RTA: How safe is it really? (Cleveland, Euclid: how much, transfer to, buying)

[WeSoHood]

You should be fine. Like any rail line or bus service in the USA, there will be isolated incidents. I'm assuming the majority would be nuisances and petty theft.

[gomi]

Thanks everyone for your help and support. Currently, I'm leaning heavily towards the Crittenden Court apartments. If I do take this studio apartment, I guess I will try and take the bus.

[gomi]

So no one on here has ever ridden on Bus 1? As it looks, I think I will try to locate a (good) car dealership and lease a car.

[costello_musicman]

You may not want to go through a car dealership if you don't have much to spend (although there have been some amazing deals lately!). You may be able to buy a car off someone locally at a pretty cheap price...especially in this economy.

Welcome to Downtown! I think you'll enjoy it.

[gomi]

Thanks again, everyone. This site, and more importantly its members, have been a tremendous help.

Now that I've decided to live in downtown, which apartment is the better choice, based on both price and safety: Crittenden or Heritage Suites?

Location-
Heritage Suites:2200 Prospect Avenue
Heritage Suites | 2200 Prospect Avenue - Cleveland, OH 44115, Apartment Rentals on Move.com

Crittenden: 955 W St Clair Ave
Crittenden Court Apartments For Rent in Cleveland, Ohio - Apartment Rental and Community Details - ForRent.com

[gomi]

Thanks so much everyone.

I went ahead and decided to go with the Crittenden. Its cheap, affordable, but large enough to store all my things (which isn't much anyways).

Now that is covered, the next step is to figure out transportation: commuting via transit system or purchasing/leasing a car. This is still a large concern, since I received mixed opinions on this. I spoke with one of my colleagues, and they advise that I purchase/lease a car. But then others on here comment that the RTA isn't that bad. This is quite the dilemma...

[BelieveInCleve]

Don't let those incidents scare you away from using the RTA though.

Thousands of people use the RTA everyday and only a few of them run into trouble on there.

The incidents I brought up were isolated incidents, and although they do happen it's very unlikely you'll experience anything like that ever. Just be street smart though and you'll be fine.

[jam40jeff]

Originally Posted by gomi

Thanks so much everyone.

I went ahead and decided to go with the Crittenden. Its cheap, affordable, but large enough to store all my things (which isn't much anyways).

Now that is covered, the next step is to figure out transportation: commuting via transit system or purchasing/leasing a car. This is still a large concern, since I received mixed opinions on this. I spoke with one of my colleagues, and they advise that I purchase/lease a car. But then others on here comment that the RTA isn't that bad. This is quite the dilemma...

You'll find that in the suburbs around Cleveland, there is a definite stigma that someone without a car is a lesser human being. I suggest trying it out because it's intelligent. If you can live without a car you will save yourself nearly the equivalent of a mortgage payment each month.

[mikemeatball]

Originally Posted by Cle440

Don't let those incidents scare you away from using the RTA though.

Thousands of people use the RTA everyday and only a few of them run into trouble on there.

The incidents I brought up were isolated incidents, and although they do happen it's very unlikely you'll experience anything like that ever. Just be street smart though and you'll be fine.

Another disadvantage for buying a car in Cleveland is ticketing for speeding / running red light / parking. There are so many hidden cameras spreading out across the whole city that new comer like you might have higher than 50% chance to get some ticket here and there.

To make things a little bit MORE unpleasant, you will inevitably lose the appealing to the court for some reasons, unless you spend 500$ to get a lawyer right beside you. So, if you don't get a ticket of 500$ fine or more, just pay it and swallow it. DO NOT SIMULATE THE JUSTICE SYSTEM HERE TO YOUR SWEET HOMETOWN. THE WHOLE OPERATION SYSTEM HERE IS ALL ABOUT THE REVENUE, NOT FORGIVENESS.

[todd72173]

How can anyone live without a car is beyond me. Might as well move to Amish country. You need a car to grocery shop, transport toddlers, and the winter's here are ice cold.

My insurance a year with Geice is $150. Now thats what, less than a cell phone bill? I bought a used car for $5K.

Buy a car. I cringe when I look at those bus riders.