Hi,

 

I am a 31 yo single male professional who is considering a career move to Cleveland from Pittsburgh, PA, where I would be working at the Cleveland Clinic.

 

I'm looking for recommendations for where to get a condo/loft-type apartment for rent during my 1st year, while I better acquaint myself with the area before buying something.

 

My budget is approximately $1000-1300 for my monthly rent + utilities.  I am seeking a 1-2 BR apartment with indoor parking, central AC, dish washer, washer and dryer either in the unit or shared, and preferably a doorman for security.  Given the cold winters, I'd like something that will be relatively well insulated. 

 

Regarding the location, I don't know much about the city's layout.  I would like to be within a 5-10 minute drive to the Cleveland Clinic's main campus. As I am young and single, it would also be nice to live in close proximity to a hip area with restaurants, some night life, other young professionals around, a local gym, healthy grocery stores (i.e., whole foods, trader Jo's, etc.) 

 

In addition to general living areas, what would be more helpful is if anyone can recommend specific apartment rental buildings to check out.  Also, what do you think about living in the warehouse district, and do you know of any good apartments to rent in that area? 

 

Thanks.

 

 

Hello!  Welcome to Cleveland (kinda)!  Downtown sounds like a good fit for the amenities you listed.  And you can take our lovely Healthline bus rapid transit to work instead of paying an arm and a leg for Clinic parking :).

 

And yes, the Warehouse district is awesome for apartment living - I'll let someone who lives there comment.

 

The only thing we really can't fulfill on your list if you live downtown is something like a Whole Foods or Trader Joe's.  Those are only in the suburbs.  However, we have this totally awesome (one of the best in the country) markets called the West Side Market.  It's just across the bridge from downtown.  Every Saturday is Market Day, and you have hundreds of vendors selling everything you can imagine, all home-grown and whatnot :).

Sweet!!  :clap:  Any idea of which apartment buildings to look into when I go apartment hunting?

Thanks!

Welcome to the forum, and hopefully to Cleveland! If you could tell us some areas in Pittsburgh that you like, we can see if there's a comparable area in Cleveland. Your budget will get you a very nice 1-bedroom just about anywhere, or a pretty good 2-bedroom in most desirable areas.

 

As far as the city layout - it's much more straightforward than Pittsburgh. I like Pittsburgh a lot, but when it comes to day-to-day getting around the city, I think Cleveland's more manageable if for no other reason - most of the city proper is on a grid.

 

Just reading what you've posted so far - I would recommend checking out the area around the East 4th Street district. The Warehouse District is great, but I think a lot of the places there cater to the 20-something crowd.

Great-- thanks for the advice.  I live in Shady Side right now, which I love.  I also like the South Side. 

 

One thing I forgot to mention in my post: I'm a fan of Yoga, spinning, and weight training.  Ideally, I'd like to live in an area where there's a good gym and some cool  :wink2: hot  :whip: yoga studios around as well. 

 

Thanks!

Great-- thanks for the advice. I live in Shady Side right now, which I love. I also like the South Side.

 

One thing I forgot to mention in my post: I'm a fan of Yoga, spinning, and weight training. Ideally, I'd like to live in an area where there's a good gym and some cool :wink2: hot :whip: yoga studios around as well.

 

Thanks!

 

There is a Fitworks two blocks from the E. 4th St. apartments, and there is a wellness clinic that does yoga, pilates, weight lifting, and tai chi classes on W. 6th (Warehouse District).  I've never been there, I just know it's called Metropolitan Therapies Ltd (www.metropolitantherapies.com)

^I believe that the FitWorks near E. 4th has some yoga classes.  There is also a yoga studio on W. 10th (www.karmayogacleveland.com).

If you do decide on downtown, I belonged to the downtown Y for more than 7 years and really enjoyed it.  Nice facility and it of course offers weight training and spinning.  I would imagine yoga classes but not sure.  About a ten minute walk from E. 4th Street.  A little longer from the Warehouse District.

You might also be interested in the east-side Heights areas, which are near Whole Foods University Heights, plus you'll be more likely to find yoga and similar activities in that area. Look for apartments in neighborhoods like Coventry, Cedar-Lee and Cedar-Fairmount in Cleveland Heights, Shaker Square and Larchmere in Cleveland, and you also might like areas "down the hill" like Little Italy and University Circle (which has a food co-op).

 

If you're interested in those areas, look for apartments with those names in some of the usual places like Craigslist, rent.com, PluggedinCleveland, apartments.com etc.

Because of the CC, I would also say downtown...or in the Heights/University Circle area....maybe even Shaker Square.

 

$1000-$1300 will give you more options than you can believe, so look around till you find what you like.

Another vote for downtown.  check out the new apartments at 668?  or Euclid Block?

I'd vote for downtown over the east side. If you listened to the type of housing that he is looking for, he won't find it in the Heights areas.

 

I would also point him towards Tremont. Specifically, the Tremont Place Lofts.  http://www.tremontplacelofts.com 

 

 

I'd vote for downtown over the east side. If you listened to the type of housing that he is looking for, he won't find it in the Heights areas.

 

Agreed.  That's why I said downtown, cause central AC is almost non-existent even in some of the nicest heights buildings.

I think Little Italy is a legit option.  Maybe a 2 minute drive to the Clinic (could easily take the bus if you wanted), many young professional types, yoga studio, a gym that is a couple minutes walk, many restaurants, decent night-life (restaurant type bars), and many people out and about, especially during the summer nights. 

 

The one downside is there is not a bevy of loft-type places.  However, here is a site for a converted school house that is a really cool building, with lots of young professionals, and would likely fit your budget. 

 

http://www.murrayhillcondos.net/

you certainly have options... but I think I would definitely take a hard look at 668 Euclid avenue.  Brand new, opening august 15.  It will have a new 20,000 sf 2 story fitness center, attached parking, access to the healthline directly in front of the building offering door to door service to the clinic.  And right next to East 4th street which is pretty much tailor made for the late 20's early 30's crowd.

 

http://www.668euclidave.com/

http://www.forrent.com/apartment-community-profile/1000057159.php

I always tell new transplants to look at Detroit Shoreway, but it is a bit out of the way on the near west side.

 

I had a job in Pittsburgh, signed a lease on Carson street in 2001, but my job was eliminated before I started.  Do you know the Gyro shop on Carson street?  I would have lived above it.

 

Take a weekend and wander through the city.

I wonder how this guy defines "hip". Depending on his personal tastes, he might find Tremont more hip than East 4th or vice versa.

very true... and tremont place lofts, most definitely fit his description...

There is so much cool housing downtown, your best bet is to walk around and just look at it all before deciding anything.  I mean there's an abundance.  At that price range, you pretty much have your pick.  I would also take a drive around the Heights area before you decide.  It has several pockets that might also appeal, and these pockets are closer to the Clinic than downtown is. 

 

From the Clinic drive E on Euclid to Mayfield, go right, now you're in Little Italy.  Go straight up the hill and eventually you'll find Coventry off to your right.  Worth exploring... but only to the right of Mayfield, not the left.  Continue up Mayfield to Lee and turn right on Lee.  The intersection of Cedar and Lee and the stretch of Lee to the south is also very cool.  Turn right on Cedar.  Now you're heading back toward the Clinic.  The area around Cedar and Fairmount also has lots of nice rentals.... all these areas do.  There are also nice rentals around Shaker Square, which is just to the south of these areas and also very close to the Clinic.

 

That said, I'd still be downtown if I was you.

Thank you to everyone for the useful posts.  This is great.  I'll likely plan a trip to Cleveland next week to do some prelim apartment searches. 

 

I do have another question (for now-- I'm sure more will follow).  I found an apartment complex online called National Terminal, which offers a really good deal.  It makes me wonder if this is located in a bad area.  The address is 1215 W 10th St (44113 zip code.)  Is anyone familiar with this building or the location?  The website I encountered is below.  Any input on this would be appreciated.  Thanks!

 

http://www.apartments.com/partner/cvcommunity.aspx?page=cvcommunity&view=1&property=102905.61&p=Yahoore&prvpg=1067&partner=Yahoore&prvpg=1067#Amenities

 

 

No, it's not a bad area at all.  It's right there in the Warehouse District, and right by where the new Flats is going to be built.  This is a very happening neighborhood.  I don't know anything about how National Terminal is run or how it looks inside. 

That's in the Warehouse District, Cleveland's most upscale Downtown neighborhood.  There are some units directly overlooking a raised highway, and a few moderate income units as well.  It might fit one or both of those categories.  I've heard good things from a few people who've lived there, though, so it might be a good option.

What is the really good deal if you don't mind me asking.

The deal I'm referring to is that listed on yahoo's real estate/rental website.  Its under $600 for an apartment b/w 750 and 1000 square feet, under $1000 for a place between 900-2400 sq ft. Big spreads, and I'd expect that these exact rates may not be those offered on further inquiry, but if they're close to what they are advertising, sounds like a good deal on 1st impression.  Of course, I'd have to see it to see exactly what is being offered.

 

http://www.apartments.com/partner/summary.aspx?page=summary&property=102905.61&p=Yahoore&partner=Yahoore

 

 

Wow, that is a good deal.  I've noticed rents coming down in other areas of the city recently, so it's not surprising the same thing is happening downtown.

I actually think the Cedar/Fairmount...Little Italy, Shaker Square, Coventry area has potentials. There is a good food co-op there too. I lived on Overlook which was roughly a 20 minute walk to the clinic or 10 minute bike ride. The only thing is that it may lack the loft style preferred here.. BUT, the Uptown project could change that.. But that is down the road! :-) Again, there are many options. The good thing about Cleveland is that even when you live out in the burbs, you're still a quick transport to almost anywhere around the city...  Sooo, having said that, anywhere in the city in some of the neighborhoods discussed here would be doable.

 

I would send out an S.O.S. though... I would stay away from renting from AGP Realty.

Thank you to everyone for the useful posts. This is great. I'll likely plan a trip to Cleveland next week to do some prelim apartment searches.

 

I do have another question (for now-- I'm sure more will follow). I found an apartment complex online called National Terminal, which offers a really good deal. It makes me wonder if this is located in a bad area. The address is 1215 W 10th St (44113 zip code.) Is anyone familiar with this building or the location? The website I encountered is below. Any input on this would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

http://www.apartments.com/partner/cvcommunity.aspx?page=cvcommunity&view=1&property=102905.61&p=Yahoore&prvpg=1067&partner=Yahoore&prvpg=1067#Amenities

 

 

 

I am sure I will get some hate for this, but....  National Terminal's first 2 or 3 floors are Section 8, aka "quasi-projects".  Thus, that is the reason the price is so low.  I would definitely check it out before signing anything.

Group please correct me if I am wrong, but I thought I remember that the national termials building had mostly hits, but some misses in terms of layout.  IIRC, due to its rehab from a warehouse, some of the units have windows that are oddly high or low.  Also, the hallways are wood floors which looks great, but may be noisy.

 

Either way, check out the specific apartment, and note the noise as you are walking towards it.

(And as a serial rentor, ALWAYS go to the tub and check water pressure.  I can't stress that enough for any rental property you look at.  Garbage disposal in the sink, also a must :)  )

Yes, very, very useful indeed. I hadn't thought of these two items, but they are indeed key.  Thanks a million.

Okay gang,

 

I'm planning a trip to Cleveland to go apartment hunting.  :clap:

 

I have nailed it down to a decent-sized nuber of listings to check out.  Now, my task is to set up appointment times in the most efficient way so that I'm not driving back and forth to the same areas.  If possible, I'd like to attack  :shoot: all of the apartment searches in one area before moving to the next.  To this end, I thought I'd post a list of apartents I want to check out. I need your help in determining which ones I can cluster in the same area.  Thanks!

 

Tremont Place Lofts

Perry Payne Apartments

 

Bridgeview Apartments

Residences at Stonebridge

 

Residences at 668

A private condo for rent in Warehouse district, another in Cleveland Heights, and another in Little Italy

 

Murray Hill Condos (pending availability-- but let's throw it in the list for now)

 

A private condo for rent in Ohio City -- located accross from West Side Market

 

That's it for now, but if I add more, at least this will help me get a sense of the lay of the land with where some of these places are relative toone another. 

 

Thanks again!

If you give us the time of day and the day of the week, it would help us to paint a picture of how typical the street atmosphere is for each location. For example if you visit the Ohio City condo on a Saturday morning or on a Sunday afternoon, you'll find two totally different experiences.

Here's a quick Google Map I made

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=41.506071,-81.560912&spn=0.01472,0.027595&t=h&z=15&msid=111501388969053870983.00046e345dda4f1db3ef5

For your first trip here, I'd try to spend as much time walking around getting a feel for neighborhoods as I would viewing actual units.  So I don't know if I would add more units to your list right away.  I highly recommend some freeform walking/driving around.  Maybe some bench sitting and people watching.  I've been apartment searching over the past month too, and I've found it helps to select an area first and then focus on units.

Due to my years of functional alcohalic bartending, let me suggest taverns near your proposed apartments.  A couple of them may be a bit out of the way, but they are my faves.  Usually there will be good regulars there and you can quiz them about the neighborhood.

 

Tremont Place Lofts

The Treehouse

 

 

Perry Payne Apartments

Bridgeview Apartments

Johnny's Little Bar and Grille

 

Residences at Stonebridge

Harbor Inn?  Maybe? 

Bier Mart on W.25th otherwise

 

Residences at 668

Moriarities

A private condo for rent in Warehouse district (Johnny's)

another in Cleveland Heights (Nighttown)

and another in Little Italy (Barking Spider - bonus point for finding this one)

 

Murray Hill Condos (pending availability-- but let's throw it in the list for now) (Barking Spider again)

 

A private condo for rent in Ohio City -- located accross from West Side Market

Great Lakes Brewery - Ask to see the bullet holes behind the bar.  It is a very interesting story

 

 

 

 

Haha, yes, good luck finding the Barking Spider!

Q-dogg, I hope you're not trying to see all of those places in one day! If you're looking for a central, clean and relatively inexpesnive location to stay at, try the Holiday Inn Express on Euclid.

Looking at the list and time permitting, I would try checking out at least one unit around Shaker Square, or alternately, to just walk around it. It's not the most exciting neighborhood for the 20s and 30s crowd, for sure (although I really liked living there during my mid-20s), but it is lovely, very pedestrian-friendly and great access to staples like groceries, movie theater, restaurants, public parks, etc. If you go, make sure to check out both the Square and walk up N. Moreland, E. 128 or E. 130 to Larchmere (5 min. walk to the street and then probably 10 mins. along the corridor). It's also definitely really cute. And if you have a whole afternoon to dedicate to the area, wander over to Shaker Lake, a couple of blocks to the east, to get a sense of the 600-acre parklands you would have nearby.

 

That being said, I think all the recommendations seem point on. I'm currently looking in much the same places (with the exception of the few places in the burbs), and you have a lot to choose from in those neighborhoods. Judging from your interest in Shadyside and South Side, I kinda lean toward Tremont or Ohio City for you more than downtown, but definitely, all of that is worthwhile to check out.