Places to stay near Aurora, OH? Kent, Akron, Cleveland? (Cuyahoga Falls: hair salon, apartments) - City-Data Forum

ashyu · 06-07-2010, 09:07 AM

I'm a new grad who will be starting work in Ohio this year, and I'm currently looking for places to stay. My workplace will be in Aurora, so I'm looking for a place to stay that's not too far away from there.

The HR person recommended Kent, and I'm just wondering what other thoughts or comments people here had about Ohio or where is good or not so good to stay and why?

I'd be looking for something that's not too pricey, but also somewhere that's safe and relatively enjoyable/comfortable to live.

Flee to the Cleve · 06-07-2010, 10:42 AM

I used to make the commute from Bainbridge (one town north) to Kent everyday and it was a PITA. SR43 tends to pretty slow during rush hour, espically between 14 and and the beginning of Kent. I would say it would take me about 35 minutes to get from home to the university.

If you're looking to rent I would suggest Streetsboro. There are a lot of reasonably priced apartments off of SR14 and Frost Road. There is a good amount of shopping there, but there is also quite a bit of traffic in the center of town for a city its size. It is also right by I-480, so there is quick freeway access as well.

ashyu · 06-07-2010, 01:25 PM

Thanks for the suggestion. What would you say the average rent in Streetsboro might be when compared to other regions around Aurora? Kent seems relatively inexpensive, given that there appear to be a lot of students there?

I'd hope to find something under $600 if possible, for a single bedroom.

I actually stayed at a hotel in Streetsboro when I went down for the job interview last year. I didn't get much time to look around, but from what I recall it didn't appear like there was much there? Or was I maybe just on the wrong side of town or on the outskirts? Or would you say that it's close enough to other larger cities that it wouldn't matter?

Flee to the Cleve · 06-08-2010, 06:25 AM

In Streetboro you would be looking at anywhere from $615 and up, but in Kent you can certianly find an apartment for under $600. One that comes to mind is Kent Village Apartments, which I believe is under $600 and has some utilities included. They also had some major renovations of the building about a year ago.

When I suggested Streetsboro, I was considering your commute more than anything else. Streetsboro is a "sprawling" suburb with nothing too exciting. There is shopping on the main strip (SR14) but those are mostly chain stores and restrauants. Other than that, I am not sure of what else Streetsboro has to offer. The city of Kent has more of a vibe and far better atmosphere than Streetsboro. As long as you don't mind college students, and some of the issues that come with the university, and the commute, then Kent would be okay.

Streetsboro has better access to the Cleveland while Kent has better access to Akron and there is plently to do in both areas. It is all a matter of preference, but Streetsboro would be more of a drive to get to Cleveland than from Kent to Akron.

I hope this helps a little more, let us know if you have any more questions!

treat · 06-08-2010, 09:17 PM

You can find cheap rent in Kent but the road into Aurora is one lane each way with no passing, so if you are stuck behind a slow person, it can be downright infuriating. There's not too much in that area compared to Cleveland or Akron, but there are grocery stores and Targets and Walmarts in the area, and Cleveland and Akron aren't that far away. Some tips: the best shopping mall is Beachwood Mall in Cleveland, and DO NOT go to a hair salon/tanning salon or anything like that in Portage County, as there's quite a few places operating without licenses. If you want to get your hair done, go up to Cleveland.

Aurora and the surrounding cities are all safe. Cheapest rent probably will be in Kent.

Flee to the Cleve · 06-09-2010, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treat

You can find cheap rent in Kent but the road into Aurora is one lane each way with no passing, so if you are stuck behind a slow person, it can be downright infuriating.

Ah the nightmares

ashyu · 06-12-2010, 01:00 PM

Thanks for the notes on the commute. I hadn't thought about it too much since it seemed like Kent was relatively close to Aurora (and I've grown up with my father always having an hour+ commute between the suburbs and city where he works haha).

I know it's also a bit further, but I was also looking at a couple places in Cuyahoga Falls. Would you say the commute from there would be particularly bad? I think commuting on the whole is not something that I'm against - it's mainly if it's in heavy traffic that I'd be particularly annoyed by it. I'd be ok with 30-40 min drive as long as it's usually clear roads...

Flee to the Cleve · 06-12-2010, 03:40 PM

I currently live in Cuyahoga Falls and it is my favorite city that is close Akron. There is a lot to do (mostly on the riverfront - Rockin' on the River during the summer).

Living in Cuyahoga Falls would give you more options to get to Aurora than Kent. You can take SR 8 to the turnpike and get off in Streetsboro and then head into Aurora that way, or you can take a few back roads (SR 91 to Stow Rd to Aurora-Hudson Road) and avoid the rush hour mess of Streetsboro and Hudson. I would say it would be about 35 minute commute or so.

MacGruber · 06-15-2010, 12:50 AM

I'd personally look for somewhere closer to Cleveland if you'd like some entertainment.

louislinus · 07-22-2010, 01:23 PM

I live in Kent and work in Aurora. It is much much closer to go from Kent to Aurora then to go from Cuyahoga Falls to Aurora. Yes, 43 can be a nightmare, but it takes forever to get from RT.8 to Aurora. There are no good options to go east when you are that far north.