I am a 22yr old recent grad and am looking for a fun place to live with entertainment/nightlife. I have read tons of posts about the different pros and cons of the different neighborhoods, but was wondering if anyone has an idea of what commute times would look like going to aurora. I am not opposed to a longer commute (I would actually enjoy the alone time to think/listen to the news via podcasts/etc) just would want to get an idea of what I am getting myself into.

 

Does anyone have an idea of the commute from shaker heights/downtown/little italy/other neighborhoods I might be interested in to aurura? It seems like the commute would be the reverse of the flow of traffic so that might make it more manageable?

I am a 22yr old recent grad and am looking for a fun place to live with entertainment/nightlife. I have read tons of posts about the different pros and cons of the different neighborhoods, but was wondering if anyone has an idea of what commute times would look like going to aurora. I am not opposed to a longer commute (I would actually enjoy the alone time to think/listen to the news via podcasts/etc) just would want to get an idea of what I am getting myself into.

 

Does anyone have an idea of the commute from shaker heights/downtown/little italy/other neighborhoods I might be interested in to aurura? It seems like the commute would be the reverse of the flow of traffic so that might make it more manageable?

 

Welcome.

Depending on where in Aurora abou 45-50 minutes from downtown...longer with heavy traffic.  About the same from the Heights and Little Italy since freeway access is not as handy.

 

Good luck.

I actually live downtown and commute to Aurora. If you take 77 to 80 its about 40 mins. Avoid 480 and its really not that bad. Who's your job with in Aurora?

I think it also depends on where you work in Aurora, the traffic around there during rush hour in the summer can be very heavy no matter what way you're going, due to Geauga Lake Wildwater Kingdom.  I worked there briefly and drove from downtown and it took about 50 minutes.  Remember, what doesn't seem like a long commute when the roads are dry seems like 10x as long once the ice and snow start.

I recently moved to the east end of Shaker Heights and commute to Hudson.  My drive is about 30-35 minutes, so I imagine the drive to Aurora would be about the same.  We'll see what happens once the snow shows up...

 

If you have any questions about my area let me know and I'll try to help you out!

Thanks for the replies! I am excited about the job, but am pretty clueless about the area. The job itself is at MaMaster-Carr (200 Aurora Industrial Pkwy. Aurora, OH 44202) or roughly s chilocothe and Mennonite.

 

@JEJustice08- How do you like the east end of shaker heights? One of the places I am looking is at the far end of the Blue Line. seems like some low-cost apartments can be found, it would cut down the commute, and easy access to the Blue Line would be nice for going downtown for sports and the such. Do you have much experience doing this?

 

@hubz1124-taking 77 to 80 when you say 40 minutes is that average or under perfect conditions? What about with snow? How often is traffic a major issue?

 

Thanks I really appreciate the help!

Because of the freeway access, your commute would be pretty similar if you lived in Cleveland Hts, Shaker Hts or if you lived downtown or in the Ohio City or Tremont.

 

Because of the traffic and multiple stop lights, I find driving from the Heights area to be much more stressful than if your entire commute were via freeway (downtown and near west side).

^Absolutely true about the Heights and thank god.  Lack of freeways is one of the things that makes the Heights special.

^Absolutely true about the Heights and thank god. Lack of freeways is one of the things that makes the Heights special.

 

The easiest commute would probably be from downtown.

^Absolutely true about the Heights and thank god. Lack of freeways is one of the things that makes the Heights special.

 

If UO had a "Like" feature - this comment would get my Like vote, I couldn't agree more.

^Absolutely true about the Heights and thank god.  Lack of freeways is one of the things that makes the Heights special.

 

:cool2:

I lived for 15 years in a city next to Aurora (Bainbridge) and, later, my parents moved to Aurora. I'm very familiar with the area.

 

No matter where you live, avoid I-480. Eastbound is just as bad as westbound between I-77 and I-271, morning or afternoon. If the sun is out in the morning, eastbound is bad. If the sun is out in the afternoon/evening, westbound is bad. If it rains, both directions are bad. If it snows, stay home.

 

If you choose to live downtown, follow hubz1124's advice and take I-77 south to the Ohio Turnpike and take that east to I-480 and double-back one exit west to Aurora-Hudson Road. It's a very short double-back (maybe a half-mile). The Turnpike is also well-maintained and kept clear of snow. But you will pay tolls. Consider an EZ Pass. It's a very pretty drive with several tall bridges, valleys and vistas.

 

If you choose Shaker Square, Little Italy/University Circle or Coventry (Cleveland Heights), take Cedar or Fairhill/Van Aken/Northfield/Harvard to I-271 then to US422 and then to SR43 or SR306. Most of these roads are decent routes. Avoid Chagrin Boulevard during rush hours in either direction. Its interchange with 271 is notorious.

 

As for locations to live, tell us a little bit more about what you're looking for. There are probably a half-dozen to dozen fun neighborhoods with "entertainment/nightlife" but each has a different character for different tastes, age groups, etc. Tell us about an area you like in the city you live in or cities you have visited and we'll give you the Cleveland version(s) of it.

Thanks! To give a little better feel for exactly what I am looking for I will elaborate a little more. I went to school in Pittsburgh and some areas I really liked there were the south side and the strip district. I grew up in the Kansas city area and I really like the power and light district and plaza areas. And I had some opportunities to study abroad in Europe and south America while at school and really loved the walkablitily and international feel (I plan on staying in Cleveland +-5 years before hopefully spending a couple years abroad).

 

In terms of constraints:

Cost: Could pull off 1000 a month (including utilities), but naturally even cheaper would be better.

Commute: More concerned with ease/consistency of commute (Don't mind driving 50 minutes if the traffic is flowing and primarily highway)

Proximity to what the city has to offer: I am definitely not someone who will just sit at home, so being close to different theatres/bars/sports/etc would be great.

safety:I am a pretty active guy and enjoy going on runs/bike rides/walks and would like to not have to worry too much about being jumped when going out on a jog.

Nature: Kinda goes along with the last point, but I enjoy running/bike rides so some nature nearby would be a plus whether that's a park to run in or close by to the lake.

 

I know I listed a lot that I am looking for, and I doubt any one neighborhood would be able to offer everything I am looking for. But that's kinda the picture of what perfect would be for me because I figure it would be better to give more info than not enough.

Welcome!  I lived in Twinsburg which is right next to Aurora and my vote would be for Tremont.  Its a smaller neighborhood but it has quite a few nice bars/pubs and plenty of people around your age.  In relation to other fun neighborhoods it is close to downtown and Lakewood.  Not the closest to Coventry or Little Italy but its not too far away.  As far as your requirements as they apply to Tremont:

 

Cost:  Not sure because the site doesn't list price but I would look at Tremont Place Apartments.  Very unique building and we have a thread floating around with details on the buildings redevelopment.  Here is a site with their contact info

 

http://www.tremontplacelofts.com/

 

Commute:  Same as downtown.  You can take the Jennings down to 480 and only take 480 for about a mile or two before taking 77 to 80.  IIRC McMaster is right near the border of Aurora and Streetsboro on Rt 43.  Streetsboro would be the city I-80 would take you too and from there it is convenient to get to your job.

 

Proximity:  See neighborhoods above

 

Safety:  Its city living, common sense will keep you safe.  I never lived in Tremont but would visit frequently and never once felt threatened.

 

Nature:  Big factor in me suggesting Tremont.  The Towpath which headed south leads to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  I haven't followed its developments but I know the plan was for the Towpath to head north to the lake but that may be in the works and not finished yet.

 

Best of luck to you.  I just left Cleveland and took a job in Charlotte in August.  Some things I miss, some I don't but I think you will find Cleveland to be very enjoyable.

Thanks! To give a little better feel for exactly what I am looking for I will elaborate a little more. I went to school in Pittsburgh and some areas I really liked there were the south side and the strip district. I grew up in the Kansas city area and I really like the power and light district and plaza areas. And I had some opportunities to study abroad in Europe and south America while at school and really loved the walkablitily and international feel (I plan on staying in Cleveland +-5 years before hopefully spending a couple years abroad).

 

In terms of constraints:

Cost: Could pull off 1000 a month (including utilities), but naturally even cheaper would be better.

Commute: More concerned with ease/consistency of commute (Don't mind driving 50 minutes if the traffic is flowing and primarily highway)

Proximity to what the city has to offer: I am definitely not someone who will just sit at home, so being close to different theatres/bars/sports/etc would be great.

safety:I am a pretty active guy and enjoy going on runs/bike rides/walks and would like to not have to worry too much about being jumped when going out on a jog.

Nature: Kinda goes along with the last point, but I enjoy running/bike rides so some nature nearby would be a plus whether that's a park to run in or close by to the lake.

 

I know I listed a lot that I am looking for, and I doubt any one neighborhood would be able to offer everything I am looking for. But that's kinda the picture of what perfect would be for me because I figure it would be better to give more info than not enough.

 

My vote would be (drum roll please) SHAKER SQUARE!  It's got everything you've listed.

 

My vote would be (drum roll please) SHAKER SQUARE! It's got everything you've listed.

 

Oh! I'm shocked!!!

 

Seriously, you might like that area for these reasons -- it has great restaurants (two great Hungarian restaurants plus a 24-hour diner), movie theater, coffee shops, book store, full grocery store and excellent transit to downtown (only until midnight though) and University Circle/Little Italy (until 1 a.m.). It is also near the Shaker Lakes which are nice for jogging or biking around. And you can bike to Coventry in about 10 minutes.

 

If you don't mind a little grit, you might like the Asiatown area. It's very much like the Strip District (as is the Market District in Ohio City). Either of these locations might suit you well. The downside is that neither is immediately accessible to good running and biking routes. Asiatown is more accessible to the lakefront and the Lakefront Bikeway. But it's not the best jogging/biking environment. Ohio City will be accessible to the Towpath Trail, but it's going to be a few years before that's extended so far north from Tremont. There's some decent jogging/biking routes involving Detroit Avenue, especially to the west toward Edgewater Park, but it's a pretty good distance from the Market District section of Ohio City.

@JEJustice08- How do you like the east end of shaker heights? One of the places I am looking is at the far end of the Blue Line. seems like some low-cost apartments can be found, it would cut down the commute, and easy access to the Blue Line would be nice for going downtown for sports and the such. Do you have much experience doing this?

 

 

I'm really happy in the east end of Shaker.  I live in the area that you've been looking at along Van Aken near Warrensville.  It has great access to grocery stores and pharmacies and the Mexican place at Warrensville has great happy hour deals on Friday ;)  It's not so much of a "young" area.  There is quite a big elderly population actually, which is perhaps the biggest downside.  It could be hard to meet people in the area, although I've noticed that the other buildings around here have more younger people than my building.

 

My commute is a breeze - I take Chagrin to I-271 South and go against traffic.  Disclaimer: I have to be in Hudson by 7:30, so I'm leaving Beachwood around 7:00 before the worst traffic hits.  My partner works downtown and just walks outside and hops on the train.  We like to meet up on Fridays downtown after he gets off work, so I just get on the train and head down his way then we catch the rapid back.  When we go out on Coventry with friends, we call a cab and in 10 minutes or so we're in Cleveland Heights.  It's a short drive down Van Aken to Shaker Square for brunch at Yours Truly the next morning!

 

I have to drive more than I would like to here, but everything is pretty close and I can walk to Starbucks whenever I run out of coffee.

 

Let me know if you have any questions about specific buildings in the area.  Before I found my place, I looked at a lot of different places up and down Van Aken.  Feel free to send me a PM if I can be of any help!

@JEJustice08- How do you like the east end of shaker heights? One of the places I am looking is at the far end of the Blue Line. seems like some low-cost apartments can be found, it would cut down the commute, and easy access to the Blue Line would be nice for going downtown for sports and the such. Do you have much experience doing this?

 

 

I'm really happy in the east end of Shaker.  I live in the area that you've been looking at along Van Aken near Warrensville.  It has great access to grocery stores and pharmacies and the Mexican place at Warrensville has great happy hour deals on Friday ;)  It's not so much of a "young" area.  There is quite a big elderly population actually, which is perhaps the biggest downside.  It could be hard to meet people in the area, although I've noticed that the other buildings around here have more younger people than my building.

 

My commute is a breeze - I take Chagrin to I-271 South and go against traffic.  Disclaimer: I have to be in Hudson by 7:30, so I'm leaving Beachwood around 7:00 before the worst traffic hits.  My partner works downtown and just walks outside and hops on the train.  We like to meet up on Fridays downtown after he gets off work, so I just get on the train and head down his way then we catch the rapid back.  When we go out on Coventry with friends, we call a cab and in 10 minutes or so we're in Cleveland Heights.  It's a short drive down Van Aken to Shaker Square for brunch at Yours Truly the next morning!

 

I have to drive more than I would like to here, but everything is pretty close and I can walk to Starbucks whenever I run out of coffee.

 

Let me know if you have any questions about specific buildings in the area.  Before I found my place, I looked at a lot of different places up and down Van Aken.  Feel free to send me a PM if I can be of any help!

 

Move West, it's younger over here on the Square!

^ I have to agree...Shaker Square is where it's at!  I just brought my first house one block from the square this summer and I LOVE IT!!  Where did you go to school in Pittsburgh?  Pitt Panther here, 2001.

^ I have to agree...Shaker Square is where it's at!  I just brought my first house one block from the square this summer and I LOVE IT!!

 

Who knew?!

 

Commute: Same as downtown. You can take the Jennings down to 480 and only take 480 for about a mile or two before taking 77 to 80. IIRC McMaster is right near the border of Aurora and Streetsboro on Rt 43. Streetsboro would be the city I-80 would take you too and from there it is convenient to get to your job.

 

 

Or get on 490 at W. 7, drive about a minute, and get straight on 77.  You'd totally bypass 480 that way.

Thanks for all the help all! I am planning a 3day/2night trip up to look at a number of places and think I will now focus on the shaker square, Tremont, and downtown areas. I have done quite a bit of searching online and am starting a list of places I want to look at, but if anyone has any specific recomendations within these areas let me know for sure! Thanks!

 

@midwestchamp- Graduated from pitt too in may!

Thanks for all the help all! I am planning a 3day/2night trip up to look at a number of places and think I will now focus on the shaker square, Tremont, and downtown areas. I have done quite a bit of searching online and am starting a list of places I want to look at, but if anyone has any specific recomendations within these areas let me know for sure! Thanks!

 

@midwestchamp- Graduated from pitt too in may!

 

Yes.  Shaker Square!  :clap: 

Good choices. Welcome. Hope you enjoy your visit.

Welcome to town!  Trust me no matter where you pick to live traffic will not be as bad as trying to get through the Squirrel Hill Tunnel in the morning...or afternoon...or at anytime!

Thanks for all the help all. I found an apartment in Tremont that I am really happy with. I will move in the first of the year. I had another quick question about the commute tho--about what time does the traffic start to pick up? I will need to be in Aurora at 830am, which would mean I would be leaving probably close to 740am or so. should I expect to add a significant amount (20min?)of time to the times given on mapquest? Intuitively it seems that I shouldn't have many problems as I can't expect that many people would be leaving the downtown area that early. (I plan on either taking 490-77-480 or 490-77-80)

80 will have less traffic than 480 and taking 77 you will be going against the traffic flow.  Your only issue could occur where 77 and 480 come together.

 

Either way you might want to experiment with taking 176 to 480 or to 77 and then 80.

 

I used to live in Tremont and Took either 176 or 490/77 to 480 on my way out to Beachwood.  Your biggest problem will occur where 480 meets 271/422,  it becomes a mess with any sort of traffic volume.  I got off the highway where the backups would begin (Warrensville Rd.)  would usually avoid them but not always, this was one reason I shifted my schedule.

 

I now live on the near west side, now take the shoreway to 77 to 480.

 

I can have flexible hours and I leave to come to work at 6 am leave to go home at 3:30 to avoid any issues.

 

If you google map or mapquest it, the time they give you will be + or - 5 minutes on an average day......The stuff you really cant plan for is what will throw you off.

 

Accidents,  or the weather.

 

 

Thanks for all the help all. I found an apartment in Tremont that I am really happy with. I will move in the first of the year. I had another quick question about the commute tho--about what time does the traffic start to pick up? I will need to be in Aurora at 830am, which would mean I would be leaving probably close to 740am or so. should I expect to add a significant amount (20min?)of time to the times given on mapquest? Intuitively it seems that I shouldn't have many problems as I can't expect that many people would be leaving the downtown area that early. (I plan on either taking 490-77-480 or 490-77-80)

 

I-80 will cost you a little bit of money since it's the Turnpike, but I think the expenditure is worth it to avoid the mess that is 480 if you have to drive during the normal rush hour times.

That drive in the snow.  Not sexy!

 

Be safe!

If you're going to use the Turnpike, then you need an EZPass which will save you on tolls ($.50 instead of $.75 from 77 to 480) and let you use the express EZPass only lanes at the toll gates.

 

http://www.ohioturnpike.org/travelers/ezpass/

Congrats on the decision to live in Tremont. It's a fun area. Some places to check out:

 

Visible Voice Books, best bookstore in the City; also a wine bar --> http://visiblevoice.com/

Loop, my favorite of the neighborhood coffee shops, and also a record store --> http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cleveland-OH/LOOP-in-Tremont-Ohio/151337760450

Studio 11, a yoga/pilates studio --> http://www.studio11tremont.com/

Lilly's Handmade Chocolates (and craft beer/wine) --> http://lillytremont.com/

 

And of course one of the first things you should do upon moving here is to check out the West Side Market, in nearby Ohio City --> www.westsidemarket.org

 

Welcome to Cleveland!

 

^just an fyi, the bookstore is at  http://www.visiblevoicebooks.com/about.php

 

Welcome to Cleveland (and Tremont)!

 

I-480 is often stop-and-go in both directions between I-77 and I-271. Traffic will cause it. Rain will cause it. Snow will cause it. And when you're eastbound in the AM or westbound in the PM (especially this time of year), the low sun in motorists' eye will cause traffic jams.

 

I hate I-480. Worst interstate in NE Ohio today.