTA is good, but I'm intimidated by all the different bus routes, connection times, etc.

 

Lastly, I consider myself a pretty artsy, hip person. I have a few discreetly placed tattoos; I'm an avid reader, and I like indie rock. I don't want to live somewhere where I'll stick out like a sore thumb. I'd like to be around like-minded people who are intelligent and fun. And I'd like to live in an area that lends itself to my meeting new people.

 

Also, are there any really compelling reasons why I should be choosing somewhere in Cleveland, rather than a suburb? Would I be missing out on a lot if I picked somewhere like Coventry over Tremont?

 

Any advice you could give me would be excellent, and I would appreciate it so much!

welcome.

 

As I often ask, just so people aren't repeating themselves, have you looked at the most recent threads?

 

Most of the same questions you ask have recently been answered in "moving to Cleveland" threads.

 

Based on what you wrote, Shaker Square, Coventry, Cedar-Lee, Detroit-Shoreway, Univ Circle, Asia Town sound like area you would like, however you dont mention a monthly budget.

 

Who was the person that made the Lakewood is safer comment and where do they live?  Some suburbanites in the region seem to think they live in utopias and that Cleveland is a big bad city.

MyTwoSense, instead of shutting someone down and pointing them to other threads, let's allow them the courtesy of having their own thread, just as we have for so many who have come here for advice. Also, I don't think anyone suggested that the suburbs are utopia, and we don't need to berate someone for questioning something they heard. I'd rather someone ask for clarification than simply not ask at all.

 

ruthanna, welcome (eventually) to Cleveland! First, when people recommend Lakewood or Cleveland Heights, even though they're suburbs, they're historic inner-ring suburbs with plenty of character, not cul-de-sac, strip-mall "burbs". A major reason most people opt for areas like Lakewood or Cleveland Heights is because of the public schools - simply said, Cleveland schools need a lot of work; there are a few good public schools here and there but for the most part, the schools in the 'burbs offer better education and safety. As far as general safety issues - as with any urban/populated area, you'll want to have your wits about you, especially as a female. However, most property crime is "crime of opportunity" so don't leave your valuables unattended, doors unlocked, etc. A lot of violent crime occurs between people who know each other due to regrettable circumstances (drug deals, gang issues, etc.) aka if you don't go looking for trouble, trouble's a lot less likely to find you. You may want to check www.crimereports.com  it's an interactive crime mapping tool - note, when you type in an area and see the "flagged" incidents, refer to my previous two sentences.

 

It's do-able to be car-free in *certain* areas of Cleveland (I did for about five years), but you'll want to do your homework and at least make sure you're near either a main transit route or station, and a grocery store in manageable walking distance. I think you've zeroed in on the areas that would best suit you (Ohio City, Tremont, Lakewood, Cleveland Heights); I live in Tremont - while there is some good transit access, due to recent cuts at RTA it isn't what it used to be. Also, there's not a grocery store within Tremont proper though there is a Daves Market in Ohio City along with the West Side Market (google it). Still, it's a great area with a lot of restaurants, galleries, etc. and a pretty diverse base of residents - I think you'd enjoy visiting Tremont but don't know if it's the best match for a place to call home. I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice, so like I said whatever you do - do your homework and you should be fine :-)

Welcome, good luck.

 

There is the thought in CLE that the East Side (Heights) has a East Coast character to it, while the west side is more Chicago-midwest.  You may want to keep that in mind while you are looking. 

 

 

If you are considering Lakewood - the #55 bus runs along Clifton Blvd in the northern part of Lakewood, goes downtown and then terminates at CSU. The schedule isn't as good as it once was - but it gives you a transportation option.

 

 

Since you'll be going to CSU, have you considered Downtown?

If you are considering Lakewood - the #55 bus runs along Clifton Blvd in the northern part of Lakewood, goes downtown and then terminates at CSU. The schedule isn't as good as it once was - but it gives you a transportation option.

 

 

I agree this is a huge advantage to the clifton area of lakewood/cleveland. Parking at CSU is probably around $50 a month and who knows if you can even get a space! Brooklyn Center area also has an express right to CSU, however some of the area can be a bit rough (this from my own realative who lived there as a grad student at CSU) .

 

Truthfully all the areas you mentioned you would fit in although parts of some (ohio city for example) may not lend themselves to a female living alone feeling comfortable. I understand it is all subjective --and I don't spook too easily-- yet I have common sense and there are parts of some areas I would not want to live alone.

Welcome, from one of the few females on the board.  There are a few of us here and by and large, UO is a very friendly board and you will get tons of great information here.

 

I lived in Lakewood for many, many years in my 20s and 30s, all over the city, and that would be my #1 recommendation for you.  It's not as walkable as Ohio City or Tremont, but I think the advantages Lakewood offers would put it just above both of those, though those are not bad choices either. Artsy, hip people fit in well in OC, Tremont, Lakewood and Cleveland Heights/Coventry but there are plenty of tatted, pierced people all over.

 

The best reason you would choose a place like OC or Tremont over a suburb would be that there is more going in in a denser area, so it's more walkable, and also closer to CSU.  Our public trans system is also busiest when catching trains/buses in and out of downtown.  But in my personal opinion, for a variety of reasons, a place like Lakewood offers a little more, as there are better and more choices for things like grocery stores and dry cleaners and drug stores and the practical things you will need, as well as places to shop.  Lakewood is very densely populated and there are a ton of great bars, restaurants, etc. But it also has very nice parks and very quick/easy access to the Lake, which is nice.  JMO but I think you will want and need a car wherever you end up.

I'd like to live in a walkable and bikeable neighborhood. Somewhere with a good selection of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, nearby grocery store, pharmacy, a library or quality bookstore, and access to parks.

 

Downtown, Lakewood, Ohio City, Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, Asia Town.

 

I want to be around people my own age, but I don't want to be surrounded by college kids. A neighborhoods with grad students, recent college grads, and people in their mid 20's would be great.

 

Downtown, Coventry, Tremont, Ohio City, Lakewood, Little Italy, Shaker Square.  I'm 25 and live downtown in the Warehouse District.  There are lots of 20-35 year olds, a few college students, a few families with young children, and some older empty nesters.  It's a good mix.  I imagine you'll find much of the same in the other neighborhoods I mentioned.

 

I'd also like the area to have good public transportation that runs fairly frequently/has later hours. I haven't decided to bring a car or not, so I guess parking availability is an issue for me too. Would I be able to go without a car if I lived in a suburb, or would that really limit me? It seems that the RTA is good, but I'm intimidated by all the different bus routes, connection times, etc.

 

Personally, I wouldn't go without a car unless I lived within walking distance of my job/school.  But that's just me.  With that said, there are some nice places to live around CSU and downtown.  Downtown also has the E-line trolley which runs every 10 minutes from 7AM-7PM Monday thru Friday and connects most of downtown to CSU.  And it's free!

 

Lastly, I consider myself a pretty artsy, hip person. I have a few discreetly placed tattoos; I'm an avid reader, and I like indie rock. I don't want to live somewhere where I'll stick out like a sore thumb. I'd like to be around like-minded people who are intelligent and fun. And I'd like to live in an area that lends itself to my meeting new people.

 

Again, Tremont, Coventry, Lakewood, Downtown, Shaker Square... you'll fit in in all the areas that you and I have mentioned.

 

Also, are there any really compelling reasons why I should be choosing somewhere in Cleveland, rather than a suburb? Would I be missing out on a lot if I picked somewhere like Coventry over Tremont?

 

As Mayday stated previously, most of the inner-ring suburbs have an older urban feel to them.  Lakewood, Cleveland Heights, and Shaker Heights especially.  These are all great places to live.  I don't think any area in Cleveland is necessarily any better or worse than any area in those inner-ring suburbs.  You'll just have to scope them out and decide which area fits you best.  You're looking in the right areas though.

 

Good luck!

I'd have to suggest Ohio City due to its public transit connections along West 25th (20, 22, 35, 79 bus routes, and the red line rapid station) which would all get you downtown within a 10 minutes walk or 5 minutes trolley ride to CSU.  Lots of bars and restaurants between W25th and Fulton Ave, a full service grocery store at W26th and Bridge Avenue, nice housing stock, although stay north of Lorain Avenue for the most part.  I've lived there for 5 years and it's been great.  I've also been carless in Cleveland for 2.5 years, and while it has its drawbacks occasionally due to family living in the burbs and having to rent cars or do the car sharing thing, you probably have no need for one being from out of town.  Also, the redline rapid station at W25th connects you to the airport should you be traveling back home or elsewhere.

Welcome Ruthanna!  I agree with MayDay- I wouldn't worry about the city/suburb distinction when it comes to Lakewood and Cleveland Hts- both are great old communities with lots of amenities and lots of 20-somethings.  All the places you're considering are pretty safe, IMHO, though I don't doubt Cleveland Hts and Lakewood are probably a little bit safer than the city neighborhoods; not a big enough difference to matter to me though.

 

Unfortunately, there isn't a single perfect neighborhood yet that has everything you (and many other people) are looking for, but you are definitely on the right track in finding the neighborhoods that come closest.  You can really make a good case for any of Lakewood, Tremont, Ohio City, Downtown, Coventry (Cleveland Hts), Cedar Fairmount (Cleveland Hts) or Shaker Square.

 

If you decide to go car free, I'd think Downtown, Ohio City and Shaker Square are probably your best bets.  All have a lot of amenities (grocery stores, bars/restaurants) and excellent transit connections.  But really, the other neighborhoods on your list are all very appealing too and have plenty of 20-somethings.  If you can find the time, it's worth looking out several or all of them (even if just a drive-by) to see which you like the look of and to narrow down your choices.  Culturally, I don't think you'd stick out in any of them; there are definitely indie rock scenes in both Coventry and Lakewood, and probably in some of the other neighborhoods too.

 

If the numbers work, my recommendation would be to bring the car but still try to find a neighborhood with decent transit you don't have to depend on the car for your school commuting, especially when the weather's poor.  Having the car will make your social life a lot easier and will let you explore more of the area.

 

Feel free to ask any specific questions or for more detailed recommendations if you want to emphasize any of the particular items on your neighborhood wish list.  Good luck!

If I'm going to grad school at CSU and I don't want to have to rely on a car, then I would rank downtown at the top of my list.  I'd choose to live around W 6/9th and take the trolley (free) to/from school or you can walk (it's not that far).  It has all the requisit bars, restaurants, coffee shops, grocery store, etc you're looking for and I know young females who live there alone and feel safe.  You might decide you like to hang out in Ohio City, Tremont, Lakewood, etc from time to time, but going back and forth from school all day (or at least once per day) I'd prefer to be as close as possible and not have to worry about commuting in or out of downtown, especially if I decide to not bring a car with me.

 

I also think, as someone who will be new to town, living downtown gives you the most flexibility to be able to meet people who might live in Cleveland Heights, Ohio City, Lakewood, etc and hang out with them regularly.  People living in Lakewood likely aren't going out to Cleveland Heights much and vice versa.  Downtown is more central and not particularly far from anywhere another grad student might live.

MyTwoSense, instead of shutting someone down and pointing them to other threads, let's allow them the courtesy of having their own thread, just as we have for so many who have come here for advice. Also, I don't think anyone suggested that the suburbs are utopia, and we don't need to berate someone for questioning something they heard. I'd rather someone ask for clarification than simply not ask at all.

 

 

 

[*]I'm not shutting anyone down - I simply offered guidance and reference

[*]I'm not berating anyone - but we do know how some area residents make unwarranted negative comments about the city when they have no  or limited experience with the neiborhood(s) in question.

 

I'll PM with more.  :x

"Just so people aren't repeating themselves, have you looked at the most recent threads?"

 

"After reading posts here, I'm starting to wonder if I've been overlooking other neighborhoods (Detroit Shoreway, Cleveland Hts, University Circle, etc)." 

 

Seems clear to me.

 

 

Is that City Wheels program still working? This may be an alternative for her than owning a car.

 

http://www.mycitywheels.com/

 

Also, a good street near Cedar Fairmount is Overlook area right above the slope that goes down to Murray Hill/Little Italy.. Very good mix of residents, clean, safe, recycling!, easy walking or bike access to all the essentials and not far from the rapid line. The only thing that irritated me there was toe lawn maintenance swat team crews (apartment buildings)...but other than that... It was nice. Easy access to Lakeview Cemetery which is a great walking/jogging area.

 

Oh, and then there is Parma... Let's not forget about that!

 

:-D

Yes, City Wheels is still alive and well.

 

From your description, I think Tremont is an excellent candidate and would be my first choice for you. There are more grad students and recent grads here than college students. It's definitely a younger neighborhood with plenty of great bars, destination restaurants and THREE great coffeehouses. There's a grocery store nearby (bikeable or busable) in Ohio City as well as the West Side Market nearby. And if pressed, you could go to the Walmart or Target for groceries, which is on the edge of the neighborhood connected by a bike path. If you like cycling, you're also within easy distance of the Towpath trail and plenty of great urban routes.

 

There's a library in the neighborhood as well as an independent bookstore.

 

Lincoln Park is at the heart of the neighborhood and includes a farmer's market on Tuesdays during the summer. There's even a public pool, there.

 

The 81 is a convenient bus that runs late hours. You're also a short bike ride to downtown. (If you love hills, it's very close cutting through the flats -- 1.5 miles to Playhouse Square or 2ish miles to CSU. If you're more of a wimp like me, you can add a mile and take the Lorain Carnegie Bridge.

 

There's also an art walk once a month and plenty of galleries open every weekend.

 

I have had two female roommates and both felt very safe walking around at night. I've lived in the neighborhood for more than 3 years without even the hint of an issue, but I am a guy with a dog.

 

Ohio City is also a good candidate, but you'd have to be more careful in where in OC you live. It's all fine, but it is more prone to safety issues than Tremont, especially in certain areas.

 

Clifton in Lakewood isn't bad, but definitely more suburban than Tremont or OC. Cleveland Heights is fine, too, but public transit isn't as good and the big hills make cycling to and from campus a bit more fun or more of a chore, depending on your attitude toward hills.

 

University Circle is great but expensive. And Detroit Shoreway, in my opinion, is an emerging neighborhood that still has a ways to go.

 

I would consider adding Shaker Square to your list of potentials as well. I used to live in Vermont, and while Shaker Square doesn't reflect New England, it feels more like Burlington than any place else in Cleveland.

Hi ruthanna, let me add to those welcoming you to Cleveland! My mother got her masters degree in psychology from CSU -- when she was 40. But that was 40 years ago! After working at some large and small treatment centers, she started her own family counseling business in the early 80s. She sold it and retired a few years ago. I admire her very much for what she did.

 

Based on your personal descriptions, I think the areas you would feel most comfortable are in Cleveland Heights or in the Lakewood/Gold Coast-Cleveland/Edgewater area which tend to be the most artsy areas in the region.

 

In Cleveland Heights, most of the neighborhoods are named for the streets, or intersections of streets: Coventry (between Mayfield and Euclid Heights Blvd), Cedar-Lee (site of the region's most popular arts theater) and Cedar-Fairmount (most accessible to the city). If you like the East Coast, you feel right at home in this area, as well as the University Circle just down the hill. The music tends to be jazzier, restaurants tend to be spicier (lots of Italian, Middle Eastern, Asian and Koshier foods), and the pace a little more hectic.

 

In the Lakewood/Gold Coast-Cleveland/Edgewater area, most of the apartments are on either side of West 117th. On the Cleveland side, they are mostly along Detroit and Clifton, with the Lake Avenue apartments closer to Edgewater Park. On the Lakewood side, most are on Clifton, Lake and Edgewater, with some of the tallest residential buildings outside of downtown. If you want a more laid-back taste of the Midwest and Chicago, a view of the lake, nice streets to ride a bike and large parks east and west of you, more Hispanic, Greek, Arabic, sports bars and good ol' American comfort food then this area is for you.

 

Don't rule out downtown or University Circle/Little Italy. But it is less of a neighborhood since it tends to be more transient. It is also more mainstream but there are some terrific little art galleries in and near downtown. University Circle/Little Italy does have its share of students, but is a pretty good mix.

 

As for finding a place to live where to go car free -- people often think it means finding great transit service. But think of where most of your trips go... to the grocery store, drug store, bank, clothing, restaurants and more basic stuff. Obviously you need transit to get to school. But first find housing within a short walk or bike ride to the basic stuff, then see if it has a bus or rail link to or near to CSU. You can take your bike on the bus or train. The areas I mentioned earlier all have the basic stuff in their neighborhoods.

Ohio City is also a good candidate' date=' but you'd have to be more careful in where in OC you live. It's all fine, but it is more prone to safety issues than Tremont, especially in certain areas.[/quote']

 

What would you say are the good and less good parts of Ohio City?

I'm not an expert on the neighborhood, but in general, North of Lorain and South of Bridge between 25th and 40th and so is all very good, as I understand it. It gets spottier west of 40th with some bad blocks. And the eastern part of the neighborhood near Detroit is a bit dodgy.

 

Feel free to correct me if my perception and memory of NEOCANDO crime data is off.

I'd say south of Detroit, not Bridge.  North of Lorain, south of Bridge only leaves one with a 2 block wide sliver.  I think even the area south of Lorain, north of the RR tracks isn't so bad, staying east of the W. 40s.  The crime data on crimereports.com seems to indicate that Ohio City's problem is mostly along the major streets.  Probably that owes to large amounts of pass-through traffic in cars and on buses, including transfer points. The "official" boundaries of OC also includes a portion of the neighborhood to the south of the RR tracks that is rougher, that most people wouldn't consider to be part of Ohio City.

Hey,

I'd be willing to pay up to 650 a month for housing. I'd prefer cheaper, but after realizing that I'll need a car, I know monthly parking will up my rent payment.

 

Although I'll be bringing a car, I still don't want to rely on it. The 55 from Lakewood and the transit options in OC sound great. However, I think I'd rather live in Tremont than OC. If I were in Tremont, is it easy enough to bike to transit in OC? Also does Lakewood have other bus routes that bring you right downtown? I looked at the RTA website, and the hours for 55 seemed kind of limited.

 

Could someone tell me a little more about the Eastside neighborhoods? I feel like they aren't standing out to me, maybe that's just because I'm already leaning towards Westside. I'd prefer to be somewhere with more of a Midwest/Chicago feel; I've lived on the East Coast my whole life and am ready for something new.

 

I'm really not interested in Downtown. Although it'd be more convenient, I feel that OC, Tremont, Lakewood, and Cleveland Hts are more of what I'm looking for.

 

At this point, I'm most interested in Lakewood and Tremont, but any information I could get about Shaker Sq, Coventry, Cedar Lee, and Cedar Fairmount would be great. Like I said, these neighborhoods are kind of blending together for me.

^Check out the Detroit Shoreway neigheborhood as well.  There are threads for Gordon Square and Battery Park which are both parts of D.S.

 

It is centered around W. 65th and Detroit, so it is just west of OC, along the lake

Although I'll be bringing a car, I still don't want to rely on it. The 55 from Lakewood and the transit options in OC sound great. However, I think I'd rather live in Tremont than OC. If I were in Tremont, is it easy enough to bike to transit in OC? Also does Lakewood have other bus routes that bring you right downtown? I looked at the RTA website, and the hours for 55 seemed kind of limited.

 

It is very, very easy to bike from Tremont to the W. 25th  rapid station in Ohio City.  It's just a level 5 minute slow ride from Lincoln Park to the station, going across Abbey Ave.  Getting to Dave's and the West Side Market are likewise easy; I make that bike trip for groceries all the time.

I will let someone else address Shaker Sq, but my take on the 3 Cleveland Heights neighborhoods are:

 

Coventry - very unique neighborhood IMO.  A wide range of people, but more of a younger crowd than the other two.  By younger, I mean ranging from high school to younger graduate students.  A large undergraduate presence.  Very trendy.  Coffee shops, ethnic restaraunts, botique shops, bars and grilles.  The shops are mostly the botique type, with quite a few area classics (Big Fun, Record Exchange, etc.).  The bars range from sports grilles (Panini's, Johnny Malloy's) to music venues (Grog Shop) to wine bars (Cave Du Vin) to your run-of-the-mill college hot spot (McNulty's).  There is a discount grocery (Marc's) and sandwich shops (Grum's, JJ's).  Little Italy is withing walking distance, as are the Cedar-Fairmount and Cedar-Lee neighborhoods, depending on what you consider "walking distance".  University Circle is just down the hill and downtown is about a 10 minute drive.  The recreation center is also within walking distance.

 

Cedar-Lee - Not as busy as Coventry, but plenty to do.  More single houses than apartments/duplexes.  There is a 24 hour CVS right on the corner and some think that is a big plus.  The Cedar-Lee theatres is known for its artsy, indie affection and draws a good crowd.  Restaurants like Lopez and Lemongrass get good reviews.  The bars are some of my favorite in the Heights area (Colony, Tavco).  The library is right there.  A new 'Melt' restaraunt is opening at the next intersection to the east and people are very excited.  Like Coventry, several botique type shops line the strip. 

 

Cedar-Fairmount - a much 'calmer' neighborhood IMO.  Jillian's (pool hall / bar) is about as active as it gets.  A few good bars (The Fairmount) and restaurants (Alladin's, Mad Greek).  I love, love, love the feel of Nightown, the neighborhood Jazz venue and a pretty good restaurant.  Of the three neighborhoods, it probably has the easiest access to downtown and UC.  If you get the top floor of a house, you may find that it has an amazing view of downtown and/or the lake given how the neighborhood is right on the cusp of the "heights"   

Hey,

I'd be willing to pay up to 650 a month for housing. I'd prefer cheaper, but after realizing that I'll need a car, I know monthly parking will up my rent payment.

 

Although I'll be bringing a car, I still don't want to rely on it. The 55 from Lakewood and the transit options in OC sound great. However, I think I'd rather live in Tremont than OC. If I were in Tremont, is it easy enough to bike to transit in OC? Also does Lakewood have other bus routes that bring you right downtown? I looked at the RTA website, and the hours for 55 seemed kind of limited.

 

Could someone tell me a little more about the Eastside neighborhoods? I feel like they aren't standing out to me, maybe that's just because I'm already leaning towards Westside. I'd prefer to be somewhere with more of a Midwest/Chicago feel; I've lived on the East Coast my whole life and am ready for something new.

 

I'm really not interested in Downtown. Although it'd be more convenient, I feel that OC, Tremont, Lakewood, and Cleveland Hts are more of what I'm looking for.

 

At this point, I'm most interested in Lakewood and Tremont, but any information I could get about Shaker Sq, Coventry, Cedar Lee, and Cedar Fairmount would be great. Like I said, these neighborhoods are kind of blending together for me.

 

There are several eastsiders here. 

 

Shaker Square, Cedar-Fairmont, Coventry and Cedar-Lee are all withing a 10 mi drive of each other.  That may be why they are "blending".  Let us know specifics.  There are several residents of the Square (Buckeye-Shaker Square-Larchmere) here on the board.  Chosing a spot on the Square, Univ. Circle/Wade Park/Little Italy, Cleve. Hts., or Shaker Hts. you cant go wrong.

On Lakewood bus routes - the #26 runs down Detroit Ave (which runs parallel to Clifton a little to the south) , and continues on Detroit all the way to downtown. It's a local, so the ride takes longer.

 

There is also a Rapid Transit stop in the southeast corner of Lakewood. It runs to Tower City, which is 20 blocks from CSU. There are a couple of transfers you can take to close that gap.

Don't forget about Little Italy on the eastside as well:

 

http://www.littleitalycleveland.com/

 

You can take the "Healthline" to CSU on a straight shot.

 

Craigslist is starting to list a few Little Italy apartments I'm starting to notice.

Tremont sounds like a winner for everything that the OP has requested.  Wanted to address the indie rock seen angle of which there is definitely a small one in Tremont.  However, the Grog Shop in Cleveland Heights gets the bulk of the touring, regional, and national indie rock acts that come through Cleveland.  Check out the grogshop.gs for the amount and quality of upcoming shows..  Local shows on the Westside can be had at Cranky's Manatee Pub(formerly Matinee)in Tremont and also Happy Dog on Detroit Av. among some nice venues heading into Lakewood like Now That's Class and Brothers Lounge.  Otherwise, Northeast Ohio has a huge and diverse music scene.

 

 

^I would take the Beachland over the Grog Shop as being Cleveland premier indie rock scene at the moment.

^I would take the Beachland over the Grog Shop as being Cleveland premier indie rock scene at the moment.

 

Definitely, but North Collinwood wouldn't be too convenient for the OP.  It would be easier to get to from CH than the west side, however.

Although I'll be bringing a car, I still don't want to rely on it. The 55 from Lakewood and the transit options in OC sound great. However, I think I'd rather live in Tremont than OC. If I were in Tremont, is it easy enough to bike to transit in OC? Also does Lakewood have other bus routes that bring you right downtown? I looked at the RTA website, and the hours for 55 seemed kind of limited.

 

 

The #26 on Detroit in Lakewood is worth considering. If you live in the Birdtown section of Lakewood (look south of Madison and west of West 117th for the bird-named streets), the West 117th Rapid station is an easy walk as are the homes on West 110-116th in Cleveland but both areas can be sketchy at night.

 

As for Tremont, it was 24-hour bus service on the #81 which goes to Ohio City and downtown in one direction and Steelyard Commons in the other....

 

http://tremontwest.org/

http://www.riderta.com/pdf/81.pdf

http://www.steelyardcommons.com/main.asp (click on store hours for retailer list)

http://www.ohiocity.com/index.cgi?id=131&l=1&p=3694