Need advice for a young couple moving to Cleveland from outside the country (Lakewood: apartment complex)

[gonomad8183]

Hi,
Need some advice from the forum. We are an Asian couple currently staying in England and planning on moving to Cleveland. I have been to Cleveland just for 6-7 weeks and stayed in westlake but it will be the first time in Cleveland for my wife.

I will be working in Downtown while my wife will be looking for work or attending the university here.

Some of the things we would want to consider while moving to a neighborhood will be:

1) Safety
2) Good modern Apartments with gym (since it is just 2 of us we don't want to live in a big house so prefer a 2 bed apartment) preferably a gated complex
3) Ease of transportation and close to shops (my wife will not start to drive immediately there so will be good to be close to a RTA station)
4) Good area to walk and with activities outside. (we would not want to drive to everyplace)

I have been reading on these forums and Shaker Heights seemed pretty nice in these aspects to me and the people here seem to like it as well.

Please let me know if there are other areas that I should consider that meet most of the criteria.

Also, if you could recommend some good apartment complexes in Shaker Heights and other areas (preferably within walking distance of RTA station)

Not sure what our budget should be but I think we will be ok for around 900-1000$ for a 2 bedroom 2 bath good apartment with gym.

Thanks!

[Cleveland_Collector]

Would you consider staying downtown?

[cpop]

Well - guess everybody has to start somewhere.

[gonomad8183]

Originally Posted by Cleveland_Collector

Would you consider staying downtown?

haven't thought of downtown.

Mainly for 2 reasons, firstly we want to have a neighborhood feel and second I am not so sure that downtown area is safe.

But frankly I am not very familiar with Cleveland. I just know Westlake since I stayed in a Hotel there and drove to downtown for work(workplace was very close to tower city center) everyday for 7 weeks.

[Marty711]

Originally Posted by gonomad8183

haven't thought of downtown.

Mainly for 2 reasons, firstly we want to have a neighborhood feel and second I am not so sure that downtown area is safe.

But frankly I am not very familiar with Cleveland. I just know Westlake since I stayed in a Hotel there and drove to downtown for work(workplace was very close to tower city center) everyday for 7 weeks.

Downtown is fairly safe. You have to be aware of your surroundings, but that's true in any large city. Sometimes noise can be an issue if you want to live in one of the hot nightlife areas downtown but I wouldn't feel unsafe.

I'm not sure which university your wife will be involved with. If it's Case, then anywhere in University Circle, Cedar Fairmount or Little Italy would be ideal. The RTA is nearby and takes you directly downtown. There's plenty of food and shopping options along Mayfield and Cedar Roads that are easily accessed by bus or bike. Shaker Square works as well and has more direct shopping options.

There's not too many gated apartment complexes in these areas. There's security, passcodes, etc. but not true gated entrances. For gated apartments, Downtown or the lakefront would be a better option. There's many options in Lakewood and there's even Quay55 on the lake but that's somewhat isolated and not close to an RTA line. There are some gated apartments in Beachwood but there's no direct rail line near there. It does have plenty of bus links though and is filled with upscale shopping and food establishments nearby.

Your best bet is to look around, and get comfortable with the area. The more places you look at, the better you will feel about your choice.

[Peregrine]

I would suggest Lakewood. There are many cool apartments with views of Lake Erie all along the Lakewood coastline. From the high rise apartments of the "Gold Coast" to the smaller and more neighborhoodly apartments along Lake Rd. near the Cleveland border.
Just not sure which ones have gyms.

[gonomad8183]

Thanks for the comments!

My wife will be looking at Case or CSU.

Not so stuck up on gated community but a modern safe apartment complex will be nice. I will check out Lakewood.

Any apartments in shaker heights/University Circle/Beachwood that you would recommend?

[Marty711]

Originally Posted by gonomad8183

Thanks for the comments!

My wife will be looking at Case or CSU.

Not so stuck up on gated community but a modern safe apartment complex will be nice. I will check out Lakewood.

Any apartments in shaker heights/University Circle/Beachwood that you would recommend?

Shaker and Uc are largely older complexes. They are gorgeous and have terrific architecture but if you want something "modern" they might not be what you're looking for. I suppose it depends on the complex. There are two gated complexes in Beachwood that are near the mall. The Hamptons and Village Green are adjacent to Beachwood Place and are somewhat newer but they can get pricey. I know some people who have lived at the Hamptons and they seemed to like it.

[marence]

Definitely look at Lakewood's Gold Coast (Edgewater Drive). The building on the north side (lake view) are within your price range, and many have fitness centers and pools. RTA stops are within walking distance, as are shopping and lots of social activities, and Edgewater Park is literally minutes down the street.
When I lived on Edgewater, I'd see lots of people walking their dogs late at night or early in the morning with no qualms. It's a friendly and safe area.