and yet.. another Akron question (Cuyahoga Falls, Portage: crime, houses, neighborhood)

[peppermintpatti1]

Can anyone tell me how trendy Akron is? I know it's got a college.
Are they very accepting of say body art and such, especially on women?
I had looked into the Austin, TX area for a bit but sadly priced out, it appears that there are many affordable homes in Akron, one can't help but be tempted.

We live in the South currently and are miserable, people are rude, segregated and judgmental, there is so much hatred where we are moving from and we are tired of it. We are tired of our economy based on how well the rat does.

[airics]

define affordable... you may be looking in the bad areas... you can buy a house for $10k in cleveland but you certainly wouldnt want to live there

[peppermintpatti1]

under 50K and not considering cleaveland only Akron and areas

[airics]

i was just referencing cleveland as a point... where in akron?

[peppermintpatti1]

oh ic, not really sure the houses seem to range kind of all over but I believe a group of them were centered near "mapple valley" or something like that.

[airics]

is it by Maple and Market streets (near cuyahoga falls) - how about some cross streets (Maple Valley?)

[peppermintpatti1]

Thanks for your help, can you tell I'm not from around there? hehe

It appears on the map because it's not quite clear, but it appears to be near Copley Rd closer to I77.
The other ones are kind of sprawled but are near Copley and Hawkins.

[newmex]

Originally Posted by peppermintpatti1

Thanks for your help, can you tell I'm not from around there? hehe

It appears on the map because it's not quite clear, but it appears to be near Copley Rd closer to I77.
The other ones are kind of sprawled but are near Copley and Hawkins.

Stay away from that 'hood...and I do mean 'hood. Hawkins, Delia and that area has a lot more crime going on.

Folks chuckle about FEMA camps...could happen...then I'll be chucklin!

[5Lakes]

Akron is not what I would call trendy or progressive, but it's not a backwater either and is generally a pleasant place to live. I have friends in Akron who are heavily tattooed/pierced and they certainly do not have problems because of it, although people who are outside of the mainstream in Akron are not particularly all that common.

From the sounds of it you would most enjoy the Highland Square area, which is Akron's most progressive area. It has some interesting bars, shops, architecture, and is more pedestrian friendly than most other areas of Akron. It is centered around W. Market Street between Portage Path and Merriman Road, about 2.5 miles west of downtown.

Akron is about as cheap as you will find for housing, but under $50k will probably still put you in a bad neighborhood or in a house that needs substantial work. You might be able to find something near Highland Square if you look south of Market Street, but going south of Exchange would put you in a bad neighborhood.

[CityGrrl77]

I completely agree with 5Lakes.

I live in Highland Square (on North Portage Path) and everyone around this area is pretty laid-back and open-minded.
Young, middle-aged, older...married, single, straight, gay...college students, young professionals, blue and white collar....white, black and every color in between...homeowners and renters.
We have a pretty broad range of people in the area. Everyone I have encountered is friendly. I don't believe that your tattoos and piercings would be an issue - as a matter of fact you might feel pretty comfortable in this area.

As for the area and housing - anything under $60K is probably going to put you in a not-so-great neighborhood. Stay north of Delia and and dont go further east on W.Market than Merriman (and even some spots close to there might be iffy).
As for Copley and Hawkins.....well, I guess it would depend on how far south on Hawkins. Like I mentioned above - north of Delia is your best bet altho I doubt you will get anything below $60K somewhere decent (believe me - I look all the time).

In reference to Cuyahoga Falls - I'm not so convinced that the people in that city would be so accepting of the things that worry you, but don't just take my word only for it.

Let me know if you have any questions about Highland Square or the NW Akron area - I would be glad to help. I have some pics of the area in my profile if you want to check those out too.