My husband and I will be relocating to Cleveland soon, and we've located an apartment that we love.  However, we're not really sure about the neighborhood or the landlord, so I was hoping some of you would be willing to give me your opinion on the area/building.  :-)  We're moving from the Kenny/Henderson area of Columbus, and I'll be attending grad school at Case, he'll be working. 

 

The building is the Metro Lofts http://metroloft.tripod.com/ building in Tremont.  It's right up the street from the MetroHealth center.  Is this neighborhood safe, and are there any horror stories about the management that any of you know of?  The landlord, James Sosan, also owns the Detroit Ave lofts.  Thanks!

My husband and I will be relocating to Cleveland soon, and we've located an apartment that we love.  However, we're not really sure about the neighborhood or the landlord, so I was hoping some of you would be willing to give me your opinion on the area/building.   :-)  We're moving from the Kenny/Henderson area of Columbus, and I'll be attending grad school at Case, he'll be working. 

 

The building is the Metro Lofts http://metroloft.tripod.com/ building in Tremont.  It's right up the street from the MetroHealth center.  Is this neighborhood safe, and are there any horror stories about the management that any of you know of?  The landlord, James Sosan, also owns the Detroit Ave lofts.  Thanks!

 

Welcome.  :wave:  There are a wave of people moving to Cleveland lately!  YEAH!

 

Anywhoooooo....I would suggest searching this very thread for "tremont".  A variety of topics/issues will come up.  I would also like to suggest checking out the OHIO photo threads and checking out the area.

 

If you have ANY other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.  There are quite a few folks who live in the Tremont & Ohio City areas that can be of assistance.

 

other websites:

http://www.restoretremont.com

 

 

very cool looking apartment! Have you been to the neighborhood? So here's the deal- that area is still struggling some and I am sorry to say not among the safest. It is really more Clark Fulton than Tremont (but sits on the border). Being so near the hospital it is could be a little loud. Metro has a very busy emergency room. I am going to be honest - I work in the area and have friends that live in Clark Fulton- there is a lot of roughness around there. Are you going to get robbed going to your car to the apartment? Probably not anymore likely than some other urban neighborhoods including my very own. Can your car get stolen/broken into? You betcha. Drug dealers? yes indeed. So it is great if there is a mitigating factor such as some gated parking as well as security measures in the building.  Should you be deterred by what I am saying? It depends. I live in an area where people could say the same, but would not change where I live for anywhere in Cleveland.   The only downside of your area is by calling it "tremont" you are going to get images conjured of central Tremont's stroll-to eateries (among the best restaurants in the city), pubs, cafes, galleries, and coffee shops. You don't really have to much of that right where you are...but there is bowling alley and a peep show.  :? All "down-sides" aside, you are close to Tremont and Ohio City and the space you would be living in looks amazing.

Thanks for the honest and helpful replies, guys. 

 

As far as the neighborhood goes...  I'm a little nervous about it.  But I suppose it can't be much worse than the district around OSU, where I've lived before.  The building has some safety precautions; the parking lot is gated, and there is a secure entrance.  I don't think that the sirens would bother me much, but I really wish the neighborhood was nicer -- the apartment is just so darn pretty!  *sigh* 

 

If anyone else has any opinions about the neighborhood, I've love to hear about them!

Sosan is a pretty active developer in the area and he seems to be a trustworthy guy. Honestly, though, I think that you could find very very similar spaces in areas that are a bit safer and livier. I also wouldn't consider this area Tremont.

 

Sosan also did the the Detroit Lofts (which are beautiful).

 

I'd also recommend looking at this site:  http://www.clv-lofts.com/  (the landlord is top notch)

 

Federal Knitting Mills is a pretty cool building and is just across the bridge from downtown. Merrell and Metzner are right in the heart of Ohio City and you'd be very close to the rapid station with a train that would take you straight to Case.  If you aren't familiar, Ohio City is a very fun urban neighborhood.

Scranton Road isn't as bad as Pearl/West 25th (yes, one block can mean a lot in this neighborhood). But for the website to say this is Tremont is not accurate. It's even a bit deceptive, IMHO. A rough part of Tremont is northeast across I-71, and the decent part of Tremont is north of I-490 roughly along West 14th.

 

I am reporter for Sun Newspapers and cover Cleveland Police Second District (in which this apartment is located). I can tell you that this area is about 5-10 blocks from one of the worst drug-dealing areas on the West Side (an area bounded by Fulton on the east, Denison on the south, West 65th on the west and I-90 to the north). The heart of the drug-dealers' haven is along Storer Avenue, although Cleveland Police do frequent undercover drug buys to try to root out the problem. But the fact is that all of this happening very close to the Second District's headquarters, on Fulton at Daisy Ave!

 

Come to think of it, our paper's former photographer lived on Daisy east of Fulton for a number of years and said he had few problems. And that only underscores how a even a block or two can make a big difference in the quality of an urban neighborhood.

 

But you aren't in Tremont, let alone in the nicer part of Tremont.

 

If I may ask, where does your husband work (location-wise, not name of employer)? If you are attending CWRU, I'm curious as to why you chose this neighborhood to live in. If you are driving to CWRU in the mornings, avoid the Inner Belt (I-71/I-90) if at all possible. Best to head north on West 25th/Pearl and turn east on Lorain at the West Side Market. Lorain becomes Carnegie on the east side and you can follow that all the way to University Circle and CWRU. There is also very frequent bus service on West 25th/Pearl between the 20A (http://www.riderta.com/pdf/20A.pdf) and the 35 (http://www.riderta.com/pdf/35.pdf) which takes you to less than a block from the Ohio City Red Line station (at Lorain Ave and the West Side Market). The Red Line (Route #66X) is a fast trip to University Circle (http://www.riderta.com/pdf/66X.pdf).

believe it or not depending on what side of the street the apartment it on would define the neighborhood as Tremont or Clark Fulton according to the city's official neighborhood boundries definitions (rather than the core neighborhood boundries we think of as classically  Tremont-which the apartment is not in! ) A little misleading if you are not in the know.

 

http://www.nhlink.net/spa/clarkmap.htm

 

Welcome to the forum, and to Cleveland.

 

As others have said - the building (Metro Lofts) is really cool, and I've heard good things about the owners - but the immediate area has some issues. There was a homicide at a corner store a block or so from Metro Lofts (Tony's Deli) - fortunately the perps were caught and I believe are up for sentencing soon. It's really a rough area that saw an influx of crime when Ohio City began to gentrify.

 

I live just south of "Tremont proper", but I'm across I-71 from where Metro Lofts is located and it's really two different worlds. Technically, Metro Lofts is in the Clark-Metro neighborhood and as KJP said, it may be close to Tremont but in Cleveland, close sometimes only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. There aren't a lot of great amenities within walking distance, either. Given the info you've provided, I think you may want to consider 3231's advice about Ohio City. Good luck, and let us know if you need more info.

 

If you're comfortable being an urban pioneer, Metro Lofts would be a great place to live. It wouldn't be a place I would choose.

^MayDay - did you move?  I thought you lived in Edgewater?

^ MD you moved to Tremont? You're moving closer to the core

I will be relocating from Edgewater to Tremont at the end of the month (and have been spending most of my days in Tremont recently) :-)

I will be relocating from Edgewater to Tremont at the end of the month (and have been spending most of my days in Tremont recently) :-)

 

Congrats!!

My husband doesn't know where he'll be working yet.  The apartment is a fair distance from CWRU, but I was planning on taking the red line to school every day.  ...But now I'm a little nervous now that I've heard all these stories about the neighborhood! 

 

Ideally, we could find something as nice in the Cleveland Heights area, but we haven't had much luck with that.  If you guys have any suggestions on the cleveland/shaker heights area, or any comments about the other James Sosan project (detroit ave lofts -- how is the area around these?), I would love to hear them!

The area around the Detroit Avenue Lofts is still a bit dicey, but up and coming. There's a number of redevelopments underway or planned in that area, so it might be a good area to get into now.

 

As for Cleveland Heights, the following thread deals a little with that, but started talking almost exclusively about Shaker Square (which is a nice choice, too -- RTA has frequent service on the #48 route that links Shaker Square with the University Circle area -- http://www.riderta.com/pdf/48-48A.pdf). Here's the thread on Cle Hts and Shaker Square...

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=12073.0

My husband doesn't know where he'll be working yet.  The apartment is a fair distance from CWRU, but I was planning on taking the red line to school every day.  ...But now I'm a little nervous now that I've heard all these stories about the neighborhood! 

 

Ideally, we could find something as nice in the Cleveland Heights area, but we haven't had much luck with that.  If you guys have any suggestions on the Cleveland/shaker heights area, or any comments about the other James Sosan project (detroit ave lofts -- how is the area around these?), I would love to hear them!

 

Why don't you tell what you're looking for in an apartment and area? 

What kinds of activities you're involved with/

Will you have a car?

Have you visited Cleveland yet?

 

The more information you give us the better we can help you.

 

Is there a reason why you're thinking of living on the westside if you're going to be in school at case?

My husband doesn't know where he'll be working yet.  The apartment is a fair distance from CWRU, but I was planning on taking the red line to school every day.  ...But now I'm a little nervous now that I've heard all these stories about the neighborhood! 

 

Ideally, we could find something as nice in the Cleveland Heights area, but we haven't had much luck with that.  If you guys have any suggestions on the cleveland/shaker heights area, or any comments about the other James Sosan project (detroit ave lofts -- how is the area around these?), I would love to hear them!

 

If you look at the Cleveland Heights website, the city says that it has over 5000 apartments. I believe it.  If you are looking for loft space though, Cleveland Heights doesn't have anything like the Metro Lofts.  But they do have 1000s of 1920s era apartments in walkable neighborhoods. You'd have to look in Ohio City, Chinatown (St. Clair Superior) or in downtown to find true urban loft space.

 

If you want a direct redline ride to CWRU, West 25th in Ohio City is a great place to look for some nice apartments.

choolie, hopefully this map helps orient you to the areas we're talking about (Ohio City, Tremont, etc.). Your closest Rapid station (for the Red Line), is the West 25th station. As KJP pointed out - it's served by several bus lines as well as the more local Circulators. As you can see - the Metro Lofts area is cut off by two highways and the difference on either side is pretty dramatic.

 

The blue areas aren't exact as far as actual neighborhood boundaries - but they're basic guidelines for where you would want to live if you're hoping to be close to say, the restaurants/bars/galleries that make Ohio City and Tremont desirable. After all, what's the point of moving somewhere that is advertised as "Tremont" but is too far to be able to walk to places you'd want to go?

 

 

Also - here is a link to the Detroit Avenue Lofts with some photos. As KJP said, the area is in transition but there's a lot of new construction/renovation on adjacent blocks: http://www.pluggedincleveland.com/rentals/view.cgi?num=1190

 

Finally, the rental listings at pluggedincleveland.com are pretty easy to navigate and you get a good idea of what's available: http://www.pluggedincleveland.com/rentals/

Thanks for all the advice so far!

 

I'm going to be starting medical school in July, so that will probably be my sole activity,  :lol:.  Other than that, my husband and I enjoy cooking, shopping, and bike riding.  We'll have one car, and I'd prefer being close to the rapid line.  We have visited Cleveland a few times, but never for more than a few hours.  So far we've visited the university area, Tremont, and Ohio City. 

 

We'd like a two bedroom apartment with a large kitchen.  We're not too thrilled about the prospect of living in those 1920's era apartments that seem to be available in abundance, however.  So, preferably something modern, in the $700 - $1000 range. 

Does anyone know if Stonebridge still has some rentals available or has it all gone condo? She might like something there.   

 

If you are going to only have one car and will be working/studying in two different areas, I'd suggest Little Italy, Cleveland Heights, Ohio City or downtown. If you also want modern, then I'd say that Ohio City will probably have the best options for you.

 

http://www.fkmb.com/

 

http://www.merrelllofts.com/

 

http://www.clv-lofts.com/metzner_building.html

Argh, I just wrote a huge reply and it froze up in the spell check. So I will need to be  more brief this time. let me say I get exactly what you want regrading space. A raw, renovated loft was (and is) my dream. Although my bigger dream was a neighborhood where I could walk or bike to many different places with relative safety so since we were purchasing we ended up in a new (eew) condo with modern design (more on that in a minute).

 

Detroit av lofts are really nice. I volunteered there as part of the Ohio City home tour last year. The spaces and neighbors seemed great. I am reluctant to post this, but you would find out anyway if you moved in (or even poked around this board a little more) . There was a murder in the building a few weeks ago. The  victim and perp knew each other (selfishly this always reassures me that it was not random). The tenant had complained to the landlord about the individual in question prior to the incident , but apparently he did nothing either by choice or his hands were tied. This was an isolated incident, but still I guessing they have put some security or screening measures in place. If you think you would live there ask him about it, and what he has done to address the issue. These developers need to know that getting professionals to live in the city is more than just throwing down some concrete, granite, and cool lighting -what about safety?? Anyway,the area right around there is kind of drug hot spot, but  getting gentrified. You would need to get a bus or walk about a mile to get to the red line. Knitting mills is right there too. All this being said, I (and by this I really mean "I" and not necessarily "you") would not rule out renting in either building-you just need to know what you would be getting into. It may or may not be as bad as it seems. I recommend contact the Ohio City Near West Develop Corp http://www.ocnw.org/

and getting on their safety list. You may even call Bob Shores and ask him about the properties. He complies the crime info.  The stats show most of the crime in area is down in the low income housing. Also the cv loft links that 3231 posted are something to look at around Market Square. The building does not look "lofty" on the outside, but I think some of the spaces may be renovated very loft like. You are steps from the red line. I work across the street and am around here every day, and the bark is worse than the bite so to speak, as my only issues have been occasional panhadling.  I love that area!

 

Now to Stonebridge Condos/Apartments. They are down the street from the lofts. Modern design (floor to ceiling windows) but new contruction. In 2 years of living here, I am not aware of any violent crime against residents. I am a w.banks block club member so I am pretty in tune with what is going on.  the trends for residents are more auto theft break in related. As a loft lover I grudgingly compromised the whole condo thing, but love the neighborhood and stellar city views so much, it would be hard to concider a  move.  Many residents walk downtown to work or to pick up connections. My husband walks in the winter (no bike/scooter) and has never had a problem.   It is a bit of a walk (.75 mile), so unless you want to exercise you way want to take the bus to pick up the red line. Building 4 still rents apartments, and it closest to bus. Lot of med docs and residents in building so you could feel right at home.

 

Finally The Tower Press building has nice lofts...location safe IMO, but not sure about the public transpot to univ cirlce. 

P.S if you love to cook, then living near the West Side Market is almost the law!

east 4th also has some nice "loft" style apartments, and with only 1 car, the cost should be in your range.  each unit and building is a bit different. 

 

this would put you in the middle of things, a short walk to the red/blue/green lines in tower city, or numerous buses that head toward university circle.  there is also an abundance of things to do and the area is getting better by the day with new restaurants opening. 

 

the buckeye building has some nice units that might meet your needs.

http://www.east4thstreet.com/properties.php

 

I also live near the Detroit Lofts, but I think I have a less rough view of the area. My wife walks alone with our 18-month old son through this area all the time and never has any problems. With half-million dollar townhomes selling out just two blocks away, I'd say that there are many other people who share this feeling. 

 

 

I also live near the Detroit Lofts, but I think I have a less rough view of the area. My wife walks alone with our 18-month old son through this area all the time and never has any problems. With half-million dollar townhomes selling out just two blocks away, I'd say that there are many other people who share this feeling.  

 

 

 

exactly. we all have different comfort levels. Like I said I would live in the lofts, but it is not for everyone and think you really have to check it out for yourself.  And once you establish that you are comfortable in a neighborhood most people pick up on it and you are fine. I do rec. a weekend or couple day visit to cleveland so you have more time to look. Just don't come St. Pats day....scary.

I think St. Pat's Day downtown is awesome! It has to be one of the top-ten largest gatherings of people for a St. Pat's party in the U.S.

I think we'll be heading up to Cleveland this Monday, and we'll definitely take a look at the Detroit Ave Apts.  Living within walking distance of the West Side Market sounds amazing!  I'll try to set up some viewings with the clv-lofts company that 3231 suggested, also.  We did look at the Stonebridge condos a few months ago, but we weren't sure about the area or how easy it would be to get downtown --- thanks for clearing that up for me, peabody99!  We'll definitely look into these buildings and see how things look!

I don't want to start this argument again, but after you have watched the  umpteenth suburbanite with a blinking bud light button vomit green beer at your feet... I guess I am not a native so I will never get it. But I love that people enjoy it and come downtown! not my scene though...even though I like DO like A cocktail from time to time

I like the shamrock shakes at McDonalds.

 

 

And I like Lucky the Leprechaun from Lucky Charms. But I don't he or Ronald McDonald can help Choolie find a great loft apartment in the city.

After reading all the above posts, I'd say live on or just off of W. 25th Street between Lorain and Jay. From there you'll be able to walk to the Rapid, the West Side Market and lots of great restaurants. Many bus lines go through to downtown as well.

 

The one drawback with Detroit Avenue Lofts and Stonebridge is that they're removed from the coolest part of Ohio City, and the walk (15 minutes) isn't pleasant. I have heard the apartments there are great though.

The West Virginia Building in Ohio City at W28th and Bridge is a great spot as well.  I've lived there for two years and am looking to resign the lease for another year.  Relatively cheap rent, and the neighborhood is second to none.  Three blocks from the West Side Market, mass transit at your finger tips.  Ask for Michael Rathsestater at Howard Hanna Smythe Cramer realitors in Ohio City.  He'll get you some info.  You won't regret it.

After reading all the above posts, I'd say live on or just off of W. 25th Street between Lorain and Jay. From there you'll be able to walk to the Rapid, the West Side Market and lots of great restaurants. Many bus lines go through to downtown as well.

 

The one drawback with Detroit Avenue Lofts and Stonebridge is that they're removed from the coolest part of Ohio City, and the walk (15 minutes) isn't pleasant. I have heard the apartments there are great though.

 

Choolie I agree that Stonebridge and Detroit av lofts are not the most joyous walk to the market (but certainly have done it) but very quick bike ride. One of the biggest selling points of Stonebridge is the Superior Viaduct, the best backyard in the city IMO. Still check out the main areas of OC. I really cannot say enough about the Market and red line access you will find near some of the apartments mentioned. As I may have indicated the easiest way to get from Stonebrg to downtown is walking (unless the bus is just pulling up), and it takes 15 min walking at an easy pace. So, the apartments near market square may be better in that area.

Relatively cheap rent, and the neighborhood is second to none. 

 

Speaking for the folks on Shaker Square, we'd like to challenge that statement!

Relatively cheap rent, and the neighborhood is second to none.

 

Speaking for the folks on Shaker Square, we'd like to challenge that statement!

 

rent in shaker square is not cheap IMO.

 

oh, and also

 

Boo Case Western!

 

oh, and also

 

Boo Case Western!

 

your medical degree isn't serving you well?

Relatively cheap rent, and the neighborhood is second to none. 

 

Speaking for the folks on Shaker Square, we'd like to challenge that statement!

 

 

Shaker Square  is a fine neighborhood with retail options (worked at a firm above former Anne Taylor for 2 years, Gulaash soup from Balaton, hell yeah) but 3 words: 

West.  Side.  Market.  Enough said.

The relocator did state that she wasn't up for the 1920s style apartments. That sort of nixes Shaker Square.

 

oh, and also

 

Boo Case Western!

 

your medical degree isn't serving you well?

 

that's Dr. Pope to you.

The relocator did state that she wasn't up for the 1920s style apartments. That sort of nixes Shaker Square.

 

I'm not disputing that, which why I suggested others chime in on new properties for rent. 

 

I'm challenging the fact that someone is under the misguided notion that OC is better than S²  :-P

Are we still fighting the Cleveland Bridge War of 1837?  :shoot:

I am surprised I didn't see the Lake Ave/Clifton Blvd in the Edgewater Park area mentioned!

 

 

And as for St Patty's day..."scary"?....I wouldn't shy people away from DT because that isn't YOUR scene!!  :)  That is a one day party that we are lucky enough to have here in Cleveland.  Believe it or not, many people from other cities are amazed at how fun that day is here!  I am not one to sit in GLB all night long either, because it isn't MY scene ..but I would never tell people it is a bad scene..in fact I always tell out of towners to see the place! 

Well, we went back to the metro lofts for a second look last Monday, and I don't think we'll be renting there.  We did look at a few of the apartments around the coventry area, on Lancashire, but didn't find anything we particularly liked.  Is there a rule against having nice kitchens in these old apartments?   :lol: 

 

I guess we will keep looking.  I saw something mentioned about the Murray Hill Condos on another thread; does anyone have any experience with them?  It would be nice to be within walking distance of campus, and I hear that the Little Italy area is quite nice. 

I love Little Italy. The only downside is that it doesn't have a grocery store (c'mon, not even an Italian grocer!). It does get real busy on the weekends/evenings, so if you have visitors who have to drive there, the parking is pretty difficult. Not sure what to say about the kitchen situation though! Anyone else here got some suggestions?

Choolie,

 

The Murray Hill Condos are for-sale units. Were you looking to buy? I've heard that the rental market in Little Italy is not that great. With so many grad students, landlords have chopped up homes into smaller rental units and don't do the greatest job in keeping them up.

 

Regarding Cleveland Heights kitchens: you get what you pay for. I am assuming that Metro Lofts has some cheap units with great kitchens due to its location. Cleveland Heights landlords don't need to improve the kitches that much because of the stronger market.

 

Did you get a chance to check out Ohio City?

How can anyone have a bad time on St. Patrick's Day in Cleveland?  Check yourself before you make such a negative remark on a great day in our fair city.  400,000 people cramming into the city blocks, bag pipes in the Arcade with a Guiness in hand, what could be better?

Wellll, I can see where peabody99 is coming from - but I'm with you guys, it's great to get that many people downtown. I've posted a few threads from previous St. Pat's parades here and I'm half-Irish so if nothing else, I think of it as a fun day to watch the amateurs. :lol:

 

However... there are times and things which are a little less than pleasant - the stench of bad watery beer in the Arcade, the nimrods who have those obnoxious plastic horns and blow their lungs out every two seconds, the underagers who can't hold their booze, the overagers who can't hold their booze and leave us with reminders thereof... you get the idea. Plus, the people who are too selfish to consider others' safety and get behind the wheel after being sloshed since 10am. Still - I ain't gonna knock it! :drunk:

I love Little Italy. The only downside is that it doesn't have a grocery store (c'mon, not even an Italian grocer!). It does get real busy on the weekends/evenings, so if you have visitors who have to drive there, the parking is pretty difficult. Not sure what to say about the kitchen situation though! Anyone else here got some suggestions?

 

For comparison's sake, I live in Lakewood and pay $650 for a 1BR on Lake and Cove. I pay for electricity and have window A/C. This rent also includes an off-street space in the parking lot outside the apartment. My kitchen is definitely very, very small - about the size of a walk-in closet.

 

I read online the average rent for a 1BR in Metro Cleveland is $600, so I'm a bit above that. I think anything less would not include AC or parking and a better kitchen and ammenities would push the rent up to the 700 and 800s.

I love Little Italy. The only downside is that it doesn't have a grocery store (c'mon, not even an Italian grocer!). It does get real busy on the weekends/evenings, so if you have visitors who have to drive there, the parking is pretty difficult. Not sure what to say about the kitchen situation though! Anyone else here got some suggestions?

 

For comparison's sake, I live in Lakewood and pay $650 for a 1BR on Lake and Cove. I pay for electricity and have window A/C. This rent also includes an off-street space in the parking lot outside the apartment. My kitchen is definitely very, very small - about the size of a walk-in closet.

 

I read online the average rent for a 1BR in Metro Cleveland is $600, so I'm a bit above that. I think anything less would not include AC or parking and a better kitchen and ammenities would push the rent up to the 700 and 800s.

 

wow...how many sq. ft is your crib?  Kitchen the size of a closet?  LOL

Well, we went back to the metro lofts for a second look last Monday, and I don't think we'll be renting there.  We did look at a few of the apartments around the coventry area, on Lancashire, but didn't find anything we particularly liked.  Is there a rule against having nice kitchens in these old apartments?  :lol: 

 

I used to live on Lancashire and subsequently have been in practically every building on the street. I never noticed a problem with any of the kitchens, and they all seemed a good moderate size for a 1 or 2br apartment. (same applies for hampshire)

"wow...how many sq. ft is your crib?  Kitchen the size of a closet?  LOL"

 

It all depends - my soon-to-be former apartment (a small one-bedroom) was a little over 500 sq. feet, but the kitchen was about 10x10 - enough room to put a two-top table and decent counter space. On the other hand, I knew someone in a similar building who had a larger one bedroom but the kitchen was maybe 3x6 - they literally had to set their microwave on their stove if they wanted to use it, and you couldn't open the refridgerator door completely.

 

Btw, my place was going for $490 a month - heat and hot water paid, electric bills were about $10.00 a month ($15.00 in the summer with a window unit for A/C).