WELCOME TO CLEVELAND!
If you're from out of town and are considering taking a job in Cleveland, you probably have a few unanswered questions. OK, probably a lot of them! This is a good place to start to find answers.
Try these videos first to get an overview of the city......
From a young professionals' perspective:
From a tourist/visitor's perspective:
And an undescriptive visitors bureau video, but shows some places the others don't:
An increasing number of people are inquiring about relocating to Cleveland because of new/relocated jobs, which suggests that the local economy is improving. In many sectors, it is. Many of those inquiries have been posted to this site in the last couple of years, with similar questions asked.
Clevelanders usually turn out en masse for great causes, like the Susan Komen Race for the Cure.
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers....What is there to do in Cleveland?
Kids of all ages find a weekend full of fun at the annual Ingenuity festival.
You can do just about anything in Greater Cleveland! And you can probably do it for less money than you would on the East or West Coasts -- which means you could what you love more often. The metro area's cultural, recreational, sports, nightlife and festival offerings can match or exceed those of cities more commonly known for them. While we can't cover them all here (there's simply too many!), if you post a message about something specific you're looking for, you'll probably discover that Cleveland has it.
What's the weather like in Cleveland?
Raindrops dampened the 2007 installment of the annual City Xpressionz Festival.
OK, let's get this out of the way first... Thanks to adjacent Lake Erie, essentially an inland sea, Greater Cleveland has its micro-climate areas (and never faces shortages of freshwater). Neighborhoods within a mile of the lake stay warmer in the fall and winter, but cooler in the spring and summer. Because of "lake-effect" (evaporated warm lake moisture carried on cooler winds) and the contour of the lake's shoreline, the west side gets half as much snow as the far-eastern suburbs. Summers are warm and humid. Autumns are crisp and dry, except into November and December when it gets cloudy (thanks to the lake). Winters are snowy and cold, but overnight temperatures below zero are rare. And spring is changeable, with several days in the 70s or 80s followed by a day or two of snow flurries.
If you love the changing of the four seasons, you'll love Cleveland weather. And if you enjoy outdoor recreation, you may never be bored. Consider:
In the spring, play softball with a group in the Metroparks, run in the annual Cleveland Marathon or join the Cleveland Rowing Foundation for some sculling on the Cuyahoga.
In the summer, try sand volleyball at Wendy Park, practice for the Gravity Games or Dew Action Sports Tour or X Games on a half-pipe at North Coast Harbor, or just enjoy a long walk after dinner along tree-shaded streets.
In the fall, take in some short- or long-distance cycling through the crisp air and colorful leaves of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, playing a game of flag football in the park down the street, or blading/jogging on the Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway.
And, yes, in the wintertime, there's a lot to do.... sledding and cross-country skiing at Edgewater Park; tobogganing in the Metroparks' Strongsville Reservation; downhill skiing/snowboarding at Alpine Valley, Boston Mills or Brandywine; hockey at a dozen indoor or outdoor rinks; and mountain biking at Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park.
As with any other city, how much you enjoy Cleveland's weather depends on what you do with it. If you stay inside the entire winter, you will hate it here. If you get outside and find things to do with it, you will love it.
What are the schools like?
St. Ignatius High School, in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood.
It depends on where you go. Although the Cleveland Municipal Schools have been troubled for many years, the city of Cleveland comprises a small area of Cuyahoga County. Yet there are some terrific schools in Cleveland, including in the city school district (the Cleveland School of the Arts secondary and high schools, the SuccessTech Academy, High Tech Academy, John Hay Campus' small schools - Science & Medicine, Architecture & Design and Early College and others have won praise for student achievement).
Other notable schools in the city, but not part of the city school district, include the Cleveland Urban Community School and many of the city's paroachial and magnate schools. Schools systems in the inner-ring suburbs have gained high marks, but require families to live there in order to send their children to these schools. They include Brooklyn, Cleveland Heights, Fairview Park, Lakewood, Parma, Shaker Heights, and others. Outer suburban schools are generally outstanding.
Then of course there are the colleges, universities and other advanced education. There are medium and large schools -- Akron University, Baldwin-Wallace College, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University Cuyahoga County Community College/Corporate College, Kent State University, Lakeland Community College, Lorain County Community College and Oberlin College.
There are also smaller schools, some with curriculum specialties, like Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland Institute of Music, Myers University (business), Notre Dame College (Catholic coeducational), Ursuline College (for women), Virginia Marti College (design/fashion) and more.
You will find that most of these have continuing education programs and "brush-up" and advance training classes, such as those offered by the Corporate College.
Should I rent or buy?
Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood
When moving to an unfamiliar city, you should rent until you find housing styles and neighborhoods that you really like. Even so, you should take some time to drive, transit, or better yet, walk around neighborhoods that interest you before you move in, even into a rental.
If I buy, where are property values appreciating?
Prospective buyers check out Pinnacle Condominiums in downtown Cleveland.
These are strange times in the nation's housing market, what with a surge in foreclosures, predatory lenders and the credit crunch. Shop for homes carefully and do your research. But based on where new construction is happening or planned, Downtown Cleveland, University Circle, Tremont and Ohio City may be some of the best places to buy in the city. Other areas in the city worth considering are Shaker Square, Edgewater, Chinatown and the Art Quarter. Of course, as new construction is added to the marketplace, it can either raise surrounding property values by increasing economic activity or it can lower values by increasing the housing supply. Do your research on sales activity.
What is shopping like in Cleveland? And where can I buy organic/locally grown food?
The crowds of shoppers are as diverse as the foods for sale at the West Side Market.
Shopping literally is a mixed bag. Greater Cleveland has many notable chain retailers, but lacks others. Cleveland has some terrific specialty stores, like TNT Fashions, Van Hauwaert Anne Fashion Design Inc., Sunbeam A Shop for Children, Cost Plus World Market, Clifton Web and Big Fun.
As for grocery shopping, the chain stores are generally average but, again, the specialty grocers are outstanding. The largest specialty grocer is the West Side Market, the grand dame of farmers markets. And just about every Cleveland neighborhood including many suburbs have weekly farmers markets during the summer and fall. Just do a Google search using your neighborhood or suburb as key words, along with "farmers market."
For organic food, there is also the Whole Foods Market in University Heights, the Cleveland Food Co-op in Cleveland's University Circle, Vero Fresh Produce in Lakewood, and Nature's Bin, also in Lakewood.
CA United Import in Asiatown, among a countless number of ethnic retailers in Cleveland.
Numerous small and ethnic grocers abound in Cleveland. There's Alesci's (Italian), Asia Food (Asian), Assad's Bakery (Middle Eastern), Athens Pastries and Imported Foods (Greek), La Borincana Foods (Latino), Cleveland Asia Market (Asian), Gust Gallucci's Italian Food Market (uh, Italian), Gertrude Bakery (Eastern European), Golden Bakery (Asian), Good Harvest Foods (Asian), Hansa Import Haus (German), Hong Kong Supermarket (Asian), India Grocers (yes, it's Indian), Irish Cottage (yep, it's Irish), Krusinski's Finest Meat Products (Polish), Charles Peters Bake Shop (Eastern European), Presti Bakery (Italian), Raddell's Sausage Shop (Eastern European), Sahara Supermarket (Middle Eastern), The Sausage Shoppe (Eastern European), Seven Roses Deli (Polish), Tink Holl (Asian) and Vietnam Market (Vietnamese). A Google search will reveal their locations and even some store websites.
What sort of parks and recreational facilities are available?
Cleveland Metroparks' Huntington Beach in Bay Village
Cleveland MetroparksOne of the nation's largest park systems with more than 20,000 acres of land in Cuyahoga County. Visitors enjoy swimming, fishing, golfing, boating, cross country skiing, horseback riding, sledding, and tobogganing in addition to the miles of paved and dirt trails.
http://www.clemetparks.com/Cleveland Zoo & RainforestThe seventh-oldest zoo in the nation and one of the nation's largest is best known for having the biggest collections of primates and Masai giraffe herds in the United States. Its Rainforest exhibit, which features an thrilling simulated tropical rain storm, covers two acres. Opening in 2010, the $25 million African Elephant Crossing, will offer five acres of savanna setting and up to 10 elephants with breeding.
http://www.clemetzoo.com/
Cuyahoga Valley National ParkAs the nation's seventh-most visited national park, Cuyahoga Valley offers a wide variety of recreation and historical exhibits. Running the length of the park (between Cleveland and Akron) is the Towpath Trail along the old Ohio & Erie Canal and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, which runs several trains each day from Wednesday to Sunday, May to December. Plans are to extend both the trail and trains north to Downtown Cleveland. Recreational activities include biking, hiking, fishing, golfing, camping, skiing (cross-country and downhill at Brandywine and Boston Mills) and more.
http://www.nps.gov/archive/cuva/home.htm
The Towpath Trail, heading south from Cleveland, is part of a growing network of fun and practical trails.
Biking resourcesCleveland Area Mountain Bike Association
http://www.camba.us/pn/EcoCity Cleveland Biking Resources
http://www.ecocitycleveland.org/transportation/bicycles/bikes.htmlNortheast Ohio Trail Finder Page
https://www.trails.com/city-trails.asp?keyword=Cleveland&state=OHOhio Bicycle Federation
http://www.ohiobike.org/Ohio City Bicycle Co-op
(Actually located in the Flats on Columbus. It's not just a store. It has social bike rides, volunteer apprentice nights, etc.)
http://www.ohiocitycycles.org/
Ray's Indoor Mountain Bike Park (photo above)
The world's largest indoor bicycle park! Located in 100,000 square feet of a converted factory. Open November to April. ("Just moved to the area. Pictures and video don’t do it justice. After 25+ years of riding it is the coolest place I have ever been. The place is amazing!" -- Jeff, The Biking Club)
http://www.raysmtb.com/What kind of housing can I expect and for what price?
East 115th Street, in Cleveland's University Circle neighborhood. In many Cleveland neighborhoods, homes like these may be purchased for less than $200,000.
Condos in Cleveland neighborhoods, like these in Shaker Square along the Blue and Green rapid transit lines, can be had for between $100,000 and $500,000. Rentals may go for as little as $500 per month.
These are the Chicle Townhomes, some 40 housing units for sale within 150 steps of the West Boulevard "Rapid" station. They list in the mid-100's.
This two-level condo in the Grand Arcade in the Warehouse District downtown sold for less than $200,000.
Lofts in the newly converted Walker & Weeks Building, with great views of downtown and Cleveland State University, were listing for about $250,000.
And then, of course, you could buy a penthouse in some of the new downtown loft condo developments, like the Avenue District, Park Building and this one at Pinnacle for about $1 million!
What support is there for creative young adults and entrepreneurs?A lot, if you know where to look. These tips might help you get you started.
Cleveland EntrepreneursMeet a new network of local entrepreneurs to share tips and problem solving techniques, get advice on profitability and career and discuss mentoring and business models.
http://entrepreneur.meetup.com/927/Cleveland Professional 20/30 ClubThis a non-profit organization was created to retain Young Professionals in Greater Cleveland by providing events focused on both personal and professional development.
www.cleveland2030.orgCivic Innovation LabFunded by The Cleveland Foundation, the lab offers mentorship, training, networking, visibility and funding for ideas that have a measurable and tangible economical impact on the Greater Cleveland community. The core of the Lab is the connection it makes between present community leaders (mentors) and future community leaders (champions).
www.civicinnovationlab.orgCleveland Bridge BuildersTo build a continuum of leaders and leadership practices that effectively shape the future of our community, Cleveland Bridge Builders seeks to be a catalyst for community transformation. Bridge Builders makes a difference in the community by connecting existing resources with skilled, trained and dedicated emerging leaders, and it supports the growth and development of new ideas in civic leadership.
www.clevelandbridgebuilders.orgCouncil of Smaller Enterprises (COSE)COSE offers a large variety of services to its small business members, facilitating their ability to do business.
www.cose.orgEntrepreneurs for SustainabilityE4S is a network of over 4000 leaders who are putting the principles of sustainability into action. It believes that sustainability principles are drivers for new business opportunities and tools to improve Northeast Ohio's quality of life. To support these projects E4S provides those who have embarked on the sustainability journey with network connections, learning programs and resources.
www.e4s.orgThe HyacinthLooking to boost your career in filmmaking, video production, music, dance or other arts through collaboration? Look no further than the Hyacinth Lofts at the north end of Slavic Village....
“The Hyacinth is a wonderful place to live not solely because of its contemporary design, but because houses a community of filmmakers, writers, musicians, designers and artists that are enthusiastic and willing to share ideas, collaborate and inspire each other.”
- The Hyacinth Lofts resident and filmmaker Konnie Peroune
www.thehyacinthlofts.comThe President's CouncilIt supports entrepreneurship and economic development within the African American community, and fosters strategic alliances with CEOs of other Northeast Ohio corporations to advance the growth and development of Council member companies.
www.thepresidentscouncil.comTransportation
Public TransportationThe Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority was named the best public transit system in the U.S. in 2007 by the American Public Transportation Association. The RTA system carries 60 million riders per year, offers 24-hour bus service on a dozen bus routes, has rail rapid transit lines operating radially in five directions from downtown (including service direct to Hopkins International Airport), a bus rapid transit line (Silver Line) opening in late 2008 between downtown, University Circle and East Cleveland, and community circulators in numerous neighborhoods and suburbs.
While it has its shortcomings, the RTA has extensive services in Cleveland and surrounding inner-ring suburbs like Lakewood, Fairview Park, Parma, Garfield Heights, Maple Heights, Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, University Heights, South Euclid, and Euclid.
In fact, within that circumference of communities, it is possible to live a rewarding lifestyle without a car or be a one-car family. Some neighborhoods, of course, are better suited for car-free or car-light living as long as their are basic services (grocers, drug stores, post office, banks, restaurants etc.) within a short walk or bike ride. For more information on RTA services, including maps and printable timetables, visit
www.riderta.com or stop by their customer service center in the Tower City Center rapid transit station off Public Square.
There are also numerous other transit services in surrounding counties that serve downtown Cleveland and some outlying areas of Cuyahoga County. These are:
Akron Metro RTA
www.akronmetro.orgLaketran
www.laketran.comLorain County Transit
www.loraincountytransit.comPortage Area RTA/Campus Bus Service
www.partaonline.orgThere are numerous taxi companies in Cleveland, with most taxis available downtown. There are also rental car agencies in neighborhoods, and a new "flex car" service available called City Wheels.
http://www.citywheelscleveland.com/Intercity Transportation
Greater Cleveland is served by a variety of transportation services that link it to other cities and metro areas around the country and around the world. Continental Airlines, the largest carrier at Hopkins International, is expanding its international services to Canada, and adding to its overseas flights (London Gatwick) by also serving Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, and through flights via Newark to Shanghai China. Additional expansion, such as to Amsterdam and Frankfurt, may be arriving in a third phase of expansion in the coming years.
For more information about carriers and other services at Hopkins International Airport, please visit:
http://www.clevelandairport.com/site/375/default.aspxThere is a second commercial airport serving the Greater Cleveland area -- the Akron-Canton Regional Airport, which is 50 miles south of downtown Cleveland on Interstate 77. It is also a growing airport, with numerous flights to many popular destinations. Please visit:
www.akroncantonairport.comThere are also a number of surface transportation options...
Amtrak trains
www.amtrak.comGreyhound bus
www.greyhound.comMegabus
www.megabus.comLakefront Lines
http://route.lakefrontlines.com/OK Travel (Chinatown buses)
http://www.nychinatown.org/directory/m_bus.htmlWhat's on tap for the future?Here's just some of the major development projects in the pipeline for Cleveland....
The Avenue District, a $250 million development of newly built loft condos, townhouses and street-level retail on the east edge of downtown. The first townhomes opened in late 2007.
All those surface parking lots (above) in downtown's Warehouse District are thankfully in danger of being developed in the coming years with more vibrant urban uses (below). Robert Stark Enterprises is the developer. Construction could start by the end of 2008 or early 2009.
The $250 million Flats East Bank redevelopment -- with residential, office, shops, restaurants, grocery store and cinema -- by developer Scott Wolstein. Property acquisition is complete and demolitions have begun. Construction to start in late 2008.
Stonebridge, on the Flats West Bank, plans 2,000 housing units, plus offices, street-level retail, restaurants and cafes. More than 600 housing units have been built thus far.
Renovation of a former furniture factory and warehouses, now called Tyler Village, is underway in the Asiatown neighborhood on the east side of downtown. It will offer 1 million square feet of offices, lofts and residences.
Battery Park is a $100 million development of 300+ new homes on a former battery factory on Cleveland's near-west side.
Euclid Corridor bus rapid transit, a $200 million dedicated bus line on Euclid Avenue from downtown to University Circle and on to East Cleveland. The transit line should be finished in late 2008.
STILL LOOKING?
Try these sites:www.pluggedincleveland.com (various events, items for sale, real estate and job listings)
www.clevelandnightlife.net (can't find something to do? check here)
http://cleveland.diningguide.com/ (looks to be a work in progress)
www.clevelandsbestrestaurants.com (when your stomach AND wallet are feeling ignored)
http://restaurants.clevescene.com/ (food, with a side order of opinion)
If you want a specific question answered, simply post it below! There's lots of friendly Clevelanders here who would love to help you find your place in our beloved city.
