I really like the building and there's a unit opening when I move to Cleveland, but I'd like to get more information before signing. Can anyone comment on management, safety, the neighborhood (I know Ohio City is amazing, but more substantive answers are appreciated), traffic (on days other than Saturday), etc.

 

For what it's worth, I'm 25, single, and I'll be working at a law firm downtown.

 

Merrell Lofts - http://www.merrelllofts.com/lofts.html

Perkowski is a good landlord.

I can't speak on the particulars of this building, such as its management – I’ve heard a few good things about Cleveland Lofts, but have had no direct information or info from close friends I can rely on.  I can tell you that Merrill, like practically all the mix-use walkups in the immediate area, have been renovated at least in the last 15 or so years, so I’d seriously doubt it’s out-of-date.

 

Safety-wise, I believe your location one of the safest areas of Cleveland proper.  There are fringe areas that are a bit run down and, thus, the crime might be a tad higher and, interestingly, these areas are a couple blocks from then Merrell – but OC blight is slowly disappearing everywhere given the increased interest/demand for OC.  Not to worry though, as I said, you're particular location on W. 25 at the corner of Market Ave appears very safe and, I know, is pretty well patrolled by the Cleveland police.  There are some homeless in the area but they really are harmless but can annoy you, if that sort of thing bothers you (me?  it does not).  Also, Riverview Towers, the high-rise apt a couple blocks north and across W.25th from Merrill, is federally subsidized housing --- as in the "projects", though I understand it's geared to seniors... This is, after all, it's a City and you're going to get this.  I think diversity is cool and I like the urban edge that lets you now you're not out in, say, Crocker Park (derisively known by some on UO as Cracker Park, ... if you catch the drift).  Living in this area is no more dangerous than living in Greenwich Village in NYC (where sadly great actor Seymour Philip Hoffman recently died), or Lincoln Park Chicago or Queen Village, in Philly ...

 

You apparently know how crazy it is on Saturdays (OC is THE Cleveland neighborhood at most times that day), but as for traffic other than Saturdays, it’s pretty busy along W.25.  There are a somewhat annoying amount of heavy trucks (dump trucks, tractor trailers) at times, and because Lutheran Medical Hospital is a few blocks away, there are more emergency vehicles along your stretch … so be prepared for some noise, sometimes 24-7 (though with your windows closed, I can’t say how bothersome this will be inside.  The Rapid Transit (2-3 min one-stop ride to Public Sq) is a block away and 8 or 9 RTA bus lines stop right at your door (including 3 (I think) 24-hour bus lines) – and recently, given Ohio City’s growing “hotness”, cab service in Ohio City has really picked up – yes, you could survive without a car at Merrell quite easily imho… so getting to/from your law firm or entertainment/restaurants downtown will be pretty much a breeze.  IN fact OC people have told me, on some levels, owning a car is more hassle than it’s worth.  BUT if you’ve got parking where you live and at the firm (comped or at least reasonable), then driving back n’ forth to your job should generally be a breeze, depending where your firm is located – I’m just saying that mass transit from OC to downtown is an excellent alternative.

 

Hope this helps… good luck and welcome.

 

Saturdays are busy, but it's not like St. Patrick's Day downtown. You can get your car out/in if you need to on Saturdays.

"Can anyone comment on management, safety, the neighborhood (I know Ohio City is amazing, but more substantive answers are appreciated), traffic (on days other than Saturday), etc."

 

If you could give us a little more info on either where you're moving from or areas you like, that might help get you more detailed replies. Your commute from Ohio City to downtown via car is probably about ten minutes or less, and that's from closing the car door to walking into the office. If you need to work off-hours or weekends, it's more like five minutes. Depending on where in downtown your job is, the Rapid would be around the same but add a few minutes for walking or taking one of the free RTA Trolleys. If I was in my twenties, I'd live in the Merrill in a heartbeat - I've heard good things (albeit non-specifics) about the management company and location-wise in Ohio City, it doesn't get much better, imho.

I really like the building and there's a unit opening when I move to Cleveland, but I'd like to get more information before signing. Can anyone comment on management, safety, the neighborhood (I know Ohio City is amazing, but more substantive answers are appreciated), traffic (on days other than Saturday), etc.

 

For what it's worth, I'm 25, single, and I'll be working at a law firm downtown.

 

Merrell Lofts - http://www.merrelllofts.com/lofts.html

 

Hey - I'm a lawyer and I used to live here. Welcome to Cleveland and congrats on your job. OC is s a great place, especially for a single person in their 20s. It does get a bit loud on the weekends, so if that bothers you, you may want to look elsewhere. It's very safe, but I'd definitely pay for the gated parking - car damage seems to be a recurring theme in Ohio City. I never had a real safety issue the whole 2 years I lived there, even when going out and drinking. Very convenient. That neighborhood literally doubled in terms of bars/restaurants while I lived there, it was incredible to see happening.

 

Traffic is no issue if you're going downtown. Five or six minutes. If you want to be ambitious, you could take the bus/rapid and avoid paying for parking, your firm might even subsidize your RTA card. Heading south to I-71 can be a pain during evening rush hour, but it's not bad.

 

Management is great. Doug is a very good landlord - the best I've had. Very responsive and will go above and beyond. Good luck, feel free to PM me.

Thanks for all the responses!

 

I'll likely RTA downtown and walk or trolley to work.

 

The only other place I considered was the Euclid Block Apartments on E4. I really liked the units, but I feel like I go out in OC way more than I go out downtown (and I loved the Merrell Lofts).

 

I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with Merrell. The unit is getting remodeled right before I move in, so I'm pretty excited!

Keep us posted. There are many people who visit this forum who are considering similar moves to Cleveland from other cities, or from the suburbs into the urban core. So any experiences and lessons you can share will be helpful to many more people than you may realize.