Downtown Toledo living? (Cleveland, Perrysburg, Monroe: low income, apartment complexes, foreclosure)

[costello_musicman]

So it looks like I'll be relocating to Toledo for a year or so. My guess is I'll still be traveling back and forth from Cleveland a few times a month, but I still need a home "nest" for Toledo.

I haven't done much searching yet, but I'm a guy who loves walkable neighborhoods. My first instinct is to look Downtown.

Any recommendations for Downtown apartments?
Any recommendations for neighborhoods outside of Downtown?

Thanks and I look forward to my move in a few weeks!

Ideally, I'd like something under $1000 a month. I also generally prefer historic properties.

[Johio83]

Plenty of downtown options that meet your criteria! A few I'd recommend:
Lasalle Apartments, the Commodore Perry, and the Standart Lofts. The latter were just renovated and hit the market in the last couple months. All three are within a couple blocks of 5/3rd Field (Mudhens - baseball) and Huntington Arena (Walleye - hockey).

[Tobias C]

Along with those three big apartment buildings johio83 mentioned, there's also the Riverfront Apartments which is a tall building and are really affordable but I don't think they're that cool, in my opinion, especially if your budget is anywhere close to 1000. The Bartley Lofts are cool, they're condos but some are for rent. They have indoor parking and I believe a rooftop pool.

Further out in the Uptown area there's the Hillcrest which is a huge historic building. There's not much around it, but Adams St. with its bars are close, which is a plus.

All the places we mentioned are in "Downtown Toledo" (Warehouse District, Downtown/Arena District, & Uptown). You also asked about other neighborhoods and the only good walkable historic neighborhood worth your time would be the Old West End. The Old West End is literally adjacent to Downtown, Uptown to be specific. Throughout the neighborhood there's lots of beautiful old huge houses, many of which are divided up into really cool apartments (many are quite affordable for all the character you get). That would definitely be worth looking into. There's not much in the way of businesses or amenities in the OWE though, mostly residential, churches, ans the Art Museum. Anything downtown is a quick bike ride away though.

Museum Place apartments is a complex of big old buildings across from the Art Museum, and might be worth checking out as well.

Good luck with your search and welcome to Toledo! Feel free to ask away about anything.

[costello_musicman]

Guys, thanks for the in depth info -- exactly what I was hoping to hear.

I'll let you know my further questions as they come to mind!

[ferraris]

With a nice budget like that, and only a year to see the city, I'd go with Downtown. The Old West End would be a good option if you happen to dislike large apartment complexes for some reason though.

There are other neighborhoods that could fit the bill, but you might as well keep it simple and go for the best match given your criteria: Downtown. Especially if you'll be working downtown.

[costello_musicman]

Question: I'm really starting to like the Old West End. What would you say are the best/premier areas of it and why? Any sections I should completely avoid?

[Tobias C]

Originally Posted by costello_musicman

Question: I'm really starting to like the Old West End. What would you say are the best/premier areas of it and why? Any sections I should completely avoid?

The OWE is one of those types of neighborhoods where its immaculate and beautiful with great people on one block, and abandoned houses and gangs on the next. You really just have to scope it out before you make any decisions, but I maintain that its the coolest, nicest, most progressive neighborhood in the city.

The neighborhood is the best the farther south you go toward Monroe St and the Art Museum. You don't want to be real close to Detroit Ave because its full blown "hood" as in low income, run down, high crime...same thing if you get near Central Ave, and you wouldn't want to go past Collingwood to the East. Myself personally, I would probably want to be on or around Parkwood, Scottwood, Robinwood, no farther up than Islington, to be safe but you can decide your comfort level for yourself.

[costello_musicman]

Now I've been pondering possible buying, since for the first time in my life, I am experiencing "reverse sticker shock" outside of Cleveland.

The Old West End seems to interest me, and more so now that I saw some prices...WOW!

Can you guys give me an opinion on these Old West End properties?

2200 Scottwood Avenue #310, Toledo OH | MLS# 5029760 - Trulia

2561 Parkwood Avenue, Toledo OH | MLS# 5033337 - Trulia

Scottwood Avenue, Toledo OH - Trulia

[Tobias C]

They seem like good places. That Parkwood one is about the farthest north I would care to live, but its still good around there.

Just to elaborate on the neighborhood. You initially mentioned liking walkable neighborhoods. I don't know if youll find the OWE walkable. I mean its fine for literally walking, but when I think of the term walkable, I think of a place where all, or at least a decent amount of my daily needs can be accessed by foot. The OWE, while having ample historic housing stock, lacks any kind of business district. Youll be able to take care of some stuff, banking, dry cleaning, dining and entertainment, maybe even your work(?) downtown...but beyond that you'll probably still find yourself leaving the central city for other things. There's next to zero shopping downtown, the most critical of all being a grocery store. Hopefully these things being in walking distance isnt essential for you though.

I personally found living in the Westgate / Old Orchard area to be weirdly walkable for me. From my apartment I had the best grocery stores, as well as coffee shops, and other dining within a few blocks walk. I wouldn't consider the streets walkable as the businesses are a little more suburban style, but just in terms of having key amenities extremely close.

I think Downtown Perrysburg might be the most walkable place. Just a 3 block little downtown, but theres cool apartments above the businesses, several clothing stores, several nice restaurants, a coffee shop, a library, hardware store, parks nearby, and importantly, a grocery store.

Just my two cents as far as the topic of walkability in Toledo goes. Old West End is still hands down the coolest neighborhood.