Moving to Akron/Canton area -- need suggestions, please! (Cleveland: for sale, salons)

[timesrchangin]

I grew up in NE Ohio and have lived in a suburb of Chicago for the last 6 years. I'm a 32 year old single male looking for a place to live in the Akron/Canton area. My Company allows me to work from home, so I have some flexibility; however, I need to be (generally) in the Akron/Canton area. As an example, living in Cleveland wouldn't work; however, Jackson, Green, Akron, Montrose, Tallmadge, Firestone, possibly Streestboro, etc. My job will require me to run Interstate 77 from Akron basically down to Cambridge, Ohio.

I'm looking to own something, if possible. I do not want to rent and I really do NOT want a condo if I can avoid it as I am worried about future resale on a condo. Perhaps that's just my experience from the Chicago market - I don't know. Talk to me!

I'm looking for a place with young single professionals. I like to golf, go out to nice dinners, a park system, shopping and a bar once in a while, etc. Something with an upbeat and more modern look/feel. A "Home in the Country" is not for me right now -- maybe some day, though. I'd really like to be able to walk to night life and other areas where young single professionals spend their time.

It's been 10 years since I was here and, back then, I wasn't looking for what I am now. I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

Many thanks for the help!

[SquareBetterThanAll]

Originally Posted by timesrchangin

I grew up in NE Ohio and have lived in a suburb of Chicago for the last 6 years. I'm a 32 year old single male looking for a place to live in the Akron/Canton area. My Company allows me to work from home, so I have some flexibility; however, I need to be (generally) in the Akron/Canton area. As an example, living in Cleveland wouldn't work; however, Jackson, Green, Akron, Montrose, Tallmadge, Firestone, possibly Streestboro, etc. My job will require me to run Interstate 77 from Akron basically down to Cambridge, Ohio.

I'm looking to own something, if possible. I do not want to rent and I really do NOT want a condo if I can avoid it as I am worried about future resale on a condo. Perhaps that's just my experience from the Chicago market - I don't know. Talk to me!

I'm looking for a place with young single professionals. I like to golf, go out to nice dinners, a park system, shopping and a bar once in a while, etc. Something with an upbeat and more modern look/feel. A "Home in the Country" is not for me right now -- maybe some day, though. I'd really like to be able to walk to night life and other areas where young single professionals spend their time.

It's been 10 years since I was here and, back then, I wasn't looking for what I am now. I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

Many thanks for the help!

Northwest Akron.

Highland Square is probably going to be your best shot.

If you want to go suburbany you could go for Fairlawn.

If you don't need a lot of space but want to own, condos in Highland Square are really inexpensive right now. I know you said you were worried about resale - fair enough, but if you're paying $40,000 or $50,000 the discount is probably worth any future loss for sales, if it's even necessary.

If you do a search for 44303 you'll see there are a handful of condos on North Portage Path that are relatively inexpensive right now and are in nice buildings in a good location.

Other than that you can look around for houses although I don't think you'll necessarily have any more success in selling a house. (I've noticed most currently listed have been that way for months - seems to be low turnover). That being said, you can get a good house in a good location for low 100s in the HS/NW Akron area. Fairlawn will be a little more.

[timesrchangin]

Thanks for the feedback. What if I tossed out the idea of being able to "walk" someplace for food/entertainment, etc.? I must admit that $40-$50k seems much less than I thought it would be -- again, use to Chicago prices, I suppose.

Thanks again!

[htlong]

I agree with squre better about highland sq is your best bet, homes are pretty cheap there too.
the only other area I can think of that would be safe to walk to rest. and bars would be the wallhaven/old fairlawn area.
the burbs you could look at are fairlawn,green for yuppies, think about city of north canton (not the n.side of canton) it might meet your requirements?

[CityGrrl77]

What are you willing to spend?

Highland Square is great for walkability. I think HTLong is talking about the Georgetown condominiums right off W.Market St. They are nice. I go back and forth on that place just because I refuse to drop thousands of dollars if I'm not going to get proper 'housing' for my car, if you will (my car is important to me). Georgetown has lots for the condos and carports/some actual garage parking for the townhomes.

I, like you, dig the more modern and city feel. Unfortunately, the places I really want to live are too expensive (Spicer Village - Contemporary Townhome Condominiums Located in Akron, Ohio and NSL - Intro). Despite the prices of the places I just gave examples of, I'm sure they are still cheaper than a lot of what you would find in Chicago.

As for Fairlawn, it's nice but too suburban for me. Lived there for 2 years (a few years back) and altho convenient because you are smack dab in the middle of a shopping metropolis - it's too blah for me.
Pretty much the only really city feel you will get (outside of living in downtown Cleveland) is being as close to downtown Akron as possible. I like Highland Square because it's convenient and inexpensive (I live in an old school building built in 1928) - the rent I pay for my studio apt is $450/mth.

[CityGrrl77]

FYI - Condos in Georgetown range from $70K to 100K.
I have no idea where in Highland Square there are condos for $40K-$50K. If they exist anywhere, then it's either in the hood or in a 55+ building. I know this area up, down and backwards but I can't think of anything worthwhile under the $80K mark (houses included).

There are condos in the Wallhaven neighborhood called the Village at Pointe West but I wouldn't live there. They seem to always be for sale (not the greatest sign) and they sit in a complex behind a large, sprawling apartment 'neighborhood' called Village Green.

[timesrchangin]

Originally Posted by CityGrrl77

What are you willing to spend?

Highland Square is great for walkability. I think HTLong is talking about the Georgetown condominiums right off W.Market St. They are nice. I go back and forth on that place just because I refuse to drop thousands of dollars if I'm not going to get proper 'housing' for my car, if you will (my car is important to me). Georgetown has lots for the condos and carports/some actual garage parking for the townhomes.

I, like you, dig the more modern and city feel. Unfortunately, the places I really want to live are too expensive (Spicer Village - Contemporary Townhome Condominiums Located in Akron, Ohio and NSL - Intro). Despite the prices of the places I just gave examples of, I'm sure they are still cheaper than a lot of what you would find in Chicago.

As for Fairlawn, it's nice but too suburban for me. Lived there for 2 years (a few years back) and altho convenient because you are smack dab in the middle of a shopping metropolis - it's too blah for me.
Pretty much the only really city feel you will get (outside of living in downtown Cleveland) is being as close to downtown Akron as possible. I like Highland Square because it's convenient and inexpensive (I live in an old school building built in 1928) - the rent I pay for my studio apt is $450/mth.

Spicer Village does look nice -- dare I ask what something in that complex goes for? Wonder how close things like a gym, park, etc. are? Same for NSL? Forgive me, but where is Georgetown? (sp?)

Thanks for your tips!

[CityGrrl77]

Originally Posted by timesrchangin

Spicer Village does look nice -- dare I ask what something in that complex goes for? Wonder how close things like a gym, park, etc. are? Same for NSL? Forgive me, but where is Georgetown? (sp?)

Thanks for your tips!

No problem!
Spicer Village starts at $170K for the Huron model (the only one without a rooftop deck-altho Stouffer has one listed close to $150K). They go up in price from there. Spicer Village is located right near Rt. 8 and the University of Akron campus (closer to the end where the new stadium was built). They are trying to rehab the area. The idea was to get UofA faculty and young urban professionals to buy these townhomes. I'm not sure how well it's working out. I don't know any YUPs who could afford one of them on their own - unless they had no other bills or they liked being strapped. UofA faculty were offered $10K off the purchase of any one of them in an effort to stimulate sales.
I don't know what the policy is for utillizing UofA's natatorium. Next door in Cuyahoga Falls is a great 'Y' but it can get expensive if you are not a resident of that city. There aren't any nearby parks that I would go wandering around in altho campus is absolutely beautiful. Great freeway access. Any shopping (grocery or otherwise) would have to be done in neighboring cities. There is a grocery store 5 minutes away at the corner of Arlington and Exhange (Dave's Supermarket) but that area can be questionable.

As for Northside Lofts (located in 'Northside' near the Y bridge and Rt.59)...they start out at $180K for a concrete shell (basically). You get a garage spot and you are in walking distance to downtown. Again, any shopping would have to be done in neighboring cities. The closest grocery store is 5/10 minutes away. NSL is right across the street from part of the Cascade Locks and there are trails to bike and walk (part of the Towpath Trail). This website will tell you more about the Northside neighborhood. FYI, the 'Interbelt Night Club' is rarely ever open (I think?) and it is well known as a gay club which people from out of town wouldnt know I'm guessing - unless its changed in the last few years. Luigi's is a great pizza places - one of Akrons' well-known establishments. Akron's Howard Street Neighborhood
They have recently built townhomes that are part of the Northside Loft project. They run around $240K.
Again, NSL was geared towards young, urban professionals - as well as the older set who didnt want the responsibilities of owning a home anymore. I don't know anyone my age (living around here) that can afford NSL.
Examples of real estate:
Spicer Village - 403 Power St, Akron, OH - Stouffer Realty, Inc.
Northside Lofts - 21 Furnace St, Akron, OH - Stouffer Realty, Inc.
NSL Townhomes - 101 Howard St, Akron, OH - Stouffer Realty, Inc.

I love Akron but the problem with it at this point is that it is not the most walkable city right now. It's not like Charlotte or Pittsburgh, where you can just run down to the city grocery store a few blocks away or have one conveniently situated on the ground floor of your condo complex. Highland Square, for instance, has been struggling for years to get a grocery store that we were promised once the old one was torn down. We still are without one. So, Acme is the best option (a few minutes drive down the road in Wallhaven).
It is getting better, but with the exception of friday and saturday nights, downtown becomes a ghost town for the most part. Altho, during the summer they will have a farmers market, etc at Lock 3. Lock 3 | Akron, OH | Welcome!
One great thing about Akron is the diversity - young, old, white collar, blue collar, all shapes, sizes, backgrounds, races, lifestyles - all are welcome. Of all areas, Highland Square is the best example of that.Not to bombard you but I'd rather you be fully informed than not - here is one more website - dedicated to downtown that you might find helpful Downtown Akron Partnership | Akron, OH

Let me know if you have any other questions - be glad to help

[gentlearts]

The problem is Canton to Cambridge really have nothing. I agree that Fairlawn/Montrose/Highland Sq areas of Akron are your best bet for a decent social scene along with nice housing or condo opportunities. They are talking about anywhere along W. Market St (Rte 18), west of Merriman Rd. Another thought, is that Akron downtown has been building some lofts which sound pretty nice. Near there you have some good restaurants, the Art Museum and U of Akron.

[SquareBetterThanAll]

Originally Posted by CityGrrl77

FYI - Condos in Georgetown range from $70K to 100K.
I have no idea where in Highland Square there are condos for $40K-$50K. If they exist anywhere, then it's either in the hood or in a 55+ building. I know this area up, down and backwards but I can't think of anything worthwhile under the $80K mark (houses included).

There are condos in the Wallhaven neighborhood called the Village at Pointe West but I wouldn't live there. They seem to always be for sale (not the greatest sign) and they sit in a complex behind a large, sprawling apartment 'neighborhood' called Village Green.

Ha, you know it never occurred to me to check the age on those, and you are correct, the cheapest are 55+. Good call! The only one I saw that was still inexpensive was one at 201 N Portage Path, and it was like $70k although rather plain on the inside. http://www.realtor.com/realestateand...303_1111390307

And ditto on the Village at Pointe West, there are always a bunch of units for sale and some of the people I've seen going in Village Green lately... I dunno...

---

Highland Square is ok for walkability it's just small - the commercial strip is only about 3 blocks long. Grocery store is out but there are a bunch of eateries, movie theater, Walgreens, a neighborhood pharmacy, pet store, library, Verizon store, fair trade trinket store, local stuff trinket store, a couple barbershops/salons, a few banks, tattoo parlor, ophthalmologist, dance studio, music school, old school shoe shop, multiple bars (gay and straight), an accountant, insurance, a realtor or two (if i recall correctly)... not a bad selection IMO.

Going further east there is another 3-4 blocks of commercial, like multiple antique stores, dairy mart, art studio, Rockne's restaurant, a florist, tax place... you're just more likely to be accosted for change. ha.

Northside seems cool, just your walkability is limited. It's kind of like a little island - the building, condos, and the block of stores and restaurants over there are great. It's just to get to the rest of downtown you have to haul yourself across Perkins which is quite busy (and nothing fronts it), or walk down and come back up the towpath trail and across the footbridge over the Innerbelt. In reality it's not a big deal but it's a psychological barrier IMO. But, again, the towpath trail is right there and they have been cleaning up that are like crazy... I wouldn't be surprised to see more buildings go up down that way.

Spicer Village... there is a lot of walkable restaurants and stores over there, but it's kind of in transition from being pretty crappy to being cleaned up. It's in the shadow of the new stadium. I predict going forward that neighborhood will end up being pretty tidy. You'll definitely have a mixed crowd of a wide variance over there for now though.


Oh and Georgetown is on West Market St. near Rockynol Retirement Home and Our Lady of the Elms. It also is right near Portage Country Club. It's near Highland Square but the speed limit is higher there and it's mostly residential / institutional in that area. You can walk to the Square but just due to the traffic I don't think it would be tons of fun.