I've been reading these boards for almost a year now, but our upcoming move has finally pushed me to register and ask for some help!  My spouse is working on the west side of Cleveland (near Max Hayes), and we have a large dog, so an apartment seems unlikely.  I'd like to keep the commute down to about 30 minutes, so I've focused on the west and possibly south, but all the neighborhoods on the map are overwhelming.

 

Here's some background: we grew up about halfway between Akron and Canton, in an area that changed from rural Amish country to suburban sprawl over the years.  Our families still live there, but I really don't like the horde of identical allotments with Mad-libs names like "Olde Granite Brooke Estates."  Since we've been married, we've lived in Sandusky, and we truly hate to leave.  Though we don't live in the city itself, we drive downtown multiple nights per week.  I love walking along the shoreline or the parks, going to nifty little restaurants where they know us, listening to musicians at the Gazebo or the Plaza.

 

I've never lived in a city before.  Now seems like the time to do it, while we're young (early 30s), before we have to worry about good schools...but I have no city instincts to keep me safe.  I might get eaten alive.  My spouse is stressed over the move and doesn't see it as an 'adventure,' so if I screw this up badly, I might be banished to suburbia for the rest of my life.  Any advice on easing us into an urban lifestyle?

Welcome to the Big City  :clap:

 

 

The Detroit-Shoreway nabe sounds like the right fit.  My second suggestion would be the northern portion of Ohio City.  Where will you be working?

 

You could also check out the West Bank of the Flats, if any rentals allow large doggies.

I would think given your info that Lakewood would be a nice starting point.  Inner ring burb so it has an "urban" feel and some great walkable areas.  Housing is close together but still provides some nice sized yards for your dogs.  You'd be close to the lake, a very short commute, and there are more reasonably priced rental houses than you can shake a stick at.

"halfway between Akron and Canton, in an area that changed from rural Amish country to suburban sprawl over the years."

 

Let me guess - Hartville?

 

Welcome to the forum - if you could give us a ballpark estimate of your budget, that would help. You might surprisingly find a few places that will allow large dogs (probably with a deposit) because of the economy - it never hurts to ask.

 

Just from what you're telling us, I might intially look at Lakewood, north of Detroit and possibly even Rocky River, north of I90 and east of Wagar Road. Both areas are a little older, with historic homes and commercial strips and have proximity to the lakefront. They're more densely built than "Olde Brooke Estates", with a 'streetcar suburb' feel to them. Certainly more urban than you're used to but not swan-diving into hardcore city living. You'd have a commute of less than 30 minutes (possibly 15 to 20), and a quick drive to most areas of Cleveland.

Based on your criteria, the first neighborhood that came to mind was the Edgewater-Clifton area.  You should be able to find house to rent.

I lived in Sandusky for a brief period in the fall and winter of 2003 (maybe 2004) anywho, I loved wandering around the downtown there.  The building were impressive, the access to the water was impressive, I loved going to a pier and looking out over the lake at Cedar Point at night.  I also loved how sparse it was with people.  It wasn't lonely, just, there were not a lot of people around.  It is hard to describe, but it was nice.

 

So, I started trying to rack my brains about what would be similar in Greater Cleveland.  Believe it or not, I am leaning toward downtown living.

It is not densely populated, you have the impressive buildings and parks, it is very safe, and you two would quickly become regulars at restaurants just like you did in Sandusky (I miss Cameo pizza).

You may be able to rent a place in the Avenue district, which gives you a couple of blocks of breathing room from traffic.

 

My second choice is my standby choice for anyone, Detroit Shoreway, near Gordon Square.

 

Seriously, check out downtown on a Tuesday night when the Indians are not in town, and see if it reminds you of Sandusky.

I lived in Sandusky for a brief period in the fall and winter of 2003 (maybe 2004) anywho, I loved wandering around the downtown there.  The building were impressive, the access to the water was impressive, I loved going to a pier and looking out over the lake at Cedar Point at night.  I also loved how sparse it was with people.  It wasn't lonely, just, there were not a lot of people around.  It is hard to describe, but it was nice.

 

So, I started trying to rack my brains about what would be similar in Greater Cleveland.  Believe it or not, I am leaning toward downtown living.

It is not densely populated, you have the impressive buildings and parks, it is very safe, and you two would quickly become regulars at restaurants just like you did in Sandusky (I miss Cameo pizza).

You may be able to rent a place in the Avenue district, which gives you a couple of blocks of breathing room from traffic.

 

My second choice is my standby choice for anyone, Detroit Shoreway, near Gordon Square.

 

Seriously, check out downtown on a Tuesday night when the Indians are not in town, and see if it reminds you of Sandusky.

 

Where haven't you lived?  :?    Change your name from Punch to Nomad!

I moved 12 times in the span of 5 years.  Thank you automotive industry, and the line from my favorite Son Volt song, Drown "When in doubt, move on.  No need to sort it out."

I'm thinking either Lakewood, or the adjacent Cleveland neighborhood of Edgwater (stay north of the tracks).  Alternately, I could see the central portion of Tremont working for you.  It has a really nice small town feeling, and is quite safe.  You could also try Kamm's Corner, north of Lorain/west of W. 140th.  Not as exciting as the other two, but also has a nice urban feel while being relatively safe.  Finally, Old Brooklyn might work.  It's to the south of Downtown, has mostly safe neighborhood (ask one of our residents about exact streets), and has a nice little Downtown area of it's own.

MayDay, you got it in one try!  I have friends that still live there and are very happy, but it's not me.

 

Punch, yes!  Being a tourist town, there are more people in the summer, but it still has that open feeling.

 

As for budget, our mortgage payment is/was about $1000 plus utilities, so I don't see why we couldn't do that in Cleveland.  I don't know that I want to name companies, but my husband's a chemical engineer, and I'm hoping to go back to school so I can teach science.

MayDay, you got it in one try!  I have friends that still live there and are very happy, but it's not me.

 

Punch, yes!  Being a tourist town, there are more people in the summer, but it still has that open feeling.

 

As for budget, our mortgage payment is/was about $1000 plus utilities, so I don't see why we couldn't do that in Cleveland.  I don't know that I want to name companies, but my husband's a chemical engineer, and I'm hoping to go back to school so I can teach science.

 

I didn't mean what company, but what area of the city?  One of you will be near Max Hayes the other elsewhere.  Know where in the city both work, might help when suggesting neighborhoods.

Country Mouse--Give me a call at work at 216-623-6920.  The Detroit Shoreway neighborhood has affordable housing and you could probably get good housing referals from any one at Mt. Carmel church.  The councilman Matt Zone is a member of this church if I remember correctly. The school is also one of the best parochial schools.  Don't write off or believe the scare tactics about Cleveland schools.

http://www.dscdo.org/about/abt_c.html There are lots of affordable options.

http://www.olmc-cleveland.org/about.html

You would also have dining and entertainment options--nearby art and the lakefront is within walking distance.

Normally, I would try to sell someone on my neighborhood--consider it, too--It is very convenient to everywhere. See http://www.brooklyncentre.org Unfortunately, the website has not been updated :(

If you take my advice, specifically walk around the malls looking at a sunset over the lake with the silhouettes of the Rock hall, Science Center and the Stadium.  Then saunter up to E. 4th and have dinner.  It it is an off night, belly up to the bar and get to know the bartender.  They are more likely to remember names and faces than servers, since server sections can change shift to shift.

 

There is something about the lake (for me either Erie or Michigan) that can just calms you.

Wherever you go, be close to the water and it will be OK.

 

(My brothers live on the lake in Euclid, and you may be able to get a small house on the lake for that money)

Thank you all so much for your replies!  lmcshane, thanks for your links--I spent an hour reading the websites.  I think I might be able to do this.  Tomorrow, I'll start by taking a drive out there and getting a feel for the different neighborhoods you've suggested.  Punch, I think you've planned my next 'date' with my husband.  :)

Rocky River Park is also a nice place to be near the water.