I am a young professional getting relocated to Cleveland please let me know where the best places to live are?

Show all answers

danzr31585

It really depends on what you are looking for!! Downtown Cleveland is more expensive than outside of Cleveland. There are nice lofts and penthouses that overlook Lake Erie. Most professionals live Downtown. The immediate suburbs are not so nice just outside of Cleveland...East or West. I mean, the places that are still called "Cleveland". East Cleveland is known for it's crime, etc. So is the West. The East is mostly African Americans, while the West is your lower-class Whites, and Puerto Ricans. Westside suburbs are OK. Lakewood is nice for young people..there's a lot to do. There are nice bars, clubs, places to eat, etc. Westlake is a little pricier, along with Rocky River, but very nice as well, and still not too expensive. Parma and Fairview Heights are like "big" little towns. They are predominantly white, etc. Not too expensive, and the houses are generally small. The east side is more expensive than the west. The property value is higher. It is still predominantly white, but more white-collar. Solon..is actually a good diverse mix. It is expensive though...and it is about 30 min outside of Cleveland. But, it is convenient in the fact that there is a lot to do, yet not too close to the city. Bainbridge, Chagrin Falls, Chardon....far east burbs, are all wealthier areas. Really, in the end, try readin about them all. Cleveland is very big on East and West. I am an Eastsider....but I moved to the Westside when I got married. It was OK...but VERY different from the East. I've since moved back...and am much happier on the East.

Vulpster03

I've just graduated from college and begun interviewing. I'm temporarily living at home in the suburbs, but I'm really looking forward to moving somewhere in the city. Part of the reason why I decided to come home after graduation is because there are a lot of really cool affordable neighborhoods for young professionals to live in now.

Cleveland is a large metro-area and there are many different types of communities and neighborhoods for all different kinds of people at different stages in their lives. Historically, young professionals would look for an apartment in Lakewood or Cleveland Heights. These communities are safe, more densely populated, middle class, and have a lot of bars, restaurants and neighborhood amenities attractive to younger people within walking distance of residences. There are plenty of rental units and rent can be very affordable.

Both Lakewood and Cleveland Heights are similiar, and for the most part people would happy living in either place. I think people choose between either depending on where their place of employment is. Lakewood is good for commuting to either downtown or the western suburbs, while Cleveland Heights is good for commuting to either University Circle or the eastern suburbs. Lakewood has some great pubs, waterfront areas, access to the Metropark's multipurpose trails. Cleveland Heights is a little bit more on the cultural side with its proximity to University Circle and the number of college students and professors who live there.

While Lakewood or Cleveland Heights used to be no-brainers for young professionals, there are several new up-and-coming neighborhoods.

Downtown Cleveland (like most central business districts) wasn't planned to include residential, but that is very much changing. A lot of older commerical office buildings and historic warehouses have been converted into loft apartments. Downtown Cleveland is great because its within walking distance to plenty of clubs and fine restaurants, major league sports, and big concerts. Now downtown boasts dry cleaners, sallons, a couple grocery stores and a pharmacy. There are more boutique clothing stores openning as well. The Warheouse District on W.6th Street and W.9th Street, and Gateway on E.4th Street, Euclid and Prospect Avenue are the areas to look. Rent is a bit a higher than other places because of strong demand, but also the fact that these units are all new or recently converted to residential, so they all have new fixtures, appliances and modern amenities. The apartments downtown tend to be very nice, and downtown is cleaner and safer than its ever been (in my opinion).

Just west of downtown are Ohio City and Tremont, which have become increasingly desirable with Cleveland's "creative class". Ohio City revolves around the West Side Market, and Tremont revolves around Lincoln Park. Some of the best new restaurants, bars, and galleries are alongside ethnic eateries, pubs, and delis. These neighborhoods are still in transition, but what's new there is very cool and very edgy. Its also one of the best places around to invest in real estate, because property values keep going up at very high rates.

You can look at websites like forrent.com, but also check out craigslist and classifieds in the Plain Dealer, Scene and Free Times. Urbanohio.com and Coolcleveland.com are good resources to find out what's happening and going on in town.

Me, myself, & I

My boyfriend lives in Euclid, and its really nice there. Its right outside of Cleveland, you can get to downtown easily, and its a nice suburb with good schools, and reasonable housing.

Szuch

Lakewood is a really nice community.

Going further outside of Lakewood a little, so is Westlake.

(I wouldn't live within the Cleveland city limits, but that's just me)

Good luck in your future!

robby_anna

i am 24 and moved to cleveland in january- not for the illustrious city :) i live in cleveland heights, which is on the near east side of the city- near university circle, cleveland clinic, etc, and i like it- it's technically a suburb but is nice in that there's a neighborhood feel to it....and it feels ok being YOUNG here- i don't live on a cul de sac or anything.

the other place to look is lakewood, on the near west side, or ohio city...across from downtown. ohio city can be pricier as it is trendier, but it's a really neat area esp. if you wll be living downtown.

pebblespro

It depends on your lifestyle... Personally, there are some really nice loft style apts that are right in the city close to nightlife and shopping... If you are more suburban oriented the westside offers convient/cheaper living accomodations (Lakewood being very close to downtowns with public transportation). Or Eastside is also nice- it has upscale shopping/dining....and is close to public trans and many affordable apts. as well... I'm a westsider.. I lived in Lakewood for many years and enjoyed the urban/suburban lifestyle... I think the Regency is a nice apt. building I've heard that it has it's own grocerystore/movie theatre inside. Some westside condo's are nice as well...

â™¥iniokoâ™¥

Downtown is not terrible if you stick close to the center (W6th, W9th, E12th...) but will be a bit pricey for not just rent but also dinner and drinks, and a large grocery store will involve a drive to the suburbs.

Tremont and Ohio City (just south of the city) are decent and artsy with the young professionals drinking and dining there, but you have to really really be careful because there are only a few good areas to live.

I've lived in Lakewood for about 2 years now and I love it. It's very down to earth, and there are so many places within walking distance to eat and drink. Clifton and Lake Blvds are practically right on Lake Erie, and would be a 10 min drive (15 min bus, 20 min RTA *train*) to downtown via the Shoreway.

East side is nice as well, but I don't really know too many people who live there.

Good luck!!!

Ben Wa

go west young man discover the secrets of Elyria

wavryder Â®

anywhere outside of Cleveland would be best

BradJC4

No question...Lakewood (westside of the city 5 miles or less).

Best young, professional, and fun area that is close to downtown and will be an easy place to hang out and meet people.

I live on the eastside and until you get far away (30 min) from the city and into the suburbs, everything is run down and not suited for the professional person.

New Dog Owner

Places that aren't Cleveland are your best bet.

Miss 6

I'm an Eastsider so I'm gonna say the East side of Cleveland! Really it depends on what kind of profession you're in. You may need to be close to downtown. Well you're in luck because they are building downtown with new condos and apartments. They are looking for the young professionals to move back downtown to breath some life back in the city. You could move near the flats, they have some nice apartments and you'd be right downtown. If you're business is medicine you might want to live in Cleveland Heights, in the Cedar Fairmount district, that is a nice young professional area. (Coventry is nice too, but its very college kid central, although you do have a lot of artist there) Cleveland Hts, is very close to 3 major hospitals, and is a 20 minutes outside of downtown Cleveland. Shaker Hts. is beautiful too, and its not that far from Downtown as well. Steer clear of East Cleveland.
As far as West side communities go, my best friend lives in Lakewood, which is about a 15-20 minute drive away from downtown and she likes it out there a lot. I hear Ohio City is nice, but I think it has a large gay community, so I don't know how comfortable you are with that. Personally I think Ohio City is beautiful. But I do think with all the renovations they are doing with downtown Cleveland, that might be the hottest place to live (in Cuyahoga County at least) for young professionals.

Norht

Many people here in NE Ohio that work in Cleveland actually live in Medina. It takes a little time to drive but depending on where you live in Medina the highway (71) is right there, and many prefer it to living in Cleveland or surrounding areas. Good luck, and I hope you are not moving from some place warm and sunny year round.

Shortstuff13

You'll like the outskirts of Cleveland, such as: going east: Willowick, Mentor, etc. As for going west, there's Elyria, etc. I lived in Ohio, just 65 miles east of Cleveland, nearly all of my life, but didn't travel west or south of Cleveland very much as an adult. Good luck to you.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: