RELOCATING TO CLEVELAND – Cleveland Clinic HSSA

CLEVELAND HISTORY

The city of Cleveland was founded in 1796 and is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, which is about 60 miles west of the Pennsylvania border. Cleveland is located in Cuyahoga County, which is the most populous county in the state. As of the most recent U.S. Census (2010), the population of Cleveland was 396,815, which makes it the 2nd largest city in Ohio and the 45th largest city in the United States. The racial makeup of the city was 53.3% African American, 37.3% White, 1.8% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 4.4% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race made up 10% of the population. Cleveland has four distinct seasons, with summer typically being hot and humid and winter being cold and snowy. Snowfall is variable, with the East Side of town and the eastern suburbs normally receiving more snow than the West Side of town and its suburbs. July is typically the warmest month, with an average high of 83ºF and an average low of 64ºF. January is typically the coldest month, with an average high of 34ºF and an average low of 22ºF. Cleveland has more cloudy days than sunny days, with an average of 202 days of the year being considered cloudy (55%), 97 days being partly cloudy (27%), and 66 days being sunny and clear (18%). So, when the sun comes out, enjoy! Manufacturing has traditionally been the primary industry of Northeast Ohio and continues to be today. Cleveland is also the main headquarters for many large companies, including Applied Industrial Technologies, Cliffs Natural Resources, Forest City Enterprises, KeyCorp, NACCO Industries, and Sherwin-Williams Co. One of the largest law firms in the United States, Jones Day, also originated in Cleveland. The Cleveland Clinic is the city’s largest private employer.

FINDING A PLACE TO LIVE

Your first priority will probably be finding a place to live. Most people find the cost of both renting and buying houses very affordable. We strongly recommend you plan a visit to Cleveland in the late winter or early spring (bring warm clothing) to look at properties and drive to the areas directly around where you would like to live. A long weekend with at least one weekday is desirable. If you cannot get here until June, relax, you will still be able to find somewhere to live. Come prepared with a clear understanding of what you want, what you can afford, and what your priorities are.

The winding Cuyahoga River geographically divides the city of Cleveland into two areas: the East and West sides.

The East Side suburbs, which are closer to the Cleveland Clinic main campus, University Circle, and many of the cultural institutions, offer historical charm and nice, affordable housing. This is where most fellows and residents choose to live.

The West Side suburbs are closer to downtown, have easier access to freeways, receive fewer inches of snow, and generally offer more modern and less expensive housing options.

The Downtown area has newly renovated apartments for those who want urban living arrangements.

See the annual “Rating the Suburbs” article in the June issue of Cleveland Magazine for area statistics and demographic information. The electronic version is available for a fee through their website. If you would like an opinion on an area to live, please e-mail one of the HSSA officers listed above.

DRIVE TIMES TO CLEVELAND CLINIC

Drive Times to Cleveland Clinic

The most frequently lived-in East Side suburbs (listed alphabetically) are the following:

SUBURB	TRAVEL TIME TO CCF
Beachwood	20-25 minutes
Cleveland Heights	10-15 minutes
Lyndhurst	20-25 minutes
Mayfield Heights	25-30 minutes
Shaker Heights	15-20 minutes
South Euclid	20-25 minutes
University Heights	15-20 minutes

The most frequently lived-in West Side suburbs (listed alphabetically) are the following:

SUBURB	TRAVEL TIME TO CCF
Bay Village	25-30 minutes
Fairview Park	20-25 minutes
Lakewood	15-20 minutes
Parma	20-25 minutes
Rocky River	20-25 minutes
Westlake	25-30 minutes

For those working in specialties that can take call from home, be sure to check with your CCF department for any travel-time requirements.

Some specialities spend time at hospitals other than the Cleveland Clinic’s Main Campus, which may influence where you want to live. Check with your CCF department to determine which other locations, and for what length of time, you’ll rotate to help inform your decision.

Travel time from CCF Main Campus to some of the most common outlying hospitals for rotations include:

Hospital Location Travel Time from CCF M￫

Fairview Hospital Cleveland (West Side) 25-30 minutes

Hillcrest Hospital Mayfield Heights (East Side) 30-35 minutes

South Pointe Hospital Warrensville Heights (East Side) 25-30 minutes

Marymount Hospital Garfield Heights (South) 20-25 minutes

The types of housing you will find include:

Traditional apartment complexes
Single family homes
Duplex: A home featuring two living quarters side by side, mostly available in Cleveland Heights. You share the front entrance, yard, and garage, but everything else is private.
Doubles/Two family home: A common front entrance, one family has the first floor, and another family has the second floor +/- the third floor. These are mostly available in Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, and Lakewood.

TIPS & CONSIDERATIONS WHEN RENTING

Ohio Landlord-Tenant Law.
Wage Taxes. Most of the suburban townships have regional wage taxes. Check the Regional Income Tax

Agency website for details.

Use a relocation/housing service (see listings below).
Consider hiring a real estate agent. They can show you areas that do not have relocation services.
Get everything in writing.
Talk to current tenants, who are the best source of information about the landlord, the property, and the neighborhood.
Families with only one vehicle should consider living within walking distance of the RTA public transportation system. Housing along or near Van Aken Blvd. and Shaker Blvd. is convenient for the RTA trains. Connecting bus lines are also available. Please see the RTA website for more information.
Having a garage in which to park your car can save snow-cleaning time during the winter months.
Remember, Cleveland has four distinct seasons, so be sure to consider this as you select housing. The seasons can be extreme, consider that in light of your utility bills, whether you want a garage to park your car, how you commute into work, etc.

RENTAL ADVERTISEMENTS

Finding the right rental can be hard in Cleveland. Allow more time than you may think you will need to find a place to live.

The Apartment Guide

The Cleveland Plain Dealer

Relocation Services & Rental Locations

Capital Properties Management, LTD (216) 991-3057

Owns and manages a number of apartment communities in Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, Mayfield Heights, and Copley. Properties feature both unfurnished and furnished renovated studio, 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom suites and offer onsite parking. Flexible lease terms available.

Cleveland Heights Relocation Services (216) 291-4444

A free Rental Relocation Service is offered to people moving to the area from outside of Cuyahoga County. Current listings are kept for available single and two-family homes and apartments for rent. Renters can take a free tour of the city, including available units and points of interest. For prospective home buyers, Relocation Services offers information regarding homes in Cleveland Heights currently on the market via real-estate agencies or by owner. Buyers are referred to a list of Preferred Realty Office Agents (PROs). Names of contact people in different neighborhoods and schools are available to prospective buyers. Home Buying Seminars are offered annually in the spring and are open to the public.

Shaker Heights Relocation Services (216) 491-1400

The service is free and will provide a guided tour of the Shaker Heights area and neighborhood schools, recreational facilities, libraries and shopping centers. Call for a relocation packet or to schedule a tour.

Private Lodgings, LLC (216) 291-1209

Offering a wide range of accommodations from short-term, fully-furnished home shares with your own room and bath in a private home, to fully furnished apartments and homes. Unfurnished, longer-term options range from apartments to single- and double-family homes. These pre-screened properties are in comfortable neighborhoods that are convenient to shopping and entertainment. They are also chosen for their proximity to the hospital for an easy commute.

Park Lane Villa in University Circle (855) 276-4278

Park Lane Villa is a luxury hotel-style apartment residence located within walking distance to the Clinic. They offer 96 suites with 43 unique floor plans to assure maximum amenities for today’s healthcare professional lifestyle. 5-Star amenities include: concierge service, fitness center, covered parking, personal shopping and delivery, catering services, washer & dryer in each suite, high-speed internet in common areas and sophisticated CCTV security monitoring system with controlled access.

Parkside Dwellings in University Circle (877)702-4217

Parkside Dwellings was built in 1909 and is a designated Cleveland landmark. Close to Case Western University’s quad and at the heart of University Circle, the building is set in a park-like environment. There are 8 studios,15 one-bedroom suites, and one two-bedroom penthouse with a rooftop deck. Rent includes heat and water, intercom with buzzer access, laundry facilities, and cable TV.

Easthaven at the Village in Beachwood (844) 656-4678

24-hour staffed gated community. Amenities include indoor & outdoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, tennis and racquetball courts, and guest suites. Various specials offered, no application fee, and a minimal security deposit required. Furnished apartments available for short-term lease through corporate housing provider partners. (Be sure to ask them about renters insurance here- you will definitely want it.)

The Coral Company Development Group has several developments for sale or rent that are popular with CCF employees:

THE COURTYARDS (Cleveland Heights – For Sale)

COVENTRY ROAD APARTMENTS (Cleveland Heights – Rental)

PARKLAND APARTMENTS (Shaker Heights – Rental)

1900 EUCLID AVENUE LOFTS (Downtown Cleveland – Rental)

W.T. GRANT LOFTS (Downtown Cleveland – Rental)

UNIVERSITY LOFTS (Downtown Cleveland – Rental)

RELOCATION SERVICES & RENTAL LOCATIONS

Capital Properties Management, LTD (216) 991-3057

Cleveland Heights Relocation Services (216) 291-4444

Shaker Heights Relocation Services (216) 491-1400

Private Lodgings, LLC (216) 291-1209

Park Lane Villa in University Circle (855) 276-4278

Parkside Dwellings in University Circle (877)702-4217

Medley Apartments located conveniently near Main Campus and above the new Meijer Fairfax Market

Easthaven at the Village in Beachwood (844) 656-4678

The Coral Company Development Group has several developments for sale or rent that are popular with CCF employees:

THE COURTYARDS (Cleveland Heights – For Sale)

COVENTRY ROAD APARTMENTS (Cleveland Heights – Rental)

PARKLAND APARTMENTS (Shaker Heights – Rental)

1900 EUCLID AVENUE LOFTS (Downtown Cleveland – Rental)

W.T. GRANT LOFTS (Downtown Cleveland – Rental)

UNIVERSITY LOFTS (Downtown Cleveland – Rental)

BUYING CONTACTS

Home Financing

First Federal of Lakewood (216) 529-2700 Specialized home loan/mortgage program for residents/fellows/physicians.

Tower Mortgage (800) 918-5400 Specialized home loan/mortgage program for residents/fellows/physicians.

Physician Loans Specialized home loan/mortgage program for residents/fellows/physicians.

Realtors

The Elle Kaye Group Howard Hanna (#2 team in Cleveland, specializing in relocations)

(216) 536-2246 @ellekayegroup

Elena Abramovich Cleveland Property Management Group Realty

Office: (440) 461-0050, Cell: (440) 221-4813

Nancy Bass Re/Max Traditions

Cell: (216) 389-2783

Haley Turner Howard Hanna

Cell: (234) 380-7654

Jenny Chin Howard Hanna
Office: (216) 831-9310, Cell: (216) 323-1216

Jackie Collesi Howard Hanna Smythe Cramer
Office: (216) 751-8550, Cell: (216) 780-8607

Silvana DiBiase Coldwell Banker Hunter Realty

Office: (216) 347-9990

Marilyn Kahn Howard Hanna

Office: (216) 751-8550 Cell: (216) 554-3930

Jan Kasper Russell Realty

Office: (440) 379-1109, Cell: (216) 789-5256

Brian Salem Keller Williams, Greater Cleveland West

Office: (216) 244-2549

Tari Torch Sweeney RE/MAX Traditions
Office: (216) 202-1801, Cell: (216) 319-4493

Kristin Martin Howard Hanna Office: (844) 634-2662, Cell: (216) 536-2965

Helpful Websites for House Hunting

Realtor and Zillow

These websites advertise homes for sale and rent from many different real estate agencies.

HOME INSPECTORS

When purchasing your new home and before closing the deal, you’ll want to get a general home inspection. A home inspector will provide a professional opinion of the overall condition of the dwelling and will identify major defects. Both the interior and exterior of the property will be inspected. Buyers are advised to accompany the inspector to ask questions, but it’s not required. You will receive an impartial, objective report of the property. General home inspections help you avoid “surprises” later on. Ask your realtor for a qualified home inspector. If you are purchasing a home in “the heights” (Shaker, University or Cleveland), be sure your home inspector is familiar with the specific code requirements for each area.

Recommended Inspectors

Bearmark Home Inspection Steve Markiewich (866) 317-9027

Old Blue Home Inspections (216) 233-9253

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A HOME

Wage Taxes: Most of the suburban townships have regional wage taxes. Check the Regional Income Tax Agency website for rates.
Property Taxes: The property tax rates vary widely from township to township. You will want to take these costs into consideration before making a final purchase decision.
Property Inspections & Point Of Sale Inspection: Some townships have property inspections that occur at the time of sale and also yearly. Any items found by inspectors that warrant repair will be cited for violation and must be fixed. Be sure to understand this and review it with your real estate agent. Ask questions before you buy or you could get stuck with costly repairs.

MOVING COMPANIES/SERVICES

Whether you choose to move with a professional moving company or do it yourself, our best advice is to plan ahead as early as possible (check for listings online for your city of origin).

Full Service

Allied Van Lines

Bekins Van Lines

Mayflower Transit Company

Corlett Movers/Wheaton Worldwide Moving

Do-It-Yourself Service

Hertz/Penske Truck Rental

Ryder Truck Rental

U-Haul

U-Pack

WHERE TO STAY WHILE HOUSE HUNTING

From our experience, the hotels/motels listed below offer affordable rates and we suggest that you always inquire whether they offer a discount for Cleveland Clinic residents/fellows. The hotels marked with an * are more expensive so make sure you ask about the price. AAA cardholders can receive discounts at some hotels.