Hi guys...I've been a lurker on the boards for a couple months now, and love the community.  It's good to see a bunch of people just looking to help each other out, that are still looking to benefit their respective areas.  That being said, this is my first post, and I'm hoping some of you have some insight.

 

Currently, I'm a 25 year old, that lives on Lake Ave (near West Blvd) in a 1 BR apt.  The apartment is nice, but some of the other tenants aren't exactly what I'd like to live with.  The building manager is very nice/helpful, but her description of the clientele as "mostly professional" was a tad misleading.

 

I work downtown, 9-5...all that good stuff.  Anyways, my lease is up in March and I'm looking to move.  I'd like to buy something, albeit a house or condo.  However, I'm concerned about the ability to sell in a few years when I'm ready to 'settle' a la family responsibilities, so resale is a big thing.  But, I want it to be a place that I'm proud to own as is...not something that "needs work" aside from customization.

 

Working downtown, I don't want to move any further away then where I am, but realize that that may be squeezing my options a bit.  I love the aesthetics of the current Stonebridge condos, but haven't heard much about them in terms of likes/dislikes.  The girlfriend, who will be moving in (most likely) is concerned about the $/sq. ft.  However, if everyhing works out for the city, I think it could be a great investment.  I know that a lot of people on these boards love Ohio City.  Any suggestions in terms of condos/townhomes there? 

 

Much appreciated all...Thank you in advance

 

(Edit: Also, not a huge fan of the Eastside, due to travel to and from the Westside (family))

I'd say go for the Avenue, except that you'll need something sooner than then.

 

In Ohio City, the Fries & Schuele building on W. 25th has nice condos... Downtown, Water Street in the Warehouse District and the Pointe at Gateway have very reasonably priced condos I believe. Sorry not to go into more detail, I'm in a bit of a hurry at the moment!

actually looked at PaG when i got my place on Lake... but only the apartments.  Will have to check out the condos.

 

Are you aware of any info that I can find on Water Street?  Thanks for the time!

what price range and amenities (minimum square feet, garage parking, bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.)?

 

there are some cheap condos downtown, but they can be small and lack parking, etc.  units in ohio city might include more space, parking for same price.

Peabody??

 

Sarge, you might want to talk to Peabody. She is a Stonebridge resident.

what price range and amenities (minimum square feet, garage parking, bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.)?

 

there are some cheap condos downtown, but they can be small and lack parking, etc.  units in ohio city might include more space, parking for same price.

 

Looking for a 2-BR (as they have better resale), 1.5 baths is sufficient.  would have two cars, at least 1100 sq/ft seems right.

 

And wim...I shot her a PM.  Thanks for the referral...

i'd start with www.progressiveurban.com

 

on the main page, they list all of the new condos that they are marketing (which is a lot of city condos). 

 

then, do a search for specific neighborhoods and choose "all".  you will get a good idea of prices and available units for Warehouse District, Gateway District, Ohio City-Tremont.

 

once you have found a few, www.cutlerhomes.com and choose "residential" and type in the address.  for some reason PURE only lists one pic with each property, and cutlerhomes often has 6 or more pics listed. 

 

if you aren't set on walking everywhere, i would consider battery park units (both condo and townhouse, http://www.batteryparkcleveland.com/) or the walker weeks building downtown (http://www.walkerweeks.com/)

I have lived in Stonebridge for about a year now and I love it. The location is great and I think the units are very nice for the price range. They have been continually updating the building itself with new paint/carpeting.

 

The management on the other hand, seems kinda botched. When I moved in there were missing door handles, closet doors, etc that took a good couple of months of complaints to fix. Also, the parking situation isn't the best. I have been on a wait list for a second spot, but still did not get one when they gated the park lot off earlier this month (although I was told that I could pay to park at the building next door).

 

I really couldn't tell you about resale. I have seen some of the higher end units sitting on the market since I moved in, but it seems that the lower priced units have sold somewhat quickly.

I have lived in Stonebridge for about a year now and I love it. The location is great and I think the units are very nice for the price range. They have been continually updating the building itself with new paint/carpeting.

 

The management on the other hand, seems kinda botched. When I moved in there were missing door handles, closet doors, etc that took a good couple of months of complaints to fix. Also, the parking situation isn't the best. I have been on a wait list for a second spot, but still did not get one when they gated the park lot off earlier this month (although I was told that I could pay to park at the building next door).

 

I really couldn't tell you about resale. I have seen some of the higher end units sitting on the market since I moved in, but it seems that the lower priced units have sold somewhat quickly.

 

Thanks, super.  What do you think about safety at night?  Getting from place to place?  You said the lot is gated...so that's a plus.

Sarge,

 

There are big plans for the Stonebridge development. On Thursday at 4pm on the Viaduct, the developers are going to announce a grand plan for the west bank of the flats.

Interesting.  Will have to keep an ear out...

 

Any idea what it's about?

^basically turning the huge parking lots over there north of stonebridge into more apts and stuff i'd guess. thats what we hear as rumor. cant wait to find out, thats exciting news.

 

Thanks, super.  What do you think about safety at night?  Getting from place to place?  You said the lot is gated...so that's a plus.

 

Coming from the burbs, and not being familiar with downtown living, I was a little paranoid at night at first. Now that I am familiar with the area I feel totally safe (probably wouldn't want to hang out near w28th at night though:). My take on it, is as long as you are not dealing/buying drugs you are good to go :)

 

On the weekends, I walk to w6th or w25th with friends, and it really isn't a bad walk at all (I like McCarthy's a lot too and that is right around the corner). Tremont is also a quick taxi ride.

"On Thursday at 4pm on the Viaduct, the developers are going to announce a grand plan for the west bank of the flats."

 

I got the postcard too - it only mentions Stonebridge Plaza (well, not directly but you know what I mean). Is there more to it than that?

KJP posted an invitation a few weeks ago that read:

 

You'll soon receive your personal invitation to a major announcement about

STONEBRIDGE

Condominiums [] Apartments

Commercial [] Retail

And the redevelopment of the West Bank of the Flats

Held on Superior Viaduct

4:00PM, Thursday, Sept. 21

Followed by a reception and party

 

From the following thread, http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=9195

which incidentally contains all available information about Flats West Bank redevelopment plans.

Thanks for the link blinker...

 

Any Ohio City or Tremont residents have any input?  With each passing day, it's getting more difficult to talk the girl into downtown living.  Thoughts on condos around those parts? 

Although I don't live in Tremont - my S.O. does, and thus I spend quite a bit of time there. Most of the new condos in Tremont are east of West 14th, and north of I-490. Location-wise, I think Tremont is great and the area I'm talking about seems to be a little better as far as crime. The problem with the area is that most new condos are going for $200K minimum and that's on the low end. Granted that's still cheap by most major city standards, and still cheaper than Pinnacle and the high-end Stonebridge units. And as others have said - it's not quite as transit-accessible, though it's still better than the 'burbs.

Damn.....2 bills is a bit much. 

 

On goes the search!