Possible relocation to Wooster area but looking for more urban (Columbus: apartments, for rent)

[kwtk]

I have a possibility of a job that would have me relocating to Wooster, Ohio. I've really only lived in places with more urban access, and my spouse and I like to do things like go to the theatre, see live music, visit microbreweries, go to movies, dine out, patronize local coffeehouses, enjoy a robust library system, etc. (obviously this is in non-COVID times!). Shopping is not really a big deal, since Wooster is near enough to Columbus and Cleveland that if I wanted to do non-online shopping, there are options. The main stuff is the type of residence and general environment. We currently live in a historic neighborhood in Dayton, very close to several arts districts plus nearby suburbs that combined have everything you'd want, plus we're reasonable drives from Columbus, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis. With Wooster, I know we'd have access to Columbus, Cleveland, and even Pittsburgh without too much trouble, but would we feel like we exhausted the amenities available in Wooster proper pretty quickly?

I'm also somewhat dismayed by the apartment offerings. We currently own a home but would sell it if the relocation happens, and we'd like to downsize by renting an apartment, at least short-term. Everything seems very cookie-cutter and suburban, and the downtown offerings are either not available, don't allow pets (we have two small cats), or they look very run-down and have bad reviews.


Would we be better off renting in a nearby city with perhaps better housing/more stuff to do? I would be working very near the College of Wooster and would like my commute to be at MOST 30 minutes, ideally shorter.


Edited to add: we are aging hipsters in our 40s, no kids, so school districts and all that don't really matter.

[dustin183]

Wooster is a small town. Maybe you're better off in Akron?

But if I were you I'd call some local realtors there or try to drive there and see if there are any "for rent" signs in areas that you like.

Here I found a hip looking apartment: https://www.apartments.com/121-e-lib...er-oh/7ewhqpx/

[kwtk]

Originally Posted by dustin183

Wooster is a small town. Maybe you're better off in Akron?

But if I were you I'd call some local realtors there or try to drive there and see if there are any "for rent" signs in areas that you like.

Here I found a hip looking apartment: https://www.apartments.com/121-e-lib...er-oh/7ewhqpx/

I found that one and it's sooooo cute, but they don't allow pets.


I did find some kind of fancy lofts in downtown Canton. That would be a bit of a commute, but doable, maybe? I may look there and Akron a bit more.

[WRnative]

Originally Posted by kwtk

I have a possibility of a job that would have me relocating to Wooster, Ohio. I've really only lived in places with more urban access, and my spouse and I like to do things like go to the theatre, see live music, visit microbreweries, go to movies, dine out, patronize local coffeehouses, enjoy a robust library system, etc. (obviously this is in non-COVID times!). Shopping is not really a big deal, since Wooster is near enough to Columbus and Cleveland that if I wanted to do non-online shopping, there are options. The main stuff is the type of residence and general environment. We currently live in a historic neighborhood in Dayton, very close to several arts districts plus nearby suburbs that combined have everything you'd want, plus we're reasonable drives from Columbus, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis. With Wooster, I know we'd have access to Columbus, Cleveland, and even Pittsburgh without too much trouble, but would we feel like we exhausted the amenities available in Wooster proper pretty quickly?

I'm also somewhat dismayed by the apartment offerings. We currently own a home but would sell it if the relocation happens, and we'd like to downsize by renting an apartment, at least short-term. Everything seems very cookie-cutter and suburban, and the downtown offerings are either not available, don't allow pets (we have two small cats), or they look very run-down and have bad reviews.


Would we be better off renting in a nearby city with perhaps better housing/more stuff to do? I would be working very near the College of Wooster and would like my commute to be at MOST 30 minutes, ideally shorter.


Edited to add: we are aging hipsters in our 40s, no kids, so school districts and all that don't really matter.

Here's a thread that may be useful.

https://www.city-data.com/forum/clev...ster-area.html

Have you considered renting a house as opposed to an apartment?

Within 30 minutes of Wooster, Wadsworth may be the best option to check out to be closer to Akron and Greater Cleveland. E.g., there are many dining destinations in southern Greater Cleveland.

I have little familiarity with Wadsworth. Perhaps post in the Akron/Canton forum for more informed advice, including locations in southern Summit County that may be more ideal for you. Fairlawn, a top Akron suburb, is 40 minutes from Wooster.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wadsworth,_Ohio

https://www.city-data.com/forum/akron-canton/

Wooster is 12 minutes further from Cleveland's University Circle than Dayton is from the Cincinnati Museum of Art. Admittedly, Dayton has very good cultural amenities for a city its size, arguably better than Akron, less than 45 minutes from Wooster. The Cleveland Museum of Art, however, is one of the best art museums in the U.S. The Cleveland Orchestra is arguably the nation's best, according to the New York Times and Severance Hall is one of the nation's premier classical music halls.

Akron also has a very good regional art museum. Check out the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland Cinematheque, etc., in this dated travel article.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g...Cleveland.html

See other travel articles in the right margin.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g...Day.Trips.html

Wooster is the home of the Ohio Light Opera, one of the nation's best lyric theaters and regional attraction for Gilbert & Sullivan fans.

https://ohiolightopera.org/

Akron's E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall is excellent and hosts Broadway in Akron and many other events, ex-epidemic.

https://www.uakron.edu/ej/broadway/

Wooster is less than an hour from Ohio Amish Country, a major tourist destination with several unique theaters.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g...h.Country.html

https://www.visitamishcountry.com/ad...-entertainment

Blossom Music Center is an hour from Wooster. It's one of the best classical music summer venues in the U.S. and also is the location of Kent State's Porthouse Theatre.

https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/d...-music-center/

https://www.kent.edu/porthouse/about

Cleveland's Playhouse Square, which also manages Broadway in Akron, is one of the best regional theater centers in the U.S.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g...usesquare.html

The Butler Institute of American Art, one of the best in the U.S., is 90 minutes east of Wooster.

https://butlerart.com/

Weathervane Playhouse is in Akron. I know little about it.

https://www.weathervaneplayhouse.com/about

Baldwin Wallace is one of the nation's better performing arts schools and with Kent State and the College of Wooster, likely offer additional performing arts options.

Read through the Cleveland forum or search for threads featuring the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Orchestra and Playhouse Square.

You didn't mention natural areas or metroparks, but these abound in northeast Ohio.

BOL!

[kwtk]

Thanks so much for all those links and suggestions, WRNative! I will explore. I do think we really want to rent an apartment instead of a house, however, as we're coming off of 14 years of home ownership and would like a break from yard work and cleaning such a large space. And good point about nature attractions, as we would indeed like some parks and hiking and whatnot, so it's good to know those abound up there, too.


I've been to Blossom, but it was years ago. I didn't realize it was so close!

[dustin183]

I know you don't want the upkeep of a house, but I would consider something like this, good bones and you can remodel/paint to your liking.

Then hire a cleaner to come weekly. And a gardener. To keep maintenance low-ish.



https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...1_M48052-66507

[WRnative]

Originally Posted by dustin183

I know you don't want the upkeep of a house, but I would consider something like this, good bones and you can remodel/paint to your liking.

Then hire a cleaner to come weekly. And a gardener. To keep maintenance low-ish.



https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...1_M48052-66507

Or you just could rent a house and hire your own cleaner and landscaper.

Also, in case you haven't done so, check out condos for rent.

Also check tripadvisor.com, yelp.com for restaurants, attractions, etc., for both Wooster and nearby communities.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...o.html#REVIEWS

You can try searching by county.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...ille_Ohio.html

https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=res...e+County%2C+OH

Open Table is another resource.

https://www.opentable.com/nearby/res...ear-me-wooster

[bjimmy24]

I like Wooster a lot. If I had to leave the Cleveland area, I'd probably go to Wooster.

[kwtk]

Thanks for the house suggestions! I think even with our increase in salary, hiring gardeners and cleaners is a little much. That cute house posted above is so similar to what we'd be selling here in Dayton. I'd like a full change to something a lot more modern and much, much smaller. But condos are a good idea! I'll keep investigating!

[dustin183]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

I like Wooster a lot. If I had to leave the Cleveland area, I'd probably go to Wooster.

I've only been once. Years ago when I had a band we went up there to play a little gig in a coffee shop. Was a nice vibe overall. Charming little town. A bit like Granville, OH with Denison Univ.