Moving to Cleveland - where to live/buy a condo> (Canton: middle-class, 2009)

[kafshar1]

Hey everyone,

I have been doing research online for the last 2 days about Cleveland neighborhoods and condos and came across this website. I have read many of the threads back until April to find the answer, but then I just realized that I can post one myself.

So here it is:

I will be starting fellowship at Cleveland Clinic in July 2009. I likely want to buy a condo this winter.

My demographics and preferences:
-30 year old man
-single without girlfriend
-want to live in a more urban-like area (no 'burbs for me)
-condo in a high-rise/complex would be great (no mowing the lawn for me)
-want to be near bars/nightlife/energy
-dont care about museums (I will frequent the bar twice a week and the museums twice per year)
-like the occasional dive bar with the 40 year-old blue collar folks. Also like schmancy (high-end) bars with the 25-35 year old crowd (preferably with single and cute ladies). Probably prefer the nicer bars than dive bars but both are fine with me.
-I kinda want my neighborhood to have charm and character but it isnt a must. I could live in a new part of downtown with brand new buildings and shops if there are things to do.
-want to be able to walk around my condo/neighborhood to the bars and around without worrying about safety too much.
-would not want to drive more than 20 minutes to get to Cleveland Clinic.
-I prefer to know more about neighborhoods than condos. I will do the condo research myself (a good view of downtown/water would be great if you guys know a complex though).
-If you know Baltimore, Maryland - I like Fell's Point and Canton
-If you know Pittsburgh, PA - the Southside and Shadyside are my type of places.

I know that I have a lot of preferences... but I figure it will prevent the discussion from being all over the place and it get more focused replies. The research I have done seems to led me to about five neighborhoods: The Flats, Warehouse District, Ohio City, Lakewood, and Tremont. Possibly Little Italy?

One thing that I notice on a lot of these threads is that the first few replies are very helpful and then someone says something controversial (usually an overgeneralization) and the rest of the thread is composed of people saying that the person who said the controversial thing is an idiot.

You people are awesome, so helpful to so many people. Thanks in advance. Ask me more questions if you think it will help you guys with my question.

[jas3443]

This could be an option...

Tremont Place Lofts - Cleveland Ohio - Luxury Apartments

[orion1778]

Of the neighborhoods you've researched, Little Italy is probably most convenient to the Clinic. Ohio City and Tremont have limited complexes and most properties are homes. The Flats (assuming you mean the West Bank, ie. Stonebridge) is still pretty up-and-coming; the condos are magnificent but the neighborhood lacks many things to do in the immediate vicinity, and it can also be inconvenient to get to from other parts of the city. The Flats (East Bank) is basically unlivable at this moment, although that could change in the next few years. The Warehouse District meets most of your requirements and will have the biggest selection of condo units.

Another area to look at is the East 4th neighborhood. There are a lot of new condo developments going up along Euclid Avenue near East 4th, a few going up near Playhouse Square, and a few going up near Cleveland State. When the Euclid Corridor opens in October you could catch the Healthline from the front door of your building to the front door of the Clinic in less than 20 minutes, and never have to mess around with parking. I assume from your non-burb lifestyle preferences that transit is an acceptable means of getting around? althoug I'm not entirely sure how true the stereotype of doctor-types having to drive fancy expensive cars to impress each other is...

[kafshar1]

Hey, thanks for the advice. Yeah.... if I could take some type of public transit and get door-to-door to Cleveland Clinic in 20 mins, I would be totally willing. I did grow in Los Angeles though... so somewhat obligated to drive everywhere.

I heard some people say that Lakewood is a good place to live and had the best bars in Cleveland. Is this true, somewhat true, or false? The area seems like it has great condos and is about 10 miles from Cleveland Clinic. Would I hit ridiculous traffic if I had to be at CCF at 8am?

[Traveler87]

Cleveland's Little Italy is probaly one of the best in the nation, I really like Baltimore's too. But the Warehouse District is very close to Pittsburgh's South Side. Lots of bars and restaurants, close to the downtown entertainment.

Little Italy is close to the Clinic. But, just to let you know, The Euclid Corridor Project is exploding with growth, and there is a new midrise condo getting completed now, that is a mixed use development, this is one of the first stages, its called the Avenue District. I do not know what your price range is, but they also have new townhomes about a block away.

You can also find some condos around the Clinic itself as well, as that area is booming too. But as far as entertainment goes, I would say Warehouse District, the Pinnacle is awesome, great views of the lakefront. The Flats has some awesome new condos too, I will posts links for you. The Flats East Bank just started under construction a few weeks ago, this will provide thousands of new housing units, as well as hotels, parks and a marina. I believe 3 highrises are planned as well.

I will posts some helpful links for you...

[Traveler87]

Pinnacle Condominiums - 701 Lakeside Avenue - Home

http://www.stonebridgecleveland.com/index.htm

Sorry, I am having trouble with the Avenue Districts website.

[blaquestrength21]

The aforementioned neighborhoods are definitely growing, middle-class oriented and targeted at a young thriving educated man such as yourself. You definitely wouldn't have any problems with fitting in and finding a place within your price range.

May I also suggest to you the townhouses that are located in the immediate radius of the main Cleveland Clinic campus. Although this area is ladened with construction presently (Euclid Corridor project, Cleveland Clinic New Construction) I understand that the projected finalization date for the Euclid Corridor project is October 2008, long before you should arrive in the city. Depending upon what area of the CC you will be working everything is within walking distance and located on the Main bus line. (that runs more frequently than any other bus in Cleveland) University Circle is the main cultural hub of the city with art museums, The Cleveland Orchestra, Case Western Reserve University and fairly close to the rapid line that will take you down town and to the airport. You will also find all these amenities in Little Italy which is right around the corner. I hope that this is a small help to you...God bless

[orion1778]

Originally Posted by kafshar1

I heard some people say that Lakewood is a good place to live and had the best bars in Cleveland. Is this true, somewhat true, or false? The area seems like it has great condos and is about 10 miles from Cleveland Clinic. Would I hit ridiculous traffic if I had to be at CCF at 8am?

Somewhat true. There are a lot of bars in Lakewood and they cater to a different crowd than the folks who hang out at the downtown bars, so it depends what you want.

Traffic is pretty light in Cleveland. The real problems at the Clinic are construction and parking. In a perfect world you could probably make it from Lakewood to the Clinic by driving in about 20 minutes. With all the construction going on around there now and in the near future you're going to be pushing your under 20 minute preference.

I don't know how they decide who gets which spots, but a friend of mine works there now and her assigned parking space is at the Muni lot downtown. The folks who park over there then have to ride a shuttle bus to the Clinic. Incredibly inconvenient. Needless to say she rides her bike or takes the RTA bus from Little Italy. Living nearby certainly has its benefits sometimes...

[CityGrrl77]

I'm not too keen on the distance from the Cleveland Clinic to the East 4th Street neighborhood (right near Jacob's Field), but how about these?:
East Fourth Neighborhood - Cleveland, OH

If Im not mistaken they are old school buildings that have been refurbished into lofts. Below them are places such as Pickwick & Frolic, House of Blues and several other bars. You can walk to Jacob's Field as well as some of the other bars right around that area on E.9th such as Alice Cooper'stown.

Check out the 'Lifestyle' section of the site I listed above. Under 'local attractions' it lists all of the restaurants/bars, etc. beneath the lofts. There are tons of pics so you can get a feel of that area under the 'neighborhood' section. If you like the city, then you should like the idea of it.
Hope this helps or atleast gives you something different to look at

[orion1778]

Originally Posted by CityGrrl77

I'm not too keen on the distance from the Cleveland Clinic to the East 4th Street neighborhood (right near Jacob's Field), but how about these?:
East Fourth Neighborhood - Cleveland, OH

If Im not mistaken they are old school buildings that have been refurbished into lofts. Below them are places such as Pickwick & Frolic, House of Blues and several other bars. You can walk to Jacob's Field as well as some of the other bars right around that area on E.9th such as Alice Cooper'stown

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Alice Cooperstown has been gone for a while now... The East 4th neighborhood is about 4 miles from the Clinic. I was just down there on Saturday night - great up and coming part of town.