Paper stand, CASB ©2009
---Downtown---
There are a lot of perks that come with living downtown. I've lived downtown for over a year now, and although I'm not thrilled with the area around Statler Arms on Euclid, it's been convenient (to say the least) on more than one occasion. Whether its happy hours, meetings, lunches, or dinners, the Cleveland professional community flocks to the downtown "hot spots" like E. 4th, Warehouse, and the farther out Tremont and Ohio City venues. I'm always a short cab ride or a walk home away from the action. I can even go home and feed the dog before I go out. Also, even if there is something going on, east or west, it's generally the same amount of time in the car in either direction.
On the other hand, the downtown area gets pretty deserted after 5pm on weekdays and before 3pm on weekends. There's the occasional pan handler. There aren't any good grocery stores, although Westside Market and the Dave's Market next to it isn't a far drive, and there's always the market inside of Reserve Square (shudder) or one of the several convenience stores that have popped up in random spots if I get in a bind. Or Constantino's on W. 9th (which is just as pricey as Reserve Square's market but much nicer). And I guess Target and Walmart (ugh) in Steelyard Commons is only a 10 to 15 minute drive. But I'm a huge Whole Foods fan, and the closest one is in University Heights, so I always feel like I'm far away from a good grocery store.
I really covet an apartment in the Warehouse District. Even though some say that Euclid is "up and coming" with new apartment buildings being constructed and big retail plans, plus what's already established in the East 4th Neighborhood. I don't know, there's still something different that I like about the Warehouse District buildings. In particular, I really like Bridgeview. I saw a great 2 BR apartment in there the other day and I've heard good reviews from friends who have lived there before. If you want to check it out for yourself, the 5th Annual Warehouse District Street Festival is this Sunday, August 2nd from 12pm to 8pm and it features open houses of the Warehouse apartment buildings.
The BF looooves The Residences at 668 Euclid Ave, or at least he loves the idea of them -- new, bright, and shiny in downtown Cleveland; carpet that has never been trampled or stained and bathrooms that have never been used, except for maybe the carpenters. The building is going to be under construction long after they let the first tenants in -- that's my big concern. I'm also not super crazy about the floorplans, but all of the kitchen and bathroom fixtures are stainless, granite, state of the art (for an apartment), etc.
---East---
As far as east and southeast, we're looking into Cleveland Heights (my favorite), University Heights, Shaker Heights (everything is a "heights" out there) and even Bratenahl. There are sketchy parts in all of these neighborhoods, Bratenahl excluded from this, but the areas that are nice are really worth it. Cute tree-lined streets, shops, Dave's Market, bakeries, dry cleaners, hardware stores, bookstores, libraries -- these are all things that I appreciate having close by. I get the feeling that they are the "hipster" areas (aside from Tremont and Ohio City, neither of which the BF likes). The only problem is that we're not thrilled with the apartment buildings out there and we can't seem to find any good condos or houses for rent either. The places we do like are a hike to downtown through surface street traffic and the utilities (if not included in the rent) would be pretty substantial in the winter (heating those old houses/buildings can be rough).
---West---
Ah, yes, the west side. Lakewood is as far west as we were willing to look. Some told us to try Rocky River, but it just didn't mesh well with me. I've actually only ventured as far out as Bay Village to go to Huntington Beach (which btw is really quite pleasant). Even though the commute into downtown would be faster and easier from the west side, we just didn't find anything out there that we liked. The condos on the Gold Coast seemed promising, (now that a good number of them are being rented out) but most aren't pet friendly and I refuse to kick my little Yorkie to the curb for a Miami-inspired, lake-view condo from the 60s.
So, the search continues. I'll keep you posted.
1 comment:
I've heard great things about the Residences at Six Six Eight.
Post a Comment