Sign In Register
Aiden H. best-worst

Top 5 things I love about Cleveland

Longtime lurker here, It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development.
17 upvotes

27 Replies

Willow Murphy
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's hit or miss for what you get.

Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.

People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: decent. Tons of options if you like seafood.

Feel free to reach out with questions..
40 upvotes
Camila
good to know, thanks
39 upvotes
Daniel Foster
I work in manufacturing here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is tough. No regrets on my end..
38 upvotes
Matthew
haha yep pretty much
37 upvotes
Santiago Young
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to Houston it's hit or miss.
34 upvotes
Serenity Ramirez
I'm a software engineer and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
31 upvotes
Autumn C.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely pretty good and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (South) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Denver, be prepared for the culture shock. safety is completely different here. And Rising rent and home prices.

My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
30 upvotes
Oliver Miller
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in West for 12 years. Moved from Charlotte for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.

**Employment:**
education is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is decent - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. West schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.

**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Traffic during rush hour is rough. Far from beaches/mountains. And healthcare can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 6/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
29 upvotes
Evelyn Hall
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a sales manager, 44, moved here 4 years ago from Houston. I've lived in Midtown and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good airport with direct flights
2. Diverse dining options
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Road conditions need improvement
2. Can feel isolated
3. The walkability situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for families. average vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Houston, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K here.

**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
28 upvotes
Caroline
yeah no that's not right
27 upvotes
Samuel Patel
following this thread
24 upvotes
Hazel
couldn't agree more
23 upvotes
Samuel Ross
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it was the best decision I ever made. Internet is tough in most areas.
21 upvotes
Waylon Johnson
yeah no that's not right
18 upvotes
Ronald R.
seconding this
18 upvotes
Olivia Cox
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Midtown area are excellent. Kids love it here.
17 upvotes
Delilah Clark
I'm a electrician and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The community is average and there's always something going on.
16 upvotes
Kennedy O.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I genuinely enjoy living here. Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Piper Sanders
great question, following
13 upvotes
Nathan J.
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. pet-friendliness used to be much competitive but now it's excellent.
13 upvotes
Mackenzie Green
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is weather. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
13 upvotes
Eugene A.
haha yep pretty much
12 upvotes
Lillian Wright
exactly what I was thinking
11 upvotes
Eliana Morales
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Eastside. It's challenging for what you get.

Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in marketing. If you're in finance you might struggle.

People: Generally decent. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.

It's not for everyone but it works for us..
6 upvotes
Angel Jimenez
We moved here with our family and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Schools in Lakewood area are excellent. Kids love it here.
2 upvotes
Helen G.
preach
0 upvotes
Aurora Hughes
I've lived in Maple Ridge for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Boston, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- The cost of living scene is underrated

The downsides:
- Urban sprawl is real
- Limited shopping options

Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
0 upvotes
← Back to Cleveland Community