commute from westside to CCF? (Cleveland, Lakewood: apartments, pros and cons, living)

[honeynuts]

Hi,

I am new to Cleveland and am currently looking for apartments. I had my eyes on some apartments in Lakewood, Westlake, and Beachwood/Lyndhurst area.

I was wondering how the commute would be from the westside to CCF. Especially in the winter. I did hear the eastside gets more snow but what do you locals suggest be a better commute considering the snow and traffic?

And do you get more snow if your right off the shore in the lakewood area?

Any kind of input would be helpful!! Thanks!!

[Peregrine]

I won't sugar coat it. That commute would not be pleasant in winter when we get our 3-4 bad snow storms.
However Lakewood does have easy access to the Rapid Transit (our "above ground subway") and that will take you pretty far towards CCF. You'll have to leave a bit early but it always runs, snow or shine.

There is a ride planner here you can check out:
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority

There are pros and cons regarding living close to the lake. You won't get much more snow then you would living 20 miles from the lake. Once in a great while maybe but it is rare.
The "snow line" divides east-west not so much south. If the westside gets hit with a foot of snow pretty much the entire western county gets that much. While the east side will get 3 feet. Living close to the lake actually keeps you a bit warmer when the lake is warm. It's weird for people to see it is 40 degrees at the lakeshore and 35 degrees inland but it happens all the time. Living by the lake you will see on the news that there is a frost warning but you won't see any frost.
Living close to the lake keeps you cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
Once the lake freeze over you lose those benefits but the lake effect snow stops when it's frozen so that's a plus.

[Cleveland_Collector]

I agree with Peregrine.

However, I think you will find that you have enough transit options to make the situation bearable. If I was to do public transit from Lakewood, I would take the Rapid Transit to Tower City and then catch the RTA Healthline bus out to CCF. I've done it once and got there in about 45 minutes. A regular car commute is 20-30 minutes in good traffic.

[WeSoHood]

I know a large number of people who live in Rocky River, Lakewood, and Westlake who commute to the Clinic. A 20 minute drive from Rocky River is NOTHING. Seriously, it'd take me 45 minutes in DC to drive 5 miles.

[Cleveland_Collector]

I'm not insinuating that it's bad, I'm just telling what to expect. Cleveland area traffic is not that bad. We actually have a good proportion of freeways for a city our size and this makes most commutes bearable.

[Peregrine]

Originally Posted by WeSoHood

I know a large number of people who live in Rocky River, Lakewood, and Westlake who commute to the Clinic. A 20 minute drive from Rocky River is NOTHING. Seriously, it'd take me 45 minutes in DC to drive 5 miles.

Yea, it's nothing April - November. That 20-25 minute commute could be 90 minutes in a snowstorm in January. You know that, Weso, come on now.
Hence the Collectors post about a 45 minute bus ride during inclement weather.