Posted July 15, 200915 yr I have been thinking about purchasing a house in West Park; it is an area that is populated with quite a few members of the Cleveland Police and Fire Department. Recently the residency restrictions have been lifted and it seems some are concerned about the area declining. Is the presence of law inforcement that strong that you believe it will have a drastic impact on the area due to the lifting of the residency restriction? Also, I am interested in opinions about diversity in the area. I have also considered Tremont and Ohio City; these areas really seem to be up and coming, and offer more diversity. I have read that for the "long term" home owner...these are the areas that will improve in value more so than West Park.
July 15, 200915 yr You should try looking at the Old Brooklyn and South Hills neighborhood of Cleveland. There are several forum members, including myself, who live in the neighborhood. This Saturday is the home and bike tour of the neighborhood. It is called "All-Access", details can be found here: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18864.0.html General Old Brooklyn Thread http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,13801.0.html Old Brooklyn Pictures http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,15668.0.html Old Brooklyn Commercial District Pictures http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,16813.msg309127.html#msg309127 South Hills Pictures Pictures http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=16732.0 Good luck in your home search.
July 15, 200915 yr I have been thinking about purchasing a house in West Park; it is an area that is populated with quite a few members of the Cleveland Police and Fire Department. Recently the residency restrictions have been lifted and it seems some are concerned about the area declining. Is the presence of law inforcement that strong that you believe it will have a drastic impact on the area due to the lifting of the residency restriction? Also, I am interested in opinions about diversity in the area. I have also considered Tremont and Ohio City; these areas really seem to be up and coming, and offer more diversity. I have read that for the "long term" home owner...these are the areas that will improve in value more so than West Park. Are these the only areas you are looking at or interested in? I don't live in that area, but I cannot imagine it's diverse as some other populated, popular/destination neighborhoods suck as Ohio City, Downtown, Tremont or Shaker Square and Little Italy/Murray Hill; nor up-and-coming (gentrified) neighborhoods such as Asian Village/ChinaTown; Detroit-Shoreway or the area's of Fairfax, Glenville and Hough which are adjacent to University Circle. Can you tell us where you currently live? What type of home you're interested in buying? What are needs in a neighborhood? What type of person are you? (urban or suburban mentality) The more detailed information you give us, the better we're able to help you.
July 15, 200915 yr I have been thinking about purchasing a house in West Park; it is an area that is populated with quite a few members of the Cleveland Police and Fire Department. Recently the residency restrictions have been lifted and it seems some are concerned about the area declining. Is the presence of law inforcement that strong that you believe it will have a drastic impact on the area due to the lifting of the residency restriction? Also, I am interested in opinions about diversity in the area. I have also considered Tremont and Ohio City; these areas really seem to be up and coming, and offer more diversity. I have read that for the "long term" home owner...these are the areas that will improve in value more so than West Park. It's not that diverse IMO but isn't totally vanilla either. Yes, there is a high # of police/fire peeps that live there and I doubt that they are all going to immediately up and move out of homes they've put a lot of love and care into just because the residency restriction has been lifted; many pride themselves on the safety of their community and know and like their neighbors moreso than in a lot of other communities. Also, in this economy, nobody is waving a magic wand and selling tons of houses in any given neighborhood. Over the course of, say, the next 20 years, sure, it's likely there will be less of a presence of police/fire there, but that could have happened anyway as people retire and move elsewhere. IMO Ohio City and Tremont definitely have more diversity and are more "up and coming" areas but some areas of both neighborhoods have what I consider to be quite a lot of crime vs. what you'll find in West Park. Car break ins, stolen bikes or stuff stolen from garages, etc.
July 15, 200915 yr You should try looking at the Old Brooklyn and South Hills neighborhood of Cleveland. There are several forum members, including myself, who live in the neighborhood. This Saturday is the home and bike tour of the neighborhood. It is called "All-Access", details can be found here: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18864.0.html General Old Brooklyn Thread http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,13801.0.html Old Brooklyn Pictures http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,15668.0.html Old Brooklyn Commercial District Pictures http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,16813.msg309127.html#msg309127 South Hills Pictures Pictures http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=16732.0 Good luck in your home search. To add onto what jar3232 says, Old Brooklyn is somewhat similar to West Park. But an added perk is that the neighborhood is only about 3 miles from Tremont, 4 miles from Ohio City, and 6 miles from downtown. Here's a thread dedicated to Old Brooklyn.
July 15, 200915 yr Jar3232...thanks for information; I was forwarded an email with the information about the "All-Access" home and bike tour...I will definately try to check it out!
July 15, 200915 yr MyTwoSense...I have considered Detroit/Shoreway but have put that area on the back burner. Old Brooklyn is a consideration along with Edgewater, besides Tremont and Ohio City. I have specifically found homes I really like in Ohio City and West Park...have not searched Old Brooklyn as of yet. Currently I reside in the Warehouse District...really like it, love the diversity and the access to restaurants. I shop at the west side market, Dave's and off of Brookpark road...WALMART, Super KMart, and Giant Eagle just to name a few. Contantino's market offers next door quick convenient shopping. I'm also a Marc's shopper...lots of different locations. I'm not a Mall shopper, prefer TJMaxx and Marshall's but do visit Malls at times; various locations. I love the clean, tailored neighborhood of West Park but it seems a little boring...big difference from downtown living! That's where Tremont and Ohio City come in, like the feel and activity of the area but a bit concerned about safety. I actually feel pretty safe in the warehouse district; of course I make it a point to be aware of my surroundings and practice safety precausions. My husband and I are interested in a single family home, in an area that offers convenient shopping, and where we can feel safe and comfortable walking around at different times of the day/night in all respects.
July 15, 200915 yr MyTwoSense...I have considered Detroit/Shoreway but have put that area on the back burner. Old Brooklyn is a consideration along with Edgewater, besides Tremont and Ohio City. I have specifically found homes I really like in Ohio City and West Park...have not searched Old Brooklyn as of yet. Currently I reside in the Warehouse District...really like it, love the diversity and the access to restaurants. I shop at the west side market, Dave's and off of Brookpark road...WALMART, Super KMart, and Giant Eagle just to name a few. Contantino's market offers next door quick convenient shopping. I'm also a Marc's shopper...lots of different locations. I'm not a Mall shopper, prefer TJMaxx and Marshall's but do visit Malls at times; various locations. I love the clean, tailored neighborhood of West Park but it seems a little boring...big difference from downtown living! That's where Tremont and Ohio City come in, like the feel and activity of the area but a bit concerned about safety. I actually feel pretty safe in the warehouse district; of course I make it a point to be aware of my surroundings and practice safety precausions. My husband and I are interested in a single family home, in an area that offers convenient shopping, and where we can feel safe and comfortable walking around at different times of the day/night in all respects. Would you be willing to consider considered Shaker Square/Larchmere, Little Italy/Murray Hill, Wade Park or AsianVillage/China Town?
July 15, 200915 yr I don't think West Park is bad at all for what their looking for--safe, single family home in the City of Cleveland. But all the areas mentioned above can also work for them as others have mentioned.
July 15, 200915 yr Jar3232...thanks for information; I was forwarded an email with the information about the "All-Access" home and bike tour...I will definately try to check it out! OB is great because it's in proximity to a lot of the places you shop in the city of Brooklyn - Brookpark Road (Super K, etc.), Ridge Park Square (TJ Maxx and one of the better Marc's), Biddulph Plaza (with a huge Giant Eagle), and of course, Steelyard Commons in Cleveland. OB is only about eight miles from Parmatown Mall via Ridge or State Roads. If you and your husband like to eat out, there are plenty of great places in OB. Two of my faves are Gentile's Italian Imports, which has a FANTASTIC deli and bakery, and Gaelic Imports. We have some of the best pizza options in the city of Cleveland as well. And just outside of the neighborhood, there are Ukrainian, Polish, Indian, and Mediterranean spots. As I mentioned before, Tremont is a very short distance away up I-176. Howard Hanna is having 15 houses open as part of All-Access on Saturday. Maybe you'd like to check some of them out. Since so many people will be going through them, you'll probably be able to look without feeling pressured by a Realtor. Of course, if you're looking for anything particular or would like recommendations on what parts of the neighborhood are best, please feel free to reply or send a PM.
July 15, 200915 yr If you are considering Tremont. My landlord just finished renovating this house. He as an architecture undergrad from Ohio State, is a general contractor and has lived on the street for over 15 years now. I went to high school with him and currently rent from him (for the next 2 or 3 months, we are buying a place over in Detroit Shoreway, a townhouse, we did NOT want a single family house AND I wanted to be able to see the lake.) http://cleveland.craigslist.org/reo/1267677420.html I have lived on the street for 7 years now, my fiance for 2. I have never not felt safe. We walk to the restaurants frequently (will be at Fahrenheit on Friday) and the #81 bus offers decent service to downtown, Steelyard commons and Ohio City. The Towpath trail is also bike-able from here, anywhere in Tremont actually. I also have friends and family that live in Westpark. I don't really have anything bad to say about it. It is a good area. Just Make sure you are actually IN westpark and not in a fringe area some Realtor calls westpark. The diversity is you get Cops and Fireman you also get Italians and Irish (I am of Irish decent). Not a whole lot of diversity beyond that....not at all like you would find in Tremont or Old Brooklyn. And yes the lifting of the residency requirement will have an impact...it isn't just cops and firemen that live there but people that work in the building department, for 911 dispatch, etc etc etc. Of course they generally have to sell before they can move and a lot of the forced buyers arent there now...the kids getting out of the police academy can now buy in fairview, brunswick, or lakewood if they want instead of in wespark. Personally I would stay north of lorain and west of Warren Rd. I like the area around Impet park. The area south of Fairview hospital is also nice. If you go south of Lorain don't go too far south, and if you go past warren ....don't go past 140th.
July 15, 200915 yr Definitely agree with Murray Hill. Nothing wrong with West Park. But it will be a sizable adjustment from downtown. If you're hoping to approximate that urban feeling, diversity of residents and access to restaurants, I would say that West Park might not be an ideal fit. Both Tremont and Ohio City have some terrific areas where I think you would feel comfortable being outside around the clock. The best bet is to talk to people on the forum who are already living in the neighborhoods and getting their honest feedback about how they feel there and which parts of the neighborhood they would advise and which not. Any Near West residents want to jump in? I would also take a 10 p.m. drive around both and get a feeling for which parts of the neighborhoods feel safe to you, paying attention to whether there are people out on the streets (keeping in mind that, in July, this is probably the height of evening pedestrian activity, but car activity is also important) and particular attention to which areas are the best lit. From what you're describing, I again think West Park would be absolutely fine, but I think you can find some great fits in OC and Tremont, too. My personal feeling is that the housing stock in Ohio City is a little more inspiring than in Tremont, but anectdotally, it seems like Tremont is relatively safer (at least around the park and to the east). But I'm not grounding this at all in data, so take it with a grain of salt. I also wouldn't rule out Detroit Shoreway. I feel like this is Cleveland's fastest improving neighborhood. You can already feel a major shift in visitation and pedestrian activity around Gordon Square and Battery Park, and that's before the streetscape improvements, Battery Park build-out and opening of the Capitol Theatre. A lot of the housing stock is equally stunning to that in Ohio City and often at a much more favorable price point. As a long-term investment, I think (again, just from a personal opinion) this neighborhood is best positioned to give you a return on your money. Plus you get the added bonus of having easier lake access than the other three neighborhoods you're examining. There are several forumers in D-S, too. Anyone have thoughts?
July 15, 200915 yr Wow...this is all great input and gives me a lot to consider and think about! I have spoken with and visited a couple I know who lives off of Herman near Battery Park; they are very enthusiastic about the gentrification of the Detroit/Shoreway area...there has been lots of buzz about it's growth and potential. I grew up in Cleveland Heights and have lived in the Shaker Sqare/Larchmere area as a single young adult; currently most of my time is spent Downtown/Near Downtown, and the west side of Cleveland. Since I do have friends who live in the Detroit/Shoreway area...anyone living in Tremont and Ohio City want to chime in?
July 15, 200915 yr Wow...this is all great input and gives me a lot to consider and think about! I have spoken with and visited a couple I know who lives off of Herman near Battery Park; they are very enthusiastic about the gentrification of the Detroit/Shoreway area...there has been lots of buzz about it's growth and potential. I grew up in Cleveland Heights and have lived in the Shaker Sqare/Larchmere area as a single young adult; currently most of my time is spent Downtown/Near Downtown, and the west side of Cleveland. Since I do have friends who live in the Detroit/Shoreway area...anyone living in Tremont and Ohio City want to chime in? Come back home, to the rightside, er, Eastside. ;) ...
July 15, 200915 yr MyTwoSense...I see where your heart is! :-o) The Eastside is great...some family members live in Cleveland Heights, my sister just moved and is selling her house after 14 years...she has fallen in love with the Detroit/Shoreway area.
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