Walkability in Gordon Square vs Ohio City vs Tremont (Cleveland: 2015, apartment)

[a3hourtour]

I am returning to NE Ohio after two years in the PNW. I had lived in Lakewood and liked it but wanted to explore other walkable areas. I would be renting with a tiny dog. I'm a senior and an artist. I'd love to be able to explore coffee shops, little stores, galleries on foot, without wanting to put myself into a dangerous neighborhood. Not really a night owl but an early bird- so no bar life for me. I wondered how Gordon Square area compares with Ohio City and Tremont. I realize there has been renovation in all three; not sure how much. Of course I've driven through all three areas as recently as 2015 or 2016. But just to find particular places, not to tour the area.
Any thoughts?

[WRnative]

Originally Posted by a3hourtour

I am returning to NE Ohio after two years in the PNW. I had lived in Lakewood and liked it but wanted to explore other walkable areas. I would be renting with a tiny dog. I'm a senior and an artist. I'd love to be able to explore coffee shops, little stores, galleries on foot, without wanting to put myself into a dangerous neighborhood. Not really a night owl but an early bird- so no bar life for me. I wondered how Gordon Square area compares with Ohio City and Tremont. I realize there has been renovation in all three; not sure how much. Of course I've driven through all three areas as recently as 2015 or 2016. But just to find particular places, not to tour the area.
Any thoughts?

What is your rental budget?

For an artist, Little Italy certainly should be under consideration, given its easy access to the likes of the Cleveland Museum of Art, MOCA Cleveland, and perhaps especially the Cleveland Institute of Art. It's a charming neighborhood with several art galleries and superb mass transit, including a Red Line rail rapid station and an easy walk to the 24/7 Healthline bus rapid. It offers many restaurants, including popular local hang-outs such as Algebra Tea House, Mama Santa's and Presti's.

https://www.yelp.com/search?find_des...leveland%2C+OH

https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=gal...leveland%2C+OH

https://www.cia.edu/exhibitions

https://www.cia.edu/cinematheque

Check out art classes offered to adults both at the CIA and CMA.

https://www.cia.edu/continuing-education

http://www.clevelandart.org/learn/adults/adult-studios

https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_ren...84_rect/14_zm/

Note that University Circle considers Little Italy as one of its districts, see Little Italy under "Visit," and elsewhere in this website.

https://www.universitycircle.org/

Personally, I would consider Little Italy safer than Tremont, Ohio City and Gordon Square, especially at night, but I don't perceive any of these neighborhoods especially dangerous during daylight hours. Of course, you are able to research safety statistics for various neighborhoods at various websites, perhaps including C-D. It's not clear to me if the University Circle police department patrols Little Italy in addition to the Cleveland police department. Perhaps worth checking out.

And, of course, all of the restaurants of University Circle, Cleveland Hts. (e.g., Coventry with Tommy's and the Inn on Coventry), and even Shaker Square are easily accessible. Downtown and Ohio City's Market District with the West Side Market are an easy Red Line trip from Little Italy. Perhaps buy an RTA senior day pass for $2.75 and explore Little Italy (and Shaker Square) from Ohio City (if you can handle stairs, check out the Cleveland Hostel).

Perhaps also check out Cedar Fairmount, also with easy access to University Circle.

https://www.clevelandheights.com/958/Cedar-Fairmount

Detroit-Shoreway (Gordon Square) does have the 78th St. Studios, perhaps very relevant if you're considering renting gallery space!!!

http://78thstreetstudios.com/

Perhaps also check out Larchmere. See post 13 in this thread.

https://www.city-data.com/forum/cleve...eveland-2.html

http://www.larchmere.com/aboutlarchmere/

With easy access to Shaker Square with a great farmer's market and rail transit, and convenient to University Circle with good bus service there, it's a worthy consideration as well.

[Cleverfield]

I’d say Ohio City has significantly more going on than Gordon Square. There are lots of walkable streets with shops and restaurants, not just the main drag of W 25th. Gordon Square has the stretch of Detroit, but not as much on surrounding streets, and if you walk South of Detroit or too far West on Detroit, you pretty quickly get to a rougher area. The area North of Detroit is mostly residential, without a lot of retail/dining until you get to the Battery Park development overlooking Edgewater Park. The condo community in battery Park is very nice though, and having access to Edgewater is very nice.

[1watertiger]

Out of the 3 you mentioned , My vote is for Tremont. Everything is walkable.

[bjimmy24]

I feel of these, Tremont is best for you. Ohio City would be paying to live in an area with stuff you don't really want (breweries, nightlife, etc). Tremont is a bit quieter. Gordon Square is cool, but kinda more hipstery.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by 1watertiger

Out of the 3 you mentioned , My vote is for Tremont. Everything is walkable.

I disagree. I don't find Tremont very walkable for basic necessities, such as groceries or drugstores. For those, one has to travel all the way to Ohio City, Clark-Fulton, or Steelyard Commons.

There is one bus line serving the area, which has the most convoluted route I've ever seen.

[HueysBack]

Honestly, WRnative has the best advice with Little Italy. It's walking distance to the densest concentration of cultural attractions in the nation. Plus, you've got Presti's Bakery, Algebra Tea House and Rising Star for coffee and hang-out spots. TONS of stuff surrounding art. Walking distance to exceptional medical centers. Quick access to the RTA.

And of course, wonderful food everywhere. You also have a nice mix of options for living spaces.

[Kamms]

Originally Posted by HueysBack

Honestly, WRnative has the best advice with Little Italy. It's walking distance to the densest concentration of cultural attractions in the nation. Plus, you've got Presti's Bakery, Algebra Tea House and Rising Star for coffee and hang-out spots. TONS of stuff surrounding art. Walking distance to exceptional medical centers. Quick access to the RTA.

And of course, wonderful food everywhere. You also have a nice mix of options for living spaces.

Agreed. Little Italy is, despite it not being the OP's list, the best 'hood for the amenities requested. I would, for example, use the Red Line for direct access to the West Side Market, airport, and of course, downtown.