WELCOME TO CLEVELAND!

 

 

If you're from out of town and are considering taking a job in Cleveland, you probably have a few unanswered questions. OK, probably a lot of them! This is a good place to start to find answers.

 

Try these videos first to get an overview of the city......

 

From a young professionals' perspective:

 

From a resident's perspective:

 

From a tourist/visitor's perspective:

 

And an undescriptive visitors bureau video, but shows some places the others don't:

 

An increasing number of people are inquiring about relocating to Cleveland because of new/relocated jobs, which suggests that the local economy is improving. In many sectors, it is. Many of those inquiries have been posted to this site in the last couple of years, with similar questions asked.

 

 

Clevelanders usually turn out en masse for great causes, like the Susan Komen Race for the Cure.

 

 

Here are some frequently asked questions and answers....

 

 

What is there to do in Cleveland?

 

Kids of all ages find a weekend full of fun at the annual Ingenuity festival.

 

You can do just about anything in Greater Cleveland! And you can probably do it for less money than you would on the East or West Coasts -- which means you could what you love more often. The metro area's cultural, recreational, sports, nightlife and festival offerings can match or exceed those of cities more commonly known for them. While we can't cover them all here (there's simply too many!), if you post a message about something specific you're looking for, you'll probably discover that Cleveland has it.

 

 

What's the weather like in Cleveland?

 

Raindrops dampened the 2007 installment of the annual City Xpressionz Festival.

 

OK, let's get this out of the way first... Thanks to adjacent Lake Erie, essentially an inland sea, Greater Cleveland has its micro-climate areas (and never faces shortages of freshwater). Neighborhoods within a mile of the lake stay warmer in the fall and winter, but cooler in the spring and summer. Because of "lake-effect" (evaporated warm lake moisture carried on cooler winds) and the contour of the lake's shoreline, the west side gets half as much snow as the far-eastern suburbs. Summers are warm and humid. Autumns are crisp and dry, except into November and December when it gets cloudy (thanks to the lake). Winters are snowy and cold, but overnight temperatures below zero are rare. And spring is changeable, with several days in the 70s or 80s followed by a day or two of snow flurries.

 

If you love the changing of the four seasons, you'll love Cleveland weather. And if you enjoy outdoor recreation, you may never be bored. Consider:

 

In the spring, play softball with a group in the Metroparks, run in the annual Cleveland Marathon or join the Cleveland Rowing Foundation for some sculling on the Cuyahoga.

 

In the summer, try sand volleyball at Wendy Park, practice for the Gravity Games or Dew Action Sports Tour or X Games on a half-pipe at North Coast Harbor, or just enjoy a long walk after dinner along tree-shaded streets.

 

In the fall, take in some short- or long-distance cycling through the crisp air and colorful leaves of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, playing a game of flag football in the park down the street, or blading/jogging on the Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway.

 

And, yes, in the wintertime, there's a lot to do.... sledding and cross-country skiing at Edgewater Park; tobogganing in the Metroparks' Strongsville Reservation; downhill skiing/snowboarding at Alpine Valley, Boston Mills or Brandywine; hockey at a dozen indoor or outdoor rinks; and mountain biking at Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park.

 

As with any other city, how much you enjoy Cleveland's weather depends on what you do with it. If you stay inside the entire winter, you will hate it here. If you get outside and find things to do with it, you will love it.

 

 

What are the schools like?

 

St. Ignatius High School, in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood.

 

 

It depends on where you go. Although the Cleveland Municipal Schools have been troubled for many years, the city of Cleveland comprises a small area of Cuyahoga County. Yet there are some terrific schools in Cleveland, including in the city school district (the Cleveland School of the Arts secondary and high schools, the SuccessTech Academy, High Tech Academy, John Hay Campus' small schools - Science & Medicine, Architecture & Design and Early College and others have won praise for student achievement).

 

Other notable schools in the city, but not part of the city school district, include the Cleveland Urban Community School and many of the city's paroachial and magnate schools. Schools systems in the inner-ring suburbs have gained high marks, but require families to live there in order to send their children to these schools. They include  Brooklyn, Cleveland Heights, Fairview Park, Lakewood, Parma, Shaker Heights, and others. Outer suburban schools are generally outstanding.

 

Case Western Reserve University

 

Then of course there are the colleges, universities and other advanced education. There are medium and large schools -- Akron University, Baldwin-Wallace College, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University Cuyahoga County Community College/Corporate College, Kent State University, Lakeland Community College, Lorain County Community College and Oberlin College.

 

There are also smaller schools, some with curriculum specialties, like Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland Institute of Music, Myers University (business), Notre Dame College (Catholic coeducational), Ursuline College (for women), Virginia Marti College (design/fashion) and more.

 

You will find that most of these have continuing education programs and "brush-up" and advance training classes, such as those offered by the Corporate College.

 

 

Should I rent or buy?

 

Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood

 

When moving to an unfamiliar city, you should rent until you find housing styles and neighborhoods that you really like. Even so, you should take some time to drive, transit, or better yet, walk around neighborhoods that interest you before you move in, even into a rental.

 

 

If I buy, where are property values appreciating?

 

Prospective buyers check out Pinnacle Condominiums in downtown Cleveland.

 

These are strange times in the nation's housing market, what with a surge in foreclosures, predatory lenders and the credit crunch. Shop for homes carefully and do your research. But based on where new construction is happening or planned, Downtown Cleveland, University Circle, Tremont and Ohio City may be some of the best places to buy in the city. Other areas in the city worth considering are Shaker Square, Edgewater, Asiatown and the Art Quarter. Of course, as new construction is added to the marketplace, it can either raise surrounding property values by increasing economic activity or it can lower values by increasing the housing supply. Do your research on sales activity.

 

 

What is shopping like in Cleveland? And where can I buy organic/locally grown food?

 

The crowds of shoppers are as diverse as the foods for sale at the West Side Market.

 

Shopping literally is a mixed bag. Greater Cleveland has many notable chain retailers, but lacks others. Cleveland has some terrific specialty stores, like TNT Fashions, Van Hauwaert Anne Fashion Design Inc., Sunbeam A Shop for Children, Cost Plus World Market, Clifton Web and Big Fun.

 

As for grocery shopping, the chain stores are generally average but, again, the specialty grocers are outstanding. The largest specialty grocer is the West Side Market, the grand dame of farmers markets. And just about every Cleveland neighborhood including many suburbs have weekly farmers markets during the summer and fall. Just do a Google search using your neighborhood or suburb as key words, along with "farmers market."

 

For organic food, there is also the Whole Foods Market in University Heights, the Cleveland Food Co-op in Cleveland's University Circle, Vero Fresh Produce in Lakewood, and Nature's Bin, also in Lakewood.

 

CA United Import in Asiatown, among a countless number of ethnic retailers in Cleveland.

 

Numerous small and ethnic grocers abound in Cleveland. There's Alesci's (Italian), Asia Food (Asian), Assad's Bakery (Middle Eastern), Athens Pastries and Imported Foods (Greek), La Borincana Foods (Latino), Cleveland Asia Market (Asian), Gust Gallucci's Italian Food Market (uh, Italian), Gertrude Bakery (Eastern European), Golden Bakery (Asian), Good Harvest Foods (Asian), Hansa Import Haus (German), Hong Kong Supermarket (Asian), India Grocers (yes, it's Indian), Irish Cottage (yep, it's Irish), Krusinski's Finest Meat Products (Polish), Charles Peters Bake Shop (Eastern European), Presti Bakery (Italian), Raddell's Sausage Shop (Eastern European), Sahara Supermarket (Middle Eastern), The Sausage Shoppe (Eastern European), Seven Roses Deli (Polish), Tink Holl (Asian) and Vietnam Market (Vietnamese). A Google search will reveal their locations and even some store websites.

 

 

What sort of parks and recreational facilities are available?

 

Cleveland Metroparks' Huntington Beach in Bay Village

 

Cleveland Metroparks

One of the nation's largest park systems with more than 20,000 acres of land in Cuyahoga County. Visitors enjoy swimming, fishing, golfing, boating, cross country skiing, horseback riding, sledding, and tobogganing in addition to the miles of paved and dirt trails. http://www.clemetparks.com/

 

Cleveland Zoo & Rainforest

The seventh-oldest zoo in the nation and one of the nation's largest is best known for having the biggest collections of primates and Masai giraffe herds in the United States. Its Rainforest exhibit, which features an thrilling simulated tropical rain storm, covers two acres. Opening in 2010, the $25 million African Elephant Crossing, will offer five acres of savanna setting and up to 10 elephants with breeding.

http://www.clemetzoo.com/

 

 

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

As the nation's seventh-most visited national park, Cuyahoga Valley offers a wide variety of recreation and historical exhibits. Running the length of the park (between Cleveland and Akron) is the Towpath Trail along the old Ohio & Erie Canal and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, which runs several trains each day from Wednesday to Sunday, May to December. Plans are to extend both the trail and trains north to Downtown Cleveland. Recreational activities include biking, hiking, fishing, golfing, camping, skiing (cross-country and downhill at Brandywine and Boston Mills) and more.

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

 

The Towpath Trail, heading south from Cleveland more than 100 miles via the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Downtown Akron, is part of a growing network of fun and practical trails.

 

Biking resources

 

Cleveland Area Mountain Bike Association

http://www.camba.us/pn/

 

EcoCity Cleveland Biking Resources

http://www.ecocitycleveland.org/transportation/bicycles/bikes.html

 

Northeast Ohio Trail Finder Page

https://www.trails.com/city-trails.asp?keyword=Cleveland&state=OH

 

Ohio Bicycle Federation

http://www.ohiobike.org/

 

Ohio City Bicycle Co-op

(Actually located in the Flats on Columbus Road. It's not just a store. It has social bike rides, volunteer apprentice nights, etc.)

http://www.ohiocitycycles.org/

 

 

Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park (photo above -- see youtube videos of this place -- photos don't do it justice!)

The world's largest indoor bicycle park! Located in 100,000 square feet of a converted factory. Open November to April. ("Just moved to the area. Pictures and video don’t do it justice. After 25+ years of riding it is the coolest place I have ever been. The place is amazing!" -- Jeff, The Biking Club)

http://www.raysmtb.com/

 

 

 

And of course, Cleveland is home to several pro sports teams -- the Cleveland Browns (football), Cavaliers (basketball) and Indians (baseball), as well as the Lake Erie Monstes (AHL hockey), Cleveland Gladiators (Arena football), as well as CSU Vikings basketball (Wolstein Center) and soccer (Krenzler Field).

 

 

What kind of housing can I expect and for what price?

 

East 115th Street, in Cleveland's University Circle neighborhood. In many Cleveland neighborhoods, homes like these may be purchased for less than $200,000.

 

 

Stonebridge on the Flats West Bank offers condos, apartments and rent-to-own apartments.

 

 

Five former office buildings 10 stories and taller (including three 20+ story buildings) are getting renovated into apartments. Here's two of them -- The Swetland (1010 Euclid) at left and The 9 at right. The 3,000-square-foot penthouse units in The 9 are filling up fast at $6,000/month!

 

 

This two-level condo in the Grand Arcade in the Warehouse District downtown sold for less than $200,000.

 

 

Lofts in the newly converted Walker & Weeks Building, with great views of downtown and Cleveland State University, were listing for about $250,000.

 

 

And then, of course, you could buy a penthouse in some of the new downtown loft condo developments, like the Avenue District, Park Building and this one at Pinnacle for about $1 million!

 

 

What support is there for creative young adults and entrepreneurs?

 

A lot, if you know where to look. These tips might help you get you started.

 

Cleveland Entrepreneurs

Meet a new network of local entrepreneurs to share tips and problem solving techniques, get advice on profitability and career and discuss mentoring and business models.

http://entrepreneur.meetup.com/927/

 

Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club

This a non-profit organization was created to retain Young Professionals in Greater Cleveland by providing events focused on both personal and professional development.

www.cleveland2030.org

 

Civic Innovation Lab

Funded by The Cleveland Foundation, the lab offers mentorship, training, networking, visibility and funding for ideas that have a measurable and tangible economical impact on the Greater Cleveland community. The core of the Lab is the connection it makes between present community leaders (mentors) and future community leaders (champions).

www.civicinnovationlab.org

 

Cleveland Bridge Builders

To build a continuum of leaders and leadership practices that effectively shape the future of our community, Cleveland Bridge Builders seeks to be a catalyst for community transformation.  Bridge Builders makes a difference in the community by connecting existing resources with skilled, trained and dedicated emerging leaders, and it supports the growth and development of new ideas in civic leadership.

www.clevelandbridgebuilders.org

 

Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE)

COSE offers a large variety of services to its small business members, facilitating their ability to do business.

www.cose.org

 

Entrepreneurs for Sustainability

E4S is a network of over 4000 leaders who are putting the principles of sustainability into action. It believes that sustainability principles are drivers for new business opportunities and tools to improve Northeast Ohio's quality of life. To support these projects E4S provides those who have embarked on the sustainability journey with network connections, learning programs and resources.

www.e4s.org

 

The Hyacinth

Looking to boost your career in filmmaking, video production, music, dance or other arts through collaboration? Look no further than the Hyacinth Lofts at the north end of Slavic Village....

 

“The Hyacinth is a wonderful place to live not solely because of its contemporary design, but because houses a community of filmmakers, writers, musicians, designers and artists that are enthusiastic and willing to share ideas, collaborate and inspire each other.”

  - The Hyacinth Lofts resident and filmmaker Konnie Peroune

www.thehyacinthlofts.com

 

The President's Council

It supports entrepreneurship and economic development within the African American community, and fosters strategic alliances with CEOs of other Northeast Ohio corporations to advance the growth and development of Council member companies.

www.thepresidentscouncil.com

 

 

Transportation

 

 

Bicycling

 

 

Bicycles have slowly become a serious transportation mode for Cleveland, with new trails, bike lanes and bike-supportive facilities and services like the downtown Bike Station shown above. The City of Cleveland now has nearly 50 miles of dedicated bike routes and plans to add another 70 miles by 2017. This includes new cycle-tracks on major streets, starting with Lorain Avenue in Ohio City. For more information on bicycle plans and projects, or to get more involved in them, see http://www.bikecleveland.org/

 

Public Transportation

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority was named the best public transit system in the U.S. in 2007 by the American Public Transportation Association. The RTA system carries 60 million riders per year, offers 24-hour bus service on a dozen bus routes, has rail rapid transit lines operating radially in five directions from downtown (including service direct to Hopkins International Airport), and a bus rapid transit line (HealthLine) between downtown, University Circle and East Cleveland.

 

While it has its shortcomings, the RTA has extensive services in Cleveland and surrounding inner-ring suburbs like Lakewood, Fairview Park, Parma, Garfield Heights, Maple Heights, Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, University Heights, South Euclid, and Euclid.

 

In fact, within that circumference of communities, it is possible to live a rewarding lifestyle without a car or be a one-car family. Some neighborhoods, of course, are better suited for car-free or car-light living as long as their are basic services (grocers, drug stores, post office, banks, restaurants etc.) within a short walk or bike ride. For more information on RTA services, including maps and printable timetables, visit www.riderta.com or stop by their customer service center in the Tower City Center rapid transit station off Public Square.

 

The 24-hour HealthLine BRT linking downtown, University Circle and East Cleveland via Euclid Avenue.

 

There are also numerous other transit services in surrounding counties that serve downtown Cleveland and some outlying areas of Cuyahoga County. These are:

 

Akron Metro RTA

www.akronmetro.org

 

Laketran

www.laketran.com

 

Oberlin-Lorain County (operates between downtown Oberlin and Hopkins International Airport/Red Line rail station)

http://www.airportoberlinshuttle.com/

 

Portage Area RTA/Campus Bus Service (to Twinsburg, Streetsboro, downtown Kent and Kent State University)

www.partaonline.org

 

Stark Area RTA (to Canton VFW near Football Hall of Fame and Downtown Canton Cornerstone transit center)

http://www.sartaonline.com/cleveland-bus-route

 

 

Carshare/ondemand transportation

 

Cleveland is served by Lyft and Uber which began service in Cleveland in early 2014. Enterprise carshare is offered at CWRU University Circle while ZipCaris offered at CSU downtown.

 

Lyft Cleveland on-demand transportation

http://www.lyft.com/help?article=1504195

 

Uber Cleveland ridesharing

https://www.uber.com/cities/cleveland

 

Enterprise carshare

http://www.case.edu/finadmin/security/travel/WeCar.html

 

ZipCar carshare

http://www.zipcar.com/csuohio

 

There are also rental car agencies downtown and in neighborhoods. A large, 24-hour rental car facility is on Rocky River Drive by the Cleveland Hopkins Airport.

 

There are numerous taxi companies in Cleveland, with most taxis available downtown (especially at hotels) and in near-downtown neighborhoods. Here are some of the more notable taxi companies

 

ABC Taxi Company, Ace Taxi Service, Inc., Americab Inc., Need A Ride Taxi, Southwest Cab, United Cab Co., Westlake Cab, Wolley Taxi, Yellow Cab and others.

 

 

Intercity Transportation

 

 

Greater Cleveland is served by a variety of transportation services that link it to other cities and metro areas around the country and around the world. For more information about carriers and other services at Hopkins International Airport, please visit:

 

http://www.clevelandairport.com/site/375/default.aspx

 

There is a second commercial airport serving the Greater Cleveland area -- the Akron-Canton Regional Airport, which is 50 miles south of downtown Cleveland on Interstate 77. It is also a growing airport, with numerous flights to many popular destinations. Please visit:

 

www.akroncantonairport.com

 

There are also a number of surface transportation options...

 

Amtrak trains

www.amtrak.com

 

Greyhound bus

www.greyhound.com

 

Megabus

www.megabus.com

 

Lakefront Lines

http://route.lakefrontlines.com/

 

OK Travel (Chinatown buses)

http://www.nychinatown.org/directory/m_bus.html

 

 

More development?

 

Here's just some of the recent and upcoming major development projects in Cleveland....

 

The tall building in the foreground is the former East Ohio Gas building, now being renovated as the "Residences at 1717" as in 1717 East 9th Street. The 21-story building offers 223 market-rate apartments.

 

 

East Fourth District on St. Patrick's Day when several hundred thousand people descend on downtown Cleveland. But above the restaurants, clubs and shops are a wide variety of housing styles.

 

 

The Warehouse District is the oldest part of Cleveland's downtown with many 19th century brick buildings, lots of character, shops, restaurants, and some apartments and condos have great views of bridges, the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie.

 

 

The Avenue District, a $250 million development of newly built loft condos, townhouses and street-level retail on the east edge of downtown.

 

 

The $250 million Flats East Bank redevelopment -- with residential, office, shops, restaurants, grocery store and cinema -- by developer Scott Wolstein. It includes apartments, hotel, office tower, riverside boardwalk, restaurants, and a stop on the light-rail Waterfront Line.

 

 

Stonebridge, on the Flats West Bank, plans 2,000 housing units, plus offices, street-level retail, restaurants and cafes. More than 600 housing units have been built thus far.

 

 

Renovation of a former furniture factory and warehouses, now called Tyler Village, is underway in the Asiatown neighborhood on the east side of downtown. It will offer 1 million square feet of offices, lofts and residences.

 

 

Battery Park is a $100 million development of 300+ new homes on a former battery factory on Cleveland's near-west side.

 

 

 

 

Gilded-Age beauties are being lovingly restored to their grandeur, including Cleveland's great interior spaces. In this series of three pictures from the top are the old Previously National City bank lobby (still used as such), the former Union Commerce Bank lobby which may become part of a mixed-used redevelopment, and the Cleveland Trust Rotunda which is the new home for a large Heinen's grocery store (part of The M on 9th)!

 

 

Another grand interior from the Gilded Age is the Old Arcade which is seeing new stores and offices, along with its Hyatt Hotel.

 

 

New developments are constantly popping up in the Playhouse Square/CSU area, including new housing, shops, innovative companies and new theater productions. Playhouse Square has five Broadway-scale theaters that draw international talent.

 

 

STILL LOOKING?

 

 

Try these sites:

 

www.pluggedincleveland.com (various events, items for sale, real estate and job listings)

www.clevelandnightlife.net (can't find something to do? check here)

http://cleveland.diningguide.com/ (looks to be a work in progress)

www.clevelandsbestrestaurants.com (when your stomach AND wallet are feeling ignored)

http://restaurants.clevescene.com/ (food, with a side order of opinion)

 

 

If you want a specific question answered, simply post it below! There's lots of friendly Clevelanders here who would love to help you find your place in our beloved city.

I'll have to take some time and read this, but it looks great so far.

Maybe a link to the Ohio state parks, especially the Cleveland Lakefront State Park

 

Cultural institutions such as the Play House, Playhouse Square, museums, etc.

 

Sporting events, recreation facilities beyond biking (Cleveland Hiking Club, Cleveland Plays, suburban hockey league, rugby, etc)

 

For dining, a link to Cleveland Independents and/or Open Table.

 

This could grow into a book (too bad there's no way to make it a wiki so we can all edit/add to it)

Very nice. Looks like good PR.

Thanks. I haven't had the chance to incorporate the suggestions. But I wanted to get something out there to get some feedback.

I am digging it. But this afternoon we just spent 1.5 hours to go less then 10  miles in a non accident rush hour in Boston...snarled road everywhere. How do people do it?  (I guess I forgot growing up in dc metro) We are spoiled in Cleveland communiting wise.

Nice job, KJP.

Looks like a place I would like to live... oh wait, I do. :-D

One thing is sure about Cleveland.

 

No matter what the problems and stigmas that burden us, you sure can get a nice condo for a ridicuously low price.

where is the grand arcade in the warehouse district?  i'd like to learn more...

Yay!  This thread has been needed for quite a while.  Good work KJP!  My suggestion would be to add a neighborhood listing, with maybe a short description about each. 

Yay!  This thread has been needed for quite a while.  Good work KJP!  My suggestion would be to add a neighborhood listing, with maybe a short description about each. 

 

There is already a link to that on the front page of urbanohio itself.  Great, but I wouldn't recreate the wheel.

or just provide the link:

 

http://urbanohio.com/gallery/index.php?album=Northeast+Ohio%2FCleveland

Could we possibly sticky this thread?

All the revisions I made to the initial post in this thread over several days this past weekend (prior to New Year's) got deleted accidentally. I think I'm going to :cry:

Why does urbanohio not come up when "Cleveland relocation guide," "...relocation help," "..relocation advice" or anything to that effect is typed into Google or Yahoo? 

 

I feel like we may be missing a lot of people, not to mention those who are getting bad or misinformed advice instead, etc.

 

So, What could be done for UO to actually be in the search results??

go ask in the forum issues, I doubt Rich reads this thread.

Not sure why I hadn't seen this until now (maybe because I'm not relocating?), but it looks great!

 

I will second Murray Hill's comment about getting to this page via search engine.  I only tried Google, but I know that other UrbanOhio pages come up and we should do something to make sure that this one does.

 

Right now, the first page of hits for "cleveland relocation guide" (minus the quotes) is abysmal, with the Cleveland Clinic's "Moving to Cleveland Survival Guide" coming up #1.  (Their idea of "survival" appears to be getting to the suburbs as quickly as possible!)  Add quotes to the above search and the results are even worse.

 

What can admins do to make this page a top hit?

Awesome guide.  I noticed that some of the photos are broken, now, though.

but not that sweet picture of village at E 115th

Awesome guide.  I noticed that some of the photos are broken, now, though.

 

Thanks! I made numerous improvements during the holidays but they all got lost in a computer glitch. I hate doing the same thing twice, so I've not redone things.

 

Some of the pictures didn't show? Hmm. They're all showing for me. Anyone else see red Xs where pictures are supposed to be?

All the pictures are showing for me.

My mistake.  Disregard that.  Some of the photos are hosted by photobucket, and Cleveland Clinic blocks such sites... for some reason.

 

I'll have to re-visit this thread at home. :)

This looks great! I am so excited about moving there... only 6 weeks to go. Our company just moved into the Tyler building and the people there are raving about the improvements and the city itself.

Why does urbanohio not come up when "Cleveland relocation guide," "...relocation help," "..relocation advice" or anything to that effect is typed into Google or Yahoo?

 

 

This thread is number 2  now on google.  Thanks!!

Why does urbanohio not come up when "Cleveland relocation guide," "...relocation help," "..relocation advice" or anything to that effect is typed into Google or Yahoo? 

 

 

This thread is number 2  now on google.  Thanks!!

Shut up?!  Are we expecting a rash of new people to the area?  if so roll out the red carpet and WELCOME to the Greatest location in the Nation...on the shores of beautiful Lake Erie....

Great to hear!  what did you do to increase it if you don't mind me asking?  or did it just happen...??

 

 

We passed up Cleveland Clinic's Survival Guide.!  :lol:

 

Great to hear! what did you do to increase it if you don't mind me asking? or did it just happen...??

 

 

It just took time!  I'm sure having Cleveland Relocation Guide  in every post probably helped a bit too. 

Damn.... I made a bunch of revisions that were lost a while ago. Sounds like I should try again. I think I've gotten over it since.  :-D

Hi, newer to the site here, so I hope I have the right forum thread...

 

My wife and I are both from Cleveland, and have been living in downtown Chicago for the past 10 years, both working full time, and have two kids in diapers.  We're considering moving back to Cleveland to be near family (cliche story from what I've read) but have obvious concerns about the current economic conditions (local and big picture).  Anyway, we may move back and have 2 questions for the forum:

 

1.  Will the city find a post rust-belt identity and what do you think it will be?  (Healthcare and higher-ed have big market shares as far as new projects are concerned). 

 

2.  We like urban living (many walking destinations).  What neighborhood will be good, safe neighborhood for raising two kids? 

 

 

Hi, newer to the site here, so I hope I have the right forum thread...

 

My wife and I are both from Cleveland, and have been living in downtown Chicago for the past 10 years, both working full time, and have two kids in diapers.  We're considering moving back to Cleveland to be near family (cliche story from what I've read) but have obvious concerns about the current economic conditions (local and big picture).  Anyway, we may move back and have 2 questions for the forum:

 

1.  Will the city find a post rust-belt identity and what do you think it will be?  (Healthcare and higher-ed have big market shares as far as new projects are concerned). 

 

2.  We like urban living (many walking destinations).  What neighborhood will be good, safe neighborhood for raising two kids? 

 

[*]Medical.  It already has an identity in Medical World.  Thats what will lead us in teh past, although the economy is redifing itself and diversifying.

[*]Neighborhoods.  Shaker Square, Ohio City, Tremont, Detroit-Shoreway, Edgewater, Asian Village/China Town, Little Italy-Murray Hill

 

 

Hi, newer to the site here, so I hope I have the right forum thread...

 

My wife and I are both from Cleveland, and have been living in downtown Chicago for the past 10 years, both working full time, and have two kids in diapers.  We're considering moving back to Cleveland to be near family (cliche story from what I've read) but have obvious concerns about the current economic conditions (local and big picture).  Anyway, we may move back and have 2 questions for the forum:

 

1.  Will the city find a post rust-belt identity and what do you think it will be?  (Healthcare and higher-ed have big market shares as far as new projects are concerned). 

 

2.  We like urban living (many walking destinations).  What neighborhood will be good, safe neighborhood for raising two kids? 

 

 

 

That first question is quite a monster.  Healthcare seems to be in the lead right now.  I don't know if anyone agrees on anything beyond that.  It's a work in progress...

 

To your second question I would say Lakewood, unequivocally.

Hi, newer to the site here, so I hope I have the right forum thread...

 

My wife and I are both from Cleveland, and have been living in downtown Chicago for the past 10 years, both working full time, and have two kids in diapers.  We're considering moving back to Cleveland to be near family (cliche story from what I've read) but have obvious concerns about the current economic conditions (local and big picture).  Anyway, we may move back and have 2 questions for the forum:

 

1.  Will the city find a post rust-belt identity and what do you think it will be?  (Healthcare and higher-ed have big market shares as far as new projects are concerned). 

 

2.  We like urban living (many walking destinations).  What neighborhood will be good, safe neighborhood for raising two kids? 

 

You'll probably get a lot of differing opinions. 

 

1.  I agree with MTS about medical, it is a huge strength here and there are a lot of offshoots/support businesses that make this a great place to live in terms of health care.  You never need to go to a bad doctor here, and you can find a specialist for even the most rare of illnesses here.  From infancy (Rainbow) to adulthood (UH, Cleveland Clinic, Metro, and several very good suburban hospitals like Fairview, Southwest General, Hillcrest), medically you can be very well cared for here.  I think our rust-belt roots will be with us forever; it's what we came from and what makes up a lot of the "heart" of Cleveland.  But I think we can build and change that and perhaps turn manufacturing focus towards other areas where there is more growth; the aforementioned medical, as well as technical - we have a pretty big boom in terms of technology-related companies here IMO.

 

2.  JMO but for both safety and school reasons, I wouldn't recommend the downtown and very close proximity neighborhoods YET, though in a few years they hopefully will be great, great places to live AND raise a family.  As you'll likely recall, the city was (and still is) divided a lot between E and W side.  I am less familiar with the E side areas but on the W side would recommend Lakewood.  Outside of that you get into places without a lot of walkability in terms of shops and restaurants and businesses close together.  It also depends on what you want in the place where you live.  Do you plan to buy a house and want a yard?  Or do you see yourself as more of an urban family, used to living in an apartment/condos unit place and driving to parks and stores?

1.  I always associated the city with being a steel-town, with Medical being a part of recent identity (from say the 1970s to current).  I definitely think Cleveland can be THE medical destination in the entire world due the Clinic and the entire healthcare community. 

 

2. I've heard mixed reviews on Ohio City.

1.  I always associated the city with being a steel-town, with Medical being a part of recent identity (from say the 1970s to current).  I definitely think Cleveland can be THE medical destination in the entire world due the Clinic and the entire healthcare community. 

 

2. I've heard mixed reviews on Ohio City.

 

Mixed reviews from who exactly?  I as that question for a specific reason, not to be mean.

 

the best advice you will get are from people HERE.  They live, work in the city and know it's "ins and outs". We have council representatives here; Community development employees; neighborhood activist; and very involved individuals who live and work in the various neighborhoods of Cleveland that are going to give you the real honest truth.

 

Having said that 

[*]Where downtown CHI do you currently live?

[*]Are you looking to own or rent?

[*]where will you be working?

[*]Are you Urbnistas or Suburbanites?

[*]What types of activities does your family like to do

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

Thanks for the quick and thorough replies.  We currently live in Old Town in a condo right in the center of the city.  We're pefectly ok with a larger townhouse, or an 'efficient' smaller house in an urban location. 

 

Our preferences for living in an urban locations are typical:

 

1.  Safety for children

 

2.  Own, not rent.  probably 3 to 4 bedrooms.  small house is ok.  no need for a large yard at all.

 

3.  Work will most likely be wherever we can get it (city or sub).  We currently commute and have been for years, so we're used to 1 hour each way. We prefer to keep the commute under 45 minutes. 

 

4. We definitely enjoy city living.  i.e. walking to restaurants and shopping, patronizing local shops (not walmart, etc). 

 

5.  Kids are in diapers now, but our activities would be varied.  We enjoy almost all things (lame answer i know); sports, art and music dominating the free time.

 

Thanks,

 

Yoru preferences all have a Lakewood ring to them.  I would definitely look at it, if you're not already familiar with it.

Then my earlier suggestions of Cleveland proper neighborhoods still stands.

As another answer to your first question - Northeast Ohio is the Polymer capital of the world!!!!! :-D  (And I'm actually not joking!)

Welcome ChicagoBuckey!  I would throw Cleveland Heights into the mix too, especially the Coventry and Cedar-Fairmount areas.  In particular, I find the neighborhood just east (up the hill) from the Coventry shopping strip one of the metro area's awesomest: lots of reasonably priced, 100-year old small lot single family and two-family homes with amazing gardens and tree canopy.  All in easy walking distance of independent bars, restaurants and stores.  Nice quiet kid-safe streets.

^ Specifically, that would be the rectangular area containing the side streets between Mayfield, Coventry, Superior, and Euclid Heights.

Thanks for the help.  We're intersted in finding an area that will give our kids a unique experience and still be safe to ride their bikes on the sidewalks at dusk. 

I would say your best bets are Lakewood, Cleveland Heights (southern and western parts), Tremont, Shaker Square, and Edgewater.

Good news!!

 

http://cleveland.cox.net/cci/newslocal/local?_mode=view&view=LocalNewsArticleView&articleId=3960457&_action=validatearticle

 

Ten Best Cities For Recent College Grads List Released, Including Cleveland   

05-06-2009 4:13 AM

 

(Undated) -- With tens of thousands of newly minted college graduates about to be released upon the world, the timing of a new ten best list couldn't be more perfect. CareerBuilder.com and Apartments.com have teamed up to build a list of Ten Best Cities For Recent College Graduates and Cleveland is on the list.

Added three videos to the original relocation posting.

Ok, I don't know if this is the best place to post this but feel free to move this reply...

 

I don't know how many of you are aware of this but Cleveland is sort of "big time" now... :cry: :-)

 

We have our own travel guidebook!  We all know NYC, Chicago, SF, DC, London, Paris, Rome, Tokyo, Sydney, the stupid Texas cities, etc. have their own travel guides (Fodor's, Rick Steve's, Lonely Planet, Frommers, etc.).  Well now it's our turn.  It's not Midwest, it's not Great Lakes, it's not even Ohio, it's CLEVELAND!!!

 

http://www.moon.com/books/moon-handbooks/moon-cleveland-first-edition

 

My friend helped research locations for this book and I was so excited when she told me about this book.  I know I'm being kind of corny, but really, this is one of those small things that can go a long way in changing the perception and "accessibility" of our city.  Normally we're given a few pages in a 300 page guidebook but this one is all CLE! :clap:

Great suggestions so far....e. 4th last night and had some great late night bites at green??? tavern.

 

If you are really bored and on twitter, I am trying to tweet the HOF experience back to kc tweeps @kc_c. 

 

Thanks again for all the suggestions, cleveland looks great so far.

Greenhouse Tavern is one of our newer gems, glad you were able to get there.  Keep us posted on the rest of the visit!

Quick question. What are the price range for 1 bedroom apartments in shaker square?

Quick question. What are the price range for 1 bedroom apartments in shaker square?

 

I'll say 725 to 900

Great video showing the lifestyle and amenities for living downtown.....