Meeting other young people in Cleveland... (Lakewood, Ohio City: transplants, neighborhood, school)

[mpx44]

So I got relocated to Cleve for work and I pretty much do not know anyone here. I moved here a few months ago and am having difficulty meeting people outside of work. Im finally starting to get acquainted with the city and my new job and now i want to meet people. Ive read some of the related threads to this topic but does anyone have any other tips? Im really looking to meet people my age (25). Some of the sites that post groups and meet ups can be hit or miss. And, it seems like a lot of the groups are not geared to people in their mid 20s.

I really like cleveland and the city seems to have a lot to offer but trying to meet people by myself in a new city while working full time is a bit of a challenge for me. Thx for the help!

[usaf_1832]

Welcome to Cleveland!

First question -- where in Cleveland do you live?

Basically suburbs or a neighborhood?

[mpx44]

Originally Posted by usaf_1832

Welcome to Cleveland!

First question -- where in Cleveland do you live?

Basically suburbs or a neighborhood?

I live in the burbs on the westside.

[usaf_1832]

My first instinct is that young people live in a few areas mostly:

Eastside:
- Little Italy/University Circle
- Coventry
- Cleveland Hts (Cedar-Fairmount, Cedar-Lee)
- Cleveland State Campus

Westside:
- Ohio City
- Tremont
- Lakewood
- Detroit-Shoreway

Downtown: (E.4th, Warehouse District, Gateway, E.12, West Bank Flats)

[usaf_1832]

I'd recommend a few things:

1) Fun city events -- Critical Mass Bike Ride Log In | Facebook Oct 27, 2011

2) Cleveland Plays Cleveland Plays: Co-Ed Sports Leagues in Cleveland: Volleyball, Football, Basketball, Softball, Soccer, and many other team sports.

3) Cleveland 20-30 Club Cleveland 2030

4) Places to hang out (Ohio City, E.4th, W.6th, Tremont, Little Italy, Lakewood)

5) Volunteer! Greater Cleveland Volunteers

6) Join a gym...for example: Downtown Cleveland Gyms, Ohio and Fitness Clubs, Open 24 Hours, Areas Largest GYM, Boot Camps, Spinning, Yoga, Zumba,

Bottom line, I'd recommend getting as involved as possible if whatever interests you.

[brownsfan78]

I've had the same problem around here, it's hard to try and meet people, especially if you're shy like me. I started going to events downtown and around that area. Downtown usually has something going on every weekend, the Rock hall has live bands during the summer, and public square has a great farmers market. Look for festivals too, I met some really cool people at Ingenuity Fest.

[wolf64]

I moved here from out of state about a year ago and I have had the same difficulties. Cleveland locals are going to hate me for saying this but Cleveland is just not a good city for out of state transplants.

When I meet other out of state transplants they always invite me to hang out with them. No Cleveland local has ever invited me out to something. And that's completely understandable. If you grew up in Cleveland and went to school here, then you already have your circle of friends.

One thing I have noticed is that Cleveland is a very insular society. People grow up here, go to school here, and then raise their families here. Cleveland locals really aren't interested in branching out of their existing social circles and that makes it tougher for out of state transplants to meet people.

People generally don't move to Cleveland. Cleveland just isn't a transplant friendly city like Chicago, Austin, TX or Research Triangle Park, NC.

[gobucks86]

Originally Posted by wolf64

I moved here from out of state about a year ago and I have had the same difficulties. Cleveland locals are going to hate me for saying this but Cleveland is just not a good city for out of state transplants.

When I meet other out of state transplants they always invite me to hang out with them. No Cleveland local has ever invited me out to something. And that's completely understandable. If you grew up in Cleveland and went to school here, then you already have your circle of friends.

One thing I have noticed is that Cleveland is a very insular society. People grow up here, go to school here, and then raise their families here. Cleveland locals really aren't interested in branching out of their existing social circles and that makes it tougher for out of state transplants to meet people.

People generally don't move to Cleveland. Cleveland just isn't a transplant friendly city like Chicago, Austin, TX or Research Triangle Park, NC.

I always find that when you don't think about things, they just happen. I'm not even from Cleveland, but when I drive up for a night out I've met people randomly at a bar or something. Things just happen, be patient. That's how I feel at least.

[Cleveland_Collector]

Wolf-

Cleveland is plenty friendly and very open to transplants. Your problem is likely that you're going to/hanging in the wrong places.

The thing you'll find here is that people tend to not be as presumptuous as in other bigger cities. They'll take you at face value and, if you aren't saying anything, they likely won't ask you much about it. To me, that's a desirable trait in a person.

[wolf64]

Originally Posted by Cleveland_Collector

Wolf-

Cleveland is plenty friendly and very open to transplants. Your problem is likely that you're going to/hanging in the wrong places.

The thing you'll find here is that people tend to not be as presumptuous as in other bigger cities. They'll take you at face value and, if you aren't saying anything, they likely won't ask you much about it. To me, that's a desirable trait in a person.

p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Cleveland locals are very friendly. The thing is Cleveland locals already have their own circle of friends. The only people who ever invite me to hang out are other out-of-state transplants.


No Cleveland local has ever invited me to come hang with them. Not because they're unfriendly or rude. It's just that they already have their own social circle.



Cleveland isn't a bad city. It just isn't a good city for out of state transplants.



I just got a job offer in Chicago so I will compare/contrast my experiences here in Cleveland and find out which city is better for an out of state transplant like myself