Hello All, sorry to start another post about coming to Cleveland but I think I'll be coming to Cleveland!

 

I am English but have been living in Pittsburgh for the last 5 years and have a chance to work in Cleveland. I have checked out many threads on this forum and you are all very helpful so I have a couple of questions I'd like your input on.

 

I have heard a few areas repeatedly mentioned that I think I might like - Lakewood, Ohio City, Downtown, Shaker Heights, Asia Town (?) and Gold Coast (?) - not sure about the last two.

 

I currently live in the Southside, in Pgh, and am looking for a similar location: easy to get to everywhere else, good transportation, lively night life and decent restaurants/bars/entertainment/conveniences. I am not too worried about small time crime (everywhere has that) although would prefer not to end up in the middle of a crack war, if possible.

 

I am not a fan of the suburbs of quiet streets with white picket fences, but somewhere that you can have a bit of fun but without getting shot or something a bit less extreme.

 

Any input from you all would be much appreciated. I will be working in Independence so I expect a commute but something within the 30 minute range would be ideal. Any info on the areas/history/public transportation is definitely appreciated.

 

Thanks all

Hi, and welcome to the forum and to Cleveland!

 

I don't know much about Pittsburgh, so I'm afraid I can't help you with comparable Cleveland locations.  However, from a purely practical standpoint, if you're going to be working in Independence, you'll want to be near I-77, so from your short list, I'd recommend Downtown, Ohio City, and Asia Town, and off of your list, Tremont.  You'll find plenty of night life and entertainment options in those areas.  As far as public transportation goes, I don't think there's much of anything that goes to Independence, but you'll be able to get around the city itself easily.

 

There are lots of other great neighborhoods that other forumers can recommend, but keep in mind that if you're far from the city center you might add quite a lot of time to your daily commute.  Good luck!

Welcome to Cleveland and the forum!

 

I think that your best bet would be somewhere in the vicinity of West 25th in Ohio City. It's mostly clustered around the West Side Market and offers a similar vibe to Pittsburgh's Southside. It's not one long stretch of activity so there's a little difference. Tremont is slightly quieter and less densely built but it offers the amenities you want - it's also close to 176 (the Jennings Freeway), which puts you near Independence within a 5-10 minute drive.

Welcome to Cleveland  :wave:

 

Shaker Square might be worth a visit.  Chinatown/Asian Village is cool.

Shaker Square for someone who will be working in Independence? Good lord, give it a rest already!

 

3wood - you'll have to forgive MyTwoSense - he'll recommend Shaker Square to anyone without much regard for their criteria. I happen to adore the Shaker Square area, but even I know that it would make for one hellish commute.

Shaker Square for someone who will be working in Independence? Good lord, give it a rest already!

 

3wood - you'll have to forgive MyTwoSense - he'll recommend Shaker Square to anyone without much regard for their criteria. I happen to adore the Shaker Square area, but even I know that it would make for one hellish commute.

MayDay, a hellish commute?  He could still get to 77 from the Eastside.

 

and I don't recommend Shaker Square to everyone, besides Ohio City & Tremont are not for everyone.

 

He might like Shaker Square and feel the commutte is worth it.

There is public transportation from Downtown (Gateway) to Independence, along Rockside Road.  If you are looking to cut out the driving, that makes Downtown a viable option, especially Gateway.

"MayDay, a hellish commute?  He could still get to 77 from the Eastside."

 

You could still get to 77 from Pittsburgh if you want  :roll:   :x

 

To get to 77 from Shaker Square, he'd have to go through a few miles of surface streets in less-than-pleasant areas. 

 

More to the point - Shaker Square is nothing like Pittsburgh's Southside; it's lovely, it's absolutely charming, but someone looking for the ambiance, amenities and bustling nightlife of Pittsburgh's Southside won't find it in Shaker Square.

Thank you all for the fast responses, I really appreciate your opinions.

 

I just wanted to clarify - I'd be driving to Independence, but was inquiring about public transportation around the city in case I wanted to head out and explore the pubs, clubs and bars of the city. I had heard about the RTA and figure that it's better to have the option and not use it than want it and not have it.

 

I am looking to stay pretty close to downtown, and certainly want a city vibe. Not that I would ever call the Southside charming but I do like it's vibrant action and I enjoy going out on the weekends. Plus the amenities and location to everything else in the city is unparalleled, in my humble opinion.

 

Ohio City sounds lovely and I have heard about the West Side Market and can't wait to check it out. I have also heard nothing but good things about Lakewood - would you recommend I don't look at Lakewood due to the commute? Or are there other considerations?

 

I would like to get the most that Cleveland has to offer, water views and such but really want to retain the diversity and convenience and excitement that city living has to offer.

 

What sort of areas have quality rented apts/houses etc? I am looking to avoid the slum landlord renting to students. I would assume that there are gems everywhere if you look hard enough but if there are any no-go areas, a heads up would be much obliged!

 

Cheers

^^Clevelanders fighting for new Clevelanders, not a bad fight to be had.

I live in Ohio City and would absolutely recommend it.  It has a full service grocery store, dozens of bars/restaurants, easy mass transit connections (rail and bus), the West Side Market, adjacent to Edgewater Park on the Lake, Great Lakes Brewing Company, and a 5 minute bus ride/$5 cab ride downtown. 

Lakewood is an excellent example of a dense streetcar suburb, and has a young population, but if you're looking to stay closer to Downtown, the OC is the way to go. 

I lived in the southside for a VERY brief period in 2001.  I would say Ohio City would be a good fit comparison.  It is not as compact as Carson street, but it is rapidly filling in.

 

A second choice would be W.65th and Detroit the Gordon Square area. 

 

A third choice would be Cedar/Lee area of Cleveland Hts, a fourth would be tremont.  They all have treads here and in the NEO Construction pages.

 

Hope this helps, and welcome to Cleveland!  You will never have to hear "youins" again :)

"the OC"

 

*cringe* Sorry - something about that nickname chaps my @ss.

ha ha, I wouldn't plan on telling my mates I live in the "OC"!

 

How do the populations of Ohio City, Lakewood and Tremont compare? Are they all mainly young (20-40ish)

that are out and about in the evenings/weekends or is the drinking/party crowd mainly suburbanites coming in?

 

Also, I saw in a few threads that people stated that although there were lots of bars in these areas, alot were "short drives" and I am looking for areas that have these bars/clubs etc in walking distance...and staggering home distance.

 

I like cabs/public transportation for getting around and exploring the other areas of the city!

 

So O.C. is the general consensus for ease of commuting to Independence while still having a lively social life?

 

Thank you all very much, you've all been very informative and not at all like the Steeler's fans described you!  :wink:

Steelers fan?  Be sure to check out Mansfield, it has a lot of restaurants nestled near the the main strip and definitley a short commute to Independence

 

 

 

 

 

:evil:

Steelers fan?  Be sure to check out Mansfield, it has a lot of restaurants nestled near the the main strip  place and definitley a short commute to Independence

 

 

 

 

 

:evil:

 

Don't you mean Brunswick?  LOL

My bad on "the OC."  Typo.

"How do the populations of Ohio City, Lakewood and Tremont compare?"

 

I'd say Ohio City and Tremont tend to have a more electic slant, with Ohio City having a younger demographic and Tremont slight older. Lakewood tends to have younger couples with children - those couples tend to be more city-minded but want a good public school system. As far as stumbling distance - Ohio City, Tremont, and downtown are your best bets. Lakewood's a close second there.

Ditto.  I know the south side -- so, comparable -- Ohio City, Gordon Square/Shoreway, Warehouse District

How do the populations of Ohio City, Lakewood and Tremont compare? Are they all mainly young (20-40ish) that are out and about in the evenings/weekends or is the drinking/party crowd mainly suburbanites coming in?

 

In both Ohio City and Tremont, you'll see mostly locals out during the week. The suburbanites flock in on the weekends for the bars, restaurants and West Side Market (Saturdays are a zoo there, but a fun zoo). Neither area is as besieged on weekends as the Warehouse District downtown, however.

Lakewood also attracts commuter partiers, but it's not as much of a destination as Ohio City or Tremont. The bars there are mostly of the "corner pub" variety.

In sum, I'd recommend either OC or Tremont for a former Pittsburgher. Tremont, in particular, has a kind of Pittsburghian vibe, with narrow houses near a bluff overlooking steel mills. The movie "The Deer Hunter," meant to take place in Pittsburgh, was actually filmed in Tremont.

 

Welcome to the board and to Cleveland, by the way!

LAKEWOOD/EDGEWATER PARK area is my suggestion....many people on here are very opinionated about their own neighborhoods....there are plenty of places in the"OC" area as well as Tremont...but if you are looking for good ole corner bars..Lakewood has TONS of them and there are plenty of places to go within walking distance there.  Take some time, tour the area, then make decisions on what YOU find best.  Good luck! 

Thanks for the input everyone! You've all been very helpful and now I have a few areas I will

go and check out for myself.

 

The background/transport info you have all provided is invaluable!

 

I turned up in Pittsburgh not knowing anything about the area and ended up in the middle of drug-dealing Northside! lol! Course 5 years later I know the layout of the City and Yay/Nay spots to live/drink/walk in and so I was hoping to avoid those issues this time around.

 

Thanks again everyone, if you bump into an Englishman on your travels around Cleveland, ask him to buy you a beer - if it's me I'll get you one!!!

 

:drunk:

We just spent 5 days in Cleveland house hunting . We were looking for dense, walkable neighborhoods with a good mix of city grit and good restaurants/nightlife. Something very similar to Pittsburgh's Southside. Our first 2 days were really frustrating because we had gotten so many recommendations for Edgewater and Lakewood that we started our search there. They're nice places--lots of families and pretty houses but more stable than vibrant. Rather like sending someone in Chicago to Evanston or Oak Park when they're really more the Ukrainian Village type. Luckily there are lots of housing options in Ohio City and Tremont.

well??? I sure wish more of these people would check back in. Maybe we need to start a "where are they now" thread.  I feel used.

We just spent 5 days in Cleveland house hunting . We were looking for dense, walkable neighborhoods with a good mix of city grit and good restaurants/nightlife. Something very similar to Pittsburgh's Southside. Our first 2 days were really frustrating because we had gotten so many recommendations for Edgewater and Lakewood that we started our search there. They're nice places--lots of families and pretty houses but more stable than vibrant. Rather like sending someone in Chicago to Evanston or Oak Park when they're really more the Ukrainian Village type. Luckily there are lots of housing options in Ohio City and Tremont.

 

Come to Ohio City! (a completely biased request!) As much as there is a good amount of grit and quality restaurant options, I'm glad to say that there is a real baby boom going on in the OC. Many young couples are staying (buying their second home) in the OC and procreating! (for anyone who cares, my wife and I are expecting our second child early next year)

^congrats to you both!

Congratulations from a Clevelander at heart... Exactly what the city needs, more families!

We just spent 5 days in Cleveland house hunting . We were looking for dense, walkable neighborhoods with a good mix of city grit and good restaurants/nightlife. Something very similar to Pittsburgh's Southside. Our first 2 days were really frustrating because we had gotten so many recommendations for Edgewater and Lakewood that we started our search there. They're nice places--lots of families and pretty houses but more stable than vibrant. Rather like sending someone in Chicago to Evanston or Oak Park when they're really more the Ukrainian Village type. Luckily there are lots of housing options in Ohio City and Tremont.

 

Come to Ohio City! (a completely biased request!) As much as there is a good amount of grit and quality restaurant options, I'm glad to say that there is a real baby boom going on in the OC. Many young couples are staying (buying their second home) in the OC and procreating! (for anyone who cares, my wife and I are expecting our second child early next year)

 

Congrats on Wimwar, the 3rd!  :-D

Congrats! You'll soon know the joy that is the baby of the family - especially the baby of two!

 

dogsandcats, based on your description, I think you might also like Little Italy (Mayfield Road-Murray Hill area near University Circle), Coventry (between Mayfield and Euclid Heights Blvd), Shaker Square (confluence of RTA's Blue/Green rail lines) and Chinatown (large area in the East 30's from St. Clair south to Chester). Those are all dense, walkable, gritty neighborhoods with great restaurants/nightlife.

 

Congrats on Wimwar, the 3rd!  :-D

 

He doesn't like to be called Wim any more. Call him 3231+2.

 

No matter what we call him, congratulations!

Congratulations, 3231!  You're really doing your part to boost the population of the city!

Congrats! You'll soon know the joy that is the baby of the family - especially the baby of two!

 

Speaking as a "baby of the family" myself... I'm sure Uncle MayDay will be more than happy to tutor the newest member of the 3231 clan in how to be such a "joy".  :evil:

 

With that tutelage, I pray the little tyke wont end up....

....the Bad Seed

We found an amazing house in Ohio City and expect to move in mid-July. This site has been a great resource.

We found an amazing house in Ohio City and expect to move in mid-July. This site has been a great resource.

 

Congrats and welcome.  I hope that you will continue to post here and become active in the OC. 

 

Now, in order to assimilate to OC culture you will have to become apart of the "stroller brigade" and pro create.  That seems to be all the rage over there!

We found an amazing house in Ohio City and expect to move in mid-July. This site has been a great resource.

 

Congrats. What street is the house on?

MyTwoSense you are right on about the "stroller brigade." I was driving around Ohio City on Mother's Day (yea I know, lol) and the contingent was out in full force. A good sign.