Hi All,

 

Okay, so this is forever away, but I'm a little OCD. I'll be moving back from Germany in June and will need to have somewhere I can more or less immediately crash. I'm sure I can crash with friends for a few days, but I wouldn't want to put anyone out for more than a few days. Moreover, I'll be starting work almost immediately after I return, so I won't have much daytime availability to check things out.

 

I've been on the site long enough to have seen many of the Cleveland relocation assistance questions, but the situation is a little weird, so I'm not finding the specific info I need.

 

So here's my scenario. I can either take a short-term or corporate apartment, hopefully only for the month of June, or I can just immediately take a year-long lease. The problem with the lease situation is that I would need something immediately available, so I would likely have to take it sight-unseen (or have a friend check it out for me) and would have to handle all the negotiations from abroad ... i.e. difficulties with original signatures, the leasor not getting to meet me before move-in, etc.

 

Sooooo ... my questions:

 

1. Has anyone done the whole abroad to Cleveland thing before? Any experience on how willing a leasor would be to do the whole thing remotely?

 

2. Does anyone know of any affordable, truly short-term apartments within the city of Cleveland? I checked out the Clinic page that someone had recommended, but it looks like the only offerings are east side suburbs. I definitely want to be in the city, but it looks like a lot of the "short-term" is for a minimum of 3 months. I want 3 weeks if I do short-term (would obviously be willing to pay a month) ... and I would prefer not to get gouged staying in a hotel.

 

My background (for recommendations regarding either short-term or understanding real estate reps):

 

- 28, single, gay man, no kids.

- Previous Cleveland rentals: N. Moreland, Shaker Heights side, Apartment (3 yrs.); Shaker Blvd., Cleveland side, Apartment (1 yr.); E. 30s, Asiatown, House / former rectory (2 yrs.). 

- Within the city of Cleveland a MUST.

- Proximity to public transportation a MUST ... Will be car-free. Easy access to east side of downtown (work) preferred. Relatively easy access via bike a plus.

- Proximity to retail, street life a MUST ... proximity to a grocery store preferred. Prefer something that just spills out into streetlife ... i.e. not a huge setback, etc.

- Not inclined toward something street level unless it's a really amazing space.

- Small space preferred ... 400 to 700 sq. ft. would be perfect. 

- Always interested in unusual or unique spaces. Loft or other "weird" space over apartment over house, but all 3 are absolutely fine.

- Preferred price range: $600 or so. Could go a bit higher if necessary, but don't really see a need to :-)

 

So that's me in a nutshell. As far as neighborhoods go (like right above the storefronts around 65th) would be perfect, if there were better public transportation or grocery options. Tremont would be great, too, but the public transportation and grocery situation seems even worse. So I think that leaves Ohio City, downtown, Near East Side, Shaker Square and Little Italy in my mind. Definitely don't see myself as a Warehouse District type guy (but if the apartment was nice enough) and Little Italy lacks the grocery store. I dunno ... maybe something above the retail on W. 25th or right on Market Square. Or something Tower Press-ish (but not Tower Press, since I work there).

 

Definitely more flexible with short-term (e.g. Warehouse District would be fine for a month but not for two years, I don't think). Willing to take suggestions on anything, really, as long as it's in the city proper. Thanks in advance for any info!

Here's a few corporate housing sites with listings in CLE.

 

http://www.equitycorporatehousing.com/market/submarket.asp?GeoID=118

 

http://www.corporatehousing.com/results.asp?searchtype=metro&newsearch=true&metro=1680%2COH%2CCleveland

 

I don't see prices listed.

 

I'm a little curious to know how much corporate housing costs too. I suppose it's probably over 100-200 extra a month for time convenience and furnishings?

 

 

Thanks for the links. I had looked at those and hadn't seen any prices either.

 

But on closer examination ... whoa ... $1,650 MINIMUM per month in RESERVE SQUARE! $1,395 per month for a STUDIO in the Chesterfield! I had thought an extra $100 or $200 per month, too. But this double, nearly triple what I could pay to stay somewhere nicer downtown with a one-year lease. I can only imagine that the rents in the Warehouse District, etc. Okay, yeah, doubt that's going to work.

Thanks for the links. I had looked at those and hadn't seen any prices either.

 

But on closer examination ... whoa ... $1,650 MINIMUM per month in RESERVE SQUARE! $1,395 per month for a STUDIO in the Chesterfield! I had thought an extra $100 or $200 per month, too. But this double, nearly triple what I could pay to stay somewhere nicer downtown with a one-year lease. I can only imagine that the rents in the Warehouse District, etc. Okay, yeah, doubt that's going to work.

 

Okay, so this isn't quite within the city limits, but what about the Alcazar on top of the hill for your short-term option?  I believe you can get a month for $900-$1000.  You're right by Dave's Supermarket and a bunch of restaurants/bars and such.

I had a friend move to the area without visiting (I checked out his unit) about a year ago and that was no issue at all (Crittenden on W 9th / St Clair).  He also needed his unit available as soon as he got to town.  So I don't think that will be a problem if you're willing to sign a lease right off the bat.

 

I think if you're looking to be around town for a month then commit, corporate housing or finding a student gone for the summer who would sub-let you their place for a month will be your only options.  Might want to check if there are any Case/John Carrol/CSU message boards that offer this, or even Craig's List.

Daaaaang. I had no idea it was that high!

 

Sounds like staying with your friend for a few weeks instead would prevent a major headache!

Rent downtown is higher than what you might think, and when you're doing a short term lease it's even higher, I'm sure.  I don't think you could get a one bedroom for 600 unless you went to Lakewood.  Would that be an option?  There are TONS of apartments, it's very gay-friendly, there is good public trans access.  The only thing there isn't is quick or bike access to the E side.  Maybe someone else on the board could suggest some places in Cleveland Heights? They also have a LOT of apartments, diverse culturally, pretty good bus access at major streets, etc.

I had no idea those places on 12th were that high.  Wow.  I also suggest Lakewood.  Best bang for your buck in the area.  You're not likely to find what you're looking for at that price range elsewhere.  Many of the buses from Lakewood go to the east end of downtown and turn around there.  The 55 on Clifton goes to E 21st/CSU and the 26 on Detroit goes to E 13th I think.

Definitely appreciate the recommendations, rockandroller, but outside city boundaries is definitely a deal-breaker for me :-)

 

i would be willing to pay up to $750, but i just have been lucky in the past finding nice places well under that price limit. i paid $442 when splitting a 800 sq. ft. 2-bedroom off shaker square, $570 for a nice one-bedroom right on shaker square and $273 (!) when splitting a 3,000 sq. ft. renovated Victorian in Chinatown. I'm hopeful I can find something like that again ... just need to make sure they are comfortable having something ready for me immediately and allow me to sign the lease upon move-in.

 

Anyone have any idea who manages the building that Bang & Clatter is in? I could have sworn there were apartments above, but I can't find anything on the E. 4th website.

Where exactly is your job?

"Anyone have any idea who manages the building that Bang & Clatter is in? I could have sworn there were apartments above, but I can't find anything on the E. 4th website."

 

http://wtgrantloftapartments.com/index.html

You don't have to go into Lakewood. Just get out of downtown and into a residential neighborhood.

 

A one-bedroom on my street in Tremont is going for $600 right now.

 

Here's a good looking place in Old Brooklyn: http://cleveland.craigslist.org/apa/927644962.html

(hardwood floors, washer/dryer in unit, two bedrooms, $550 a month -- heck, I like this place).

 

Here's something in Ohio City: http://cleveland.craigslist.org/apa/927375283.html

 

Here's something in Shaker Square, with free utilities and at $450 a month: http://cleveland.craigslist.org/apa/924025192.html

 

I moved back to Cleveland from Alabama. Which, while not formally abroad, is basically another country.

 

I would suggest taking your buddy up on crashing at his place for a week or two, show up with a list of apartments you're interested in hand, and find it that week. It took me a week to find my apartment while I stayed with my parents, and I was being extremely picky. (Also wanted to be in the city of Cleveland specifically in Tremont, Ohio City, Collinwood or Shaker Square, wanted a place that was pet-friendly, near public transit and no more than $500 including utilities.)

 

 

 

^ Tower Press ... Superior & E. 21.

 

^^ Thanks MayDay :-) Anyone know what those units are priced like? That location looks like it might be perfect, with the obvious exception of lacking a grocery store, and i always thought the building looked pretty cool.

 

I promise I'll shut up and stop asking questions soon :-)

^ Tower Press ... Superior & E. 21.

 

Aww man, if only I had an extra room.... I'd rent it out to you and you could walk to work....  But I don't, so.....  Good luck!

"^^ Thanks MayDay :-) Anyone know what those units are priced like? That location looks like it might be perfect, with the obvious exception of lacking a grocery store, and i always thought the building looked pretty cool."

 

Not really sure - I can ask for you. Keep in mind that you have Constantino's on West 9th and the Reserve Square grocery not too far, a CVS further up Euclid and you'd be about a block from Tower City for taking the Rapid over to the West Side Market. So the groceries might involve a modest schlep but not that bad in the grand scheme.

Try searching here:

 

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/apa/

 

Personally, I love this one:

 

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/apa/927431354.html

 

 

Honey, just move back to the Square.  ;)

 

I would start with calling your previous landlord as they know your history.  Inquire about availabilities similar to your previous and see if they can help.

Or this, but it's a bit of a walk from the grocer on the Square. That's a long one block (though not bad if you're not carrying anything heavy or frozen):

 

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/apa/927469790.html

Or this, but it's a bit of a walk from the grocer on the Square. That's a long one block (though not bad if you're not carrying anything heavy or frozen):

 

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/apa/927469790.html

Thats what Granny carts are for Sugar!

The East 4th website has listed the new Euclid Block Apartments and are looking for tenants.  It says that singles can start at $740... i LOVE that location...they should be up and running by June...may want to inquire.

Sugar?! I may be sweet but I ain't sugar! And real men don't use granny carts. We arrive home with stretched arms, popped joints and strained muscles. But, dammit, no granny carts!

Sugar?! I may be sweet but I ain't sugar! And real men don't use granny carts. We arrive home with stretched arms, popped joints and strained muscles. But, dammit, no granny carts!

 

Humph!  Real men my culo!  ::) ::)

 

When I do grocery shop (and I try to do that is little as possible) I refuse to walk around carrying shit. Put in the granny cart, stop by a few more stores and push it all home with ease!  But then again, I'm only going 500 ft from my front door to shop!  :P

Just a fwiw...

 

If transportation worries are the only thing holding you back from looking at Tremont, I'd say don't sweat it.  I live here totally car-free, and between my own two feet and bicycle, the 23, 81, and 807, I have no trouble getting downtown, to UC, and to shopping (I use the WSM and Dave's in OC, and occasionally Steelyard for various things.)  Granted, the recent service cuts and subsequent re-shuffling have made things marginally less convenient (frequency-wise,) but I'm hoping it's only temporary.

 

There may be other places you find more convenient, but I honestly have never had any real issues getting where I need to go.  It's easy to be car-free here, and you can certainly find a rental in your price range.

 

Sorry I don't have any suggestions on temporary housing.  :(

Just a fwiw...

 

If transportation worries are the only thing holding you back from looking at Tremont, I'd say don't sweat it.  I live here totally car-free, and between my own two feet and bicycle, the 23, 81, and 807, I have no trouble getting downtown, to UC, and to shopping (I use the WSM and Dave's in OC, and occasionally Steelyard for various things.)  Granted, the recent service cuts and subsequent re-shuffling have made things marginally less convenient (frequency-wise,) but I'm hoping it's only temporary.

 

There may be other places you find more convenient, but I honestly have never had any real issues getting where I need to go.  It's easy to be car-free here, and you can certainly find a rental in your price range.

 

Sorry I don't have any suggestions on temporary housing.  :(

 

There are six buslines blessed with 24 hour coverage, and the 81 is one of them.

 

Tremont is a fine place to be Car-Free.

Hey all ... Thanks for the advice to date. I'm scheduled to move back in exactly two months now, so I'm stepping up my apartment search a bit. After putting (waaaaayyy too much) thought into it and talking to a lot of people, I am now concentrating my search on three areas:

 

- Market Area of Ohio City: Roughly bounded by Fulton, Jay, W. 25th and Chatham.

- Lower Euclid and Theater: Ontario, Euclid, E. 22nd and Prospect.

- Lower Midtown and Asiatown: E. 30th, St. Clair, E. 40th and Prospect.

 

If anyone has any leads on interesting rentals in these areas, I would appreciate any advice. Would be ready to move in as early as June 15th but could delay as late as the end of August for the right space. As previously mentioned, small and unique units are awesome, and I'm willing to pay up to $750 per month (would consider going a bit over, but only if the space blows me away).

 

Meanwhile, does anyone have any details about the apartment building on Fulton just down from Johnny Mango's? I believe it's the corner of Fulton and 30th (not the West Virginia Building but pretty nearby), but the tree cover on Google Maps is too hard for me to make out. Just wondering if anyone has been inside, has any opinions, has contact info.

 

Thanks guys! Appreciate your help!

Robin Yates owns the Brownstone Inn (B&B on Prospect... see link for contact info).  He also owns the Esmond Apartment building next to the Agora on Euclid.  I believe that many of those units are furnished if not all.  He has plenty of experience working with folks coming from abroad.  I recommend giving him a call.  He is a great resource for local rentals.  http://www.brownstoneinndowntown.com/