I'm moving in with a friend of mine and we have been searching for apartments available on the near west side (Ohio City, Tremont, Gordon Sq). So far, we haven't had much luck. However, we did recently find a three bedroom house in Ohio City that we think is pretty nice. With that said, there are several issues. The house is located on 32nd St. between Chatham and Hancock Ave., which is south of Lorain and I've always heard to stay north of Lorain. We did go through the neighborhood yesterday, and it didn't seem too bad. There were some very nice houses in the area, but there were also some that were in states of disrepair (some were also vacant and one or two seemed to be nearing demolition).

 

Along with that, I'm concerned about the safety of the area. I will be taking the bus/train/bike to school and work downtown, as will my roommate, and I don't want to worry about either of us being at risk at night (I often don't get out of class until 10 pm). One other issue is the price. The house is $990/a month and all the utilities are separate. We didn't want to go above $950/a month, but with the third bedroom we could possibly find another roommate, so rent/utilities could be a non-issue.

 

So, with all of that said, I was hoping to get some advice from UO members and possibly Ohio City residents. Is that location a good choice? Is it relatively safe? Should I be worried about my female roommate walking around the neighborhood alone? Is the price justified giving the condition of the surrounding area? I would really appreciate if any of you could share your opinions/offer some insights.

I dont know the So Lo (South of Lorain area) too well other than i will bike thru once in a while or park south of lorain if we go to the market.  But i will say i feel comfortable in any part of Ohio City on bike at any hour.  SO is this two males and a female? I would say that in this transition period for the neighborhood there will still be growing pains, but this typically isnt a violent area of town.  You may be at risk for theft or burglary, so without even thinking twice you should contact ADT or a similar company to get a system in place.  But we do that and we live in a development.  what i found about moving to the city is you know exactly where and where not to be after a short time living in an area.  I wouldnt suggest a female walking around at night by herself or walking home from bars.

 

I typically bike back to Gordon Square from Ohio City after midnight and feel safe.  If you do move there, in neighborhoods like this, it is really easy to become the leader of the block.  Get to know your neighbors, know whats going on, have people give you information, and let people know you are there and the block belongs to you.

 

Thats my insight, i know it doesnt focus too much down to the core of your question, but i think in this period of transition, certain risk is assumed and the question becomes will you embrace the risk or shy away from it

I'm moving in with a friend of mine and we have been searching for apartments available on the near west side (Ohio City, Tremont, Gordon Sq). So far, we haven't had much luck. However, we did recently find a three bedroom house in Ohio City that we think is pretty nice. With that said, there are several issues. The house is located on 32nd St. between Chatham and Hancock Ave., which is south of Lorain and I've always heard to stay north of Lorain. We did go through the neighborhood yesterday, and it didn't seem too bad. There were some very nice houses in the area, but there were also some that were in states of disrepair (some were also vacant and one or two seemed to be nearing demolition).

 

Along with that, I'm concerned about the safety of the area. I will be taking the bus/train/bike to school and work downtown, as will my roommate, and I don't want to worry about either of us being at risk at night (I often don't get out of class until 10 pm). One other issue is the price. The house is $990/a month and all the utilities are separate. We didn't want to go above $950/a month, but with the third bedroom we could possibly find another roommate, so rent/utilities could be a non-issue.

 

So, with all of that said, I was hoping to get some advice from UO members and possibly Ohio City residents. Is that location a good choice? Is it relatively safe? Should I be worried about my female roommate walking around the neighborhood alone? Is the price justified giving the condition of the surrounding area? I would really appreciate if any of you could share your opinions/offer some insights.

 

I obviously don't live on the Westside, but this are isn't that bad, the cemetery is there and that is the spokiest thing in my opinion.  If you cross Fulton/40 Street it becomes latin centric, but those are your people.  You'll be fine. 

 

The Norther part of OC has pretty much tapped out so now the areas North of Franklin and South of Lorain are "up and coming".

Thanks, guys. After spending some more time around the area and talking to those we know in the neighborhood we became less worried about the location. Still, we found another place on 44th near Bridge that is better suited for us; it's a two bedroom and in our price range, so no need for a roommate. Now, hopefully we get this place. Would really love to live in Ohio City and to officially become a Cleveland resident.

Thanks, guys. After spending some more time around the area and talking to those we know in the neighborhood we became less worried about the location. Still, we found another place on 44th near Bridge that is better suited for us; it's a two bedroom and in our price range, so no need for a roommate. Now, hopefully we get this place. Would really love to live in Ohio City and to officially become a Cleveland resident.

Good luck!

^Thanks, just found out that we got the apartment on 44th. So excited!

Congrats! I think u will like it. B visible in the neighborhood, meet ur neighbors and get a security system and u will feel really comfortable there

A great place to have a bike too. You can get just about anywhere in 10 mins

^Thanks, just found out that we got the apartment on 44th. So excited!

 

That's great news, Andrew! Welcome to the city!!

 

A great place to have a bike too. You can get just about anywhere in 10 mins

 

Agreed. Where you live, you will never need a car.

Welcome!

Thanks guys! Although I like Lakewood, I'm glad that I'll be moving to one of my favorite sections of the city. And being closer to downtown will be nice.

 

Believeland and KJP - I've been meaning to get a bike for some time now, hopefully now I'll be more motivated now to get one. I figure having one will make it much easier getting to the redline or for just commuting to school and work.

Too bad I sold my bicycle to my sister for $200, although she never uses it. So maybe she would be interested in selling it.

Any thoughts on the Merrell building?

Hi. It's nice, I lived in the Metzner and have seen some of the apartments in Merrell. Pretty good if you can get parking as well.

Hi. It's nice, I lived in the Metzner and have seen some of the apartments in Merrell. Pretty good if you can get parking as well.

 

It's right next to the market, so I assume its relatively safe? I'm trying to decide between Ohio City (Merrell) and downtown (Hanna or Rosetta).

I know this is an old post, but I just wanted to say that I live in Solo on Chatham and used to live North of Lorain on Whitman, one of the best streets in the neighborhood. Solo has the perception of being more dangerous because there are more people of color and more poor people in Solo, however, it's statistically safer and I feel safer there. Whereas in "Nolo," there are lots of burglaries and this recent crisis of kids terrorizing pedestrians and cyclists. I love Solo!

Hi. It's nice, I lived in the Metzner and have seen some of the apartments in Merrell. Pretty good if you can get parking as well.

 

It's right next to the market, so I assume its relatively safe? I'm trying to decide between Ohio City (Merrell) and downtown (Hanna or Rosetta).

 

It's safe. But, you'll have to deal with the noise from Town Hall right next door, which I've heard gets fairly bad at times, so for me, Merrell is now the best choice in that area. I would avoid Metzner since you'd be actually adjacent to TH. Merrell is still perilously near but at least you have the street between you.

Thanks guys! Although I like Lakewood, I'm glad that I'll be moving to one of my favorite sections of the city. And being closer to downtown will be nice.

 

Believeland and KJP - I've been meaning to get a bike for some time now, hopefully now I'll be more motivated now to get one. I figure having one will make it much easier getting to the redline or for just commuting to school and work.

 

Andrew (and the forum as a whole) how have you liked that area of Ohio City?  The wife and I are looking to move and we are seriously thinking about this area.  We wanted to be closer to the center of OC, but there is almost nothing available and what is is either out of our price range or not what we are looking for (no condo's/apts, wife's requirement is that there is a front door).

 

So really looking for more information about this area in between OC and Gordon Square.  I really don't have a feel for this section as I am either in OC or GS more.  Any help would be appreciated.

Tedders-PM me about Gordon Square.  I can tell you everything you need to know.  The quality of life is very high.

I second Gordon Sq.  Love this neighborhood! 

Tedders, I love it here! Both Ohio City and Gordon Square are fantastic neighborhoods and I couldn't rank one over the other. It all really depends on what is out there and what you are looking for. It seems like the synergy of both areas is spreading out. If you want more information, feel free to PM me.

Thank you to everyone that responded.  We are eventually going to end up in OC, east of 45th and most likely east of 38th too.  After driving around the area the wife liked the heart of OC much more than GS.  Now we will probably be visiting there often, just not living there.  I know that that area can be expensive, but we don't have to move immediately so will be watching things for now.

 

If anyone hears about a house coming onto the market though we would live the heads up.  ;)

A friend of mine and his wife are moving to New England and just put their house on the market

 

http://m.realtor.com/?source=web#details?property_id=4482255681

^ Ha, we were in that house last Sunday.  It is pretty much what we want but I think we are going to wait on it for now. 

Nice. Sam and Liz are great people