I currently attend the University of Kentucky and have never lived on my own before, but in my recent travels have fallen in love with Northeast Ohio. In short, I'm partaking in the National Student Exchange program for my senior year to Cleveland State University (for those that don't know what this is, you pay in-state tuition, which means FREE for me, to your home institution and attend elsewhere).

 

I am looking for some general tips in moving such a large distance, for getting around (is taking the bus every morning really a viable option? Lexington's public trans is rubbish, but I hate to drive so much)

 

Do I need to re-register my car? Get a new license? My family is not supportive of this as they are fearful, hateful shut-ins (they listed "TOO MANY BLACKS" as a reason to avoid the area) and I am more than financially capable. I will basically be out on my own, with no assistance, for the first time ever. Any advice at all? Where are the jobs at in Lakewood/western Cleveland? Best recommendation for moving a bed? My car is a 110hp 4 cylinder, doubt it could pull a trailer safely.

 

Any opinions on CSU? Recommendations for things to do? I've met a few great people in the area that have pledged to help me make the transition but I still worry about what it will be like, how I will occupy my time with no one to tell me what to do every second of the day.

 

In the meantime I will say that I love Ohio, from Athens to Toledo, Cincinnati to Cleveland. It's a truly special state in which I've met some of the most amazing people I've had the honor to have in my life.

 

:mrgreen:

 

Edit: I plan on checking them out when the time comes, of course, but the apartments and duplexes under $500, are they too good to be true? :O Lakewood real estate is so cheap, it seems! Any advice on finding a roommate or anything of the sort? I want to keep the cost as low as possible for me in order to have spare spending money.

 

One final thing... I'm a firm believer in giving back to the community and have always enjoyed putting forth a helping hand. Are there any volunteer organizations in Cleveland? I love the city and believe every person's effort counts and therefore would love to chip in my own.

Sounds like a good move. Rent a U-haul and pull your car is my recommendation. As to registering your car, it depends on whether or not you're going to consider yourself an Ohio resident, or keep a permanent address out of state.  If you're not going to do that, take the plunge and make your address here, register your car (you generally have 30 days) and get a new license, and also get registered to vote here so you can start being a fully participating member of your community!

 

I had 5 different apartments in Lakewood (well, one was technically in city of Cleveland but was very close to the cleveland/lakewood) border and we have some other long-time lakewood residents on here such as KJP who can be very valuable with advice.

 

What type of job are you looking for? If you're going to school and just looking for an unrelated, part-time job there are lots of retail and restaurant options in Lakewood, or at Westgate Mall which is only a few minutes away, in Fairview park.

 

As to what your days will be like without someone telling you what to do all the time, well, that's part of what becoming an adult is all about. You will find things that you love, things to do, people to be with. It's a friendly and fun place here and you will have a great time. Welcome.

I agree that you should rent a uhaul and pull your car.  Uhaul will hook your car up for you once you have loaded up the truck.

 

Come back with more specific questions once you locate rentals you thin you like.  From what I hear, your neighbors can make or break your Lakewood experience given the density.  You can ask the board about specific streets and our forumers with expert knowledge of the city can advise you on the pro's and con's.

 

You are coming to CSU at an exciting time.  Lots and lots going on.  Lots of changes, for the better, from when I attended one of its schools.

 

Quick question..... if you haven't found a place, why have you restricted your search to Lakewood.  Don't get me wrong, its an awesome city.... but so are many other areas of Greater Cleveland.

 

Regardless, welcome and good luck!

Can you get housing at CSU?  By having that all set you could make your initial move to the area a lot easier.  You'll still have plenty to figure out- a job, new friends, classes, learning you way around.

Can you get housing at CSU?  By having that all set you could make your initial move to the area a lot easier.  You'll still have plenty to figure out- a job, new friends, classes, learning you way around.

I already have some friends in greater Cleveland. However, I would prefer to live in an area near nightlife and not in a dorm (which is why I chose Lakewood, and am not restricting myself exclusively to it, but the other area I'm looking at (Coventry in Cleveland Heights) is a bit more pricey, as are dorms)

 

The two areas I've been to that I've liked best are Lakewood and Coventry in Cleve Hts. but does anyone else have recommendations for cheap, fun living? I know CSU has a rep as a commuter school but I'd like to be around other people my age and within public trans distance (just because I commute every day right now to UK and hate it. Driving in rush hour traffic is horrible.)

 

I do like density and I'd prefer rent under $500 a month but that's negotiable. I'm willing to have a roommate if that makes things easier.

 

I have friends on Hampshire in Cleveland Heights as well as a few in Mayfield Heights, so the east side does look good to me, however, driving through Lakewood is awesome as well. I've been looking at the following in Lakewood:

Lakewood Club

Mayfair

a place on Detroit and Giel

West Court

Highland Place

 

I plan to go on a few tours of those soon.

 

I'm having trouble finding cheaper 1BRs in CH, but I'm sure there are shares and the likes out there.

++ Lakewood Club - Not crazy about the location. Loud trains with horns right next to the apartment building! I live 10 houses from the tracks and they can be pretty loud for me, and I love trains! Night life in the area is only average nowadays. Grocery store is across the street, plus 24-hour restaurants and drug stores within walking distance. All trips of the #55 travel nearby on Clifton, offering a one-seat ride to CSU (weekdays only).

++ Mayfair apartments - Good location in terms of nightlife nearby, grocery store across the bridge in Rocky River, but is as far away from downtown/CSU as you can get in Lakewood. However, most trips of the #55 bus goes by this location and travels directly to CSU via the fast West Shoreway.

++ a place on Detroit and Giel -- an OK area, but there's too many retail vacancies in the area. There is a large, 24-hour Giant Eagle grocery store on Bunts just north of Detroit, and I suspect you'll be spending lots of time at the nearby Winking Lizard tavern! Bus service on Detroit Ave runs 24/7 and takes a slow, all-city street route into downtown. Requires a transfer (not free unless buy a Day Pass or longer) or to reach CSU.

++ West Court -- Don't know this one. Got an address??

++ Highland Place -- Lots off stuff within walking distance, including grocery stores, restaurants, drug stores, restaurants (too much fast food though) and a few taverns. There's also a Target on West 117th (next to a huge Giant Eagle store) between the RTA Rapid station and I-90. But... the immediate area around Highland Place is having some troubles lately. Check it out first. I may be overreacting.

 

The Red Line Rapid (station at West 117th-Madison) gets you over to the east side pretty fast to visit friends. So if you want to go without a car, get a bike instead and take it on the train to the University Circle station and bike up Cedar Hill (or put it on the front rack on the #32 bus if you want to avoid the hill climb).

 

If you live in Ohio City or Tremont and you have a bicycle, you will never need a car or even have to ride a bus. But the closer you get to downtown the more expensive the housing gets, but you also need a car a lot less.

++ Lakewood Club - Not crazy about the location. Loud trains with horns right next to the apartment building! I live 10 houses from the tracks and they can be pretty loud for me, and I love trains! Night life in the area is only average nowadays. Grocery store is across the street, plus 24-hour restaurants and drug stores within walking distance. All trips of the #55 travel nearby on Clifton, offering a one-seat ride to CSU (weekdays only).

++ Mayfair apartments - Good location in terms of nightlife nearby, grocery store across the bridge in Rocky River, but is as far away from downtown/CSU as you can get in Lakewood. However, most trips of the #55 bus goes by this location and travels directly to CSU via the fast West Shoreway.

++ a place on Detroit and Giel -- an OK area, but there's too many retail vacancies in the area. There is a large, 24-hour Giant Eagle grocery store on Bunts just north of Detroit, and I suspect you'll be spending lots of time at the nearby Winking Lizard tavern! Bus service on Detroit Ave runs 24/7 and takes a slow, all-city street route into downtown. Requires a transfer (not free unless buy a Day Pass or longer) or to reach CSU.

++ West Court -- Don't know this one. Got an address??

++ Highland Place -- Lots off stuff within walking distance, including grocery stores, restaurants, drug stores, restaurants (too much fast food though) and a few taverns. There's also a Target on West 117th (next to a huge Giant Eagle store) between the RTA Rapid station and I-90. But... the immediate area around Highland Place is having some troubles lately. Check it out first. I may be overreacting.

 

The Red Line Rapid (station at West 117th-Madison) gets you over to the east side pretty fast to visit friends. So if you want to go without a car, get a bike instead and take it on the train to the University Circle station and bike up Cedar Hill (or put it on the front rack on the #32 bus if you want to avoid the hill climb).

 

If you live in Ohio City or Tremont and you have a bicycle, you will never need a car or even have to ride a bus. But the closer you get to downtown the more expensive the housing gets, but you also need a car a lot less.

 

12060 Lake is the address for West Court.

 

As for the bus, CSU offers the U pass which is unlimited rides on all RTA for $25 a semester I believe.

 

Right now the Mayfair is leading as I know someone who lives there and have ridden the bus TO campus, it's fairly speedy!

 

Can you just walk on the train with a bike? I don't even know when I'll even be using my car! I'm not used to having public trans around, and am excited for it!

 

12060 Lake is the address for West Court.

 

 

Oops! I should know that. It's one block from me!

 

As for the bus, CSU offers the U pass which is unlimited rides on all RTA for $25 a semester I believe.

 

Right now the Mayfair is leading as I know someone who lives there and have ridden the bus TO campus, it's fairly speedy!

 

Can you just walk on the train with a bike? I don't even know when I'll even be using my car! I'm not used to having public trans around, and am excited for it!

 

Yes, you can take a bike on the train at all times, except if the train is so crowded that the train driver forbids it. It's at their discretion:

http://www.riderta.com/ro_bike.asp

 

I live on Clifton and used the #55 often. But I'm still pissed they killed the service after 10 p.m. and on weekends. If you go with the Mayfair, at least you'll also have the 24/7 #26 route available:

http://www.riderta.com/pdf/55.pdf (the Mayfair is located between B & C at Sloane & Detroit on this timetable/map)

http://www.riderta.com/pdf/26.pdf (the Mayfair is located at "B - Rocky River Loop" on this timetable/map)

 

Both routes go out to Westgate Transit Center, which is just beyond the Westgate retail center which has lots of retailing options for you. It also will have some jobs, too:

http://www.westgateohio.com/

 

And if you haven't already discovered it, the Metroparks along the river is one of Cleveland's greatest gems. The Metroparks is a huge U-shaped park that extends for 30 or 40 miles around the south side of the city, hanging like an Emerald Necklace (that's its actual nickname). You can bike for many, many hours on this. And if that starts to bore you, the Metroparks intersects with the Cuyahoga Valley National Park at Brecksville where you take the Towpath Trail one way and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad the other all the way to Akron and Canton...

 

http://www.clemetparks.com/ (the Mayfair is just to the right of #1 at http://www.clemetparks.com/pdf/rrnorthmap.pdf)

http://www.nps.gov/cuva/index.htm

http://www.cvsr.com/

As long as I'm sharing links, you might find these of interest, although most sights are downtown and on the east side......

 

This is a photographic tour I made of Cleveland using its rail system in May 2008:

 

Part One: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,16259.0.html

Part Two: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,16260.0.html

Part Three: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,16261.0.html

 

One option you could look at that is close to your price range would be University Lofts (pretty sure that's the name).  I think we have a thread on its recent renovation.  Right on Euclid around E40..... so about 15 blocks from CSU.  Studio apartments, I believe.

One option you could look at that is close to your price range would be University Lofts (pretty sure that's the name). I think we have a thread on its recent renovation. Right on Euclid around E40..... so about 15 blocks from CSU. Studio apartments, I believe.

 

I believe you're thinking of the University Studios, which actually even closer- just on the other side of the innerbelt, before E. 30.

Everyone else has it covered, but I just wanted to say welcome to Cleveland!

:(

 

Hell, where has Jayel-p been?  And why hasn't Shaker Square been mentioned yet?

Messages that do not help this guy find a new home in Greater Cleveland will be axed...

 

Sorry I've not replied so soon! It's finals week at UK and I'm up to my ears in work!

 

Earlier there were mentions of changes at CSU... Care to go into detail?

 

Also, as far as the places off of E. 30, those rent for wayyyyy too much, even if they do have a good location. If I spend that much money I'd probably end up in Ohio City just out of general preference of the area. I'll scour the listings and average rents of Shaker Square in just a bit, as well as look up the area. I've only driven through it I think. Either way, I've heard bad things about living IN the city in terms of safety.

 

Back on the Highland Place argument, what kind of troubles are you referring to? I'm looking at Lakewood crime maps right now and it doesn't seem to be that bad. I don't mind a slightly gritty neighborhood, but want to be able to walk home at night without getting mugged. How safe is this area? Shaker Square?

 

Addition: Shaker Square looks to be moderately affordable and looks nice on the street views. Are there any other student-popular eastside suburbs besides Cleveland Heights which are worth living in/within an hour's by public trans? Where do most Tri-C/CIA/Case/CSU students live?

 

Also, KJP, I don't mind posts about the area. Anything relevant to Cleveland will be welcome by me, good and bad. I'm set on moving there as I love the area and the people, so even anything negative said won't change my mind. I can promise that! In fact, I just got my acceptance email for the exchange program today :) I'm C-town bound :)

Either way, I've heard bad things about living IN the city in terms of safety.

 

From people who live in the city?  Or people who live in the suburbs?

 

Not saying there's anything wrong with Lakewood or Cleveland Heights, or trying to push you anywhere, but there are plenty of people on this board (myself included) who manage to live in the city without being mugged, raped, or shot.  Besides, why would we suggest living in a neighborhood that we thought is unsafe? 

Well, would you consider Shaker Square, Tremont, and Ohio City to be as safe as Lakewood and Cleveland Heights?

I would, yes, but perceptions of safety are very personal.  There are parts of all of those neighborhoods/suburbs that most would agree are better than others, but only you can say how safe YOU feel in a given area. 

 

My point was just that if you're interested in living in one of those five places, I'd recommend talking to people that live there and checking them out for yourself.  If you have questions about Tremont, for instance, you're welcome to send me a PM.

Most of the safety issues you will experience involve witnessing crimes, such as domestic violence, drug dealing, or nuisance crimes (loud noise late at night, etc). And many crimes are between people who know each other. Many of these don't get reported. I do report all crimes when I see them because it creates a paper trail and adds numbers to databases. Plus the Lakewood police show up quickly when called, so their presence can prevent future crimes.

 

That's one benefit of NOT living in the city -- when you call the Cleveland police they may not come for a while. Police departments in Lakewood and Cleveland Heights are known for their aggressive (which also has a downside too).

 

You will probably not get mugged or assaulted living at Highland Square. But you will probably with more nuisance issues there. I get my car's oil changed near there and saw a police car parked at Highland Square. When I asked the guys at the oil change place about it, they rolled their eyes and said "it's not surprising."

 

Well, would you consider Shaker Square, Tremont, and Ohio City to be as safe as Lakewood and Cleveland Heights?

 

Depends on which part. Lakewood and Cleveland Heights have their own neighborhoods with varying fortunes and levels of safety. For example Clifton Park in NW Lakewood is much wealthier and safer than the ethnic working-class Birdtown in SE Lakewood. And wealthy Fairmount Boulevard in Cleveland Heights is much safer than the Coventry residential area north of Mayfield. That is not to be confused with the mixed-use Coventry district south of Mayfield.

 

You will find crime in Shaker Square, Ohio City and Tremont. But you will also find a better selection of amenities, attractions and other things in a walkable, transit-friendly setting. The only places in Lakewood that can compare with those areas of Cleveland is the neighborhoods north and south of Detroit Avenue from downtown Lakewood west to near the Detroit Theater. A close second is the Madison Village area between Bunts and Madison Park. In Cleveland Heights, there are several great neighborhood districts, like Coventry, Cedar-Fairmount and Cedar-Lee that offer as much stuff to do as any great Cleveland neighborhood.

 

The best part is -- all of these neighborhoods are great to visit (even after you select another). You may fall in love with several of them, but you will never know which one is best for you until you can spend some time in them and "try them on." Keep an open mind.

IMO, Lakewood's police presence is positive and helpful, and CH's is nitpicky and bothersome. While both are very good at giving a lot of parking tickets, I feel like Lakewood's police are a little friendlier and more "present," looking to make Lakewood a safer place to live.  *Disclaimer - I am a former member of the Lakewood Citizens Police Academy, which I would encourage anyone living in Lakewood to go through, it's a great and fun program!

 

Generally speaking, I think most people feel that the further W you go in Lakewood, the less the incidences of crime (and also South to some extent).  I think you should look at the downtown and surrounding area of Lakewood as KJP described it (Warren and Detroit being the center, pretty much).  Another area that's got some good restaurants and shops in walking distance is the very West edge of Lakewood near the Rocky River border. You're very close there to a major grocery, a coffee shop, a local bakery, several good bars/restaurants, and some other small stores. It's also VERY close to the Metroparks, which is a big plus.

Thanks so much everyone for being patient and answering questions! I'm actually planning a trip up after Christmas to tour a few complexes :)

^^

The 55 also runs through western LW at Sloane and Detroit.

I am making a trek up soon at the end of this month to visit friends and hopefully drag them to visit some various neighborhoods with me :)

 

Finished this semester as of today with a great GPA and all signs are pointing north!

 

Any recommendations on food in Shaker Square? Things to do in Birdtown (Lakewood)? Any other good neighborhoods IN the city aside from Tremont/Ohio City/Buckeye-Shaker? Any recommendations at all to fill this weekend, please let me know :) Thank you all so far for your helpful advice. I'm going to try and get around on the bus this weekend because I've never ridden an actual useful public trans system outside of Chicago's El trains which are way easy to use.

^ Check out Downtown, Detroit-Shoreway, Edgewater, Asiatown, University Circle, and/or Little Italy, too!

I'm moving to Birdtown soon.  Check out Angelo's Pizza, and the Coffee Pot

Also in bird town, bela dubby cafe/gallery. This is my home away from home. Great vibe, like a cool living room. Free wifi. Quiet in the day, pretty lively at night.

 

Enjoy your trip!!

 

 

Yes, I think Emmie will spend hours at Bela Dubby.

I'm in love, in more ways than one. I also made a stop to my hometown of Chicago (the city, not the 'burbs) and realized something...

 

While I adore Chicago and once thought I wanted to spend the rest of my life there... Cleveland has so much to offer that I may take it instead! While it doesn't have the sheer density of Chicago, it seems much more livable in terms of cost while still offering the walkable, safe entertainment areas and great people. The parks were absolutely amazing and I just loved every little bit of my time in the city. Yeah... It doesn't have the skyline of Chicago... but the RTA train smells better than the blue line and the people seem to smile just a little bit more (no knocking on the people of Chicago).

 

For a place ranked a "miserable city", Cleveland city was freaking amazing. University Circle reminded me of the neighborhood I grew up in, while Ohio City and Tremont were both great as well. Lakewood still will be my likely choice for cost reasons (Birdtown was perfect, I thought), but as of now I'm looking out on craigslist for possible roommates to keep the rent low wherever I go and that may lead me into the city or the Heights.

 

Oh, and I got a number that I definitely don't want to lose! ;)

 

...Go Browns!

I'm glad you liked Birdtown.  People give it a bad rap, but so far, I'm really happy here.

Welcome!  :)

 

if you dare to be an eastsider in University Circle, there are a ton of "for rent" signs in Little Italy. 

 

Lakewood is obviously great.  Good luck with everything!

Thank you all! Words cannot describe how ready I am to complete this move.