What about rentals along Van Aken (Blue Line)

 

I saw no rentals available along Van Aken. Either they weren't listed at apartments.com or apartments in that area are in real high demand! And as you know, there's lots of them!

Hi wordnick, I don't post here too often but I couldn't help but post on this topic.  While I would never want to stear anyone away from living in the city of Cleveland (in reading the conversation I'm hoping you end up in Shaker Square :) ) I'm wondering if you've looked on the west side at all.  I live in Berea, which is probably the last inner-ring suburb in the southwest side of the Cleveland area.  It always has short term rentals available because it's a college town, it's a 5 minutes drive away from the airport, a 3 minute drive to the Brookpark Rapid station, it also has the 86 bus which is a 10 minute ride to the train.  It is also one of the more urban/walkable suburbs, being just as walkable, if not more so, than Lakewood or Cleveland Hts.  A lot of times Berea is lumped in with Middleburg Heights, but don't let that confuse you as Berea has homes that were built in the 1860s, a downtown with a brewery, Baldwin-Wallace College, and gridded streets.  While I would never push for anyone to move to the suburbs instead of the city, I would highly suggest you check out Berea if you're looking for a rental.  Here is what Berea looks like...

 

 

 

 

 

 

The church in the last photo was built in 1873.  By all means move into the city haha.  But I just wanted to help you out with one more option so you could see more of what is aorund the Cleveland area.  Good luck!

 

Thanks, PeterGriffin, we're definitely very open with regards to the rental, so it's good to have more options.

Berea is probably the funkiest inner-suburb of Cleveland, considering it was never truly a suburb to begin with. It has some beautiful homes and the Metroparks is pedestrian accessible from virtually all areas of the city. It's about 5 minutes from Hopkins too.

Berea's inner ring?

Berea's a city?  :-D

I think that most people wouldn't consider Berea an inner ring suburb due to its location and the lack of affection that Clevelanders have for it. That said, it does have an architecture and problem set that bring it into the realm of 'inner ring'.

Berea's inner ring?

 

Sadly anything outside of Cuyahoga County will soon be considered "inner ring".

^ inside  :drunk:

I suggest, Cleveland Heights.  Good schools, nice neighborhoods. Any apartment on Euclid Hts. from Cedar Fairmount to Coventry would fit what you're looking for.

 

Its just a quick bus ride to the University Circle train stop and the fabulous University Circle.

 

That part of Cleveland Heights is very walkable, and  mix of old, young home owners and renters.  Its very eclectic.

I just found out about a website called www.rentalhouses.com.

 

It could be helpful.

Thanks for that. We're sort of coming to terms with the fact that the rental may not be in the area in which we're looking to buy. Not sure if I mentioned this upthread, but I have really bad allergies/asthma and am nervous about renting a house/older apartment site unseen. When we begin to look at the great older houses, it'll be easy enough for me to tell if I'll have allergy problems. . .but short of being able to go check out each rental, we're thinking this could be a big (and unwelcome) issue. With that in mind, we're really focusing on newer construction apartment complexes. . .which, will undoubtedly be a ways away, like in wisteria-esque Beachwood  :|. We're hoping between the rail and our cars, we can still get in some good exploring.

We also like some outdoorsy stuff, though I'm not terribly interested in very serious hiking or rock climbing or anything like that.

You are moving to the western edge of the Allegheny Plateau, a formation that, interestingly, extends east and ends at the Palisades bluffs in New Jersey.  This part of the country is a transition zone with southern forest species and also stands of northern species like hemlocks and sugar maples.  You are going to love the fall colors.  Lake Erie is our gem of a natural attraction.

 

Cleveland has a hiking club and a kayaking club and huge list of sports and nature clubs.  The Metroparks district has a full slate of outdoor hiking and educational activities led by interpretive naturalists.  We have a beautiful Metroparks district that is the model for other cities' metroparks district.  You can get a subscription to their "Emerald Necklace" with articles and the long list of park sponsored activities. http://www.clemetparks.com/ .  Welcome to Ohio, and we'll see you on the trail!

^^You might be surprised by the number of new-construction apartments that exist in Cleveland and inner-ring burbs such as Shaker. While you're here, check out Larchmere (near Shaker Square), which has at least two new apartment buildings. There's also Avalon Station in Shaker Heights, which is right at a rapid station I believe. Cleveland Heights and Little Italy also have some new construction. Most of this stuff is condos, I think -- but there might be some rentals too.

Beachwood, IMO, kinda sucks. There's a lot of money there, and a lot of shopping, but it is physically very ugly. Strictly 1950s-1970s stuff, freeways, weird office parks, not many trees. I know all this is a matter of taste though.

^^You might be surprised by the number of new-construction apartments that exist in Cleveland and inner-ring burbs such as Shaker. While you're here, check out Larchmere (near Shaker Square), which has at least two new apartment buildings. There's also Avalon Station in Shaker Heights, which is right at a rapid station I believe. Cleveland Heights and Little Italy also have some new construction. Most of this stuff is condos, I think -- but there might be some rentals too.

Beachwood, IMO, kinda sucks. There's a lot of money there, and a lot of shopping, but it is physically very ugly. Strictly 1950s-1970s stuff, freeways, weird office parks, not many trees. I know all this is a matter of taste though.

 

Most of those new condos on Larchmere sold out.  The South Park Row homes are super expensive, to me, as I tried to convince my Aunt & Uncle who are seriously considering downsizing from a big house to a condo checked them out. 

 

I don't like beachwood, but some of the condo's around the mall are nice, but remind me of those miami-esq condos.  When beachwood mall opened, those condos were all the rage, now they are dated as blinky states.  The units & developments around severance a nicer IMO.

 

I suggest sticking with Cleveland Hts, Shaker Hts., University Hts., Lakewood

stick with Zip Codes:

 

44106

44118

44120

44122

44108 as a very last resort.  bratenahl is boring but beautiful lake access.

Thanks for that. We're sort of coming to terms with the fact that the rental may not be in the area in which we're looking to buy. Not sure if I mentioned this upthread, but I have really bad allergies/asthma and am nervous about renting a house/older apartment site unseen. When we begin to look at the great older houses, it'll be easy enough for me to tell if I'll have allergy problems. . .but short of being able to go check out each rental, we're thinking this could be a big (and unwelcome) issue. With that in mind, we're really focusing on newer construction apartment complexes. . .which, will undoubtedly be a ways away, like in wisteria-esque Beachwood  :|. We're hoping between the rail and our cars, we can still get in some good exploring.

 

Why is this a problem with older units? Are you worried about the heating vents?  I think that most units have radiator heat.

Mostly with older apartments I'm concerned with old carpet, mold/dust, and cat/dog urine from the many previous pet-owning tenants. If we were able to go look at apartments, I wouldn't be so concerned about this. But since we don't have that luxury. . .I just don't want to land in Cleveland after a day of driving with a pissed off kid and come to realize that we've rented an apartment that is going to make me physically ill.

most apartment these days atleast around shaker square have hardwood floors.  Most landlords have pretty strick pet requirments and charge and extra fee for cleaning, because of future tenant concerns like yours.

i think you'd be pleasantly surprised with the quality of many of the apartments. Montlack was my landlord (has many buildings on the east side) and they keep it very very clean. Also, I've never been in an apartment in Cleveland Heights or near Shaker Square that has carpeting. I am sure that that are some, but its far from the norm.

 

And, there are places like this available..

 

http://cleveland.backpage.com/rentals/classifieds/EnlargeImage?oid=oid%3A331038&image=oid%3A331034

Thanks, guys, it's good to know that the norm is hardwood floors. I'll poke around a bit more. It's just so hard to tell from an online listing, you know?

 

And thanks also, Boreal, for that great link. Can't wait to get to the recreation part of moving!

Thanks, guys, it's good to know that the norm is hardwood floors. I'll poke around a bit more. It's just so hard to tell from an online listing, you know?

 

And thanks also, Boreal, for that great link. Can't wait to get to the recreation part of moving!

 

Wordnick.  You've come to the right place - UrbanOhio.  You might get lots of different ideas/opinions, but they will all be GOOD.  :wink:  People here are extremely knowledgeable and I hope you've read other threads and become active member as a future Greater Clevelander.

Worknick,

 

Not sure if you have heard about the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Its just 5 miles south of downtown. Some of the metro parks are adjacent to it. Its really a wonderful place.

 

http://www.nps.gov/archive/cuva/home.htm

 

http://terragalleria.com/parks/np.cuyahoga-valley.html

i think you'd be pleasantly surprised with the quality of many of the apartments. Montlack was my landlord (has many buildings on the east side) and they keep it very very clean. Also, I've never been in an apartment in Cleveland Heights or near Shaker Square that has carpeting. I am sure that that are some, but its far from the norm.

 

And, there are places like this available..

 

http://cleveland.backpage.com/rentals/classifieds/EnlargeImage?oid=oid%3A331038&image=oid%3A331034

 

I wasn't looking to move, but Montlack has an apartment available in the University Circle area that is looking VERY attractive right now! (especially after doing my taxes. Lakewood, what a bunch of hosers!)

i think you'd be pleasantly surprised with the quality of many of the apartments. Montlack was my landlord (has many buildings on the east side) and they keep it very very clean. Also, I've never been in an apartment in Cleveland Heights or near Shaker Square that has carpeting. I am sure that that are some, but its far from the norm.

 

And, there are places like this available..

 

http://cleveland.backpage.com/rentals/classifieds/EnlargeImage?oid=oid%3A331038&image=oid%3A331034

 

I wasn't looking to move, but Montlack has an apartment available in the University Circle area that is looking VERY attractive right now! (especially after doing my taxes. Lakewood, what a bunch of hosers!)

 

JamieC...that means its time to buy

Wow, it's very rare to find a unit in University Circle with Montlack this time of year.  In general, the pickings are slim once all the kids sign their leases in the fall.  I have more resources for the Circle if anyone needs them.  Or you can just go to UniversityCircle.org and visit the real estate management page: http://www.universitycircle.org/content/real_estate_management_department.asp

 

FYI, there are two different Montlacks...

 

Montlack Management: www.montlack.com

Montlack Realty: www.montlackrealty.com

 

Former Wim, you went through the first one, right?