Student Moving to Toledo (Cleveland, Parma: apartments, rental, homes)

[Ju99ernaut]

I'm currently going to pursue an internship in downtown Toledo off Cherry (inside the I-75 loop). I am looking for apartments that are fairly close to the area, but still in a safe neighborhood. I have narrowed down the search to Oregon (eastside), Rossford, Walbridge, Northwood, and Ottawa. Does anyone have any input on these area's safety? I have grown up in the downtown Cleveland area my whole life, so please offer constructive ideas I understand metro areas are never great.
Also does anyone have any recommendations for cheap (really don't need quality) apartments for rent in any of those areas? I have a couple ideas but could always use more!Thanks!

[SonnyDaze]

I'm a UT student and don't know too much about the suburbs you are looking for apartments in but I know there are a number of cheap and reasonably safe options not too far off I-475 in West Toledo. You'd be closer to the UT campus as well as various entertainment/nightlife options. You'd also be no more than 10 minutes from Downtown Toledo.

[AsianGal]

Of the places you mentioned, Oregon is one of the closer places to downtown that is considered one of the safer neighborhoods. There arent many places to live in Oregon in terms of rental apartments but you can search online for them. I think you mean Ottawa Hills which is closer to UT. That's a more expensive neighborhood I think. Dont know how far it is from Cherry. There are some places available near UT but I dont know what the neighborhoods are called and not everyplace around there is considered that safe. Just depends.

[Tobias C]

Well first off, if youre going to be working in the downtown area, would you consider living, downtown? People who dont know anything are going to try to tell you its not safe. I know first hand that its perfectly fine. If you dig around, maybe come to town, look at some places downtown, search craigslist and other sites, etc.....you could find an affordable place downtown thats probably good quality, and actually a cool place to live at that. Youd have your job/internship literally down the road from you, maybe even within walking or biking distance, and have restaurants and clubs and bars and sports and music all within walking distance of you. Thinkkk about it!


If that doesnt appeal to you........my next suggestion would be to consider an apartment in the Old West End which is also a cool historical neighborhood with huge old homes, many divided up into apartments. You could find an affordable one bedroom for sure. The Old West End is adjacent to downtown. You would still be very close to your job.

If you dont like that, Id suggest areas of West Toledo. You said "Ottawa". If you were talking about Ottawa Hills, thats an expensive wealthy suburb which I doubt your looking for. If you meant the Ottawa area of West Toledo as its described in some neighborhood contexts....I would definitely suggest this. You could find an afforable apartment in areas off of Sylvania, Central, Secor, Douglas, Monroe, etc. These areas are all near the Franklin Park mall with all of its popular shopping and eating destinations, and the Westgate area, as well as close to the UT campus. You still wouldnt be anymore than a 10 min drive from your internship downtown.

[ryansmith]

I would recommend either downtown or the Old West End as well. Having lived in Cleveland myself I will try to give you comparisons to each of the areas in question.

Oregon/Northwood = totally Parma ...both have the same feel... they both have a lot of industrial.
Walbridge = this is hard... someplace really small with a lot of railroad tracks probably in Lorain County...
Ottawa Hills = Bratenahl (neither are going to have affordable student housing)
Ottawa/West Toledo = anything from Westlakish to Lakewoody... it is a big area. If you want West Toledo near campus probably Old Orchard area.
Downtown Toledo = Downtown Cleveland.
Old West End = Ohio City, Tremont, some Cleveland Heightsishness.

[Tobias C]

Originally Posted by ryansmith

Old West End = Ohio City, Tremont, some Cleveland Heightsishness.

I want a neighborhood like those, to manifest in the areas around Adams St. toward Collingwood.

[ferraris]

Originally Posted by Tobias C

I want a neighborhood like those, to manifest in the areas around Adams St. toward Collingwood.

I really like Adams street and really hope it can start to take off. Unfortunately I don't think that can happen until the economy starts to improve a lot more.

OP, I know I would be looking at living right in Downtown if I were you. Maybe someplace like the Commodore Perry apartments.

[ryansmith]

I have heard the accommodations at the Commodore Perry were disappointing; no first hand knowledge.

[Tobias C]

Originally Posted by ryansmith

I have heard the accommodations at the Commodore Perry were disappointing; no first hand knowledge.

What do you mean by disappointing? Ive never been inside them myself but a friend of mine told me some of the units are really nice.

[ryansmith]

I could have my buildings mixed up. I had a friend that shopped for apartments downtown and I have a hard time remembering which ones he loved and which ones he hated. Basically, I don't really know what I'm talking about on this topic.