Relocating to Akron from Chicago, IL this summer (Cuyahoga Falls, Fairlawn: wood floors, apartments)

[tn_il_foto]

My husband and I are relocating to Akron in July. We're looking into the Highland Square area, as most of my colleagues have recommended it. We prefer vintage houses/apartments and during my brief visit there in May, I found that most of the homes and buildings fit that description.

We're looking for a large apartment (not in a generic apartment community) or house. We're not ready for the suburbs yet. We're open to "up and coming" neighborhoods as well. Any recommendations of where to look are welcomed.

Thanks!

[yagisenin]

The Highland Square/West Hill area is probably going to be the best place to find what you are seeking within the Akron city limits, in terms of housing style. It is considered an "up and coming neighborhood" for young professionals with something of an artsy vibe. Lots of attorneys and law students seem to live around there.

The city has recently begun efforts to revitalize several of its' core districts, including the Northside/Elizabeth Park Valley area underneath the All-America Bridge, and the University Park & Middlebury communities around East Exchange and East Market streets. Having said that, much of the development going on in these areas is entirely new and generic, as opposed to refurbishing and restoring existing houses and buildings.

The Merriman Valley, in the Northwest Area of the city bordering Cuyahoga Falls, has long been a home for young professionals, although maybe not so much an "up and coming" neighborhood as simply an established district. There are some houses there, but much more in the way of apartments and condos. And there are tons of local restaurants and bars.

Good luck.

[CityGrrl77]

Highland Square will no doubt be your best bet for the criteria that you mentioned, altho I would not venture as far east as the West Hill neighborhoods but that is just me.
Most of the apartment buildings in the area were built in the 1920s (as well as the houses). As for apartments...studios, 1 and 2 bedroom units are what would be available. Studios start at $435, 1 bedrooms at $545 and 2 bedrooms around $645/month. If you look into renting a duplex, that may run you around the $600+ mark and houses around here more than likely will start around $700/month at least. Most of them are all old school, with features like large baseboards, crown moulding, wood floors and large windows. The Seville on W.Market St. is a very well-taken-care-of building as are most all of the apartment buildings on North Portage Path and surrounding. There are a few high-rises (Tower 80, The Highland Square and Highland Towers) but they don't fit the vintage charm you are seeking and run higher in cost than what I mentioned for the older buildings above.

Highland Square is a giant melting pot of people - young, old, straight, gay, married, single, families, college kids, young professionals, retired, homeowners, renters and all colors and backgrounds. Everyone is very friendly and there is a very open-minded, hip, artsy vibe here.

I realize that you have been through the area but here is a rundown of some of the offerings of the Square itself::
Food/Coffee
Angel Falls Coffee Angel Falls Coffee Company
Chipotle
Aladdin's Eatery (Lebanese/Mediterranean) Aladdin's Eatery: Home
Georgio's Pizza
Metroburger Metro Burger - Highland Square - Akron, OH
Capri Pizza Pizza, Ribs, Wings, for Akron, Ohio | Capri Pizza & Wings! West Akron's Best Pizza & Wings , Highland Square
Platinum Dragon (chinese)
Mary Coyle (Italian; awesome ice cream & chocolates) Mary Coyle Ice Cream, Akron, Ohio, Italian Food.

Shopping
The Market Path The Market Path- world artist work at Fair Trade pricing
Revival (vintage) REVIVAL
Square Records Square Records on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Downloads
Made In Akron - Sells various goods 'made in akron' or related to Akron.

Various
Walgreen's
Highland Theater
Highland Square Branch Library Akron-Summit County Public Library
Two Turtles Pet Center Home
Bars include: Annabell's, Ray's Pub, Matinee

There, of course, are tons of things to do downtown (<5 minutes away) and in the opposite direction in the Wallhaven neighborhood there are more fast food eateries, a major grocery chain and past that in Fairlawn you will find your bix box retailers, more food establishments and the mall. Also, if you travel down North Portage Path, you will reach 'the valley' where you will find more food, etc.

If you have free time, you can check my 'photo album' - I have pictures of Highland Square posted. I will be adding more soon.
I hope this answers some of your questions and is helpful. If you have any more, just let me know - I am more than happy to help. Btw - I'm not affiliated with any of these places listed - I just love my neighborhood and am more than willing to help out.
Another up-and-coming area in Akron is Northside although most of everything is brand new and/or expensive (i.e. Northside Lofts NSL - Intro).
You really won't find anything else that is like Highland Square/the immediate northwest area of Akron (right near this city)....

[tn_il_foto]

Thanks for the input. We're planning a trip out. Hopefully we'll find a place soon.

[SquareBetterThanAll]

Originally Posted by tn_il_foto

Thanks for the input. We're planning a trip out. Hopefully we'll find a place soon.

Ditto on Highland Square.

[5Lakes]

If you want any sort of resemblance to urban life go with highland square like others have mentioned. That area somewhat reminds me of Oak Park. Unfortunately Akron has had most of its urban character removed to accommodate the automobile.

[SquareBetterThanAll]

Originally Posted by 5Lakes

Unfortunately Akron has had most of its urban character removed to accommodate the automobile.

Ditto again.

I really wonder why it's necessary to drop ugly strip plazas in the middle of the city. Wrecks the character.

[yanni_gogolak]

Originally Posted by SquareBetterThanAll

Ditto again.

I really wonder why it's necessary to drop ugly strip plazas in the middle of the city. Wrecks the character.

Where is this?

[SquareBetterThanAll]

Originally Posted by yanni_gogolak

Where is this?

Middlebury Marketplace would be a great example.

Not that there is anything wrong with it functionally, but plopping suburban style plazas in the middle of a city neighborhood looks really out of place.

And there are all sorts of small plazas that turn up, i.e. the plaza w/the pet store in Highland Square or Walgreen's (also HS). Out of place visually.

[yanni_gogolak]

Originally Posted by SquareBetterThanAll

Middlebury Marketplace would be a great example.

Not that there is anything wrong with it functionally, but plopping suburban style plazas in the middle of a city neighborhood looks really out of place.

And there are all sorts of small plazas that turn up, i.e. the plaza w/the pet store in Highland Square or Walgreen's (also HS). Out of place visually.

I guess I'm confused on two things:
1. What would you propose for retail? (or, are you saying there shouldn't be retail?)
2. You think Highland Square is the "middle of a city neighborhood"?