I am moving back to Cleveland from Chicago and will commuting to Akron for work.  A few years ago I lived in the Coventry area and most of my friends currently live on the east side, but I am a single female in my late 20's hoping to rent in a "young and hip" area rather than a more residential family-oriented neighborhood.  I've always loved Tremont but am a bit clueless about the best places to live in the area.  I have heard some concerns about safety and would like a place where I feel comfortable going out alone at night (with street smarts, of course). 

 

Can anyone offer some parameters with which to begin my search?  I'm especially interested in loft-type arrangements but the new Tremont Place Lofts are a bit out of my price range...I'm hoping to stay under $900.

 

Any advice?  Or would you recommend I look in a different area?  I've also heard rumblings about Ohio City...

 

Thanks in advance!

Welcome to the forum, and welcome back to Cleveland! I'm a resident of Tremont - your best bets are to look east of I90/I71, and for easy walking distance to the Tremont hotspots, north of I490. I live east of 90/71 but south of 490 - but I'm male and when I think of my galpals walking around my area at night alone - I think they'd be okay, but I'd feel better about the area north of 490 for them. 

 

If you look on a map and see Lincoln Park, pretty much the area adjacent to that is ideal. Although Tremont Lofts are among the pricier rentals in the area - you might consider haggling with them a little. Best case, they say yes - worst case, they say no. Your commute to Akron will be relatively easy since you're commuting out of the city, and highway access in Tremont is really good.

 

Ohio City is another great area - more densely built than Tremont, and with amenities like the West Side Market and a full-service grocery store. However, the further away from the area of the West Side Market you get, the more "questionable" it becomes.

 

 

 

You could get some places downtown for under $900. Admittedly, the choices are few and the availability slim at that price, but if you're really interested in downtown, you might be able to find something in the Warehouse District or in the Gateway District/East Fourth areas.

 

Here's a few that I found....

 

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/apa/1234445492.html

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/apa/1233410343.html (it's $975 but you might talk them down)

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/apa/1231369462.html (this one looks real promising!)

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/apa/1231157341.html ($950 -- negotiate!)

 

Also, you may be interested in:

http://www.rent.com/rentals/ohio/cleveland-and-vicinity/cleveland/downtown/national-terminal-apartments/447042/?sp=1&searchrank=3&fl=

 

http://www.rent.com/rentals/ohio/cleveland-and-vicinity/cleveland/downtown/reserve-square/429911/?sp=1&searchrank=5&fl=

 

http://www.rent.com/rentals/ohio/cleveland-and-vicinity/cleveland/downtown/prospect-place-apartments/3166137/?sp=1&searchrank=6&fl=

 

http://www.rent.com/rentals/ohio/cleveland-and-vicinity/cleveland/downtown/the-residences-at-six-six-eight/3187803/?sp=1&searchrank=7&fl=

 

http://www.rent.com/rentals/ohio/cleveland-and-vicinity/cleveland/downtown/the-pointe-at-gateway/455752/?sp=1&searchrank=8&fl=

 

http://www.rent.com/rentals/ohio/cleveland-and-vicinity/cleveland/historic-warehouse/waterstreet-apartments/446257/?sp=1&searchrank=9&fl=

 

But if your heart is set on Tremont (or Ohio City), you can also find listings for apartments at the same sites. Also, try:

 

http://www.pluggedincleveland.com/

 

Welcome (back) to Cleveland!

Thanks so much to both of you!  This gives me a great starting point to work from.  Downtown is quickly becoming an option in addition to Tremont and Ohio City.  I appreciate the feedback!

OR you could save yourself the aggravation and just move to Akron.  I just looked up on realtor.com, you can buy a nice 2100sq foot house by Highland Sq. for $5000 down and a monthly mortgage on a 15yr fixed for around $600/mo.  Its a $72,000 house.  Highland square is a miniature version of Coventry. 

 

A good way to get your bearings of what Akron has to offer is www.downtownakron.com.  They just updated the site this week. 

 

And of course there is the www.northsidelofts.com but it sounds a bit out of your price range but they are pretty sick..