Is Cleveland, Ohio, a decent place to live?

I''ve received a job offer in Cleveland, Ohio. Is it a decent place to live.

• Hell no.

  Lebron James

• Yes, in 1949.

  Frank

• Now that Lebron is gone, no.

  He was Cleveland''s soul (rolls eyes).

• I don''t know from personal experience, but I recently read an article which set forth that Cleveland is one of the few cities in the country which never recovered from the Great Depression. Interesting.

  lah

• Truly beautiful suburbs in the east. (There''s a huge east/west division in the city).%0D\ %0D\ The winters are like something out of Dr. Zhivago.

• Only if you can''t get a better gig.

  Valerie, Wendy, Jane, & Betty

• If you have a job in Cleveland, you''re on your way to modest riches. Housing costs are among the lowest in the nation. the weather is crappy no matter what season, but that''s just a years worth of adjustment. The northeastern ''burbs are the best. \ \ Don''t forget to ask for hazardous duty pay. Cleveland is very rough if you''re white, supportive is you''re moslem and just your cup of tea if you''re black.

• It sure as hell beats anything in the deep south.

• Taco Bell is hiring?

• I heard it''s Hot there.

  Betty White

• I''s a lot bigger than I thought it would be.

  http://discounthotels.com/travel-blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/cleveland_ohio.jpg

• It used to be really big city, I''m not sure if the downtown shot even does it justice? I just look at that lake and think how frigid the winters are!

• Not anymore.

  Harvey Pekar

• Does the Cuyahoga River still catch fire on a regular basis?

• Is it safe?

• If you live in the suburbs, it is a fineplace to live. The proliferation of independent restaurants and young chefs have led several food magzines to declare it an up and coming culinary city. The arts are very strong as are the health care facilities. weather-wise, living on the west side will shelter you from the huge snows of the winter. The summers are fine, much less humidity than cities farther south. Spring and fall are beautiful. Very affordable housing, especially if you are relocating from a large coastal city. Cleveland and northeastern Ohio is really the enclave of liberalism in the state; NBD if you are gay, whereas you would be strung up with Bible verses pinned to your chest if you were in southern Ohio. Don''t listen to the stupid queens on DL - go visit and find oout for yourself.

• bump

• Anybody out there actually live in Cleveland?

  OP

• no

• Which is why you are getting mostly snarky responses from the ignorant, OP.

• The northeastern ''burbs are nicest except for one thing: they are along a point in the Lake Erie shoreline that rises sharply north. Hence, the tend to get fully loaded lake effect snow dumped on them when storms move in from the west.

• Grew up there. Beautiful suburbs. SNOWY winters. Humid summers.Nice people.

• God, no!

  Mary Ann Singleton

• We lived in the halls of a certain concert venue for quite some time.

  Spinal Tap

• I lived there for five years, in shaker heights, a great suburb just east of Cleveland. I miss it actually.

• Shaker Heights is absolutely beautiful--looks like a movie version of New England.

• Last time I was there (a year ago), there was a rather nice area that gays were gentrifying around downtown Cleveland, with the usual gay bars and restaurants. Not an ideal setting, and any New Yorker would sneer. But it seemed quite livable, if you lower your expectations some. The waterfront is often gorgeous.\ \ And no, the Cuyahoga River does not catch fire. It''s been cleaned up and is a real asset, with many parks.

• It''s the Paris of Northern Ohio!

• Love Cleveland. Gay Games 2014, largest bathhouse in the world, gay suburb of Lakewood (well, sort of), nineteenth century shopping arcades, very cultured for the midwest, etc.

• OP,%0D %0D Live in Akron and love Cleveland. University Circle is gorgeous during the summer especially near the Wade Oval and Severance Hall. The burbs are more Mew England than New England. Great architecture all around the Northeast. Great Museum and an important one with so much to do year round with a membership. Lakewood is full of caring and really bright gay folks, too. The restaurants between Cleveland, Akron and Canton are getting the recognition they deserve. %0D %0D It didn't take me long to forget Boston when I moved back here. Everyday more and more people are so accepting of people. %0D %0D Crime is crime. If you look for trouble, you'll find it. Haven't been to the baths in years but always found cute boys to have fun with.%0D %0D Little Italy in Cleveland and the West side Market are my favorite places. Tremont District, Ohio City, the Flats are all fun and interesting. Very large black and hispanic community, but well mixed and I've never had a problem with crime. The cops are really cool with law abiding citizens, too. %0D %0D The theater district is the country's second largest. Always a show to see. Plenty of good Universities with the night life to complement as well. We like to think we are liberal but in reality, the democrats are still conservative. The kids today are changing a lot of old habits.%0D %0D With the internet, you van get anything delivered to your door and you can find some of the country's best antiques in Northeast Ohio. Need to get away? A Sunday drive through the Cuyahoga Valley Recreational Area will cure what ails you. A trip on route 303 will show you some houses you thought were only built during the Guilded Age. Plenty of flea makets, farmer's markets and grocery stores with everything.%0D %0D Get a car, though. You will need it to truly enjoy Northeast Ohio. Lots of festivals in the summer, too with some of the best county fairs in the country.%0D %0D Oh and we have water and plenty of it. It stays cool in the summer, too. You might see the sun over the winter but don't count on it.%0D Good road crews for snow removal and awful pot holes in the spring. Have good tires and prepare to have them replaced every two years.%0D %0D I'm from Ohio. I can live anywhere and like it.

• My Shaker Hts apt didn''t have AC and I didn''t really miss having it.

• The call it "The North Coast".

• It''s a short drive to Ontario, Canada, where you can legally MARRY your partner!

• Very nice, seriously. Not as bad as many would think. No, it''s not NYC, but it''s got a lot going for it.

• Yes

  Everyone living elsewhere in Ohio

• It''s no Pittsburgh.

  Anonymous

• [quote]It''s the Paris of Northern Ohio!\ \ And I''m the Paris Hilton.

  Toledo

• [quote]It''s no Pittsburgh.\ \ lol

• Shaker Heights is great, with lots of sprawling Stockbroker Tudors and Colonial Revival piles (ripe for a Joan Allen film).

  http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/22040-Mccauley-Rd_Shaker-Heights_OH_44122_1119603066

• Thanks r39, it looks nice. So is that where all of the rich people live?

• There''s an amusing 30 Rock episode about how wonderful Cleveland is.

• I have a friend who lives in Hudson, south of the city. It''s very much like a New England village, even a town square. John Brown once preached there. Very nice area.%0D\ %0D\ Case Western Reserve University is there, and so is the Cleveland Clinic, one of the best in the country.

• I live in metro Cleveland in Lake County. I spend lots of time in downtown Cleveland. Playhouse Square for plays, Severance for the Cleveland Orchestra, tons of high quality museums. \ \ Housing is great in the burbs - Shaker Heights, Beachwood, Pepper Pike, Gates Mills, Lakewook, Rocky River, and in the counties just east and south (Lake and Geauga). You can get HUGE homes for some of the lowest prices in the nation. \ \ Local taxes are also low - at least outside the city proper. Food prices are great. \ \ The weather is typical for the Great Lakes - hot and muggy in the summer, cold and blustery in the winter. The "snow belt" east of the city can get tons of snow. \ \ Lake Erie is perfect if you like boating. The Cuyahoga river is very clean and they have cruises on it now. \ \ Lots of parks in the metro area, some of the best public parks in the country. \ \ Sure, the city has big city problems, but for your money, it''s a perfect place to live. Also very gay friendly, maybe more so than any other big city.

• Why no love for Lakewood, the historic gay suburb? For the splendid old arcades? For the largest bathhouse in the world and the gay games 2014? For congressman kucinich?

• r44, we love all that too and as for Kucinich, one of the last great Progressives who actually marches down the street with his constituents and does things for the little guy.%0D\ %0D\ Dennis is OK in my book.

• "Also very gay friendly, maybe more so than any other big city."\ \ Maybe indeed.

• h

• Not too many cities have front page coverage and politcal figures coming to the opening of a gay bathhouse. Of course, Republican politicians go on the sly, but these guys came to the opening ceremony. I though there would be pickets, etc. but the surrounding businesses welcomed it as another business taking over an abandoned bus terminal.

• I grew up in Cleveland and visit occasionally. It has it's up and downs, and more recently I would say it's in a DOWN period after having been voted the worst city in the country by Forbes?%0D %0D It's sad kind of. It has all the makings of a great city, but can never seem to quite pull it's act together. %0D %0D I grew up in Shaker Heights. The homes are quite breath taking. When I was a little kid we would drive Shaker Blvd pointing out all the "million dollar" homes. This was in the early 80s. Now some of those homes are going for HALF! that price. It's a great bargain if you can keep up with the taxes.%0D %0D Cleveland does have more of an east coast sensibility than a midwestern one. I would stick to the suburbs though. If you're in Cleveland proper, and driving at night, I would cruise through the red lights. Car jacking seems to be a favorite pass time there.%0D %0D Just FYI, most of my family has moved from Cleveland after having spent their entire lives there. None of them miss it. So that is telling.

• Whatever you do, do NOT move to the west side. Enclave of the Religious Right. If you must go west of the city, the Lakewood/Rocky River border has to be your stopping point.

• I love Shaker Heights.

• You''ll shoot your eye out, OP.

  Ralphie

• What was it about that city that attracted so many Lebanese people? With the winter snow and summer humidity, it seems the antithesis of Beirut.

• This is there and it''s a blast!

  http://www.achristmasstoryhouse.com/

• [quote]It sure as hell beats anything in the deep south.\ \ Yes, you keep blowing that horn! Tell as many of your hook nosed friends up north as you possibly can because an angel gets it''s wings every time one of you greasy headed, lowbrow northern scumbags decides not to move to the south. We''re already overrun with you ''up north filth'', we don''t need any more. \ \ Thanks for your cooperation and please pass the word!

• And to think that R55 wrote that enlightening missive so eloquently, despite having no teeth and a hood on his head. Well done.

• glad not to be anywhere near r55

• Any other Clevelanders (Clevelandites?) with information to share?

• You can''t live IN the city, but if you like the burbs, you can survive. It would not be my first, or even tenth choice on a list to relocate, but there are cultural events and in any city you will have an enclave of smart, sophisticated people with good taste. Whether or not you''re one of them remains to be seen, but they ARE there. \ \ The winters are harsh, the city is depressed and the wealth gap is so huge that it''s like living in a time bomb. \ \ But fuck it, it''s a job, right?

• OP you still haven''t accepted that job offer?

• The Severance Gym is a hothouse of good-looking men in the showers, reason enough to live in Cleveland.

• There was a bad smell but it turned out to be a serial killer''s victims.

• What r43 said all those suburbs are great and beautiful and have amazing homes. Also just a little out into the countryside is Chagrin Falls. It really does feel like the East Coast in those suburbs. Not mid western at all and it is kind of a disconnect from the Westside where you will feel the influence of the folks that have more sensibilities from Kentucky, West Virginia and other "Southern" states. Don't know about what the one poster said about White people not being happy there unless he was talking about Cleveland in general. From my experience the Blacks and Whites in the suburbs mix effortlessly. One point of history is that Shaker Heights never had to go through a period of integration. The people that chose to buy homes there naturally integrated themselves and it has stayed that way. I spent part of my childhood in Shaker then moved to NYC. I still have family there and I visit occasionally. But I unless I wanted to raise a family and have a selection of really top notch college prep schools to send my kids to, I wouldn't encourage anyone to move there. But the upside is you are not far from a bunch of great East Coast cities to visit when you need more stimulation. The city of Cleveland has never risen to its potential because it is infested with corruption. The mafia is strong there and unlike Chicago which has grown and blossomed with all the bullshit that goes on, the crooks in Cleveland just suck all the money out to line their own pockets. They are small time thinking crooks and the city continues to languish.

• OP, as long as it''s NOT East Cleveland, you should be ok.

• no, the winters alone.......

• Op, as someone said, you gotta take a trip there. If you actually have the money to buy a home, check on-line and connect up with a realtor. There may even be gay realtors there that advertise on the internet. This is a good way to go because a realtor will not only show you the best places to live that are commutable from where you would work, but he/she can also give you a whirlwind tour of what Cleveland has to offer you. Pictures don''t mean much. For example, there''s lots of pictures of downtown LA with crystal clear blue sky and snowcapped mountains in the distance. Guess how often it really looks like that? Usually only after 1 hell of a storm that pushes all the smog out to Pomona and Riverside (east of LA).

• "For example, there''s lots of pictures of downtown LA with crystal clear blue sky and snowcapped mountains in the distance. Guess how often it really looks like that?"\ \ I live in LA and chuckle every time I see that photo. LA almost NEVER looks like that and I''ve lived here for 17 years.

• I''m from there (Northern Ohio) and miss it somewhat. sure, there''s the occasional ick factor in the outlying areas of strip malls, etc.\ \ But that ''30 Rock'' episode is almost true.\ \ An aside; I hooked up with a hot Clevelander on a visit home last year. His condo was HUGE, spacious, with a view, and a third of the price of mine in LA. I was envious.\ \ Check out the Ohio gay newspaper; cute, up to date and a thriving scene in Columbus.

  http://www.gaypeopleschronicle.com/

  ex-Buckeye

• I''ll take that job if you don''t want it OP. I''d love to live in Cleveland.%0D

• NO. DO NOT DO IT, OP.\ \ Cleveland is where the crust of the earth broke open and hell jutted up into the physical world.\ \ And the last time I was there, a homeless man was walking around downtown carrying a machete.\ \ Just don''t do it.

  Native Buckeye

• Love those great Cleveland weekend getaways - Erie, PA & Buffalo!

  The Happy Wanderer

• \ \ \ I''m being transferred to Cleveland from the East Coast.\ \ Is Lakewood a good area to find a gay friendly condo and atmosphere?\ \ What about a loft in the Warehouse district?

  Traveler Tim

• Lakewood is a gay haven; extremely diverse city. Thw Warehouse District is fine, but doesn;t have a lot of the conveniences ( grocery stores, etc), since it is mostly restaurants and bars.

• Where did "The Mistake on the Lake" originate?

• "Anybody out there actually live in Cleveland?" Yes! Well, I DID ( live in the' burbs now) Cleveland is a hidden gem! Does it have its issues? Yes---crime, industrial base is gone, strong ethnic / cultural divide ( West side vs. East side) but what major city DOESN'T have flaws? I was born & raised in Slavic Village, which is anything BUT Slavic now, unfortunately. You can still hear Polish / Slovak / Ukrainian and Russian still spoken occasionally. The cost of living is very low. You can buy / build a nice home in a great location for a fraction of what you would pay in many other metropolitan areas---NY, Chicago, parts of VA---and basic items such as food and clothing cost a LOT less! Cleveland is also home to first class museums and art galleys, the world famous Cleveland Orchestra, and---I know many of you will sneer and snark---many WONDERFUL cultural opportunities! The gay community is incredible, although most of it is centered in Lakewood, Ohio City, Tremont and Oberlin ( the nearby college town) I live in a beautiful house in a Western ' burb of Cleveland----on the shore of Lake Erie. My husband and I paid $210,000.00 for a waterside home. Bargain? Yep! Ok......the weather DOES suck in the winter ( thinking "Ice Age" is putting it nicely! ) but in the summer, you can swim, boat and jet ski on the lake. There several nice beaches to visit and some type of festival / event almost every week! Soooo, darlings.....you can HAVE NY, LA, Miami, etc! Me and my friends will stay in the "Best Location In The Nation" Well....we DO have The Browns, too! * hangs head in shame*

  Cleveland Steamer

• Minneapolis is better.

  Minneapolis is better

• Minneapolis is in the heart of Republicanism. Praise Jesus that the people of Minnesota are God-fearing and know where true family values lie.

  Michele Bachmann

• That''s one thing we can agree on, Michele. Minneapolis is a great place for God-fearing Republicans. BTW, Jesus told me to drop out of the presidential race.

  Former Governor Tim

• only if your preference is to be bored and to spend 4 months of the year inside an igloo.

• One thing that other posters haven't mentioned, and is a huge plus, is the people. Clevelanders have very little sense of civic superiority like New York, insecurity like Chicago or Philadelphia and weird jingoism like Pittsburgh. So a LOT less attitude (although a little from the East Siders. Even the Clevelanders who have emigrated to NY or Florida (and there are a bunch in both places) stay nice and unpretentious. The Cuyahoga River is really the cultural Continental Divide between an East Coast and Midwest sensibility. Live in Shaker, you look to New England and NY. Live in Berea, you look to Chicago and Detroit. As a West Sider, I found the East Siders a little snobby. But we're surrounded by hillbilly trash from Pennsyltucky, so I guess their tendency to look at you like you just farted our your mouth when you say you're from Middleburg Heights or *gasp* Parma is warranted. This disappears when you are outside the city because everyone looks at us with the pity and amusement normally displayed toward Special Olympics participants. There's absolutely no style to speak of, anywhere. One recent Christmas I was unable to find anything with a cashmere fiber in it in any store (although I didn't go to Beachwood Place). But that's great because it takes the pressure off. The food is pedestrian. But it's cheap and plentiful, and the Italian, Polish, and Slavic is wonderful. Brush up on your Polka, OP. Did anyone post the famous Cleveland tourism viral video? Get's the entire cultural sensibility and sense of humor dead right. Here is part one:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysmLA5TqbIY

• Yes, my brother does, and he loves it.%0D\ The people here are wonderfully friendly and very sports-minded.%0D\ %0D\ The Feds have camped out and are carrying out the corrupt party leaders to the tune of two a month. It is a huge scandal and people are excited about getting them out and propsects. Casino is being built, we have the Rock Hall of Fame, nice warehouse district of bars and restaurants. Housing is very nice and very affordable. Various wineries around the area, and if you have a boat, people live on them in the summer time. %0D\ %0D\ If you have a good paying job, there isn''t anything you can''t do. We are also within driving distance of Niagara Falls, which is awesome any time of year.%0D\ %0D\ I suggest you visit first and drive around the Eastern suburbs, as suggested.%0D\ %0D\ How much were you offered?

• \ \ My late partner, Frank, was from Cleveland, and the son / grandson of Polish immigrants. His "baba" ( grandma) was quite possibly the most open minded and coolest old lady ever.\ \ About 30 years ago, when his aunt passed away, we attended her funeral together. Now, mind you, we weren''t exactly out, but we weren''t cowering in the closet either. I remember this tiny, wizened lady wearing a babushka and rolled down stockings who chain smoked Pall Malls. \ She came up to us at the funeral luncheon, reached up to pinch my face and said "You good boy, Teddy. You love Frank. Frank love you. Is ok! Is good! No every people for to marry, have baby. Is ok! You--EAT! Too skinny boy! No is good skinny!"\ We considered that a blessing and I cried as hard as Frank at her passing.

• \ \ What amount is considered "good paying"?

• Nowhere in Ohio is a "devcent place to live."%0D\ Living anywhere in Ohio is like living in the Dakotas...or Indiana. Why would you?%0D\ %0D\ If you''ve found a job, then go there. But remember, "decent" depends on what you can afford.

• \ \ amount for Cleveland anyway?

  r83

• [quote]And to think that [R55] wrote that enlightening missive so eloquently, despite having no teeth and a hood on his head. Well done.%0D\ %0D\ LOL! This is exactly how I pictured R55 while I read his post. %0D\ %0D\ No worries, Tea Bagger R55, no one wants to live anywhere near your smelly pig ass anyway.

• You can live quite nicely on $45K a year.%0D\ Seriously.

• Oh, they also have Cedar Point and islands called Put-In-Bay where people party like Key West in the summer.

• Cleveland had one of the best car chases EVER on C*O*P*S.

• Why has no one mentioned Betty White?

• Betty and the girls live in Lakewood.

• Lakewood is the gay capital of Ohio.

• Had to Lol about the Mafia reference......yes maybe in the 60''s and 70''s..the are no more in Cleveland or maybe you mean the Russian Mob?

  John Gotti Jr.

• R93, all the gays knew who Reuben Sturman was.%0D

• For the Cleveland mobster scene of the 60''s and 70''s, watch the movie about danny Greene, "Kill the Irishman". On the DVD there is a bonus of a documentary about cleveland in the 1960''s and 1970''s-mostly the 70''s.%0D\ That said, Cleveland has some AMAZING museums.

• Reuben Sturman was a flat out hero to the gay community during the oppressive times which were also the golden era of porn and Steve Hirsch is carrying on with Vivid Video. So much so that they have come to the attention of antisemitic Arab propagandists (see link).%0D

  http://www.radioislam.org/crime/sex/jew_porn1.htm

• \ \ \ What would be that "decent salary" in Cleveland?\ \ \ Does the depressed economy make it seem like $45k is actually a "decent" amount.\ \ \ It can''t possibly be a liveable wage.

• $45,000 is not a great salary, but you can live.The cost of living (real estate, etc) is relatively low, even in the suburbs. We sold a 750 sq ft. bungalow in LA and with that money bought a four-bedroom, three bath house on the lake with a large garage, WBFP, and hot tub.

• I find it so quaint when people mention museums and symphonies as a reason to move somewhere; as if y''all ever go more than once a year.

• Quaint as it may seem from the view down the nose, the presence of strong arts institutions in a city indicate a progressive presence in the otherwise conservative midwest.%0D\ %0D\ Cleveland has some significant arts organizations, The Cleveland Playhouse, The Cleveland Orhestra for example. The Cleveland Playhouse is the oldest professional resident theater in the country and has a national reputation. The Orchestra is an international presence and one of the worlds top orchestras.%0D\ %0D\ I have traveled to Cleveland many times and while the downtown is a total bust, their are pockets of the areas surrounding the downtown that are definitely survivable.

• I grew up in the burbs and haven''t been back since the late 80s. Question for current (or recent) Clevelanders: How do you rate Michael Symon''s restaurants, Lola and Lolita? Is the neighborhood where Lola is located (Tremont?)considered a decent place to live?

• You might consider Solon. It''s in the SE corner of Cuyahoga County and frequently appears in those Top 100 places to live lists.

• Has anyone been to the Cleveland Fart Museum?

• "their are pockets of the areas surrounding the downtown that are definitely survivable."\ \ But your illiteracy ain''t.

• R103, the museum was closed and relocated to NYC, close to Wall Street, where gaseous excretions are a way of life.

• "Cleveland" meaning Cleveland proper or the metro area? No and yes, respectively.

• R106, Ohio City and Tremont are nice; they are in the city.

• Lots of big cock to be sucked in Cleveland. It''s the only thing that keeps you warm in the winter.

• My friend grew up there and said the trash people factor is second to West Virginia''s and Florida''s.

• As someone who lived in and around there.... It's not a bad place. There's a lot of nice places in the burbs, Lakewood is decent. It's not the gay mecca someone described it as above, but there does seem to be a generally friendly vibe in the bars and clubs there (versus Pittsburgh, which still seems to have this underground cloak of shame feel when you go out). There's some nice places near the lake, and some great places to visit around. Erie is 90 minutes away, you're 2 hours from Columbus and Pittsburgh, and Chicago can be a nice 3 day weekend destination (quick flight, 5 to 6 hour drive). There are parts that are a real dive. The Flats are showing their age, and big chunks of downtown office buildings are vacant. In the ever-continuing Pittsburgh vs Cleveland rivalry, Pgh has a more dynamic downtown and was able to switch from steel to tech years ago and stay in the game. Downtown Cleveland's suffered a bit since Standard Oil (now BP) moved their HQ out of town. It's not Detroit or Buffalo, though, and they're working on making things better. Lakewood is a great area and the most gay friendly, though you do have to watch out for safety even there. You might also want to check out the lakefront area. Depending on your willingness to drive, there are some really nice areas around the city that are a 20-minute drive.

  Chrissie Fucking Hynde

• [R97] The cost of living is very low in many eastern-time-zone industrial cities like Cleveland and Pittsburgh.\ \ 45K Cleveland = 70K many other places. \ \ My friend bought a beautiful house in Pittsburgh for 70K. The same house in Minneapolis would be at minimum 350-400K. In Chicago, 600K easily. \ \ Yes, cost of living varies a LOT from city to city. Compare real estate and tangible items, not the price of a cocktail, and see.

• I spent part of my youth there. Got out as soon as the college acceptances came in.%0D\ %0D\ If you raise children there, and you''re at least middle class, they will be insufferable. They will think Ohio is the center of the universe. They will have the most annoying accent known to man.%0D\ %0D\ I guess it depends where you''re moving from, but if you''re coming from an actual city, Cleveland will bore the hell out of you. %0D\ %0D\ A poster upthread was correct - you''ll need a car, and you''ll use it more often than you''d expect.%0D\ %0D\ Unless you have a major $$$$$ offer, I''d pass.

• Lived there for 10 while got PhD at Case... it''s interesting in this add the place they recommend you visit is the Football Hall of Fame in Canton - over 1 1/2 hours away ...tells you something

  http://www.cityvisitor.com/locations/index/things-to-do

• R113...The Football Hall of Fame is an hour drive from Cleveland, located at an exit directly off of I77. Well worth the visit. And yes, if you live in Cleveland, you''ll need a car but that''s part of the adventure...you''ll get to see some of the most beautiful countryside throughout the whole state...great towns and cities and friendly people. Come with a positive attitude...you just might like this fly-over state.

• Cleveland Rocks (errr sucks)

  http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=cleveland sucks&view=detail&mid=26D1B47CF302963EA1CE26D1B47CF302963EA1CE&first=0&FORM=LKVR1

• A good thread to remind folks there are good things about almost any place in the country IF you are adaptable to the weather. I''ve learned from hiring for big law firms that geography is a very hard thing to conquer - some people are open minded and seek a good time where they live or work, and they tend to be happy. Others always look for the shadows.%0D\ %0D\ From the outside perspective, Cleveland is an "old" city with many beautiful suburbs and a well-endowed infrastructure. But nothing lasts forever, and it''s suffered economically from the downturn and is now a part of the Rust Belt. %0D\ %0D\ Ohio seems to vacillate between Republican and Democratic control, which may be nice for balance, but it''s hard on businesses trying to predict what will happen next.%0D\ %0D\ So, OP, I''d say a lot depends on your other options, where you are now, and where you want to wind up. My sense is that Cleveland could be a very nice place to settle but might be hard to jump from there to another location later.%0D

• Solon was nice 20 years ago.....how it is now is disgusting, empty stores, homes and trashy people .

• R112, thank God you moved out. We''ve been a better place since that day.As far as thinking that it''s the center of the universe or having annoying accents, you have never been to New York, have you?

• What is Case Western like?

• I was just in Cleveland for a conference at the Cleveland Clinic. Didn''t get to see much of the city, but my overall impression was definitely mixed. The people I met were all very nice, friendly, and easy to chat with. But the city seemed very depressed, with lots of vacant lots and empty storefronts. The locals all warned me not to walk anywhere, just take a cab to specific destination and back. It sounds like there are a few pockets of decent neighborhoods surrounded by horrible areas with high crime. I think many US cities are struggling now with the recession, but Cleveland seems to be worse off than most. On the other hand, if we keep telling people not to move there, then the decline will surely continue. And, in spite of everything, while there, I kind of felt that Cleveland is worth saving.

• bump for Case Western

• Any cities is what u make it! I have lived here all my life im 40 yrs old making 82,000 per year and I have a beautiful historical home in the the hood as they say. My children are well round n are exposed to all the beauties of Cleveland.

  Mrs.%20Hayes

• I grew up in Cleveland all my life. An from east to west it's ghetto it's all about respect an how u make it be. Jus going off statistics were in the top ten most dangerous cities in America but there are some quiet areas in Cleveland eastside is mostly blacks Westside hispanics an blacks an whites. The westside is were the latin kings reside. theres alot of gangs on the east but l.k. Being nationally noticed is the most notorious gang on the west If I was a tourist I wouldn't waste my time coming here not much to see but abandoned buildings an homes it's similar to Detroit feels good not to be the only ones living like this.

• I lived in Erie PA (horrible, dumbass, ugly, homophobic place) in the 80s and went to Cleveland often on weekends for the gay life there. At that time it had some interesting places in the Flats and nearby was the absolutely great gay bar The Vaults with the cute bartender Big D with his fabulous ass which I smacked and pinched on numerous occasions. Next door was the Club Baths which was also a great place for wanton sex. I know the Vaults is no longer there and doubt if the Club baths are too but perhaps someone who lives there now can tell me if there is any scene left at all on West 9th St. The West Side Market was wonderful too with all the Jewish and Eastern European foodstalls.

  Nice place to visit but don't know what it's like to live there.

• Chagrin Falls. Better than Shaker Heights.

• Does anyone know what happened to the Vaults?

  D

• I've known the city for over twenty years, went to school there. the city is indeed going down the tubes. BUT, if you must love there a neighborhood that is on the up is the Ohio City area, the near westside. A great brewery, the finest public market in the US and walkable within and without. I'd live there happily if I had to move back.

• PS--Does anyone know what happened to the Arcade downtown?

  D (aka Miss Roundheels)

• R128 which arcade? Euclid or Colonial?

• [quote]the city is indeed going down the tubes. Give me a fucking break. Cleveland isn't what it used to be. There are certainly worse places to be.

• I'm not sure r129, I think I remember it had the year 1894 on the keystone in its facade so I'm guessing Euclid (?).

  D

• R131 Euclid arcade was converted to a hotel years ago. Beautiful building where I actually have lunch several times a month. Colonial arcade is still there but not as fab as the euclid arcade.

  http://cleveland.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels-cleveland/index.jsp%3FextCorporateId%3D

• Has anyone who doesn't have friends or family there, ever taken a vacation in Cleveland? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller. Bueller.

• I live in Cleveland, and it's absolutely amazing. I love it here, it's a great place to live, the weather is beautiful in the summer and there are some really nice towns just outside of the city.

  Inge

• Me, I have R133. It's a cool place to visit, lots to see.

• Truth be told, Melbourne Australia is the best place to see Victorian shopping arcades. Not so grand as Italy's perhaps, but much more numerous.

• And not so ridiculously expensive as London's.

• No lived downtown all my life and I'm movin ASAP but if you are going there stay out of the east side

  Martin

• Kisses to you, R82.

• [quote] The burbs are more Mew England than New England Ding ding ding. We have a winner. By someone who lives in Akron, Ohio, and defends Cleveland while avoiding saying he lives there. This is without a doubt the most pretentious phrase ever uttered on datalounge.

• I lived in New England for 20 years. Moved to Cleveland a few years ago. I can't imagine ever going back to stay. This town has it.

• Cleveland is a great town with wonderful people. Very gay friendly. The 2013 Gay Games will be in Cleveland. Cleveland is also a center for world class medical care. The city re-inventied itself long ago, realizing that the steel mills were on the way out and the area needed another industry to take it's place. Medicine took it's place and if you are looking for any career in that field, Cleveland is THE place to be. Wonderful museums, wold class orchestra, the largest theatre district in the US outside of NYC. Winters are tough weather-wise but the other seasons are fabulous, esp. summer by Lake Erie. Cost of living here is very low and one can get a lovely home for a fraction of what one would have to pay in places like NY, Chicago, or LA. Come to town for the gay games, everybody!!!!

• One of the main training centers for Olympic caliber figure skaters.