First of all, I want to thank this community for all the information from my weeks of reading all the posts about relocating to Cleveland. In fact I believe the most current topics are about relocating. I have read all available threads and am looking for input.

 

I'm a 24 year old, male, college graduate looking to relocate to Cleveland, I am going to be working for Fairview Hospital. I'm looking for a one bedroom. With a price point of $1200 (including parking).

 

I've looked downtown. Impressed with only 668 and they are full to capacity (with one bedrooms) and with a huge waiting list. I like the downtown atmosphere. I've toured Bingham. And I've toured the next door National Terminal. Both did not impress me for their respective price points. Bingham at the $1200 price point with parking and National Terminal at about $1000 with parking.

 

I know it's dumb, but for that price I want modern. I want granite and stainless steel. And hardwood. But at the same time I like the rustic feel of the Warehouse District. But it seems the Warehouse District apartments that I've toured are just really, hmm, not fancy. I like the exterior of Bingham and the majority of the Warehouse District, but not when inside, especially for the price point.

 

I have a tour of an E. 4th Street apartment, Euclid Block Apartments, next week as well. I have a tour of Crocker Park next week. And from the pictures its the modern feel I'm looking for. But it doesn't seem like there's much nightlife there. Only one restaurant is open past midnight. Is that a fair assumption?

 

So, I'm asking for help. Here's what I know. I'm 24 and a young professional. I want a nightlife atmosphere. I want fancy. Stainless, granite and hardwood. I do like rugged and rustic, but just with modern touches. I did like the downtown area and that was my original idea, but I just have been underwhelmed with my choices, besides 668, which is full. I feel like $1200 (rent + parking) is a reasonable price point to get what I want, is it not? I want to stay downtown or the Westside, the Eastside is not an option, I don't want to commute a long commute.

Welcome to Cleveland and the board.  The pricepoint shouldn't be a problem and you seem to know what you want.  I think you will find that you will really like Euclid Block.

 

I'd also make sure you check out the Tremont Place Lofts (tremont is just west of downtown, and has a growing group and young professionals and night life scene) http://www.tremontplacelofts.com/

 

and if you can find any rentals in the Fries and Schuele building in Ohio City (also just west of downtown, with growing group of young professionals and nightlife) These are mainly for sale condos, but you can find some for rent... 

 

You may also want to consider Stonebridge on the West Bank of the Flats.

 

Just my personal opinion... but I wouldn't consider living in Crocker Park.  I find it akin to living in a generic mall trying to masquarade itself as a town.  Kind of creeps me out, but again that's just my personal opinion.

Thanks for your quick response.

 

To give some more information. I have a car, but I want the walkable atmosphere. I want to be able to walk to a couple bars here or there. But again I want to live somewhere where professionals are going to live, I'm going to be a pharmacist. And yes, I have the same fear about Crocker Park but the apartments looked nice so I decided to check them out.

 

Another website recommends Lakewood. I just don't want to keep going apartment shopping when I walk into a place and don't want it because it's not modern enough for me. It's a waste of everyone's time.

I understand your frustration and I wish Cleveland had more of what you're looking for.  And I agree that some of our downtown offerings are overpriced for what they are.  I would investigate the high rises in the NE corner of Lakewood.  They're modern, if not brand new, and I'm not sure what the interior finishes are like, but that area seems like a decent match for your tastes and your job location.

I would second Tremont Place Lofts if you can get in there. It's a great historice site but with very updated modern interiors and lots of other amenities on site and in a great walkable neighborhood with tons of restaurants, bars etc.

Agrees. Tremont Place Lofts is right up your "rustic but granite countertops" alley. Lots and lots of character, and you should be able to get a lot for that price point. And Tremont continues to be one of Cleveland's best neighborhoods. 

You've had some good suggestions.  Just want to say welcome.  Fairview is a great hospital and not a bad area to work in as there are some interesting/decent bars and restaurants there for lunch.  Much as I like Crocker Park (I know, I'm one of the few), I wouldn't live there if you're looking for nightlife, the nightlife that exists there largely consists of couples going out for a drink or dinner together, not a singles/clubbing/partying type vibe.

check out a stonebridge condo rental (as opposed to apartment, which will be likely be carpeted). There are some condo rentals with hardwood and they will have your granite and stainless, in addition to indoor parking. Craiglist is where they tend to be listed. I would say it is overwhelmingly professional in the CONDO buildings (there are a couple buildings which are apartments only)

 

The views are great, and you are close to downtown, tremont, detroit shoreway and OC-literally about 3-5 minutes drive from each. There are really only a few bars within stolling distance though so it that is important, I agree the tremont recs are nice. Also if the fries and schuele building in Ohio City has any condos for rent (again, craigs list) I would look at those.

Another one to echo Tremont Place Lofts.  It's sounding like it's exactly what you're looking for.l

East 4th Street has a very active nightlife. As far as I know Flannery's until 2:30a six nights a week, Harry Buffalo is open until 2a, Corner Alley is open until 2a on Th-Fr-Sa, 1a on Mo-Tu-We, and until mdinight Su. Pickwick & Frolic is open until 2a Fr-Sa and midnight  all other nights. There are also several bars open late farther east on Prospect toward East 9th.

 

You will not find any housing in Northeast Lakewood (called the Gold Cost) built after 1970, except for a group of about 20 for-sale townhouses built in the 1980s. But some of the Gold Coast high-rises have been renovated recently to offer the kinds of amenities you might be looking for. But it doesn't have the extent of nightlife that downtown, Tremont or Ohio City offers. It does have some 24-hour restaurants and stores that downtown lacks, however.

 

 

Well I've narrowed it down to the final two. And would very much like any more input.

 

It's Tremont Place Lofts (One bed, one den, 2 bath) and Euclid Block Apartments (one bed, one bath). Pricing is similar, although more than I wanted to spend, however they both include the majority of utilties.

 

Tremont Pros: Open kitchen, stainless, Corian counters, many windows, a wonderful view of downtown (will put a picture up soon), old style brick

E 4th Pros: Stainless, downtown proper, warehouse feel

 

The Euclid Block apartment only has one window, and with no view. So bummer there. Also I assume guest parking is more difficult downtown then in Tremont.

 

What about safety? Both apartments are guarded with double doors and accessable only with keyfob or buzz. Both aparments are high up on floors so window break-ins are not possible. Parking is gated and monitored at both locations. I feel like both locations if one would go wander around 10 streets down things may get rough. Would you go for a run at night either downtown or in Tremont in the triangle between the highways? I mean if you look hard enough there is always that awful story, robbery and rape last month in Tremont and that parking lot homicide downtown. Input?

Well I've narrowed it down to the final two. And would very much like any more input.

 

It's Tremont Place Lofts (One bed, one den, 2 bath) and Euclid Block Apartments (one bed, one bath). Pricing is similar, although more than I wanted to spend, however they both include the majority of utilties.

 

Tremont Pros: Open kitchen, stainless, Corian counters, many windows, a wonderful view of downtown (will put a picture up soon), old style brick

E 4th Pros: Stainless, downtown proper, warehouse feel

 

The Euclid Block apartment only has one window, and with no view. So bummer there. Also I assume guest parking is more difficult downtown then in Tremont.

 

What about safety? Both apartments are guarded with double doors and accessable only with keyfob or buzz. Both aparments are high up on floors so window break-ins are not possible. Parking is gated and monitored at both locations. I feel like both locations if one would go wander around 10 streets down things may get rough. Would you go for a run at night either downtown or in Tremont in the triangle between the highways? I mean if you look hard enough there is always that awful story, robbery and rape last month in Tremont and that parking lot homicide downtown. Input?

 

Honestly, although, I dont live downtown, the ten block radius of that building there is always something going on.  So running, walking, running errands isn't really an issue. 

 

Peabody, X, McCleveland, DocBroc, and other downtown residents will have more in depth comments.

JMO but from what you've described, I'd go with Tremont. Sounds like you have more rooms, a better view and the ability to easily have guests over.

 

I wouldn't go running really anywhere at night except around the lake at my suburban apartment. But that's just me.

If it makes a difference, I would imagine TPL will be quieter, on a whole, than EBA.... especially if your EBA apartment fronts on 4th St.  I think you will find good running routes at either location.  Sure, there are probably a couple directions you would not want to venture too far into, but it won't take you long to discovery how to stay within a relatively safe zone.

We have to walk several blocks to get home from most downtown events, and we've never had a problem (knock on wood).  Tremont and downtown are both great places to live, and they are both as safe as you can get for an urban area.  I'd say it really is your opinion of what you want - do you want more space and a better view but not be able to walk to quite as many places, or do you want a smaller apartment to be in the heart of it all?  Good luck with your decision!

FWIW, as a Tremont resident, I often see people running at night, especially in the northeast quadrant of the neighborhood.  I personally do a lot of walking and biking at night, both by myself and with friends, and have never had a problem.

I live near E. 4th.  I've personally gone running through most of the downtown area (except for the northeast portion) and I've never had a safety issue.

 

I don't think you can go wrong either way.  The choice was well-summarized by DocBroc above.

Believe it or not females run in my community at night. Have not heard of any issues. I personally would think tremont would be the best fit. I like the entertainment options much more...but that is just me.

Oh I'm sure they do, I'm just saying I wouldn't.  I seem to be a target for harrassment somehow.  there was a cop on a motorcycle actively ticketing someone in front of the bus station today as I walked by, but that didn't stop a woman from coming up to me and asking me for a dollar and, a few steps later, 2 guys to look me over like they couldn't figure out which hole they wanted to stick it in and then have one of them make a rude gesture involving the tongue and your first two fingers.  I just rolled my eyes and kept walking.

Oh I'm sure they do, I'm just saying I wouldn't. I seem to be a target for harrassment somehow. there was a cop on a motorcycle actively ticketing someone in front of the bus station today as I walked by, but that didn't stop a woman from coming up to me and asking me for a dollar and, a few steps later, 2 guys to look me over like they couldn't figure out which hole they wanted to stick it in and then have one of them make a rude gesture involving the tongue and your first two fingers. I just rolled my eyes and kept walking.

 

Yeah, I have a problem with the fact that I have a well-endowed booty, so the guys walking the streets tend to like me, hahaha.  Annnnnyway, we're giving advice to a guy here, so it doesn't matter as much.

I went with Euclid Block on E 4th. I just really like the atmosphere. It's not even finished yet though. So move in is in mid-June. One bedroom, one bath, hardwood, stainless steel appliances, exposed concrete ceilings, only one window though and not much of a view.

 

To give the community an idea of cost: $1075 plus $120 parking. First month free. Internet, water, trash included.

Welcome, and and I think you have one of the best locations Downtown!

It's a very good location for a young professional seeking some nightlife. I suspect you will be trying lots of different restaurants, bars and clubs. If you want some tips and suggestions on some out-of-the-way things to do and see, drop us a note. The people on this forum know lots of fun secrets about Cleveland and its environs.

Congrats, and welcome to downtown!  As KJP said, don't be a stranger.  We have lots of opinions to offer around here :-D