I hope topic this isn't too redundant, but I will also be moving to Cleveland to start work during the summer (in my early 20s). I grew up in the East burbs and am back here for the holidays, but after 4 years in Philly minus my internship last summer I'm not that knowledgable about Cleveland living.

 

I will be looking at some apartments downtown tomorrow (Statler Arms, Bingham, Reserve Square, Perry Payne...) but I was wondering if anyone had advice or heard positive or negative things about any specific places downtown. I haven't really seen many personal accounts about specific places in the other topics so I figured I'd ask.

 

My office will be right on Public Square, so it would be nice to be able to walk to work and not worry about parking, considering I'll be working late often. But I might also consider Ohio City, Tremont and Coventry as well (anywhere where you can safely walk from an apartment to a cafe/bar type of area). The East 4th apartments seem completely occupied for now. I guess I'd have to pay for parking downtown either way, whether it's parking at my apt or near my office (I'd rather not take the RTA home at midnight).

 

Looking to rent not buy, at around 600-800 for just myself, and if I can find a roomate maybe up to 1400 for a 2BR.

 

I was also wondering where cool/chill areas are...over the summer I went out around E4th and W6th, but I was wondering about other nice areas. My crowd varies from young professional to artsy, as I'm a business man and songwriter. I'll def be looking to meet new people when I'm not working.

 

Any advice/knowledge about great areas/apartments, downtown or in the other areas I mentioned? Please share

I thinking you might consider living Downtown since you don't want to take public transportation late. I am guessing you would have to pay to park at work, so you might as well pay for parking in a DT apt and walk to work. Of the above I imagine Bingham (people seem to like it)  and Perry Payne are the nicest. Lots of people walk to work downtown  from the west flats- but not sure what that would like like at midnight during the week-probably kind of desolate. Sadly I am not in your demographic, but I find tremont, ohio city and a few places in detroit shoreway quite "chill/cool" (if that means loaded with character, diverse, and very unique).  This just is my opinion, downtown generally does not have the charm of the neighborhoods. Still it is conveniently located and central to everything. Enoy your return

You'd probably like living in Ohio City or Tremont more so than downtown, but I won't deter you from living downtown. It is really nice to live near your work. I work and live in Lakewood, although I would probably rather live in Ohio City or Tremont.

 

E. 4th and W.6th are definately the hubs of activity. Not that everything is located on those two streets, but there are no areas (as of yet) that stick out. Although you might consider living near Cleveland State, but I think I'd stick to the Warehouse District. Constantino's is a huge asset. Even though the Warehouse District is a little bit of a specticle at places like Tequila Ranch on a Friday night, there are still some more chill bars there. The Little Bar, House of Cues and Map Room come to my mind as being off the beaten path.

True, the East 4th-area apartments are popular, but there's always people coming and going. And there's more apartments coming on line -- does anyone know when the apartments above Corner Alley will be finished?

 

Some buildings are, or recently have been converted to apartments on the east end of downtown. That's a long walk, but a very easy bicycle ride -- and you'll find that a bicycle is a great way of getting around downtown and nearby neighborhoods. You might even find you don't need a car -- that should save you upwards of $6,000 per year and allow you to afford an even nicer place.

True, the East 4th-area apartments are popular, but there's always people coming and going. And there's more apartments coming on line -- does anyone know when the apartments above Corner Alley will be finished?

 

I was told sometime this spring.  And they are supposed to be on the more affordable end of downtown housing, which should put them in the price range you mentioned, dmstrategery.  You may try putting your name on the waiting list if that works for you timeframe, and it is true that there are always people coming and going so always new opening around the corner.

I have lived downtown (Pointe at Gateway) for a couple of years and have really enjoyed it so far. If you're working on public square check out WT Grant lofts on Euclid Ave next to House of Blues. 

 

Although personally I have never been in Reserve Square, I have spoken to numerous people who live there/have lived there and they almost all hate it. They said management was totally unresponsive to repair requests and the surrounding area is pretty dead at night.

Specific to your listed possibilites:

 

1) Staler Arms -beautiful old buildinds, mixed response due to construction, lack of activity btw E.9th and E.12, far walk from public square after a while *although there are currently free trolleys down Euclid Ave.)

2) Bingham -- generally positive responses, closer walk, more downtown nightlife and establishments

3) Reserve Square -- Personally lived there for a while, newly renovated, large grocery store, HUGE and mix of people.  One downfall is that it seems far away from W.6th and public square...especially after a while (one block from playhouse square though!)

4)  Perry Payne -- seem to be a tighter group of people, closest walk from work, House of Cues downstairs!, in the entertainment district

 

Good luck tomorrow

 

The Osborn might fit your needs, I had a friend who lived there and liked it.  It sits between Playhouse Square and Gateway/E. 4th, not as much in the thick of the nightlife, but still close to everything.

 

http://www.forrent.com/apartment-community-profile/1030655.php#

Not sure if I agree that the Statler is far from Public Square.  Maybe a 7 minute walk at most.

Not sure if I agree that the Statler is far from Public Square.  Maybe a 7 minute walk at most.

 

I suppose I meant more for nightime walks after work.  They need to fix the damn lighting as well (which I think is being down right now with the new ECP street lights??)

Not sure if I agree that the Statler is far from Public Square.  Maybe a 7 minute walk at most.

 

I suppose I meant more for nightime walks after work.  They need to fix the damn lighting as well (which I think is being down right now with the new ECP street lights??)

 

Even at night and once the ECP is done, this is a mute point.  This is hardly a "long" walk.  Heck, you might even meet a nice girl on the walk to/from your apartment.  It wont be the first time THAT has happened.

 

I have lived downtown (Pointe at Gateway) for a couple of years and have really enjoyed it so far. If you're working on public square check out WT Grant lofts on Euclid Ave next to House of Blues. 

 

Although personally I have never been in Reserve Square, I have spoken to numerous people who live there/have lived there and they almost all hate it. They said management was totally unresponsive to repair requests and the surrounding area is pretty dead at night.

 

With the amount of redevelopment in that area, I doubt this will remain that way.  There is a new condo development going up near by and the interior improvements to the property itself seem to be helping.

 

I suggest visiting this property and the chesterfield.

 

and if you don't want to live downtown, you can always move to .........You know where I'm going with this, right?  :wink:

Distance-wise, the Statler isn't a long walk from Public Square. Throw in 20-degree temps and 20mph windds and I can assure you that it's not exactly pleasant. Throw in the (as of now, but soon to be alleviated) streetlights that have been dimmed and it can be a little foreboding. Throw in the panhandlers (who seem to be congregating at 515 Euclid) and you have yet another nuisance. But as others have said, the E-Line trolley goes until 11pm so that's an option.

In my experiences, the panhandlers outside of 515 aren't very abrasive.  I've been working very late in recent weeks and haven't had any problems with anything and I walk from E9th to the Terminal Tower to catch the Rapid.

Keep open to the idea of living near W 25th, It is one rapid stop away from Public Square. On nice days, it is a nice walk across the Detroit Superior Bridge (there is a new pedestrian lane on the bridge)

 

 

Distance-wise, the Statler isn't a long walk from Public Square. Throw in 20-degree temps and 20mph windds and I can assure you that it's not exactly pleasant. Throw in the (as of now, but soon to be alleviated) streetlights that have been dimmed and it can be a little foreboding. Throw in the panhandlers (who seem to be congregating at 515 Euclid) and you have yet another nuisance. But as others have said, the E-Line trolley goes until 11pm so that's an option.

are we sure the eline has been running until 11? I was hearing 8am. But I would love to be wrong. Anyway, I agree, Euclid it pitch agian black for several blocks-heck the traffic lights were even out for 8-10 blocks the other night. Not the street I would choose to walk home on at midnight

^are there lights on Euclid? I know that certain stretches went without light for a while because of construction. Does that stretch even have light posts?