hi, we're looking into relocating to shaker square or ohio city or tremont next spring. shaker is looking more likely at the moment due to worries about crime in the other two areas.

i'm wondering how long the ride is on the rapid from shaker sq. to tremont/ohio city and also to downtown cleveland? also, how long do your waits for the trains average? i figure it will be much less frequent than what i'm used to in nyc, where they come every 5 mins (plus or minus a minute or two) during the week.

does the rapid run entirely aboveground?

thanks!

i'm wondering how long the ride is on the rapid from shaker sq. to tremont/ohio city and also to downtown cleveland?

 

From Shaker Square to downtown is about 20-25 minutes. To get to W. 25th Street, you'll have to transfer at Terminal Tower to the Red Line and go one stop -- 5 minutes. So half an hour total travel time plus waiting for the transfer.

 

also, how long do your waits for the trains average? i figure it will be much less frequent than what i'm used to in nyc, where they come every 5 mins (plus or minus a minute or two) during the week.

 

I know Red Line trains run about every 15 minutes throughout the day (til about 1 a.m.), slightly more frequently at rush hours. Check www.riderta.com for complete schedules.

 

does the rapid run entirely aboveground?

 

Yes, except for a tiny portion under Terminal Tower.

The trip from Shaker Square to Tower City is 15 minutes, and another 8 minutes beyond that to South Harbor (half the trains from Shaker Square continue through to the harbor on the Waterfront Line). But you have to change trains at Tower City for Ohio City. But it's an easy transfer inside Tower City station to the Red Line.

 

The section between Shaker Square and Tower City is actually the combined Blue/Green lines. So, during rush hours, you'll get a train every five minutes or so and, off peak, every 15 minutes or so. See, you assumed infrequent transit service just because it's not NYC!  :wink: However, the only part of the route that is in "subway" is the section below Tower City Center -- maybe a quarter of a mile. The section from Shaker Square to Woodhill is below street level, but it's not covered.

 

Here's a timetable you can download and print out:

http://www.riderta.com/pdf/67X-AX.pdf

 

And while the Shaker Square area plus areas to the north and east are safe, the areas to the south and west are not. It is not unusual at night to hear gunfire coming from those areas (esp. south of Buckeye Road).

eeek, ok thank you about shaker. i will not be looking south of buckeye or west of....?

this is getting tricky.

 

thanks thanks for all the train info. i'm glad it's fairly frequent. and a lot cheaper than nyc's mta, that's for sure!

hi, we're looking into relocating to shaker square or ohio city or tremont next spring. shaker is looking more likely at the moment due to worries about crime in the other two areas.

i'm wondering how long the ride is on the rapid from shaker sq. to tremont/ohio city and also to downtown cleveland? also, how long do your waits for the trains average? i figure it will be much less frequent than what i'm used to in nyc, where they come every 5 mins (plus or minus a minute or two) during the week.

does the rapid run entirely aboveground?

thanks!

 

Welcome to my Kingdom.  Where in NYC are you relocating from?    The trains from the Shaker Square Station to Towercity (Downtown) run about ever 10-15 minutes and the ride itself about 15 min.  If going to Ohio City and the West side, you must transfer at TowerCity to the Red Line and the ride to West 25 street (Ohio City) is another 4/5 min.  There is never anyone holding doors or any "this train is being held in the station....) BS.  they are clean.

 

The Shaker Rapid (Green / Blue Lines) are like riding the Bergen Lightrail.  The Red Line (City Train) is like riding the B, D, Q, J, M or Z in Brooklyn or the 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 in the Bronx.  those trains are elevated or run in a "right of way" which is what the Red Line does.

 

When in Cleveland I ride the rapid almost daily, Shaker Square really has 2 stations.  The Shaker Square Stop and the Drexmore Station (i'll could stretch it to three if I add Coventry station).  In these photos you can see the Shaker Square and Drexmore stops.  http://www.aerialaspectphoto.com/Proofs/164/pages/_DSC2724.htm.  I live just to the right (east) of the buildings pictured on the right center in pictures 3 & 4.

 

http://www.shakersquare.net/com/satphotos.htm

This view shows the shaker square station (center left) and the Drexmore station (lower right corner)

 

The Shaker Square neighborhoods buildings remind you of the upper west side, Brooklyn Hts, Union Square, Grand Army Plaza area near Prospect Park or Sheridan Square.  The area is a mix of old, young, straight, gay, white, black, Asian, Rich, middle class and poor.  Catholic, Jewish, & Christian.  The area is like Brooklyn Hts or Upper West Side meets Clinton Hilss/Bed-Stuy or Harlem.  The area north and east of S. Woodland/Buckeye is similar to BH and the area southeast of s.woodland/buckeye is like kew Gardens, there are some nice single family homes, Clinton Hills or Harlem.  However, a lot of apartment south and west are being turned condo and there is a huge development on the St. Lukes property so the area in my opinion is very very safe.  I've never lived in any other part of Cleveland, so my opinion is biased.

 

Its' a great mixed neighborhood.  You got the shaker lakes and univesity circle near by.

 

Please search the city photos – Ohio for pictures and information about shaker square or do a search on “shaker square”.

 

Welcome to the best overall neighborhood in Cleveland.......Take that you OC/Tremont lovers :-P.  I only said that becuase this board is "westside heavy". 

eeek, ok thank you about shaker. i will not be looking south of buckeye or west of....?

this is getting tricky.

 

thanks thanks for all the train info. i'm glad it's fairly frequent. and a lot cheaper than nyc's mta, that's for sure!

 

Dont get all bent out of shape.  What part of NYC do not hear gunshots in on a daily basis??  I work at Time Warner Center.  Three people have gotten mugged (two at gunpoint) infront of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in broad daylight in the past month. 

 

And while the Shaker Square area plus areas to the north and east are safe, the areas to the south and west are not. It is not unusual at night to hear gunfire coming from those areas (esp. south of Buckeye Road).

 

That's not true at all; it's not that extreme -- trust me, I live near this area.  It's very rare to 'hear gunfire' coming from South and West of Shaker Square, unless you're talking several miles from the Square.  That's not to say there's no crime or no shootings -- it is the city, and yes, Buckeye is not as solid as Larchmere Blvd to the north, but as I said, your characterization is extreme. 

 

Littlecloudyskye, the Square and the areas near the Square have a separate security force.  It's very safe.  There are many more families and a mix of the elderly (we're talking dowagers; very well-heeled seniors) and much, much less panhandlers (who are shoo'ed along by security, storeowners) in Shaker Square than in Ohio City, which, as you know (esp from me) is a very, very nice in-city neighborhood.  Remember, Shaker Square abuts Shaker Heights which, although SH has loss a tad of its luster over the last few decades, is still a very upper middle/upper class suburb with a very strong cop force -- and it's not uncommon seeing Shaker cops roll through the Square even though it's not technically w/in their jurisdiction.  Also, the gigantic and architecturally gorgeous Tudor-Gothic, block-long Moreland Courts condo complex touches the northeastern quadrant of the square -- and just for context, the Moreland Courts are one of the most exclusive older condo complexes in all NE Ohio -- many famous Clevelanders have and still do live in the Courts; in the area (like Cleveland's most recent ex-Mayor, Jane Campbell).  For all you seem to be looking for Littlecloudyskye, you can't go wrong at the Square -- you'd love it; many transplanted NYers do...

 

Also, I can't emphasize enough the Square area is noted for its diversity, tolerance and openness toward all peoples of all races, religions, sex-orientation -- you name it... It is the close-minded who are not welcome here.

^^ MyTwoSense and I 'bumped heads' in posting saying much of what I did -- quite obviously littlecloudyskye, Shaker Square-ians are passionate about our hood. (nice job MTS, well said  :wave:)  To us, it's urban heaven-on-earth... btw, Rapid trains generally reach Tower City in 13 minutes (despite the 14 minutes scheduled -- somewhere they snuck in a minute over the last year or so, I'm not sure why since little has changed) -- which varies a minute or 2 either way depending on the level of traffic/time of day.  After the easy, indoor transfer, it's a one-stop, 2 minute ride (scenically over the Flats/Cuy river) to Ohio City -- even during non-rush hour, the wait for Red Line trains is never long.

The Shaker Square Stop and the Drexmore Station (i'll could stretch it to three if I add Coventry station). 

 

... actually, there are really 4 Shaker Sq area Rapid stations -- I'd count South Woodland which serves the Square area's SE blocks.  This neighborhood is one of the most rail-accessible areas of the nation; NYC hoods, included!

Can someone explain to me the "Coventry" station? I haven't taken the rapid down in that direction yet. It sounds like it stops in Coventry Village, but that of course is not correct, so what is the Coventry refering to?

Coventry also intersects with Shaker Blvd. There is very pretty green line station at that intersection.

^It's very confusing to people.  Coventry, the street, a fairly long street (about 3 miles) that cuts N-S through the western portions of Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights.  That Rapid station called "Coventry" is near the extreme soutern end of the street. 

 

Coventry Village, which is the hip, vibrant area most people have heard of, is made up of approx 3 blocks (plus the surrounding brownstone apartment building district) near the extreme northern end of Coventry the street in Cleveland Heights...  Coventry Village, unfortunately, has no Rapid station immediately adjacent to it like Shaker Square, so if you get off at the Coventry Rapid stop thinking you're at the Village you've got about a 3 mile walk ahead of you (a very pleasant walk, mind you, past some of the nicest homes and parks in Greater Cleveland), but 3 miles, nonetheless... I get asked this all the time.  Even though it would breach the Van Swernigen Brother's historic naming Shaker Rapid stations for streets, sometimes I think RTA should clear up the confusion by renaming Coventry station -- maybe Shaker Square-East would be better.

eeek, ok thank you about shaker. i will not be looking south of buckeye or west of....?

this is getting tricky.

 

thanks thanks for all the train info. i'm glad it's fairly frequent. and a lot cheaper than nyc's mta, that's for sure!

 

Dont get all bent out of shape.  What part of NYC do not hear gunshots in on a daily basis??  I work at Time Warner Center.  Three people have gotten mugged (two at gunpoint) infront of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in broad daylight in the past month. 

 

i'm not bent out of shape, but i don't live there and don't know it. so from a distance, i'm going to look at real estate in areas that i know aren't shady or bordering on very crime-ridden areas. after i visit, i'll be able to define the neighborhoods i feel comfortable in for myself.

i have lived in nyc for 6 years and have never heard a gunshot or been victim of a crime except once, when my car was broken into in (the very upscale & yuppified) cobble hill. i've lived all over the city--williamsburg, harlem, UWS, cobble hill 2 yrs, murray hill, soho for 2 yrs, and now jackson heights, qns.

 

thanks thanks thanks, clvlandr and mytwosense for explaining more of the rapid and about shaker square. i have to google pictures of shaker! i'm really excited to see what it's like.

I think I might take the Rapid over there to check it out myself. I know I've been over there because I saw the tracks when I got lost all the time near that Shaker Circle thing when I used to drive to Cleveland Heights from Hudson. But it'll probably be a lot different on foot.

 

Is it a fun wintertime train ride? For some reason, I get that Christmas feeling when I go to Shaker Heights. I'm being serious, too. Something about winter in Shaker Heights makes me feel more festive, lol =)

Here is a Westsider jumping in.......

 

If you live in Jackson Hts then Ohio City or Tremont would be NO problem for you.  Shaker square area IS nice....but I work at a fire station not far from there on E 116th and as much a some of the residents of SS on this board love the place, there IS some serious crime South AND West of the area.  I have responded to some crazy stuff there.  Don't get me wrong....the immediate area of Shaker Square and the Heights is absolutely gorgeous.  I just wouldn't feel safe going for a jog or long bike ride West of there.  (I already KNOW I am going to get verbally abused for saying that!)  I suggest MY area of Edgewater Park(5 min bus ride downtown on the 55 or 75)....but when you check out OC and Tremont....you might be vaguely reminded of parts of Maspeth or even parts of Woodside....

 

As much as everyone here tries to give you their (my) opinion...the best thing is to check out all the areas...check out the train and bus possibilities...and decide for yourself

JDD,

 

yeah, a bunch of us actually took a jog in that neighborhood last January.  Buckeye Rd has a lot of character with some cool store signs.  I'm actually working with some artists on some murals and public art in that area right now.

Once you get past 116, things get a bit strange. Its not as bad as some other areas in the city, though. It really drops off past Benedictine HS.

eeek, ok thank you about shaker. i will not be looking south of buckeye or west of....?

this is getting tricky.

 

thanks thanks for all the train info. i'm glad it's fairly frequent. and a lot cheaper than nyc's mta, that's for sure!

 

Dont get all bent out of shape.  What part of NYC do not hear gunshots in on a daily basis??  I work at Time Warner Center.  Three people have gotten mugged (two at gunpoint) infront of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in broad daylight in the past month. 

 

i'm not bent out of shape, but i don't live there and don't know it. so from a distance, i'm going to look at real estate in areas that i know aren't shady or bordering on very crime-ridden areas. after i visit, i'll be able to define the neighborhoods i feel comfortable in for myself.

i have lived in nyc for 6 years and have never heard a gunshot or been victim of a crime except once, when my car was broken into in (the very upscale & yuppified) cobble hill. i've lived all over the city--williamsburg, harlem, UWS, cobble hill 2 yrs, murray hill, soho for 2 yrs, and now jackson heights, qns.

 

 

Geez Louise, how many Clevelanders live in NYC????????  Do we need our own chapter?  LOL

 

My response was to your "eeeek" and cobble Hill or Boerum hill weren't allways Nice.  I lived in Brooklyn Hts and people rarely crossed Atlantic avenue until about the year 2000. Just like people wouldn't cross 96 Street

 

If you've lived in williamsburgh, Harlem or Jackson Hts.  then Shaker Square is a cake walk.  I just would you would have FIRST said, "i need to visit and check for myself" instead of "eeek".  I completely understand, everyone has their own level of comfort.  Shaker Square is a wise choice!  LOL

 

Can someone explain to me the "Coventry" station? I haven't taken the rapid down in that direction yet. It sounds like it stops in Coventry Village, but that of course is not correct, so what is the Coventry refering to?

 

the Coventry Green Line station is practically right outside my door.

 

Shaker Square is where the Blue/Green line trains split.  Blue Line or "Van Aken" trains run east on Van Aken to the Warrensville Terminal.  Green Line or "Shaker" trains run east on Shaker Blvd. to the Green Road Terminal. The stations going east are strung together very closely like the 1/9 or 6 train stations. the Shaker Square to Coventry or Shaker Square to Drexmore stations are very close.  Picture leaving the West Fourth Stations the ACE split and go up Eight Ave, the BDF continue up Sixth Ave.  only replace the ACE for the "blue line" and the BDF for the "green line" but the stations are closer together.  all the stations going east were built 1/3 of a mile apart.

 

Here is a Westsider jumping in.......

 

If you live in Jackson Hts then Ohio City or Tremont would be NO problem for you.  Shaker square area IS nice....but I work at a fire station not far from there on E 116th and as much a some of the residents of SS on this board love the place, there IS some serious crime South AND West of the area.   I have responded to some crazy stuff there.  Don't get me wrong....the immediate area of Shaker Square and the Heights is absolutely gorgeous.  I just wouldn't feel safe going for a jog or long bike ride West of there.  (I already KNOW I am going to get verbally abused for saying that!)  I suggest MY area of Edgewater Park(5 min bus ride downtown on the 55 or 75)....but when you check out OC and Tremont....you might be vaguely reminded of parts of Maspeth or even parts of Woodside....

 

As much as everyone here tries to give you their (my) opinion...the best thing is to check out all the areas...check out the train and bus possibilities...and decide for yourself

 

JDD,

 

yeah, a bunch of us actually took a jog in that neighborhood last January.  Buckeye Rd has a lot of character with some cool store signs.  I'm actually working with some artists on some murals and public art in that area right now.

Once you get past 116, things get a bit strange. Its not as bad as some other areas in the city, though. It really drops off past Benedictine HS.

 

Yes JDD, my fellow 6'4" brethern, you are going to be abused, but I think your a freak and you like that!!  LOL  :whip:

 

The area doesn't even get "interesting" until you get south of Griffing/Continental.  And with all the conversions taking place on South Moreland it might end up being more expense in the next few years.  in addition, the single family homes between Van Aken and South Moreland (which are in Cleveland Proper) are some beautiful homes.  Even the "lesser of the two sides of the square" is still high rent district.

The area doesn't even get "interesting" until you get south of Griffing/Continental.  And with all the conversions taking place on South Moreland it might end up being more expense in the next few years.

 

... and have you checked out that new model/condo recently opened on Livingston near Southington?  I think they're asking around $250K for it; I believe Progressive Urban Real Estate is listing it on its website.

I think you'll love the Square, Littleblueskye. I was a resident for my first four years in Cleveland (recently moved to the Near East Side), and it really is a great little neighborhood. If you have time when you visit, I would also recommend taking the circulator bus that departs from the Square every 15 minutes (http://www.gcrta.org/pdf/821.pdf). Cleveland runs several circulator buses that are geared toward more neighorhood-oriented trips, and the one that passes through Shaker Square is, IMHO, one of the better ones ... although there has been some discussion about changing the route to something a little more suburban.

 

If you stay on the circulator for the whole trip, it will take just over an hour before you return to the Square. In the meantime, you'll get to see several really great hot spots on the East Side, including Cedar Fairmount, Case Western and part of University Circle, Little Italy and Coventry Village. These are all great attractions, and thus the circulator will put the neighborhood in better context. I would also recommend checking out the North Union Farmer's Market that takes place on the Square every Saturday morning. While the West Side Market has a much wider selection of food, Shaker Square's market has its own feel and is a favorite event in the neighborhood.

 

Shaker Square is most certainly beautiful in the winter ... for whatever reason, I definitely associate Christmas time with driving down Van Aken Boulevard from the Square.

 

As for safety, I have never had any problems in the neighborhood. I lived a couple blocks north of the square initially and then lived just to the Square's west. While it might be a little rougher to the west and south, it isn't that bad. There's actually a great little arts organization at Buckeye and 128th that offers classes in guitar, capoiera, photography, salsa, belly dancing, hip hop, etc. (www.passportproject.org).

 

I actually am really excited for you to see it! While I love my new neighborhood, I do get a little homesick for the Square.

 

 

I think you'll love the Square, Littleblueskye. I was a resident for my first four years in Cleveland (recently moved to the Near East Side), and it really is a great little neighborhood. If you have time when you visit, I would also recommend taking the circulator bus that departs from the Square every 15 minutes (http://www.gcrta.org/pdf/821.pdf). Cleveland runs several circulator buses that are geared toward more neighorhood-oriented trips, and the one that passes through Shaker Square is, IMHO, one of the better ones ... although there has been some discussion about changing the route to something a little more suburban.

 

If you stay on the circulator for the whole trip, it will take just over an hour before you return to the Square. In the meantime, you'll get to see several really great hot spots on the East Side, including Cedar Fairmount, Case Western and part of University Circle, Little Italy and Coventry Village. These are all great attractions, and thus the circulator will put the neighborhood in better context. I would also recommend checking out the North Union Farmer's Market that takes place on the Square every Saturday morning. While the West Side Market has a much wider selection of food, Shaker Square's market has its own feel and is a favorite event in the neighborhood.

 

Shaker Square is most certainly beautiful in the winter ... for whatever reason, I definitely associate Christmas time with driving down Van Aken Boulevard from the Square.

 

As for safety, I have never had any problems in the neighborhood. I lived a couple blocks north of the square initially and then lived just to the Square's west. While it might be a little rougher to the west and south, it isn't that bad. There's actually a great little arts organization at Buckeye and 128th that offers classes in guitar, capoiera, photography, salsa, belly dancing, hip hop, etc. (www.passportproject.org).

 

I actually am really excited for you to see it! While I love my new neighborhood, I do get a little homesick for the Square.

 

 

 

thanks! i appreciate the tip on the circulator bus and the arts org. also. we may try that. i'll have to report back here :)

lcs you'll like your new nabe, the square is great. shaker square is the forest hills/kew gardens of cleveland style-wise.

 

if you are not totally set on that yet for some more ballpark comparisons at the moment i'd say midtown is lic or east w'burg. slavic village & detroit-shoreway are the billyburgs. oc is the village. tremont is tremont, maybe kind of south slope/ev-ish. granted all of these are a stretch but it gives some idea. you really have to drive around on a visit and see. all those nabes and more have interesting personalities.

 

wow, mrnyc, you're really stretching some of those "ballpark" comparisons!  I see where you're going, but I don't want our relocators to get the impression that upon landing in Slavic Village that they'll find a bunch of hipsters running around in designer clothing and a cafe on every corner!

 

just a quick note (I'll write more later) that I lived in Fort Greene for 3 years and chose Ohio City as my closest comparable.  I'm very satisfied!

just a quick note (I'll write more later) that I lived in Fort Greene for 3 years and chose Ohio City as my closest comparable.  I'm very satisfied!

 

I could agree.  Although, when i first moved to Brooklyn....Man you didn't want to live on the "other" side of flatbush Ave. .  Ft. Greene and Clinton Hills was so bad.  I know kick myself for not buying a dirt cheap brownstone over there when I had the chance.  Granted the way the area looks now...I'm glad I didn't.

wow, mrnyc, you're really stretching some of those "ballpark" comparisons!  I see where you're going, but I don't want our relocators to get the impression that upon landing in Slavic Village that they'll find a bunch of hipsters running around in designer clothing and a cafe on every corner!

 

just a quick note (I'll write more later) that I lived in Fort Greene for 3 years and chose Ohio City as my closest comparable.  I'm very satisfied!

 

haha, exactly. [also, i didn't want to give the impression i don't know cleveland. i do know a lot of it quite well- been out in OC, warehouse dist., tremont, coventry many MANY times since i was in high school, and one of my best friends is from marvin ave. and was living in slavic village until a month ago, so i've been through those areas countless times. just not familiar with specific areas, i.e. shaker.]

i'm not looking for cleveland parallels to nyc. there really isn't much to be compared, anyway. my standards for where i live and my level of safety are also very different in nyc than they are for cleveland, where i will be buying, unlike my nomadic existence in this 9 million population city over the past 6 yrs. here there are SO many people out and about literally at all hours, so i have never felt unsafe except on very rare occasions.

where i live *now* doesn't have much to do with what neighborhood i will be comfortable living in in cleveland. (i don't even like where i live now in queens.) i can't wait to move back home.

ah ok 6 yrs in nyc.  in that case sounds like you may know cle better than nyc.

 

wow, mrnyc, you're really stretching some of those "ballpark" comparisons!  I see where you're going, but I don't want our relocators to get the impression that upon landing in Slavic Village that they'll find a bunch of hipsters running around in designer clothing and a cafe on every corner!

 

just a quick note (I'll write more later) that I lived in Fort Greene for 3 years and chose Ohio City as my closest comparable.  I'm very satisfied!

 

no hipsters in slavic. bohemians yes. more bohemian potential yes. american apparel / brooklyn industries no. fabianes no, not yet.

 

 

I know, all of these places have great potential, but much as with some parts of NYC, you can walk on a beautiful block where the residents have really taken care of their property and then get to the next block and find abandonment and neglect.  I believe in these neighborhoods and their residents, but you [LCS] really have to just spend some time on the ground over here to find your spot...especially if you're buying.  If you rent, like I do, you can just scope a place out...get a feel for your neighbors and the surroundings...and then buy nearby if it suits you.  If you're buying without the advantage of that foresight, it's a tough call!

 

I've got my money on Ohio City, Tremont, Detroit Shoreway, Edgewater, Shaker Square, and University Circle (south Glenville) right now.  Little Italy's great, but a little to collegiate at present.  Goodrich/Kirtland Park has great potential and should be dirt cheap right now.  Downtown and the Flats shouldn't be overlooked, but again, it's all about your lifestyle.  There are other great neighborhoods in Cleveland, but this is my short-list!