Best place to live between the VA Hospitals (Cleveland, Lakewood: condos, houses)

[delia575]

Hello, I am moving back to NE Ohio after 11 years away for schooling and life. I will be working for the Dept. of Veterans Affairs at the Brecksville campus until that campus closes in a couple years and we all move to Wade Park. In the short term I will be living with family down in Summit County; however, as I look to purchase a house I need advice on the best area to live. Should I target one of the Heights neighborhoods? Would I be better off in Seven Hills or Independence so I am between the 2 locations? What would you recommend? I am currently in my early 30's and single so I don't want to be stuck in the middle of family-land with no culture or interesting activities.

Thanks!

[jam40jeff]

It sounds like the Heights areas or downtown would be the best for you. You would have a little bit of a drive (or bus ride) initially, but it would be "against the grain" of rush hour, and when the new VA opens up, you'd be very close. Also, there is nothing comparable to Lakewood, downtown (or near West Side) or the Heights as far as a single 30 yearf old is concerned. Seven Hills and Independence are about as far opposite from what you seem to want as it gets. I would especially suggest looking at Little Italy/University Cirle, Cedar/Fairmount area, or around Coventry (especially the streets east of Coventry and south of Mayfield, there are some very nice homes there in walking district to all of the amenities (bars, restaurant, grocery store, library, bank, etc.) of Coventry.

[Clevelander17]

Originally Posted by jam40jeff

It sounds like the Heights areas or downtown would be the best for you. You would have a little bit of a drive (or bus ride) initially, but it would be "against the grain" of rush hour, and when the new VA opens up, you'd be very close. Also, there is nothing comparable to Lakewood, downtown (or near West Side) or the Heights as far as a single 30 yearf old is concerned. Seven Hills and Independence are about as far opposite from what you seem to want as it gets. I would especially suggest looking at Little Italy/University Cirle, Cedar/Fairmount area, or around Coventry (especially the streets east of Coventry and south of Mayfield, there are some very nice homes there in walking district to all of the amenities (bars, restaurant, grocery store, library, bank, etc.) of Coventry.

The area west of Coventry, south of Euclid Heights Boulevard also has some nice homes.

[Cleveland_Collector]

It depends what your needs will be and what your means are. If you need good public schools, Independence is a good bet. If you're a confirmed bachelor/bachelorette looking for more local nightlife, downtown or the near west side is likely for you. Then, there is the University Circle area and the eastern suburbs. There are many good areas. It mostly depends on what you'll need.

[jam40jeff]

Originally Posted by Clevelander17

The area west of Coventry, south of Euclid Heights Boulevard also has some nice homes.

Yes, but those are much more expensive. I suppose it depends what price range the OP can afford. Both are very nice neighborhoods, but west of Coventry, south of Euclid Heights the homes are much bigger. I do like the east of Coventry, north of Euclid Heights neighborhood for its historic charm (it's about 50 years older, more late 1800s houses) by my estimate based on architecture and layout. Of course, that's surely not to say the larger houses aren't also beautiful in an early 1900s historic way.

[Clevelandperson]

Please see the direct message that I sent you - I work at the VA and am selling my condo.

[Clevelander17]

Originally Posted by jam40jeff

Yes, but those are much more expensive. I suppose it depends what price range the OP can afford. Both are very nice neighborhoods, but west of Coventry, south of Euclid Heights the homes are much bigger. I do like the east of Coventry, north of Euclid Heights neighborhood for its historic charm (it's about 50 years older, more late 1800s houses) by my estimate based on architecture and layout. Of course, that's surely not to say the larger houses aren't also beautiful in an early 1900s historic way.

Touche. Though maybe this person is a doctor. Lots of MDs call the Heights area home.

[delia575]

Ok, well I am a Ph.D., not an MD and I am just coming into my first "real" job as a Psychologist after graduating and completing a postdoctoral fellowship. Hence, not a ton of cash in the bank!

I am currently single but not a confirmed bachelorette... Need to live somewhere where I can interact and get to meet people!

[costello_musicman]

For meeting people, I would definitely look around University Circle/Heights area

Most specifically:

Little Italy
University Circle itself
Shaker Square
Shaker Heights
Cleveland Heights

Don't cross off Downtown either.

If you have any specific questions don't hesitate to ask us. There's also a wide variety of types of residences at the eastside from new condos to affordable housing to gorgeous old homes.

[delia575]

How rough would it be to live in Lakewood? Would the commute to Wade Park be terrible? Are there parts of Downtown that are recommended over others and are they affordable? What can you tell me about Ohio City?