Hi there,

 

Beginning July 20th, I will be starting work in Cleveland, specifically along Tungsten Road.  My question is this: a) Where are some of the safer areas/neighborhoods to live in, and b) how can one use the transit system to go from said area to Tungsten Rd.?

 

As much as I would prefer using a car, unfortunately, I cannot afford one.  So, I will be using the transit system (bus, trains, etc.).  Hopefully those are safe?

 

Thanks for your help!

Tungsten Road as in the city of Euclid?  From downtown, it's a straight shot out the #1 (St. Clair) bus, albeit an hour ride.  Other routes might be more complicated.  That said, are you wanting to live in the city or suburbs?

 

EDIT:  If you want to live in the eastern suburbs, the #94 bus runs up and down Richmond Rd.  I guess the other question is how much are you looking to pay per month in rent?

Yes, Tungsten Rd. is in Euclid.  I took a look on the K&D website, and it has some nice properties.  As to how much I am willing to pay for rent, I want to stay below $600 per month.  Suburbs or city?  It really does not matter too much I suppose, but I would prefer to be close to where young professionals are.

 

Before I forget, I am a recent college graduate (and a male) coming from Boston, MA.

For those wishing to provide a response but unfamiliar with his work location, Tungsten runs between Chardon Rd and E 222, north of Euclid and south of St. Clair.

 

theAnalyst, the location of your job makes things tough.  There is no commuter rail that goes out to your job.  The bus routes are quite extensive in that area though.  They come down Euclid and St. Clair with some regularity, from both directions.

 

Not sure what your idea of "safe" is.  There are some edgier, yet intriguing, neighborhoods you could consider not far from your job, such as the Waterloo Arts District and North Collinwood.  There are also plenty of rental units around E 185th, E 200th and E 222nd, but, again, some would consider those neighborhoods a bit on the rough side (I say "some".... not me). 

 

If you want something less gritty but still be able to utilize public transportation with minimal transfers, try the cities of Wickliffe and Willoughby where you may be able to get a rental right on or within walking distance of Euclid Ave.  However, I have no idea how long the walk would be from Euclid to your job, but it would have to be at least 5-10 mins.  At least you come from Boston and can handle the weather.

 

You could always live downtown, but as DocBroc mentions your commute would be longer... probably a 15-20 drive, but much more by bus.  I recommend taking a look at University Circle as it would be half the distance from downtown, has rentals along the bus lines and is the City's cultural center.  Little Italy, which is adjacent to University Circle is another option.

 

When looking for rentals, do not even consider anything in the City of East Cleveland.  That would be the ghetto my friend.

 

Hope this is helpful.  Welcome to Cleveland!

Hey...

 

You don't need to fear about riding the transit.  From all my experiences it has been safe.  You will run into many poor people and it may be a little unconfortable for you, but I have never had troubles.

 

The first thing I suggest would be locating in Euclid.  There are plenty of inexpensive apartments in the city. The city is relatively safe.  If you are looking for the most lively area in a walkable distant I would suggest living around E 185th street.  This may be a little more unsafe than other areas you could settle in Euclid.  (parts of this are actually in the city of Cleveland).

 

If you like urban areas and livlier areas I would suggest:

-Cleveland Hts in the area around Euclid Hts and and Coventry.  Coventry is one of the most exciting places in the Cleveland area.

 

-Shaker Square/ Larchmere area... Most of this area is in Cleveland but some is in Shaker Hts.  This is also a very exciting place in the Cleveland area also I don't feel it is as safe as the Coventry area.  I still feel that its moderately safe.  Some others could  help you determine this better than I could.

 

I can't help with transportation with these two places since I'm a westsider and do not know the routes. 

 

You can check out the RTA website to check out the routes:

http://www.riderta.com/

 

If you're interesting in any westside neighborhoods or more suburban locations just let me know..

 

I hope this helped

 

 

Yes, Tungsten Rd. is in Euclid.  I took a look on the K&D website, and it has some nice properties.  As to how much I am willing to pay for rent, I want to stay below $600 per month.  Suburbs or city?  It really does not matter too much I suppose, but I would prefer to be close to where young professionals are.

 

Before I forget, I am a recent college graduate (and a male) coming from Boston, MA.

 

Below $600/month?  For a 1 bedroom or studio, or are you looking to room with someone?  That's gonna be tough to find if you're by yourself.  If you looking for young professionals, then downtown is your best bet (the eastern suburbs are very family-oriented).  However, you won't find something for the price you want unless you're willing to venture a little outside of downtown and add a bus transfer to your commute or find a roommate...

Thanks everyone for your replies.  Greatly appreciate them.

 

How are these apartments I found:

http://www.thekdgroup.com/profiles.asp?AID=11923

http://www.thekdgroup.com/floorplan.asp?AID=11927&FPID=20441

 

I do not mind the commute, so long as its around 30-45min.

Thanks everyone for your replies. Greatly appreciate them.

 

How are these apartments I found:

http://www.thekdgroup.com/profiles.asp?AID=11923

http://www.thekdgroup.com/floorplan.asp?AID=11927&FPID=20441

 

I do not mind the commute, so long as its around 30-45min.

 

Well, there isn't a bus you could take from that second link to your work (I don't think you'd be allowed to rent at the first one you have there :)) - perhaps you might be interested in purchasing a bike?  Also remember you have to get to the grocery store and what not somehow.....  It will be much easier for you to live in Cleveland proper without a car than say in Euclid; however, you'd probably need to find a roommate as I previously stated, or be willing to take multiple buses.

It's too bad the 239 doesn't backhaul riders from downtown to the Euclid Park N Ride in the mornings and vice versa.  Maybe you could work out a deal with RTA?

 

Which part of Tungsten is the job on?  There are two Tungstens, one between Chardon and E. 222, and the other over by E. 260.  Both have industry.

Now that I'm looking closer, living in Little Italy (adjacent to Case Western Reserve University) might actually be a good bet for you.  It'd be a 10 minute walk for you to get to Euclid Ave, where you can hop on the Healthline, where the buses come approx. every 5 minutes during rush hour.  You could then pick up the #28 (at the Windermere station in East Cleveland (don't worry it's a nice station with lots of people)) which will haul you all the way out to Euclid in approx. 20 minutes.  I'd say your commute would probably be about 45 minutes vs. a little over an hour from downtown (and you should be able to find a rental in Little Italy in your price range).  See the RTA system map here:

 

http://www.riderta.com/pdf/maps/System_Map_Main.pdf

 

You can easily live in Little Italy without a car. 

 

EDIT:  Apparently the Healthline is still marked as the #6 on the system map.  Seriously guys????  Update your map!!!!!  At any rate, Little Italy is close to the intersection of Euclid Ave. and Mayfield Ave. for your reference.  The Healthline is a bus rapid transit line that runs along Euclid Ave.

How are these apartments:

http://www.thekdgroup.com/floorplan.asp?AID=11916&FPID=20840

http://www.thekdgroup.com/floorplan.asp?AID=11921&FPID=20885

http://www.thekdgroup.com/floorplan.asp?AID=14660&FPID=30621

http://www.thekdgroup.com/floorplan.asp?AID=11936&FPID=20911

I personally cannot attest to the quality of any of K&D's properties in Euclid, so I'm gonna defer to someone who may know better.  I'm sure they are just fine to live in.  But if you're looking to not be miserable without a car just merely for your life's sake (and not necessarily work), I highly recommend that you live in University Circle/Little Italy, downtown, or anywhere in between.  The only problem with Little Italy is that it will require you to take a trip out here as most of the buildings are renovated houses, and you really just have to walk around and look at for rent signs.

i recommend looking at google maps.  when you get down to a more detailed level, the bus stops and routes will appear on the map.  for instance, this is that general area w/ stops:

 

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=tungsten+road,+euclid&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=33.077336,69.257812&ie=UTF8&ll=41.589224,-81.503427&spn=0.003812,0.008454&t=h&z=17

 

Then, use the "get directions" and enter the different apartments you are looking at, making sure that "transit" is selected.  It will give you travel time, transfers, and amount of walking and/or biking at either end of your trip.

I grew up in Euclid, off 222 on Ivan Ave.  A lot of my fam is still there. 

 

Honestly, look into the forclosed homes.  Unfortunately, there are a lot of them.  Last year a house on my Mom's street went for $5,000.  The house wasn't in bad shape at all.  My brother bought a second house near his house on the lake to be used as his "home" office for $10,000.

 

As for my personal opinion of Euclid, I love it.  Two of my brothers bought houses along the lake for what a small house in Lakewood would go for.  Since I was a little kid I always heard "Euclid is going to hell soon"  but you know what, it never has.  There are people who are just passionate about the little city that could.  I often think of Euclid to Cleveland as the nation to Cleveland.  A city that unfairly gets knocked, but if you actually spent time there you would come away impressed.

 

So if I have not scared you off yet, lets get down to your question.  Euclid has a few large apartment buildings, such as K&D's, but it also has a lot of top/bottom doubles or Cleveland doubles, usually along the main streets of the city.  If you have the time you should look into them.

 

Euclid has several districts:

    North of the Boulevard

    Between Lakeshore Blvd and the freeway

    Between the freeway and Euclid Ave.

    Above Euclid Ave up to the heights

 

In a nutshell, North of the boulevard are nice homes, some along the lake.  I am not sure how many apartments there are there, but you may be able to rent a house.  For the homes not on the lake, there are a lot of private beach clubs.  There is also a nice park, Sims Park, just east of 222nd.  Growing up I watched many a thunderstorm rolling in over the lake at Simms.

The areas between LSB and the freeway is filled with post war small houses.  There is a large public park along E. 222 and a nice sized recently rehabbed library there (AND THE POLKA HALL OF FAME!)  Streets such as Crystal, Priday, and around there seems to have gone downhill in recent years.  Rule of thumb, stay away from the side by side doubles.  My guess, they were all built around the same time and build poorly.  The houses east of 260th tend to be larger on larger plots than the ones west of E. 260th.

That area needs to be discovered by the gays, they could do some great things there (paging MTS)

 

Between the Freeway and Euclid Ave are not places you want to live.  Euclid Ave should be the main street of the city of Euclid , unfortunately the urban decay and crime of East Cleveland continues seamlessly into the city of Euclid.  There is also a lot of industry in this area. 

 

The area south of Euclid Ave the beginning of the heights area of greater Cleveland.  Nice houses, but it may be a bit isolated.

 

 

 

My advice, the next time you are in Euclid go to Skinny's on E. 222nd and Nicholas.  Get to know the local flavor and ask people in the bar where a good place to live would be.  I bet some of your future co-workers know skinny's well.

 

Good luck.  Be sure to use the search function and look into Colinwood, especially around the Waterloo district.

 

Doc Broc is right, there are 1br places for 600 and below, but selection may be limited.  I've been around that range for years here, and there are nice places you can get for less than 500 sometimes.  These tend to be in older brownstone or mixed use buildings on the major streets.  Euclid has these, more in the northern part, and Collinwood does too.  The advantage of these is steam heat, which is typically included in the rent.  You can't control it but it's there.  Not anyone likes these but I think they're great. 

 

There are also a lot of post-war apartment complexes where you can find good 1brs under 600.  These may or may not include heat.  They're more likely than the older places to have AC.  600 might also get you into a high rise, and Euclid and Collinwood have some of those too.  The ones by the lake may be pricey.  600 won't hardly get you into a newer place anywhere, and it's bottom of the range for anything in the really popular heights areas.  You should still check them out, Coventry and Shaker and several areas along Cedar.  They have lots of cool 1brs but mostly at higher prices.

 

Any kind of house, including a duplex, will usually involve a heating bill.  This is always on top of the rent and in the winter, it may be as much as the rent.  In an older house it may be more.  I live in a 2br upper on the other side of town for 650, split with a roommate, and the gas bill got up to 300 one month.  There were several months in triple digits, and this place has new windows.  So if you rent even a floor of a house by yourself, you could be paying 4 digits in the winter.

I am looking into the Crittenden Court apartments.  How are these viewed?  And any good car dealers with used cars around Cleveland?

For cheap used cars, go the length of Lorain Avenue.  It's a main road on the west side.  It has used car lots all the way along it into the suburbs.  These run from reputable to ugh, more ugh at first.  The cheapest option is probably Our Lady of the Wayside, on Brook Park Road at the end of the 176 freeway.  Near Parma.  They sell donated cars and the money goes to charity.  This is a good option if you do your own work.  Most of these cars need something.  Last resort-- there's a public auto auction off I-71 at Emery Road by the airport.  Every Friday morning I believe.  Very interesting crowd at the auto auction.  For nicer car lots, they're everywhere in the suburbs.  Bedford has several and Brook Park Road does too. 

TheAnalyst...I agree with DocBroc...if you arent going to have a car I would live in an area where there is stuff to do and keep you busy.  Little Italy is great for a young professional.  The rent there is not bad at all.  You can walk to the store, and take a bus downtown, you have cleveland hts. over your shoulder and a nice area to live with plenty of young people.  Euclid without a car is tough.  Any suburb without a car is tough.  You may want to look into buying a really cheap car to hold you over until you can afford one.  Coming from Boston you will save a ton of money on cost of living though.  Good Luck

For cheap used cars, go the length of Lorain Avenue.

 

Noooo!!! Half of those are run by convicted felons. The other half should be convicted.

 

Euclid is a nice community for young families starting out. But I don't consider it a happening place for young, single professionals. Instead look at downtown, Ohio City (near west side, within walking distance of the Ohio City Red Line station), Little Italy/University Circle, Cleveland Heights/Conventry Village and Shaker Square.

 

If you want to find an apartment for $600 per month, you will have a hard time finding one downtown for that rate unless you room with someone. If you can get one at the Crittenden, get it. It's a pretty decent building, structurally. I can't speak as to the quality of your neighbors or the maintenance.

 

There are positives and drawbacks to downtown, in Little Italy/University Circle, Cleveland Heights/Conventry Village and in Shaker Square. There are small grocery stores downtown with larger stores in Asiatown and Ohio City, plus the West Side Market in Ohio City and ethnic markets in Asiatown, Gallucci's on the HealthLine bus rapid transit at East 66th station, and Alladin's Bakery & Market on Carnegie downtown. Grocery stores and smaller markets, including a Whole Foods Market, are in the Cleveland Heights, University Heights, Shaker Heights areas. But no grocery store in Little Italy, if you can believe that. Lots of restaurants, bars, cafes, nightclubs downtown, in Little Italy, University Circle, and the three "heights" communities I just mentioned.

 

You can easily get from downtown to Tungsten Road in Euclid by transit in 45 minutes, if you take the Red Line train (http://www.riderta.com/pdf/66.pdf) and make a short transfer to the #28 bus to Tungsten (end of the line). Fortunately the #28 (http://www.riderta.com/pdf/28.pdf) runs 24 hours -- with buses every 12 minutes during rush hours and 15 minutes off peak.

 

To get from Little Italy/University Circle to Tungsten, take the HealthLine to the Windermere Station (East Cleveland is a rough city, but Windermere and the buses/trains are pretty safe).

 

To get from Cleveland Heights/Coventry, Shaker or University Heights to Tungsten, take the #37 (less frequent bus direct connection to #28) or #40 bus (more frequent, runs 22 hours a day, bus requires two transfers, first to the HealthLine on Euclid and then to the #28).

 

And don't forget -- bicycles are a great way to get around in all but the snowiest weather. You can also take bikes on all buses and on the trains (except when the trains are jammed with people -- it's the train driver's discretion as to what "jammed" means).

 

For a good selection of apartments, try these sites and search within the areas I mentioned in this message:

 

http://www.rent.com/rentals/ohio/cleveland-and-vicinity/cleveland/ (good site, but when you search "downtown" many of the apartments listed are not downtown)

http://www.pluggedincleveland.com/ (much more than just apartments!)

http://cleveland.apartments.com/ (a mediocre site)

^Is there a giant eagle right up the hill from Little Italy? 

Thanks so much everyone.  Is the neighborhood surrounding this apartment safe: http://www.move.com/apartments/listing/C154967

You are right near Cleveland State where they are doing a ton of work.  Its not a bad neighborhood by any means, but its not booming.  They are working on more apartments around CSU and in about another year or two it should be a great place to live.  Grocery Store in Reserve Square about .5 miles away.

But it is rather close to downtown?  I mean, the apartments are really cheap, affordable, and all-inclusive (includes all utilities plus many amenities).

The Heritage Suites is a former YMCA -- and still has YMCA fitness facilities on site, if I remember right. It's an OK area, safety-wise, but don't venture south of Interstate 90 toward Cedar. You're getting into the projects around Cedar. You'll probably get a few Cleveland State University students in the Heritage Suites. And it's a bit removed from the major activity centers downtown which is why the apartments are so cheap.

 

But it's one block from the HealthLine bus rapid transit (on Euclid Avenue) that will get you to Windermere Station and the #28 bus to Tungsten. A bicycle will be very helpful if you choose this location. You can get good cheap bikes and accessories (U-lock, helmet, etc) here:

 

http://www.ohiocitycycles.org/ (also has repair classes and Saturday social bike rides that are good places to meet people)

http://www.myspace.com/shakercycle (the shop owner is a no-BS guy, don't even try to crack jokes around him)

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/bik/ (at your own risk!)

I apologize if this may sound ignorant, but how far is Downtown from Heritage Suites?

East 4th Street's entertainment district (House of Blues, several restaurants, upscale bowling at Corner Alley) and Gateway (baseball, basketball, sports bars) are 5-10 minute walk down Prospect from Heritage Suites.  There's a couple bars a block away from Heritage (Rascal House, Peabody's for live music) as well as a coffeehouse (http://www.cafeah-roma.com/).

 

Two other affordable options, though a little farther from the center of downtown, would be University Commons on East 30th between Chester and Euclid  [ http://www.paranmgt.com/universitycommons/html/location.html ], and InTown Place in the 2900 block of Euclid [ http://niederstmanagement.com/detail?property_id=26&city_search=Search ].  Both are steps from the HealthLine transit corridor, but are somewhat isolated from the active areas of downtown.  There are some photos of the renovated InTown Place in this thread:  http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,13072.30.html

 

Given your budget, I would make Crittenden the first choice, then Heritage, then these two.  Not sure there much else out there in the $600 range downtown.

As it looks, both Crittenden and Heritage appear the most appealing, with a slight edge given to Crittenden (larger rooms).

Once again, look into a cheap car, i tmay make your life much easier no matter where you live. 

Even a cheap car becomes an expensive proposition when you factor in parking costs and insurance coverage downtown.  If you only plan on driving rarely, look into the CityWheels car share:  www.mycitywheels.com - the hourly rates of $7-9 include gas and insurance, and there are cars convenient to the Rapid Transit in Shaker Square and near the HealthLine in Univ. Circle.

Heritage has nothing to do around it at night.  The only thing is Cafe-Ah Roma and it closes at nine. 

 

Crittenden would be much better for entertainment and neighborhood purposes. 

 

 

Most would consider Crittenden a step up from Heritage.  It's a new hi-rise in a more happening area.  There are some things located around Heritage that produce... interesting characters, like the Harbor Light Center and a day-labor temp agency.  This may not be an issue for you at all, but for some it is, and you should walk around there a little before signing anything with the Heritage.  The only drawback to the Crittenden that I can think of is that based on the floorplan and square footage, those studios seem very small.  I've never been in the building so I don't know how it plays out in real life.

Most would consider Crittenden a step up from Heritage. It's a new hi-rise in a more happening area. There are some things located around Heritage that produce... interesting characters, like the Harbor Light Center and a day-labor temp agency. This may not be an issue for you at all, but for some it is, and you should walk around there a little before signing anything with the Heritage. The only drawback to the Crittenden that I can think of is that based on the floorplan and square footage, those studios seem very small. I've never been in the building so I don't know how it plays out in real life.

 

Just make sure you don't mind walking up and down a hill to get to the bus every day if you choose the Crittenden :).  It will be a longer walk for you to get to the bus to go to work, but lifestyle-wise, you'd probably like it better.

Thanks everyone.  It appears almost necessary now in purchasing a car for work, so I think I am going to go with that.  My next question now is this: Where are some good car dealerships that offer Toyotas and Hondas around Cleveland?  Is leasing a viable option?  What if I have no money to put down (I'm a recent college graduate with a few hundred bucks on hand)?

 

And I forgot to ask, is the neighborhood surrounding the Crittenden safe?  As long as the rooms are larger than the size of a college room single, then it is fine by me.

 

And I forgot to ask, is the neighborhood surrounding the Crittenden safe?  As long as the rooms are larger than the size of a college room single, then it is fine by me.

 

I live about a block away from the Crittenden, the area is very safe.  Always people out, lots of runners and people walking their dogs in the mornings, and lots of nightlife, especially on weekends.  One of the two main nightlife/entertainment areas downtown. Lots of bars, restaurants and clubs.  Also tons of young professionals in the area.

Hmm...OK...now that you are living downtown..I would say hold off on the car until you have the cash.  I know we are pulling you in different directions.  The car is a must if you were going to live in Euclid.  Try using public transportation for a little while and see what comes out of it.  If you need to get a car, then get one, but parking downtown is extra money you have to pay.  There are car dealerships of your choice.  Used cars are good also.  Crittendon is a good choice, you will have fun and meet new people. 

^ I agree, if you are living downtown a car might not be necessary.  I am currently without one, although I am able to borrow one from friends if necessary (a rare occurrance).  Someone mentioned City Wheels above, that is always an option.

May I ask what the best path to take to getting to Tungsten Rd. is then?  I utilized Google Maps, and it tells me to take Bus 1 (runs through St. Clair).  Is that a safe bus?  I ask because it runs through East Cleveland.

May I ask what the best path to take to getting to Tungsten Rd. is then?  I utilized Google Maps, and it tells me to take Bus 1 (runs through St. Clair).  Is that a safe bus?  I ask because it runs through East Cleveland.

 

You'll be safe on the bus, no problem whatsoever.  The Healthline/#28 combo may get you a little closer to your work for approx. the same ride time - so I guess it's your choice.

 

Oh, and I agree with the other posters.  If you're gonna live downtown, try car-free for a bit.  Then if you think you need one, save up a little cash and get yourself one from a reputable dealer.

Alternate take:  Transit in Cleveland is generally not a viable commuting option unless you work downtown and live right off a direct line.  The distance and destination you're talking about sound impractical to me.  I would drive.  This is a new job and you don't want a ton of variation in your arrival time.  As someone mentined above, you're looking at an hour-long bus ride each way, though it's not even close to an hour's distance.  And that's if the bus shows up right when and where you need it to at both ends, which is exceedingly unlikely.  Time-wise, the schedules are approximations.   

 

For what it's worth.

theAnalyst,

 

check the personal message I sent you.

Alternate take: Transit in Cleveland is generally not a viable commuting option unless you work downtown and live right off a direct line. The distance and destination you're talking about sound impractical to me. I would drive. This is a new job and you don't want a ton of variation in your arrival time. As someone mentined above, you're looking at an hour-long bus ride each way, though it's not even close to an hour's distance. And that's if the bus shows up right when and where you need it to at both ends, which is exceedingly unlikely. Time-wise, the schedules are approximations.  

 

But if he needs time to save up more money so he can get himself a decent car, personally, RTA is probably the better bet, even if it's only temporary.  He doesn't need to pay parking for a junker that won't start! 

 

theAnalyst - I looked at the bus routes a little more, and if you're closer to E. 276th and Tungsten, then it'd probably be better to do the Healthline/#28 combo.  If you work closer to the Babbit Rd. area, then the #1 bus may be more convenient.

I'm actually literally working right in the middle of Tungsten Rd., which is right off Chardon Rd. in Euclid, if that helps any.

I'm actually literally working right in the middle of Tungsten Rd., which is right off Chardon Rd. in Euclid, if that helps any.

 

Ooo, you're working further west than I thought.  That's even better.  Definitely take the #1 then if you decide to go by bus, even if it's temporary.

Bus 1 is what Google Maps suggests as well.  However, it also advises me to walk 11min.  Would it be safe to ride Bus 1 back from work, say, around 6pm or even later?

Bus 1 is what Google Maps suggests as well. However, it also advises me to walk 11min. Would it be safe to ride Bus 1 back from work, say, around 6pm or even later?

 

Someone else will have to advise you on that area of Euclid, cause I'm not too familiar with it.  However, actually being on the bus should be no problem, and your walk from the bus to home shouldn't be either.

This is what I would suggest.  I would bsae your living decision on if you get a car or not. 

 

-If you get a car, i wouldnt live downtown.  You mind as well live closer to work and somewhere that you can park for cheap (Little Italy, Coventry, Shaker Square)

 

-If you dont get a car, live downtown.  You are near grocery, everything you need is downtown or across the bridge.  If you need to get to the burbs you can take the 55 X bus out to westgate or crocker park.  Heck,  you can get just about anywhere.

 

 

I mean, I do not mind taking the bus (even if it takes an hour to get to work).  Have there been horror stories with Bus 1?

I've never taken the #1, but I can't imagine there being horror stories.  Horror stories are just very rare in general.  You had originally mentioned a shorter commuting goal, and I don't think you could have met that goal reliably w/o a car.  If you're willing to get up earlier, and occasionally be at work way before your shift, the bus could work for you.  I'm just trying to give you realistic expectations.

 

The problem is the variation in trip times.  On a route that long, so many things can happen to change the bus's ETA.  How many people get on and off?  How many are in wheelchairs?  How many have their money ready?  How cooperative are the lights, in conjunction with these other variables?  Did the bus show up on time initially?  Who's driving today and how do they drive?

 

Complex trip planning was my field for many years, so please trust that I'm not making this stuff up.  I also use RTA more extensively than anyone I know... though if I don't drive to work, a six mile 15 minute trip into downtown becomes 45 minutes.  Not always, of course, but in order to reliably be at work on time via bus.  And this is an express bus traveling on a freeway for half the trip.  So I drive to work, for the most part, even though my situation is ideal for riding the bus. 

 

Yours would be less ideal, and if the schedule shows a roughly 45 minute trip (yours seems to), and you know there's gonna be walking involved, I would double that 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.  You could safely budget 1.5 hours each way.  That would be my guess.  Budget less than this and you could be late more often than you'd prefer.

So, in a nutshell, what everyone is saying is that the choice is yours.  If you want to live closer to work (where you'd definitely need to buy a car), you'd have a short commute time, but you'd have to go places away from where you live to have a good social life on the weekends.

 

The other option is then to have a longer commute time such that you can be in the middle of the social action on evenings and weekends.  Here you can either never buy a car and just take the bus, or you can save up $$ to buy a car later while taking the bus in the mean time. 

 

Good luck with your decision :).

The "horror stories" with our public transportation have more to do with delays or trips taking forever due to bad weather, bus breakdown, when you have to wait for another one to come (has happened to me twice, also once on the train), missing the bus and having to wait an hour for another one to come, the bus being so full they won't let you on and so you have to wait for the next one and the next one and the next one, etc.  Those are the horror stories with our public transit. 

 

I agree with the other people; either live downtown and don't have a car or live somewhere else, where you'll LIKELY need a car.  You could try living somewhere else other than downtown for awhile without a car but my guess is you will be asking people for rides a lot or using the city wheels program so much it will only make sense to get a car. 

 

I guess it depends on how hardy you are.  I would never ride a bike in our traffic, I don't consider Cleveland traffic to be very bike-friendly but others are more fearless and ride their bikes a lot.  I also think our weather sucks ass most of the year and is not very bike friendly.  I would rather walk in bad weather than ride a bike, and walking in our winters, even an "only 11 minute walk" sucks really, really bad.  I mean, you're coming from Boston, I imagine their winters aren't much fun either, would you want to walk out in the fiercely blowing snow in work clothes for 11 minutes?  Keep in mind that in the suburbs, you'll likely be walking through a lot of snow since people don't plow their sidewalks, and some places don't even have sidewalks, so you could be walking out in the road.