I am moving to Cleveland at the end of July to go to graduate school and I am trying to find an apartment.  My biggest concern is safety.  Where would you recommend? I have mainly been looking in Cleveland Heights so far.  But I have also heard good things about Little Italy. Also, if there are any apartments/landlords in Cleveland that you think I should stay away from, please let me know! Thanks!  :-)

Hi - I assume since you're looking in those areas that you're going to Case. Lots of students in Cleveland Heights and Little Italy, I think you would be comfortable in either area. Technically, I think LI is just a "neighborhood" in Cleveland Heights, but the others can chime in a little better on that.

^I live in Little Italy, a great place to live.  Be selective in your property choice...as many landlords are catering to students and they know the demand is there, so they dont upkeep as much as they should.  However, some landlords take a ton of pride in their properties.  You will like the neighborhood feed, food scene and walkability.  It is actually in Cleveland.  Cleveland Heights on the other hand is also a student hotbed.  The neighborhood between Edgehill and Coventry is also cant miss.  I would stay South of Mayfield though.  PM me and i will give the name/number of a good landlord in Little Italy.

 

Good Luck

South of Mayfield or on Mayfield.  As far as safety, I would say you would 'feel' the safest in the Cedar Fairmount neighborhood (just southwest of Coventry), then Little Italy, then Coventry.  None are 'unsafe', so you can't really go wrong.  Cedar-Fairmount, to me, is just a better fit for a grad student.  Coventry has a bit of a younger (HS and undergrad) feel.

Consider this as a way to quickly check on the quality of properties -- look at the bathroom. It is the most difficult room to maintain and requires the most maintenance attention. If you see buckled tiles, wall/floor/ceiling discolorations, mold/mildew, corrosion of pipes, etc. etc., I suggest that you keep looking for another place. Any neglect will likely show up in a bathroom first. Kitchens are next!

cedar fairmount might be a good bet if you are going to be spending a lot of time on the south side of case

Id suggest Little Italy due to walkability in general and to Case, and access to public transportation. It also has a little older crowd, unlike Coventry which seems to be overrun by high schoolers at times.

Thanks so much everyone! This is extremely helpful! Specifics about locations of neighborhoods are great because I don't really know my way around the city yet! I'll be apartment hunting for the next couple days so I may post specific questions to those areas. Also, does anyone have any opinions about the Lakewood area? Again, thank you!  :-)

Personally, I just moved to Lakewood about 5 months ago and LOVE it!  However, if you're going to Case, that's a bit of a hike, no?

 

If you do do the Lakewood thing, my suggestion is to stay West of Bunts.  At least that's what everyone says.  Personally, I live in the east end of Lakewood and LOVE it.  But, it's not for everybody.  PM me if you have any questions!

Does anyone have any opinions about University Circle?

Does anyone have any opinions about University Circle?

 

Well youd basically be on Case's campus. University Circle is a beautiful place and is very walkable/scenic IMO. Uptown will be a cool place to live but wont be finished by July. Hessler Rd is a really neat street. I dont know how many options there are in University Circle though. Little Italy is in walking distance to University Circle and could give you more options.

I agree that Hessler is AWESOME!!!!!  And then you have the Hessler Street fair once a year which is AMAZING! 

I live in Lakewood, and it's not a bad commute to UC. But parking in and around University Circle can be a challenge. Rush-hour transit is pretty decent between Lakewood and UC, whether its the Red Line rail or the #55 bus to the HealthLine. And you can take your bike on all transit vehicles (except when the trains are standing-room-only during rush hours or before/after games or special events).

 

If you want something with a lake view, check out the Gold Coast apartments along Edgewater Drive. There are also some decent apartments (many are in homes) along Clifton and Lake in Lakewood and Cleveland west of Edgewater Park. You will find less expensive apartments south of Detroit Avenue, but I would stay away from the apartments south of Detroit Ave in Cleveland. There are 24-hour restaurants and stores along West 117th (CVS, Walgreen's, Giant Eagle, Diana's Deli, Friends Restaurant, etc).

 

And I love University Circle. It's a fast-growing area, so rents can be high. But you will not have to worry about a commute or parking at school by living in that area!!

Lakewood is awesome, and yeah, it gets nicer as you go west.  But the difference is slight and the east end offers its own advantages.  Live music venues are concentrated near 117th, for example.  I'm into that.  Lakewood is known for casual nightlife (i.e. cheap bars) but it's generally safe and well kept.  But it's across town from Case.

 

Unversity Circle is great, but apartments are sparse there and much more expensive than in other parts of the city.  Little Italy and Cleveland Heights are nearby and offer a lot more choices.  I will note that the areas around University Circle (north, west, south) are really not known for safety.

^Thanks for giving the east end of Lakewood some MAD props!  :clap:

I did a write-up of Lakewood (mostly Gold Coast) apartments here.....

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,25882.msg561867.html#msg561867

 

And here.....

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,25882.msg562132.html#msg562132

 

They're both in the same thread.

I actually don't find UC to be as walkable as it should be.  Perhaps that will change with Uptown, though.  I love, love, love Park Lane Villa in UC.  It would definitely be on my short list if I was looking for a place.

 

If you are going to attend Case, I would not suggest living in Lakewood.  You could do it, but these other neighborhoods give you the option of walking/biking to school.  I suppose if you lived close enough to the Red Line Rapid it wouldn't be too bad.

 

In response to your request for specifics, you may want to take a driving/walking tour.  Little Italy is in Cleveland (right on the border with Cleveland Heights).  Grab a map and start in University Circle at the intersection of Mayfield Road and Euclid Ave.  Just to the east of there is the heart of Little Itally (I would say the center is Mayfield and Murray Hill).  Head east for about 1 mile on Mayfield from Little Italy and you will reach Coventry.  Take a right (south) on Coventry and go about 1 mile to Cedar Rd then turn right (west) and you will head into Cedar Fairmount.  Cedar will merge with Fairmount and, as you are leaving the neighborhood, you approach Cedar Glen Parkway which takes you back to Case and University Circle.

I actually don't find UC to be as walkable as it should be.  Perhaps that will change with Uptown, though.  I love, love, love Park Lane Villa in UC.  It would definitely be on my short list if I was looking for a place.

 

If you are going to attend Case, I would not suggest living in Lakewood.  You could do it, but these other neighborhoods give you the option of walking/biking to school.  I suppose if you lived close enough to the Red Line Rapid it wouldn't be too bad.

 

In response to your request for specifics, you may want to take a driving/walking tour.  Little Italy is in Cleveland (right on the border with Cleveland Heights).  Grab a map and start in University Circle at the intersection of Mayfield Road and Euclid Ave.  Just to the east of there is the heart of Little Itally (I would say the center is Mayfield and Murray Hill).  Head east for about 1 mile on Mayfield from Little Italy and you will reach Coventry.  Take a right (south) on Coventry and go about 1 mile to Cedar Rd then turn right (west) and you will head into Cedar Fairmount.  Cedar will merge with Fairmount and, as you are leaving the neighborhood, you approach Cedar Glen Parkway which takes you back to Case and University Circle.

 

I agree, Lakewood seems a bit out of the way and would leave them more car dependent. Btw Hts121, hows that photo thread coming along?

Little Italy rocks for students, restaurants, walking, sidewalk cafes, art and much more. And the new Murray Hill Market will let you put off shopping at the big grocery stores.

I actually don't find UC to be as walkable as it should be.  Perhaps that will change with Uptown, though.  I love, love, love Park Lane Villa in UC.  It would definitely be on my short list if I was looking for a place.

 

If you are going to attend Case, I would not suggest living in Lakewood.  You could do it, but these other neighborhoods give you the option of walking/biking to school.  I suppose if you lived close enough to the Red Line Rapid it wouldn't be too bad.

 

In response to your request for specifics, you may want to take a driving/walking tour.  Little Italy is in Cleveland (right on the border with Cleveland Heights).  Grab a map and start in University Circle at the intersection of Mayfield Road and Euclid Ave.  Just to the east of there is the heart of Little Itally (I would say the center is Mayfield and Murray Hill).  Head east for about 1 mile on Mayfield from Little Italy and you will reach Coventry.  Take a right (south) on Coventry and go about 1 mile to Cedar Rd then turn right (west) and you will head into Cedar Fairmount.  Cedar will merge with Fairmount and, as you are leaving the neighborhood, you approach Cedar Glen Parkway which takes you back to Case and University Circle.

 

I agree, Lakewood seems a bit out of the way and would leave them more car dependent. Btw Hts121, hows that photo thread coming along?

 

Very slowly.  I will try to have it up within a week

Again, thank you guys so much! This is all so helpful! Just got into town today so I've been doing some driving around and trying to get to know the areas better! Thanks so much Hts121 for the walking tour specifics! Great to know.  It's also great to hear about the environment of the different areas.  Coventry seems like a fun, hip area to live in! And I'm thinking now that I will probably not go into Lakewood. I drove through Little Italy and loved it today!  Great to know there are so many friendly people in Cleveland willing to give great advice :-)

 

And also, I am a grad student, but I will mainly be spending most of my time at Playhouse Square. And I also will have a car with me, so I will be mostly driving. 

I still think Little Italy is your best bet, it would give you other options of transportation if you ever wanted them. Since you will be by playhouse square have you considered living by CSU? Very active part of town during the school year, safe, young, and right downtown.

 

Edit: What is your price range?

Welcome!

 

In terms of Little Italy and Hessler, it is best to go up and down the side streets and look for "for rent" signs.  I vote Little Italy!  :)

 

Side note: not sure where you are coming from, but getting heat included in the rent is the best way to go.  Many places in Little Italy offer this...my place has free steam heat and it's a savior during wintertime.

And also, I am a grad student, but I will mainly be spending most of my time at Playhouse Square. And I also will have a car with me, so I will be mostly driving. 

 

If you live in Little Italy, you would be within walking distance of the Healthline, which has a stop right at Playhouse Square.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HealthLine

 

http://www.rtahealthline.com/healthline-what-is.asp

 

 

Thank you guys! Yes, I'm definitely planning on walking around Little Italy and looking for For Rent signs tomorrow!

Tomorrow, I am looking at a few apartments on Cedar, one on Hampshire, the Triangle apartments and some on East 115th and Ford Drive. 

 

My price range is around 600-850. (preferably less than 800  :-))

You could get something Downtown for that price range, too.

Thanks so much Hts121 for the walking tour specifics! Great to know. 

 

If you plan on walking it (keep in mind that it will be probably a 3-4 mile tour, then I would make the following alteration to the route (I was trying to keep you more on the main street if you were driving so not to get lost trying to find the street signs)

 

 

In response to your request for specifics, you may want to take a driving/walking tour.  Little Italy is in Cleveland (right on the border with Cleveland Heights).  Grab a map and start in University Circle at the intersection of Mayfield Road and Euclid Ave.  Just to the east of there is the heart of Little Itally (I would say the center is Mayfield and Murray Hill).  Head east for about 1 mile on Mayfield from Little Italy and you will reach Coventry.  Take a right (south) on Coventry and go about 1 mile to Cedar Rd then turn right (west) and you will head into Cedar Fairmount.  Cedar will merge with Fairmount and, as you are leaving the neighborhood, and walk up the commerical strip to Euclid Height Blvd, then take a right and walk about 1/2 mile to Derbyshire Rd.  Take a left and keep straight (stay to the right of the Alcazar) and you will be in the Cedar Fairmount neighborhood.  Turn right (west) on Cedar and that will take you to Cedar Glen Parkway which takes you back to Case and University Circle.

Avon is a lovely community.

Therese- Case just announced last week that they're offering on-campus grad student housing.  If you'd like more info, send me a pm.

Avon is a lovely community.

 

Avon makes no sense for therese489.

 

Also therese489, you could afford downtown if you wanted to, even East 4th. I still feel that both the CSU area or University Circle/Little Italy are great choices for you!

Thank you so much for all of your help!!! I decided on an apt in cedar fairmont! I really love it and I definitely felt very safe there! Also close to little Italy which I love!! I can't wait to be a Cleveland resident! I already feel So welcomed by this community!!  :-)

Great call, I love that area.  Grocery store, nightlife, and everything's upscale.  Cool stuff in every direction.

What is the former Jillian's space going to be?  Someone mentioned it once, but I forgot.

 

Great choice therese.  The Fairmount has a nice relaxed setting and a great patio.  Nighttown, the jazz club / restaurant, gets two thumbs up.  Alladin's is a really good middle eastern restaurant.  Some people are high on the Mad Greek.  And of, course, walking distance to Coventry and Little Italy AND Cedar-Lee can't be beat.

 

Cedar-Lee (about a mile to the east) is a nice strip of pubs, the public library, the best artsy-fartsy movie theatre in town, and some of the best restaraunts too.  And, if you want to take a stroll up Fairmount, you are right on the border of the Fairmount historic district which has some of the largest and most beautiful homes and churches in the state. 

 

 

Good pick for your situation.  You should have fun

Excellent choice...and don't forget about La Gelateria, some of the best gelato you can get this side of the Atlantic.

Thank you so much for all of your help!!! I decided on an apt in cedar fairmont! I really love it and I definitely felt very safe there! Also close to little Italy which I love!! I can't wait to be a Cleveland resident! I already feel So welcomed by this community!!  :-)

 

Welcome to Cleveland.  You're also close to Shaker Square, Cedar-Lee & University Circle!

Thank you so much to every for all this information.

 

Welcome to Cleveland! Feel free to ask any other questions in the future.