This board has been really good in helping me out with questions I have about Cleveland.  Now that I am a week away from Cleveland I have a few more about day-to-day living.

 

I will be living downtown and would like to know the following things:

 

1.  Good grocery store nearby (is the one in the warehouse district the best or Reserve Square)

2.  How far away is a Target/Wal-Mart/stuff like that?

3.  Good tailor and dry cleaners

4.  Is there zip-car service?  I have been "car free" for almost 3 months now and am going to try to do it in Cleveland for as long as I can but may need a car for errands here and there

5.  Public transportation to and from the airport and best stop for that

6.  Best nearby public golf course and driving range

7.  Best shopping mall in the area.  I've been to the one in Tower City (??) and it's actually not bad for an urban mall but am looking for a wider selection

8.  4th of July activities

9.  Diner food.  I love diner food and hope there is a good one downtown

10. Any other downtown living advice.  For the record, I am not worried about safety as I have lived in Chicago and the "most dangerous city in the US", St. Louis. 

 

Thanks for the help!

1.  Good grocery store nearby (is the one in the warehouse district the best or Reserve Square)

 

I prefer Constantino's in the Warehouse District. Their prepared food is the difference maker, IMHO. There is also Dave's in Ohio City and Asiatown. There's at least two Asian grocers in Asiatown (on Payne Avenue in the East 30s). Don't forget the West Side Market in Ohio City (across from the Rapid station), Aladdin's Bakery and Market (1301 Carnegie Ave) and Gust Gallucci's Italian Food Market (6610 Euclid Ave)!!

 

2.  How far away is a Target/Wal-Mart/stuff like that?

 

Both are at Steelyard Commons. Take the Red Line from Tower City one stop to Ohio City and switch to the #807 Tremont Circulator to reach SYC. Or take the #81 bus from downtown into Tremont and transfer to the Tremont Circulator bus. See http://www.riderta.com/maps-schedules.asp

 

3.  Good tailor and dry cleaners

 

Don't know about tailors, but a quick Google check revealed 10 dry cleaners downtown.

 

4.  Is there zip-car service?  I have been "car free" for almost 3 months now and am going to try to do it in Cleveland for as long as I can but may need a car for errands here and there

 

Check out City Wheels at http://www.mycitywheels.com/

 

5.  Public transportation to and from the airport and best stop for that

 

Take the Red Line west from Tower City Center. The Red Line's westernmost station is inside the airport's main terminal. See:

http://www.riderta.com/pdf/66X.pdf

 

BTW, middle of the night transit service between downtown and the airport is provided by the #22 bus route...

http://www.riderta.com/pdf/22.pdf

 

6.  Best nearby public golf course and driving range

 

Don't know about the best, but the most popular is the Big Met golf course in the Cleveland Metroparks Rocky River Reservation (the Little Met golf course is nearby). Take the #22 or the #75 bus routes to get there....

http://www.clemetparks.com/recreation/golf/big_met.asp

 

7.  Best shopping mall in the area.  I've been to the one in Tower City (??) and it's actually not bad for an urban mall but am looking for a wider selection

 

The most upscale mall is probably Beachwood Place....

http://www.beachwoodplace.com/html/index13.asp

It's on RTA's #32 route....

http://www.riderta.com/pdf/32X.pdf

Also nearby, just west of Beachwood Place, is Legacy Village....

http://www.legacy-village.com/

But I have to tell you to go to Shaker Square instead (take the RTA Blue/Green lines from Tower City or any Waterfront Line station). As an urbanist, I'm sure you'll like it more (the restaurants and setting are great). Plus its North Union Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings is awesome....

http://www.pluggedincleveland.com/restaurants/shaker+square.html

http://www.northunionfarmersmarket.org/

 

8.  4th of July activities

Cleveland's will be held at 9:30 PM July 4th at Dock 20 (that's at the mouth of the river). Want a unique place to watch it? The Nautica Queen has a fireworks cruise special...

http://www.nauticaqueen.com/

 

9.  Diner food.  I love diner food and hope there is a good one downtown

 

Don't know if you'd call it a diner, but I really like Addy's on St. Clair at Ontario. It's open only for breakfast and lunch. But my favorite diner in Cleveland is Michael's. It's inside the Blue/Green Line station at Shaker Square.

 

10. Any other downtown living advice.  For the record, I am not worried about safety as I have lived in Chicago and the "most dangerous city in the US", St. Louis.

 

Yes, use Google. I found most of the answers above at Google. You can too! ;)

 

1. Best for day-to-day stuff? Reserve Square. Best for prepared foods/specialty items (but still with some day-to-day stuff) - Constantino's in the Warehouse District. There's also Daves in Ohio City and Asiatown - probably slightly lower prices than either of the above.

 

2. Steelyard Commons has both - about 2.5 miles south of Public Square http://www.steelyardcommons.com/

 

3. Good question - I'll defer to someone else.

 

4. There's CityWheels (similar concept to ZipCar) http://www.mycitywheels.com

 

5. Tower City Center - Red Line rapid - about a 20ish minute trip from downtown to the terminal inside the airport.

 

6. Another question I'll defer to someone else...

 

7. Beachwood Place has the better upscale stores http://www.beachwoodplace.com

 

8. Cleveland Orchestra concert on Public Square - free. Fireworks are usually set off at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River so basically anywhere along the lakefront is a good spot.

 

9. There are a few greasy-spoon places - PJs Luncheonette in the Colonial Marketplace is alright. Pure diner? Let me get back to you on that.

 

10. Feel free to join us at forum lunches and/or happy hours. :-)

I typed a long response, and then lost it.  Fortunately, KJP and Mayday answered most of it.  I'll add:

 

9.  There are diners at East 55th and St. Clair, and one on Prospect in the East 40's (they closed, but I think they reopened, but correct me if I'm wrong).  Downtown, try Addy's as KJP said or Huron Square Deli (on Huron just south of Euclid) or Alvie's on Ontario just south of Public Square.

As for golf driving ranges, there's a decent one on Brookpark Road between Ridge and Tiedeman Roads.  It's just outside of the Old Brooklyn neighborhood of Cleveland.  I think that a small bucket of balls costs $4.50 and a large $6.50.  There are a couple of spots where you can hit off of the grass and a couple of heated and covered stalls if you like hitting in inclement weather or year-round.

 

Like KJP said, there are three courses in the Rocky River reservation on the Cleveland/Lakewood/Rocky River border.  Mastick and Little Met, I believe, are nine holes and are not extremely difficult.  Big Met may be 18 holes and is more difficult with longer holes, if I recall correctly.  I played Mastick last week, and it cost around $15 for the round and a cart.  They're all owned and operated by the Cleveland Metroparks. 

 

The other public course I'd recommend is the Parma municipal one on Ridge Road near Parmatown Mall.  It's 18 holes, but you can play the front or back nine or all 18 holes.  There are a lot of par 5s on it, if you like long holes.

 

Lastly, the closest course to downtown is Washington Park, which is only a couple of years old.  It's in Newburgh Heights, a suburb surrounded by Cleveland on three sides, off of Harvard Road and I-77.  It's a par 3 course, though, and it's main purpose is to help beginners along.  The scenery of the Industrial Valley is supposed to be nice.  It's another Metroparks course.

 

Hope that helps.

"But I have to tell you to go to Shaker Square instead (take the RTA Blue/Green lines from Tower City or any Waterfront Line station). As an urbanist, I'm sure you'll like it more (the restaurants and setting are great). Plus its North Union Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings is awesome...."

 

That's all well and lovely, but sending someone wanting to find Beachwood-style shops (per their original post - "a wider selection") to Shaker Square?

 

Let's see:

http://www.shakersquare.net/directory-ss.htm

 

Or http://www.beachwoodplace.com/html/storedirectory.asp

 

I love Shaker Square but not for shopping.

Yeah, I have to agree with MayDay on this one. 

 

Also, can this thread be merged with the initial "move request" thread TB1000 started?

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,14743.30.html

Thanks for the responses.  They are very helpful especially the RTA routes and the city wheels service (which looks awesome)

 

Yes, I know I can use Google to search for things but Google doesn't always provide the perspective of people who use those things day-to-day, especially urbanists. 

 

Good talk. 

well TB1000 in response to that, if you had stated that you done some previous research and found "x" information and wanted out opinions, we wouldn't have posted threads "assuming" you didn't know.

 

The main relocation thread, started by KJP, has answers for a lot of the information you requested.  As well as do other "relocating to Cleveland" threads.  So let be fair.

 

There are two or three dry cleaners downtown and IIRC, X has listed them in a previous relocation thread.

 

Also, for inexpensive eats, Chinatown-Asian Village is filled with them.

 

Sidebar:  for answers not found in the main relocation thread, hopefully KJP, can add as an update.

I think you misunderstood what I was saying. 

 

The reason why I asked was because I didn't know and I didn't want to use Google search to look for 10 different things and then search through 100's of random links and pages.  Instead I opted to come straight here to a source that has been very reliable and with people who have given me good advice to this point.  Furthermore, it does me no good to look at, for example, Shaker Heights when I have no idea what Shaker Heights is or how it could possibly relate to me.  I have found it's easier to ask real people and they can give you a better perspective than what you would find on a "company" webpage that paints rosy pictures all the time. 

 

I'll look in the relocation threads for now on. 

Asking is all well in fine, what I'm trying to say is the more information you provide, the better and more accurate an answer we can give you.  :wink:

There's a diner inside the Colonial Arcade, but it's more of a business hours type place.

^Pssst! ;-)

 

"9. There are a few greasy-spoon places - PJs Luncheonette in the Colonial Marketplace is alright."

It's not really a diner per se but I recommend you check out both Becky's on E 17th and Chester and the Little Bar and Grill which is in the alley next to Johnny's restaurant, which is on W 6th street just south of St Clair - turn R at Johnny's and I think it's the 2nd door on the R.  Back when I ate commercially processed ground beef, these were both great "burgers and beer" places.  The upstairs of Little bar and the back area of Becky's both have pool tables and Becky's also has dartboards.  Neither are upscale by any means. 

 

I second the recommendation for Little Met but it would be hard to get to without a car.  Cannot advise about zip-car service.  There is a driving range out here in Middleburg Heights where I live (about 12 miles SW of downtown) that is easy to get to on the 51X bus.  You could take the 51F (flyer - quicker) and then walk up past the underpass and past the next light (Lucerne), it's on your right just past the Saturn dealership, but the flyers stop running pretty early and you'd need to take the X home - the X runs right up and down Pearl Rd (the road the driving range is on), I think it's called Brooksomething - brookstone maybe?  There's also a good cheap, greasy eats bar next to the range called the Islander Bar & Grill you might enjoy.

 

I found my seamstress on craigslist but she mostly does women's clothes AFAIK, but you might want to check that out as a resource.

 

I recommend Constantino's for your more gourmet needs and a few local products as the best for grocery, Dave's as 2nd for your everyday needs and the store in Reserve Square as a last resort or for staples only.  I've found the frozen goods there to be very, very old (e.g. frozen entrees are too dry to even cook properly) but they would be fine for picking up basics if they're close by.

 

As for shopping malls, everyone has their opinions but I think our best overall mall is Great Northern in North Olmsted (you can take the 75 or 263 there).  It's a big Westfield mall with all the anchor stores (Sears, Dillard's, Macy's, JCP), it has an H&M, all your typical mid-range stores, a Dick's sporting goods, good hair salons, a passable food court and the bonus that makes it for me is the strip mall next to it, which also adds a DSW shoe warehouse, Famous Footwear, Pier I, World Market (like Cost Plus if you have one of those).  There is also a Best Buy and there are huge number of restaurants around the mall (mostly chains - try Daishin for a local japanese place, it's in the strip mall next to chuck e cheese near the road, or Weia Teia, which is in the mall proper though I think the entrance is outside).  Restaurants include Red Robin, Lone Star, Macaroni Grill, Bennigan's, Smokey Bones, Red Lobster, Panera, Chipotle, etc.  There is also a TJ Maxx (across the street from the strip mall) and a Marshall's (by the Best Buy).  If you are most interested in the upscale stores like Nordstrom's and Saks, you'll have to head to Beachwood Place, which I think is our 2nd best mall.

 

 

Mmmm Becky's

I love Shaker Square but not for shopping.

 

I could not in good conscience send him to Beachwood Place or Legacy Village without mentioning Shaker Square. And the links I provided him were for Shaker Square's restaurants and farmers market, neither of which can be matched by those other two, nasty awful horrible suburban hell holes that weakened my beloved Shaker Square.... 

 

Um, where was I... Oh yes. Spend money at Shaker Square. You'll love it!  :-D

^Restaurants and farmers markets - we're in total agreement. Retail shops? I'd LOVE to see Shaker Square match up with Beachwood/Legacy but nope.

KJP are you channeling me?  LMAO! 

 

As much as I love Shaker Square, the retail is less than accepting for the average shopper.

 

Beachwood it is.  It's Ohio's number one mall.

Did you feel it? ;)

I think everything has already been said but just wanted to inform you if you were interested that the Cleveland Orchestra concert on Public Square is on Wednesday July 2nd and it is free, and is usually crowded and it helps to bring a folding or camping chair. They do some fireworks after the show as well, but the bigger show will be on the 4th at the location mentioned earlier.

 

Best place to eat:  P.J.'S LUNCHEONETTE.  The owners will make you feel like family.  My favorite waitress is Darlene.  Partial menu up at www.pjslunch.com.

 

Good luck and welcome to Cleveland!

Umm, best place that's greasy-spoon/cheap diner? Yes, PJs is pretty good - and Darlene is a sweetheart; but "best" in town? Not so much. :-)

I stumbled onto a similar place. A diner across Huron from the Wyndham. Good food and great service.

Actually...the Wyndham recommended that place for breakfast to my out-of-town cousins that were in for my wedding.  They thought it was very good.  I had never even heard of it before then.

Huron Square Deli... only the basics but they do an excellent job and it costs next to nothing.

^Did that place used to be called "The Spot" some years ago?  This is the one storefront in the Halles garage, no?

Yep, that's it!

yes, it was "the spot"... i liked the spot better, but this place isn't bad.

As far as golf courses, there's Highland Park (at Chagrin and Green) as well as Big Met.  Highland Park has 36 holes and the tougher 18 (the Blue Course) used to host the Cleveland Open.  Unfortunately, they lost many of their trees to some disease about 40 years ago, and (even though they replanted many) the course isn't as tough as it used to be, and since the City of Cleveland took it over as a public course, the condition isn't near what it was back then.  There are many GREAT public courses around Northeast Ohio, but many will require a short drive from the downtown area.  There are many beautiful courses in inner-rings, but they are all private as far as I know.

 

Also, anyone feel free to correct me if I am wrong, but I believe there is a driving range at Washington Golf Learning Center, a 9-hole par 3 course in Newburgh Heights just a few miles south of downtown right off I-77.

There is indeed a driving range at Washington GLC, and it is the closest one to Downtown.  The course is actually quite challenging for golfers of any handicap, and it's Audubon-certified.  There is also a chipping green for your short game.  I can recommend Washington unreservedly.

New to the board but I just moved to W. 25th about four months ago and I've done quite a bit of exploring.  For diners, you HAVE to come over to Ohio City and eat at the WestSide Market Cafe.  Everything is fresh from the market and they have a really great selection of menu items. 

Welcome to UrbanOhio!

 

Most of us here love the Market Cafe.

In oc, I like Nicks. Can be a bit of a greasy spoon, but a great neighborhood breakfast spot, and easier on the wallet than Market Cafe.

 

4116 Lorain Ave.

 

Lastly, the closest course to downtown is Washington Park, which is only a couple of years old.  It's in Newburgh Heights, a suburb surrounded by Cleveland on three sides, off of Harvard Road and I-77.  It's a par 3 course, though, and it's main purpose is to help beginners along.  The scenery of the Industrial Valley is supposed to be nice.  It's another Metroparks course.

 

 

I went to Washington Park golf course last week, and am here to report back.  It's a nine-hole course, mostly par 3s.  Cost was $15.50 for the game and a cart.  There are a lot of short holes, and the guys I went with were hitting off the tee with anything from 6 iron to pitching wedge.  At the same time, the greens are pretty tight and it's easy to get lost in the woods.  It's definitely a beginner course, but like Avogardo said, is somewhat challenging.

 

There's also a range with covered stalls.  I think it was $3.00 for 30 balls or $9.50 for 120 balls.