I've read a few threads that have convinced me that moving to the more urban areas of Cleveland is exactly what we want for our family. My husband and I love the city life. (schools are not a factor in our decision) We have a 2yr old and only one car. My husband uses the car often for work. I want to live within walking distance/public transportation so I can take my son to fun places downtown and possibly do some light grocery shopping.

 

So we want to rent and from what I can tell we probably want to be near the square. My budget is around $900-1000 but I would definitely love to find something less haha. Has to be 2 bedroom.

 

Thank you for any advice.

Hi cbk25, in recent years I've toured many of the apartment buildings around Shaker Square and east along Van Aken and was very disappointed at what I saw -- especially at Montlack-owned and managed apartments.

 

Perhaps you might look at the apartments along Larchmere or east of the square along Shaker, such as a sublet of a Moreland Courts condo or a sublet of the Shaker Courts and Shaker Towers condos across the street? There will also the Empire Place apartments which seem well maintained, as do the Shaker Park East apartments on North Moreland.

 

Here's some links....

http://www.morelandcourts.com/sales.shtml (nothing seems to be available for rent now, but keep checking)

http://www.apartments.com/shaker-park-east-shaker-heights-oh/nrem7dp/

http://www.rent.com/ohio/shaker-heights-apartments/2-5962

 

Good luck!

Welcome cbk25[/member]! In addition to Shaker Square, you might also find listings for apartments, rental condo units, and duplex units in other Shaker Heights neighborhoods along the Blue Line. Specifically, the area around Chagrin/Lee offers great train access as well as excellent daily shopping options in easy walking distance (e.g., Heinens, CVS, hardware store). There are large buildings along Van Aken Blvd and lots of duplexes in the neighborhood just southeast of Chagrin/Lee. The neighborhood southwest is a little rougher.

 

There's also lots of rental housing further east along the Blue Line, near the old Van Aken shopping center, which (fingers crossed) will be seeing a large new development project soon, bringing more good, walkable amenities.

 

I know schools aren't an issue now, but these area would also give you access to good public elementary schools if you wished to stick around for a few years.

Thank you for all the advice! We're planning a drive soon to go exploring and see the neighborhoods better. This area definitely seems older so there doesn't seem to be the convenience of finding places online.

Shaker Square Apartments (http://shakersquareapartments.com/) offers a lot of variety at upper price points. The units around Shaker Square are well maintained, with great landscaping and services you'd find at more suburban apartment complexes. I've heard good things with their management. I see their golf carts roaming the sidewalks constantly picking up trash, tidying up plants, et. al.

 

I live in one with a "Howard Hanna" sign out front. It's not that well maintained although it is cheaper. My two-bedroom apartment with a full bath, living room, dining room, and kitchen is $750. The studios across the street that are maintained by Shaker Square Apartments start at $900.

Grew up in Shaker and have lived on the Square for decades.

 

It's a great place for a family, as there is a mix of races, religions, sexes, retail and great public transportation.

 

This is a great area to put down roots.

Grew up in Shaker and have lived on the Square for decades.

 

It's a great place for a family, as there is a mix of races, religions, sexes, retail and great public transportation.

 

This is a great area to put down roots.

 

Not to mention the fact the Square is within walking distance of the gorgeous Shaker Lakes which are surrounded by scenic biking/jogging trails...

 

... btw, to the OP: even though your 2-year-old is not yet ready for school, realize that Shaker Square area apartments are within the Shaker Heights public school district due to a weird historical compromise between the City of Cleveland and Shaker Hts' founders... Shaker Schools are still among the best in the region and the nation, despite some recent stupid polls, like one carried last week in the Plain Dealer.