Suggestions on a place to live? (Cleveland, Akron: to rent, house, neighborhood)

[timesrchangin]

I am moving from Chicago and am looking for something in the Cleveland area. I will need to work down near Akron/Canton, so easy access to 77 is a must.

I am a 32 year old male that's single and looking for the following:

Something newer, trendy and close to nightlife and things to do, as well as a gym. Cab rides to these things are fine. I need a safe, indoor parking spot for one car. The other can sit outside if need be. I am thinking a loft. I'd like to rent, but I need it to be very reasonable as I am saving to buy a house eventually, too.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions!

[Daytonnatian]

I'd go Akron CBD myself. Akron is really an awesome town, to be honest, and has lots to do, with the ever-expanding University of Akron to only add to that.

More informed forumers are located in the Akron-Canton subforum here.

[timesrchangin]

What is "Akron CBD?"

[JR_C]

CBD = Central Business District

[timesrchangin]

Where is the CBD located? I was told I should indicate where I live now and a few other items. Ok.

I live in Chicago's suburbs. I am looking for what I indicated in my original post. I also want a gym to be close by -- walking distance. I don't mind driving to retail, grocery, etc. The drive to Akron has to occur about 3 times a week. I don't mind 45min. Maybe that will change, but I had an hour and a half commute in Chicago, so 45min. is a vacation. What am I looking to spend? Bang for the buck. I hate renting, but I think I might do it for a year to feel the area out a bit.

Thanks again!

[JR_C]

Originally Posted by timesrchangin

Where is the CBD located?

CBD, Central Business District, etc. are just more precise ways of saying "downtown" for most cities.

What Daytonnatian is saying, is that you might find what you're looking for in downtown Akron, and could save yourself from the commute completely. You might also want to ask for suggestions in the Akron/Canton forum.

Will you be working in Cleveland (or from home) the other 2 days/week?

[5Lakes]

Chicago resident here who used to live in the Cleveland/Akron area and had to commute from Akron to downtown Cleveland for a while. That commute is about 35-60 minutes depending on where you live in the region. It's about 45 minutes from downtown Cleveland to downtown Akron. The distance is far, but traffic will be like a walk in the park compared to Chicago. Going all the way to Canton from Cleveland would really suck though, and I would not recommend that.

If you don't mind the commute I would look into living in downtown Cleveland itself or in the Tremont neighborhood. Downtown is going to more expensive and you will have to pay to garage your car, but I think it has what you are looking for (it's the only place in Cleveland where you can actually hail a cab). Tremont is a trendy neighborhood southwest of downtown Cleveland that has some cool bars, restaurants, and an emerging hipster population. It's still a bit rough around the edges, but will be cheaper and more convenient for commuting than downtown. Ohio City is another option similar to Tremont, but it's not as good for your commute and can be a bit rougher than Tremont. Once there you may find that you like Lakewood, Little Italy, or Cleveland Heights better, but these areas are not good for that commute.

If you decide on Akron look in the Highland Square area, although Cleveland would be the much better place to live for a guy in your situation.

[timesrchangin]

Originally Posted by 5Lakes

Chicago resident here who used to live in the Cleveland/Akron area and had to commute from Akron to downtown Cleveland for a while. That commute is about 35-60 minutes depending on where you live in the region. It's about 45 minutes from downtown Cleveland to downtown Akron. The distance is far, but traffic will be like a walk in the park compared to Chicago. Going all the way to Canton from Cleveland would really suck though, and I would not recommend that.

If you don't mind the commute I would look into living in downtown Cleveland itself or in the Tremont neighborhood. Downtown is going to more expensive and you will have to pay to garage your car, but I think it has what you are looking for (it's the only place in Cleveland where you can actually hail a cab). Tremont is a trendy neighborhood southwest of downtown Cleveland that has some cool bars, restaurants, and an emerging hipster population. It's still a bit rough around the edges, but will be cheaper and more convenient for commuting than downtown. Ohio City is another option similar to Tremont, but it's not as good for your commute and can be a bit rougher than Tremont. Once there you may find that you like Lakewood, Little Italy, or Cleveland Heights better, but these areas are not good for that commute.

If you decide on Akron look in the Highland Square area, although Cleveland would be the much better place to live for a guy in your situation.

5Lakes: Let me play this out in a bit more detailed manner...

I would need to go to Fairlawn/Akron/North Canton about twice a week; perhaps three times for a while, but not more than that. After 6-months, that "frequency" of trip will go down to making a trip to these areas twice a week. Further, my schedule is flexible, so I can leave to avoid traffic on the way out of town. Not so much coming back as I won't end my day until around 5pm in those areas. Though, I do get the feeling it would be a "reverse commute" going from Cleveland to Akron/North Canton in the morning, etc. Agree?

The trip to Canton would be once a week for a while and eventually once every two weeks. I also need to make a trip to Stuebenville once every 4-5 weeks for a day. Dover is another trip made about every 2-3 weeks for a day. My point being -- the trips to Dover, Stuebenville, etc. are limited and not something I focus on because they aren't "regular." The trips to Fairlawn, North Canton and Akron certainly will be "regular" -- as often as 2-3 times/week. Not to repeat myself, but I will ( ) head to Canton once a week for a while, too. After 6-months, or so, this may be backed off to once every two weeks.

Perhaps I am trying to make a square peg fit through a round hole; it just seems like with the flexibility in my schedule in terms of whan I leave in the morning (i.e., I can try to avoid traffic some) and the fact I don't have to go to these areas every day of the week, might make it more tolerable. Monday and Friday is going to leave my in Cleveland 85% of the time. I.E., in my home office.

Then again, perhaps just moving to Akron around the ball park is the answer. Not sure...can you tell? Luckily, I don't have to do anything for the next several months.

Thanks again for the input and direction everyone!