I'm moving to Cleveland from Georgia in August and I'm trying to figure out the best place to live.  I've been looking downtown as I want to be close to that area and the nightlife/activities it offers and be able to take the RTA to the CWRU campus and the Cleveland Museum of Art.  Trying to find a one bedroom place between $600 and 800/month that will also take dogs and where parking isn't exorbitant.

 

Also, I'm a 22-yr old girl and need somewhere that will be safe to walk my dog at night - and he's definitely not the guard dog type.

 

Right now I'm looking at the Osborn, Residences at 668, Statler Arms and all three properties with Landmark Management (Bridgeview, Perry Payne and Water Street).  I won't be able to make it up to Cleveland to tour and sign a lease until June so any help to let me make some quick decisions would be wonderful!

 

And any help with the cost of utilities in the area (my rent in GA has always included utilities) would be great!

I believe Stonebridge would fit your budget and has free/safe parking.  I know of a few girls who live there and take their dogs out at night with no issues (the viaduct is fairly secluded and makes for great views at night).  The only issue for you is that it is right across the river from downtown and the access to public transport, although not bad, is not as good as being in 668 or near public square.  I'd suggest at least checking it out and if you have any specific questions please feel free to ask.  There seem to be a lot of dog owners in Stonebridge as well.

 

Also, my unit is 2 bdr, 1250 sq ft and we pay ~$150/month in the dead of winter/summer and ~$75 in the fall/spring.  Everything is electric due to being a high-rise (will be the case in any apt downtown as far as I know).  Our landlord pays water bills but they are very low (~$20/month).

Welcome!  You should know that while downtown is great, it is not the only place that has nightlife.  How familiar are you with the area?  Where will you work?  What are your preferences in terms of apartments (new, old, carpeted, hardwood, etc)?  Some details about you will help.  For instance, where do you currently live in Ga and are you looking for something similar?

and how big is the dog?

I am not familiar at all with the area, except for what I can gather from forums like this.  I'll just be commuting to Case Western daily for school/work.  I currently live in Athens, GA, near the University of Georgia where the population is mostly college students.  I've lived with 3 other girls in our furnished/utilities included apt for the past three years and looking to live alone for once!  I don't have many requirements for the apartment, as long as it's in a mostly safe area and near public transportation and a park if possible - although hardwood floors and a newer, or at least recently renovated apt would be wonderful.  I'll have furniture also, so furnished is unnecessary.

 

Also, my dog is about 15 pounds.

668 is an awesome building but it may be outside your price range. You should add Reserve Square and the E. 4th apartments to your search

668 would be nice if you could afford it. Hey guys, do you think anything around CSU fits the description? Its pretty active over there during the week, you can use parts of the campus as a park to walk your dog, pretty safe area, and mostly college students. Also great access to public transportation. I think it could be a possibility.

 

Also im not super familiar with the area but what do you guys think about little italy. Close to CWRU, the museums, you have restaurants, excellent access to the RTA(Redline, Healthline) pretty safe. I think this might be the best choice.

Check out Little Italy, too.  It is very close to CWRU and might be more appealing depending on your tastes.  The Coventry neighborhood in Cleveland Hts is another area you should consider.  While I'm a big fan of downtown living, it is not your only option if you want a young, safe, vibrant neighborhood.

Welcome ajc!  I agree with others that you should think about looking in Little Italy and Cleveland Heights too, both of which are very close to CWRU (via driving, bus or even walking) and have some good nightlife and amenities. In Cleveland Heights, you might look both at the Coventry Village neighborhood (as Hts121 suggested) and also Cedar Fairmount.

It sounds like she wants to be around nightlife so I'd suggest she stay in the downtown/warehouse district area, definitely the most amount of restaurants, bars, clubs. If proximity to school is what shes after than maybe take a look around little italy.

I would suggest the numerous apt. buildings at the Cleveland/Lakewood border on Lake Ave. Beautiful neighborhood. Close to downtown. I believe most buildings are dog friendly.

 

You'll be right by Edgewater Park which is acres of prime dog walking area, and you have most of the beach as well.

 

Edgewater Park

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5091/5417644046_6873cefda3.jpg

 

Here's just a sample:

 

Clifton Lake

http://realestate.cleveland.com/?classification=real+estate&temp_type=detail&tp=RE_cleve&property=cleveland.com&finder=rent&ad_id=203941028

 

Lake West

http://www.azmanagement.com/Lake-West-Apartments.aspx

 

Hampton House (warning: the pet weight limit is 999 pounds!?)

http://www.apartmentsearch.com/apartments/ohio/cleveland/hampton-house-apartments.html

 

I think there are several parts of town you may like. Good luck!

 

p.s. since you are in Athens, I'm guessing you like live music. Check out The Beachland Ballroom and Grog Shop for starters.

 

 

^ I wouldn't put her West of downtown if shes going to school at CWRU

It really depends on what kind of nightlife she wants.  Downtown pretty much has a monopoly on dance clubs, but the other neighborhoods have plenty of nightlife to enjoy in terms of bars, lounges, eateries, shops, etc.  And it is not like they aren't just a quick drive/bus ride/rapid ride to downtown anyway.

^Exactly! For day to day travel, living closer to CWRU would make more sense. For nights you do want to go out, just like Hts121, downtown is just a short bus/rapid ride away!

No specific advice here, just wanted to say welcome!

Where's MTS?  We can't possibly have a UO Cleveland relocation thread without mentioning...

Add Crittenden Court to your list.  It's very pet friendly ($35/month fee) and will fit your budget.  It's also near Settler's Landing which is a little sloped park by the river.  The apartments are not stylish by any means... no hardwood, granite, stainless, etc... but they are very functional, quiet, and efficient.  The heating is gas (yes some high rises do have gas) and we spend about $40 a month on it in the dead of winter (2 BR, 1,000 SF).  Parking is in an attached garage and is $85 a month which is one of the cheapest monthly rates you'll find downtown.

 

Anyway, if you want to live in the Warehouse District then this will probably be your most reasonably priced option. 

^ I wouldn't put her West of downtown if shes going to school at CWRU

 

I think it's a good value option vs. downtown. And there's a free parking option on the street.

 

Not sure how much time that would add to the commute to Case...a few minutes? You're practically right on the Shoreway.

Not sure how much time that would add to the commute to Case...a few minutes? You're practically right on the Shoreway.

 

She's not going to be driving.  It would add a considerable amount of time (and require a transfer at Tower City).

 

I second the suggestions for University Circle/Cleveland Heights (Little Italy, Coventry, Cedar/Fairmount).  Very close to a lot of things (school, groceries, restaurants, Coventry nightlife) and an easy ride downtown for even more nightlife.

Great advice from everyone!  I will definitely look a little more into Coventry and Little Italy.  My current advisor used to teach at Case and recommended Little Italy.  Is there a place to search for apartments in that area online?

I would recommend Little Italy over Coventry just due to the access to public transportation.

Little Italy:

 

- Public Transportatio

- Tony Brush Park

- Restaurants and bars

- Walking distance to Case and museums

- close to Coventry

- affordable

 

enough said ;)

Little Italy has a lot going for it right now.  The new park is perfect.  When they complete Uptown (mixed use development between Little Italy and Case), it is only going to be that much better of a place to live.  Enjoy now while the rents are reasonable.

Just a point of clarification, when people are recommending "Coventry", usually that means the stretch of Coventry between Mayfield and Euclid Heights, as well as the side streets of Hampshire and Lancashire.  The part of Coventry north of Mayfield is said to be less safe.

 

I would also consider the Cedar-Fairmount area - very good transit access on Cedar, walking distance to grocery store, restaurants, coffee, bagel store, wine bar.  Lots of grad students, interns/residents live here because of proximity to CWRU/UH/CCF. 

 

When I was in training at UH, Holy Rosary parish in Little Italy kept a list of apartments for rent.  A lot of apartments in Little Italy rent by word of mouth or yard sign rather than Craigslist or other online listings.  Historically, LIttle Italy was unfriendly territory for minorities - not so much today due to the large international student/resident population living there.

 

Check padmapper.com - for Little Italy search Murray Hill Rd, look east on Mayfield from there to find Coventry area apartments.  Go to intersection of Cedar Rd and Fairmount Blvd for Cedar-Fairmount. 

 

FYI - the areas mentioned are older neighborhoods with vintage buildings.  Some units may be updated and others not so much.  It can vary widely from building to building, and even within buildings.  Heat is often included in older buildings with boilers, and most buildings are not air-conditioned (only a problem for a couple months in the summer).

 

 

Right... when looking at places in the Coventry neighborhood, confine that search to either on Mayfield Rd or south of Mayfield Rd.  The places on Mayfield are fine as long as parking is provided.  You could probably get a spacious (yet dated) 2bdrm apt around there in your price range.

Little Italy:

 

- Public Transportatio

 

Is that the Italian word for transportation? :)

I lived in Cedar Fairmount until 2009 when I bought a house and I was paying $625 a month for a 1 bedroom apartment including heat.  I absolutely loved the neighborhood and honestly, would have bought the building and continued living it it if I could have afforded it. 

I am not much of a poster, but I was in your position not that long ago and thought I could give some advice.  I am currently a graduate student at CWRU and am very happy with the Cedar-Fairmount area.  The neighborhood has some great qualities:

 

1)  Close to CWRU.  I either walk, 20 minutes, or ride my bike, 7 minutes.  I am on the western border of the campus, so if you are on the eastern part of campus you can shave a few minutes off.

2)  Good Retail.  The Cedar-Fairmount area has a full grocery store, a coffee shop, nice restaurants, not to mention a great gelato shop.

3)  Affordable.  The housing in Cedar-Fairmount can be more affordable than in either Coventry or Little Italy.

4)  Safe.  While I would not say either Little Italy or Coventry is un-safe, the Cedar-Fairmount area is generally viewed as being extremely safe.

5)  Close to Coventry and Little Italy.  I can walk to either Coventry and Little Italy in 10 minutes.

6)  Parking.  Parking is easier in Cedar-Fairmount than in Little Italy or Coventry.  Derbyshire, for example, has 24 hour parking which is rare for Cleveland Heights.  I was also able to get indoor city parking for $30.  Many of the apartments have limited covered parking on site. 

 

I would recommend looking at East Derbyshire in Cedar-Fairmount specifically.  There is a one block stretch with apartments.  The rest of the street is single family.  The apartments are only a minute or two walk from either the grocery store, Starbucks, and other area commercial establishments.  Most of the landlords on the street allow dogs as well.  Feel free to contact me with any questions.     

^Please look into Little Italy.  My wife and I have a puppy we got in January and i have to take out before work at 5:30 am and as a puppy i have taken her out at 3:00 am and there is a safer feel here than other parts of town.  Our unit is one of the nicer in Little Italy and we pay $700.  Make sure you dont "settle" in little Italy, there are alot of old units. Also, Park Lane Villa holds a ton of CWRU students and the units are gorgeous. Check em out. 

Welcome to the forum, and from what you've described - and from what I gather from friends in both neighborhoods, I'd recommend Little Italy or Cedar-Fairmount.