Kenmore (Cleveland, Akron, Wadsworth: real estate, apartment, rental)

[oaksheri]

Hi, guys.

I was wondering if someone could give me some insight on Kenmore, specifically Kenmore Blvd. I'm tempted by a property listing that I keep coming across, but I don't want to have to worry about my car or building being broken into, harrassment, etc. Been there, done that.

What little I've found on the 'net regarding Kenmore hasn't been positive, but if there's someone that can tell me first hand what the situation is like there, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

[SquareBetterThanAll]

Originally Posted by oaksheri

Hi, guys.

I was wondering if someone could give me some insight on Kenmore, specifically Kenmore Blvd. I'm tempted by a property listing that I keep coming across, but I don't want to have to worry about my car or building being broken into, harrassment, etc. Been there, done that.

What little I've found on the 'net regarding Kenmore hasn't been positive, but if there's someone that can tell me first hand what the situation is like there, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

Well I don't know that I can tell you what it's like first hand as I haven't lived there. I've been there recently and I can give you some impressions and knowledge I have.

Kenmore is like most places in that there are better and worse parts. Generally speaking it's a little worse the farther north you go and a little better the further south you go, but that varies.

Kenmore is what I would call the quintessential working man's neighborhood. Which was good back in the day, but the people that have traditionally occupied the neighborhood are the ones that have been hammered by manufacturing closures.

I don't know you so I don't know what you would like. Kenmore isn't somewhere that I personally would choose to live, mostly because of cultural / interest / personality differences. I.E. (I'm drawing a broad stereotype here) when I think of Kenmore I think of truck drivers, NASCAR, cigarettes, and outdated hairstyles.

I really like "downtown" Kenmore on Kenmore Blvd - its obvious it was very nice. Some of the sections in there are pretty, and I'm a little jealous as it's much more substantial than "downtown" Highland Square, where I live. I hate to down it because I would love to see it improving, but for now I think Kenmore is on a slow slide in the wrong direction. That's not to say that you shouldn't purchase there, as you may be looking at a good buy of a house on street that could be nice for another 20 years, in which time things could be getting better.

The best suggestion I can make as I don't know Kenmore block-by-block as I do this side of town is if you're really interested in the house, drive around the street and blocks around it and see how the other houses are kept up. Look on the county auditor's website and look up how many are owned by homeowners; one way is to check and see if the tax mailing address is the same as the house address, and the other is to check the rental registry and see how many pop up.

The Akron Police Department also has a section on its website that has the last 12 months of crime data by precinct show as a graphical map, which may help you establish what crime takes place nearby where you're looking. This part of the website is kind of hidden so it make take you some digging to find it.

http://ci.akron.oh.us/planning/cp/ne...ds/Kenmore.pdf is a link to data from the city about Kenmore as a whole, but again there's a big difference between what they consider to be Kenmore near Summit Lake (in my mind, that's not Kenmore) and what they consider to be Kenmore by Nesmith Lake (again, that's a stretch to me).

Maybe if you could share a little more info or ask some more specific questions we could be more helpful. And don't let some negative talk on the Internet sway you - not all of Kenmore is crappy, and it may be just what you're looking for. On the other hand, it may not fit you at all! How helpful is that?

[oaksheri]

Thanks for the insight and info. It really is helpful!

To be a bit more specific, the property I mentioned is a commercial building with a storefront/loft apartment. I'm an artist, and it's been a dream of mine since college to have a studio like this. Now that it's been a few years, and especially since prices are way down, I can afford to seriously pursue this.

I realize there's going to be crime in any urban setting, but what I'm afraid of is buying this place, and then having to constantly worry about break-ins and vandalism, or having to escort my girlfriend to and from her car due to roving bands of thugs. That sort of thing. I'm cool with "cultural and personality differences", but I'd really rather avoid situating myself in an area that's only going to decline further.

I'm going to take your advice and take a drive down there to look around for myself, but I think I know in my heart that it probably wouldn't be the best idea to do this. I have a really good job here, but the longer I live in the Akron area, the more depressed and decrepit it seems, and just doesn't seem wise to take permanent roots here.

Again, I really appreciate the response! Thanks so much.

[SquareBetterThanAll]

Originally Posted by oaksheri

Thanks for the insight and info. It really is helpful!

To be a bit more specific, the property I mentioned is a commercial building with a storefront/loft apartment. I'm an artist, and it's been a dream of mine since college to have a studio like this. Now that it's been a few years, and especially since prices are way down, I can afford to seriously pursue this.

I realize there's going to be crime in any urban setting, but what I'm afraid of is buying this place, and then having to constantly worry about break-ins and vandalism, or having to escort my girlfriend to and from her car due to roving bands of thugs. That sort of thing. I'm cool with "cultural and personality differences", but I'd really rather avoid situating myself in an area that's only going to decline further.

I'm going to take your advice and take a drive down there to look around for myself, but I think I know in my heart that it probably wouldn't be the best idea to do this. I have a really good job here, but the longer I live in the Akron area, the more depressed and decrepit it seems, and just doesn't seem wise to take permanent roots here.

Again, I really appreciate the response! Thanks so much.

Mmmm... well, in reading what you've posted, it actually sounds like a fit (?) I can't think of a better place for inexpensive art space. As a matter of fact several (large) spots in Cleveland have been renovated into artists space - in waaaaaay ****tier neighborhoods than Kenmore.

It doesn't sound like you're too familiar with Akron (city) - I think you may be overestimating crime here. While things do happen here and there, I don't think there's a need for constant concern of roving bands of thugs (it's not Pirates of the Caribbean).

Again, I don't know where in Kenmore you're looking, but what you're talking about is a whole different ballgame from what I was thinking. Using a commercial building for art space is much different than someone moving in with little kids and wondering about the local schools.

Relatively speaking, Akron is very cheap and in comparison to many cities, the crime is actually rather low (feel free to check FBI stats). An industrial(-based) neighborhood is an industrial neighborhood no matter where you go - it's just if you were looking in, say, Chicago or Philly, you'd being paying much more for the same thing in neighborhoods where Kenmore crime is a drop in the bucket by comparison.

Bottom line, I haven't seen where you're looking but I would think Kenmore would be great for what you're trying to do. Is it going to be on the list of choices for executives and their families? Of course not. But for a person who wants some cheap space to do his art in relative safety, oh yeah!

And as far as the Akron and run-down concerns, you're shopping cheap open space. Wherever you look is going to be like that, even if it was Phoenix or Charlotte. And if you do happen to move down the line, rent it out or sell it. No biggie.

[cindykay0502]

I have read the pro's and con's on this posting and I was having a hard time as to what I wanted to say because you see I grew up in Kenmore , although I moved away (30 mins South ) my family home is still standing and my daughter lives in it. She bought it last year , after my parents passed away . So, in that saying , Ive had 50yrs experiances of Kenmore .
I would have never sold my parents home to my daughter if I thought there would be harm done to her or the home . Yes, a few years back my dads garage was broken into .. change was taken from the ashtray and nothing else touched. Teens wanting money , we supposed .
I dont feel Kenmore is much different that any average normal small city . Although it don't have it's very own City Name ....Akron is its main City Name.
The normal breakin's happen ... the Blvd , still has many teens with the High School being close and I do know there are breakin's through Kenmore , mostly teens wanting pocket change , cd's , dvd's , purses and jackets. So, in saying all of that ... the best advice , LEAVE NOTHING IN YOUR CAR if it sits out side . Keep things in the trunk if you have the need to leave something in it .
Another Advice.... most of the area business have been there most all of my life . One infact is a mens clothing store , owned by a Parent of one of my friends, there are attorny's still there, stop in , ask them of the riff raff on the Blvd....they will be big help and trust worthy. Also visit the churchs ..they definatly will help you decide ... although Churches don't usually get broken into , they hear ALL THE TALK ABOUT EVERYONE !
My parents home is approx 3 1/2 miles from the Blvd. I walked that route everyday growing up to school . Although I was never bothered by anyone 35yrs ago ... to this day , I still see Students walking the same path I did ... and don't here of problems.
I agree with the above note about driving around. Not only in the daytime, but driveby at night . Park your car near the Warehouse ...sit ... and watch . You may have your answer right there.
Good luck and I hope you can start your Art World ... as I come from a long line of Artists that have full filled thier dreams and I know the feelings your having . Ck

[htlong]

31/2 miles from the blvd. is a pretty good buffer,the real bad area is from Wilbeth to the blvd.
I myself wouldn't choose to live in Kenmore but I used to live on top of 9th st hill and I enjoyed a great view of Akron.

[Brian1057]

Originally Posted by oaksheri

Hi, guys.

I was wondering if someone could give me some insight on Kenmore, specifically Kenmore Blvd. I'm tempted by a property listing that I keep coming across, but I don't want to have to worry about my car or building being broken into, harrassment, etc. Been there, done that.

What little I've found on the 'net regarding Kenmore hasn't been positive, but if there's someone that can tell me first hand what the situation is like there, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

Hi, my name is Brian, I use to do alot of investing in Kenmore. It's a tough town to do business in! I don't think that I would ever invest there again! I do real estate investing and looking for a partner that would be interested in making $500k plus per year in real estate investing. Let me know if your interested? I live in Wadsworth.

Brian - [EMAIL="bgill46@yahoo.com"]bgill46@yahoo.com[/EMAIL]

[happygakky]

I am considering a purchase on or around 22nd and do not know the neighborhood in that area of Kenmore. Any help would be appreciated. Wonder if I could get some input?

[bob223]

Originally Posted by Brian1057

Hi, my name is Brian, I use to do alot of investing in Kenmore. It's a tough town to do business in! I don't think that I would ever invest there again! I do real estate investing and looking for a partner that would be interested in making $500k plus per year in real estate investing. Let me know if your interested? I live in Wadsworth.

Brian - bgill46@yahoo.com

Part of the problem might be that Kenmore isn't a 'town",hasn't been independent for generations.It's just a neighborhood of Akron.