Hey everyone,

 

I moved to Cleveland about three weeks ago for grad school. I came from New Hampshire, so the area is brand new to me. I thought I could meet people through school, but I'm realizing that CSU is a little disorganized with that type of thing. Anyways, I was hoping people could recommend some social outlets for me. I realize something like this may have already been posted, but I couldn't really find anything. If it has, a link to it would be awesome :-)

 

I've already done some research and have heard of the Hiking Club, Cleveland Plays, and the Bike Co-Op. I actually tried to attend the Saturday social ride yesterday, but had trouble finding the Co-Op. I've also tried Meetup.com, and have attended one event through that. I'm a clinical psychology student, so not really a young professional by any means. Oh, and I'm living on the West Side in Tremont, but I'd be willing to travel for events.

 

Thanks!

Hi Ruthanna,

It sounds like you're into outdoor/active type stuff. Try the Cleveland Rowing Foundation, In the Flats not far from the Bike Co-Op. There are also lots of 5ks and other runs coming up sponsored by the Hermes organization. The Midtown Classic is one that attracts lots of hip urbanites, and it's coming up this Fall. Are you a member of the CSU Rec Center? It offers lots of classes where you might meet people.

In terms of nightlife, my favorite bars to hang out are the Happy Dog, at 58th and Detroit, and Prosperity Social Club in your neighborhood. Both attract an indie unpretentious crowd, and have good music on a lot of nights.

Coffee shops can be a good place to meet people - and also be sure to check on the flyers inevitably posted on the bulletin boards for meetings/art openings/events that might interest you. My favorite coffee shops are Gypsy Beans at 65th and Detroit, Loop on w. 11th in Tremont, Erie Island on e. 4th Downtown, and Phoenix on w. 9th Downtown. There are lots of grass rootsy things going on in Cleveland these days and lots of chances to get involved.. Friends of Edgewater Park, lots of local food events (check localfoodcleveland.com), farmers markets, etc. Also check out Cleveland Critical Mass (on Facebook) if you're into bicycling... They organize monthly bike rides that attract hundreds of young folk.

Hi and welcome.  blinker made some good suggestions, I would also add the Lincoln Park Pub and Edison's in Tremont.

I'm actually not really into active stuff...I guess that's just all I've heard of in terms of groups. I was planning on forcing myself into it if I couldn't find anything else. I bike recreationally, and I'm looking for a gym and would like to take a class or two there. I will probably end up at CSU. I also like to hike but am pretty inexperienced.

 

The other things you mentioned sound interesting and much more similar to my tastes. I really enjoy reading, indie music, art galleries, independent film, etc. I have yet to check out Loop. The neighborhood is still disorienting to me, and I'm only familiar with things on Professor. I'll need to do that sometime this week.

 

Do you think Happy Dog and Prosperity are places where I would be able to meet people? I'm kind of intimidated by the thought of going into a bar by myself.

Ruthanna, I totally second blinker12's recommendation of Cleveland Critical Mass, especially if you bicycle recreationally. 

 

We're riding this Friday, September 24, and so far, almost 200 people are confirmed on Facebook (more details at that link as well).  We had around 250 bicyclists in both July and August.  It's a phenomenal way to meet people because we ride in a gigantic group and it's so easy to ride right up to someone that looks friendly and/or interesting and chat it up for a mile.  After about an hour and a half of riding, most of us go out someplace for food and drinks.  We have people that are new to town ride with us all of the time and come out afterward.   

 

On a personal note, I've met probably over a hundred new friends from doing CCM since April: a doctor and other people in the health care field, a local tv meteorologist, people who work at local colleges and universities, artists, folks in government and nonprofit fields, students, and so on.  So if nothing else, CCM is an amazing social experience that is whatever you make of it.  I believe in it so much that I tell everyone I know to attend and block off every last Friday of the month for it.

 

If you'd like to come, I can try to introduce you to a few friendly people.  PM me and I'll tell you how you can find me at Public Square or during the ride.  Also, if you're in Tremont, we have a group that starts in Old Brooklyn and picks people up at Lincoln Park along the way.

 

One of our guys has a knack for shooting video and riding, so here's a sample of what we do:

 

Welcome to Cleveland, Ruthanna!

 

The Ohio City bicycle co-op is behind some buildings on the southeast side of Columbus Road. It's actually closer to the river than the street (or at least it seems that way!). I bought a bicycle there and used it a lot in 2008 when gas prices hit $4. But after I started working from home in 2009 I don't use it much anymore -- OK, not at all. Both tires are flat. :oops:

 

When was the last time we had an UrbanOhio Cleveland Happy Hour? When is the next one?

 

EDIT: I see you already found that thread, Ruthanna.

Hi ruthanna,

 

For a gym, I would recommend Titan's Gym Downtown http://cleveland.titansgym.com/index.html

 

it's $39 a month for 24-hr access, and they have at lease one class everyday of yoga, spinning, kick-boxing, boot camp, etc.

my step daughter was also in the clinical psychology program at CSU (she has graduated). She and my now son and law got involved in political groups at CSU. SIL's volunteer work parlayed into a career in PAC's. I think they also did some potlocks with fellow students. Maybe you guys could also hit a happy hour after classes. Probably your program has only a small group so it would be hit or miss as to whether they can be a social group.

 

Perhaps you could volunteer for various things like Ingenuity Fest or get a group together to go. The rowing has got to be one of the best ways to meet people. I know a lot of people that go and it seems to be a great way to meet people.

 

Do you need help finding the bike coop? It is quite hidden but from Tremont, Just go down Abbey over the bridge and take a rt down Columbus at the light. Go over the bridge, and you will run into it on the right, the sign is not huge, but they have a bike attached to it, so you might catch it that way. If you get to the T intersection you have gone too far.

Definitely checked out the happy hour thread. How often does that actually happen? It seems like it's been quite a while.

 

As for the co-op, I think I was probably in the right area, but I couldn't find it. I just assumed it had moved, and my GPS was being weird.

 

I thought CSU would have an active grad student organization, but they don't at all. There are lots of clubs for undergrads, but I wouldn't feel comfortable/want to do that. Were the political groups through their programs?

 

Yeah, there are only 10 other students in the program, and they're all commuters. Most are from 30-45 minutes away, so it's a struggle to get people together.

 

The rowing seemed really cool, but I just missed the class they're holding for beginners. The next one will be in April, so I'll definitely be checking it out in the spring.

Welcome to Cleveland, ruthanna.  Given your tastes, I think you will find a lot to do.  One suggestion to meet people might be to volunteer somewhere like the APL there in Tremont.  You could also take part in things like the Edgewater beach clean-ups (there is a thread on here somewhere).  Not trying to put you straight to work, but you would meet 'good people' doing stuff like that, whereas the bar crowd can be sketchy when you don't know anyone.  Just take advantage of the free events, such as CCM, and you will surely meet people.

 

Once you do meet people, here's a couple suggestions for the East Side of town - Cedar-Lee theatre is probably the best indie film theatre in the State and the Beachland tavern might be the best indie-rock music venue in the State (several publications have named it one of the best in the country).  You may also like what the Coventry neighborhood has to offer.  Go explore and you will find plenty to do. 

Once you're comfortable with Tremont, I'd definitely recommend getting to know the Gordon Square area of Detroit-Shoreway.  If you like coffee shops, Gypsy Bean is a great location, and there's a lot of live theater action going on over there with Cleveland Public Theater, and the soon-to-be-relocated Near West Theater.

 

The Capitol Theater (movie theater) has some neat stuff going on:  http://www.clevelandcinemas.com/cinemadrilldown.asp?intCin=2941

 

Happy Dog, while not actually in Gordon Square, is very close-by.

yo that CCM ride sounds dope - especially parading through ingenuity, that will be a riot...

 

ruthanna - el ten eleven plays a show at grog shop on weds (9/22).  they're a pretty talented, mostly instrumental band that does a lot of work with sound loops.  2 people sound like 5. 

 

i'll be there with a few friends, PM if you'd like to meetup.

I really enjoy reading, indie music, art galleries, independent film, etc.

 

This is some of my favorite stuff too! Additional suggestions along those lines:

 

1. Someone already mentioned it, but DO NOT MISS the Ingenuity Festival coming up this weekend - it takes place in one of the coolest spaces in Cleveland (in the undercarriage of a bridge, in an old subway tunnel) and features interesting experimental art, music etc. You won't feel at all out of place showing up by yourself, because there are tons of random people wandering around. http://ingenuitycleveland.com/

 

2. DO NOT MISS the Cleveland International Film Festival, which takes place in March every year. http://www.clevelandfilm.org/

 

3. The Cleveland Cinematheque, inside the Cleveland Institute of Art, shows European and revival films that don't get shown anywhere else in Cleveland (or the region). I don't know that you'll meet people, but it's great for film enthusiasts! http://www.cia.edu/2ColNavPageBuilder.aspx?pageid=125

 

4. Join the POP UP CITY group on Facebook. This is a series of art/music/performance events in little-known spaces around the city. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cleveland-OH/POP-UP-CITY/26640197309

 

5. Join the mailing list of City Artists At Work to learn about underground art openings and chances to tour cool loft spaces on the city's near east side: http://www.cityartistsatwork.org/

 

6. I'm sure you already know about the monthly Tremont Art Walk - second Friday of each month - but if not, it's well worth checking out. Again, easy to do by yourself because you won't be conspicuous. http://www.tremontartwalk.org/

 

7. Do you know about Visible Voice Books in your neighborhood? My favorite bookstore in the City, and they have lots of readings/music/etc. http://www.visiblevoicebooks.com/

 

8. Join a Book Club. The Lit, a local literary nonprofit, sponsors a Book Club that meets monthly. Check it out here: http://www.the-lit.org/page1/page8/page8.html

 

9. The Cleveland Public Library hosts awesome readings by nationally known authors. The schedule is here: http://writersandreaders.cpl.org/schedule.html

 

10. Start taking yoga classes. I find that people who do yoga are very open to meeting new people & the idea of community & generally artsy. Studio 11, in Tremont, has a variety of classes. http://www.studio11tremont.com/

 

Well, there are 10 ideas for you!

I've been very excited to check out the Cedar Lee and the Cinematheque. I went to Beachland to see The Breeders a few weeks ago, and it's a really great venue. I'll definitely be going back. I feel like most of the cultural stuff tends to be on the east side. Does the RTA have good service between Coventry, University Circle, Cedar Lee, Cedar Fairmount, Shaker Sq areas? Or would I need to use my car for most of that?

 

Gordon Square seems like another artsy, cool area. Is parking there similar to Tremont, or should I use public transit?

 

Thanks for the suggestions Blinker! I'm pretty sure I'll be attending Ingenuityfest and CCM this weekend. Signed on with both art groups. I went to the most recent Artwalk and really, really liked it. I love Visible Voice, but have been trying to stay away from it. Last time I visited, I left $30 poorer.

 

I've been thinking about taking yoga. Does anyone know of any studios that are a little more affordable than Studio 11? I'll usually be coming from CSU, so I won't mind driving to the east side.

*cracks knuckles*  (sorry, I live car-free, so I love these questions :) )

 

^ RTA has good rapid transit service to University Circle and Shaker Square.  Coventry and Cedar Fairmount would both be good uphill hikes from the redline E. 120 and University Circle stations, respectively.  Cedar and Lee is an even bigger hike.  The no. 32 bus does run down Cedar, but if you're going to a late movie at the Cedar Lee Theater, fuggedaboudit. ;)

 

Parking is a little easier in Detroit-Shoreway than Tremont (there are a few free lots owned by the DSDCO and plenty of side streets,) but if you choose to take public transit, the no. 26 bus is frequent, and runs 24 hours a day.

 

I'm not a yoga person, but I love the name of the "There's no Place Like Om" yoga studio on W. 54 and Detroit.  Can't comment on the studio itself, but I do chuckle every time I see the place.

Transit from downtown (Tower City/Public Square) to Shaker Square is very good via the Blue/Green rail lines (they run combined on the same tracks from Tower City to Shaker Square): http://www.riderta.com/pdf/67-67A.pdf

 

Transit from downtown (CSU) via Euclid to University Circle is very good via the HealthLine:

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

And from Tower City/Public Square via the Red Line:

http://www.riderta.com/pdf/66.pdf

 

Transit to Coventry is better than average because it requires an enroute transfer. But the best route for you from CSU is to take the HealthLine to the Adelbert or Cornell stops on Euclid and transfer to the #9 Mayfield bus:

http://www.riderta.com/pdf/9.pdf

Note this bus' last trip west from Coventry is about 1:54 a.m. weekdays, 11:20 p.m. Saturdays, and 10:35 p.m. Sundays.

 

There is another, less-frequent bus #7 that requires a transfer at the University Circle Red Line rapid station. This runs through the entire Coventry Village:

http://www.riderta.com/pdf/7.pdf

 

The two Cedar destinations you mentioned, Cedar-Lee and Cedar-Fairmount, are on the #32 Cedar bus which goes up the hill from the University Circle rapid station into Cleveland Heights (don't confuse this with the #8 Cedar bus which doesn't go up the hill; it stays between downtown and University Circle). Note the last westbound buses from the top of the hill back to the Rapid station are all before midnight, regardless of day:

http://www.riderta.com/pdf/32.pdf

 

Transit to Gordon Square is available on the #26 bus which is frequent and runs 24 hours a day, but it runs east of Public Square only between 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. so you will need to take the Healthline or another route to Public Square or walk:

http://www.riderta.com/pdf/26.pdf

 

I hope this helps.

i don't know if you have time or if you're interested but maybe you could do a radio show on wcsb 89.3. you could meet other on air programmers.

I've been very excited to check out the Cedar Lee and the Cinematheque. I went to Beachland to see The Breeders a few weeks ago, and it's a really great venue. I'll definitely be going back. I feel like most of the cultural stuff tends to be on the east side. Does the RTA have good service between Coventry, University Circle, Cedar Lee, Cedar Fairmount, Shaker Sq areas? Or would I need to use my car for most of that?

Gordon Square seems like another artsy, cool area. Is parking there similar to Tremont, or should I use public transit?

 

Thanks for the suggestions Blinker! I'm pretty sure I'll be attending Ingenuityfest and CCM this weekend. Signed on with both art groups. I went to the most recent Artwalk and really, really liked it. I love Visible Voice, but have been trying to stay away from it. Last time I visited, I left $30 poorer.

 

I've been thinking about taking yoga. Does anyone know of any studios that are a little more affordable than Studio 11? I'll usually be coming from CSU, so I won't mind driving to the east side.

 

 

Welcome to C-Town.

 

Yes the "Eastside" (In my best WASPY lock-jawed lisp) is where all the fine cultural amenities are located.

 

For public transportation information please check RTA's website and add google maps to your pda, I find it very reliable.  You can get point to point directions right on your pda.

 

Its easy to get to FABULOUS Shaker Square via the Blue/Green line trains.  You can get to University Circle via the Red Line trains or the HealthLine BRT (Silver line).  University Circle is connected to Shaker Sq. via the 48 bus line.  From Univ. Cir. to Coventry you can take the No. 7 or 9 from University Circle station.  From University Circle you can take the No. 32 bus up Cedar to Cedar-Fairmont or Cedar-Lee and out to Beachwood Mall, which has the areas finest shopping.

 

 

Oh yes, I forgot to mention the late-night #48 bus to/from the FABULOUS Shaker Square. Say "Fah-bulous" with a lisp and you can speak it just like MTS! :-D

 

FYI: MTS is our resident Shaker Square ambassador. It's his favorite place in the whole wide world. Or is it Harlem? I keep forgetting.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention the late-night #48 bus to/from the FABULOUS Shaker Square. Say "Fah-bulous" with a lisp and you can speak it just like MTS! ;D

 

FYI: MTS is our resident Shaker Square ambassador. It's his favorite place in the whole wide world. Or is it Harlem? I keep forgetting.

 

You had to ask?

I've been very excited to check out the Cedar Lee and the Cinematheque. I went to Beachland to see The Breeders a few weeks ago, and it's a really great venue. I'll definitely be going back. I feel like most of the cultural stuff tends to be on the east side. Does the RTA have good service between Coventry, University Circle, Cedar Lee, Cedar Fairmount, Shaker Sq areas? Or would I need to use my car for most of that?

 

Gordon Square seems like another artsy, cool area. Is parking there similar to Tremont, or should I use public transit?

 

Thanks for the suggestions Blinker! I'm pretty sure I'll be attending Ingenuityfest and CCM this weekend. Signed on with both art groups. I went to the most recent Artwalk and really, really liked it. I love Visible Voice, but have been trying to stay away from it. Last time I visited, I left $30 poorer.

 

I've been thinking about taking yoga. Does anyone know of any studios that are a little more affordable than Studio 11? I'll usually be coming from CSU, so I won't mind driving to the east side.

 

I oftentimes do yoga at Anytime Fitness on Warren Road in Westpark.  There's a beginner class at 7pm and the regular one at 8.  It's $5 a session, and the teacher Arabelle is phenom.  (Arabelle is actually a CCM participant, too!)  You don't have to be a member of the gym, either.

 

I don't know if it's as good for meeting new people as it is getting a good workout and clearing your mind, though.

Karma Yoga is also good, they are downtown.

Welcome to Cleveland, I have tried lots of yoga classes. Many places offer the first one free as a trial. The evening class at CSU fitness center was the very best. It might be included in your membership and is convenient on the bus line.

 

As far as transit goes, I have a car but try not to use it. The health line, red line and Detroit #26 are frequent, but I have found the Mayfield line to be infrequent on Saturday so check your schedule. Also, the Cedar line from Cedar Lee back to the health line or the red line is infrequent. It is difficult to go to a film at Cedar Lee and take the bus back at night when it just runs every 40 minutes or so, especially in the cold weather. I really like riding the red line since I love trains but have been told as a woman, I shouldn't ride it alone at night. I don't know what other people's experiences have been.

Really? You love trains? Hi Justine. My name is Ken. :)

Sorry KJP, but I think she's married. :)

Wouldn't ya know....  :cry:

Wow, I had no idea the service was so extensive. That actually sounds really good.

 

Now, the 81 bus is 24 hr, right? Most of the time? I have one of the printed timetables, but my stop (Tremont & Jefferson) isn't listed on there. It isn't listed on the timetable pdf at the RTA website either. Is there anywhere I can find that information?

 

And when getting downtown, I'm guessing it's usually best to get off at East 3rd & catch the Healthline?

The 81 is 24 hour all the time.

 

Your stop is between W. 7-Starkweather and Quigley-Steelyard, so your bus should come between the times listed for those two stops.  Pay attention to the direction of travel, though, so you can be out there a little early.

How can I tell when they stop servicing my stop? It seems like they phase out Starkweather-Professor earlier than Quigley-Steelyard. Should I just assume I won't get service after that point?

Look at the map.

 

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

 

The bus doesn't serve all parts of the route at all times and all days.  When the bus doesn't serve the stop at Starkweather and W. 7 (that is, weeknights after seven and on weekends) it bypasses the gray loop and continues along the white part of the route.  During those days/hours, you'll look to the stops before or after that the bus DOES serve.

 

The short answer is that the bus will always pass by your stop at Tremont and Jefferson.

 

If you need more help, feel free to PM me.