Posted October 13, 200618 yr This is a cool little feature in Time Out New York ranking the 10 best blocks in NYC. I know, it's not Ohio, but I thought it might be a nice jumping off point for discussion of blocks in our cities. Their criteria: Aesthetics: Design, cleanliness and the overall condition of housing Amenities: Restaurants, dry cleaning, etc. Green factor: Not only trees and parks, but waterfront access Noise and traffic Public transit: Proximity to public transportation and the length of a trip to midtown New York-ocity: The feeling of an only-in-New York spot Affordability: A relative term, defined by by median sale and rental prices in the immediate vicinity http://www.timeoutny.com/newyork/Details.do?page=1&xyurl=xyl://TONYWebArticles1/576/features/the_rankings_1_10.xml So, what are the best blocks in your town? A few for me in Cincinnati: W. Fourth St between Plum and Central - There are a few good stretches of 4th, and some that are sullied by Tower Place and its parking. But this is a nice piece of old Cincinnati. 1300 block of Main - ranks highly for it's Cincinnatiness, aesthetics, and amenities. Plus the 24 goes up Main, which I find to be one of the most useful bus routes. Erie Ave, between Edwards and Michigan - Despite my mixed feelings about HP and the Square, it looks good, plenty of places to go, and it still feels like home. 1200-1400 Elm - OK, maybe two blocks technically, but 13th stops at Washington Park, so I think it counts. Music Hall, Memorial Hall, and Washinton Park. Ludlow from Clifton to Telford - the heart of Clifton. Hamilton from Lingo to Chase - the heart of Northside.
October 13, 200618 yr I'm happy to say that I knew a lot of those places in NYC. It must've been quite the task to pick the top ten, though! I lived on the other side of the block (South Oxford) from #1 for 3 years. They were always filming on our streets...the ideal Brooklyn brownstone blocks. For Cleveland, Jay Avenue, between W. 28th & W. 30th has been one of my faves since high school days. Sure enough, that's where I moved after Brooklyn! Others include Hessler Road, off of Ford Drive and E. 36th, north of Superior, which runs through Tyler Village. There are many more!
October 13, 200618 yr My best friends block (convent) is stunning! His building is just to the right of this photo if im not mistaken. Damn..Fifth Avenue got NO LOVE In Cleveland, I would have to say, Shaker Blvd. Between Coventry and Moreland Blvd.! Would rate a 7 or better on the critieria list with the exception of affordability & Green Factor. Aesthetics: 9 (the buildings are amazing and some of the most beautiful in Ohio) Amenities: 8 (shaker square/larchmere/buckeye & Shaker Lakes) Green factor: 6 (beautifully manicured tree lawns and shaker sq., but no real community park in the immediate area) Noise and traffic: 7 (very very quiet, except for weekends) Public transit: 10 (3 train stops - coventry(to the east), drexmore (to the south) & Shaker Sq. (to the west) - within a 3/4 block radius) Cleveland-ocity: 10 (Often immitated but never duplicated - there is NO PLACE like Shaker Sq.) Affordability: 5 (kinda pricey, I think these are the most expensive apartments/condo in Cleveland proper outside of Downtown. There is a unit in the complex listed at 830k)
October 14, 200618 yr Mr. Good Day - that picture with the snow in it is spectacular! Wow, what a cool feel to it...
October 15, 200618 yr i'm totally doing one for cleveland (gotta include c hts and lakewood tho!), this is an awesome concept and i think cleveland has 10 very nice blocks! stay tuned!
October 15, 200618 yr For Cleveland, I second MGD's picks as well as MTS's; I've loved those stretches since I was old enough to demand to be driven past them. Hessler in particular is the Cleveland ideal for me: we're never gonna be a rowhouse city but damn we can have some nice terraces, funky wooden houses and handsome brick apartment buildings under a beautiful tree canopy. Also on the Cleveland list for me: Newton Avenue b/w E97th and E101 (who's gonna take some pics of this somewhat ragged gem to share? Other than the makers of American Splendor, that is) and E115 b/w Mayfield and Cornell.
October 16, 200618 yr What's the name of that street in Mt. Auburn with all the cool row houses? I think it starts with a "C". It's pretty ghetto, but certainly a unique block in Cincinnati. I've also always loved that block of buildings between Sycamore & Broadway, Liberty & SCPA. Great houses, Mansard roofs (rooves?) an old public bathhouse, and a few old barns converted to garages in the alleys.
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