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October 10, 2005
Cleveland: My kind of town
As noted in Trish’s blog last week, Cleveland has recently been cited as America’s most livable city. This got me thinking about my experiences in Cleveland. I moved here just over a year ago and believe that I can now speak intelligently on what it is like to live here (I live in Lakewood an inner ring suburb).
I moved here after a four year stay in Chicago (two years in suburb of Evanston and two years near Wrigley Field in Chicago-proper). I moved here to be around friends from college and was unsure what life in Cleveland would be like. I have discovered that Cleveland has a lot to offer.
I know everyone “needs” different things from a community. Some look for a music scene, some for cultural institutions, some sports teams, some world class hospitals, etc. Most things that you “need” in a community can be found here in Cleveland.
Here are some things that make Cleveland work for me:
• Affordability—my rent is over 50% lower here than in Chicago.
• Work—while you can find jobs (ideally) everywhere, I am able to work for an organization/field that I believe in. A big part of Case’s identity and appeal is Cleveland (and vice versa I am sure).
• Sports—just yesterday I attended a Browns game. I didn’t plan on going to the game. I was downcity partaking in the excitement and celebration that one experiences prior to football games. The cell phone vibrated and friends were calling with tickets to the game. Sweet.
• Sports—this year I was able to attend just over 30 Cleveland Indians games. Baseball is my favorite sport (the Tribe my second team after my life-long experience with the Red Sox). The Tribe makes summer enjoyable. Nothing beats an afternoon or evening at a ballpark and Jacobs Field is one of the best. And the team provided some excitement this year. With young players and the willingness to spend money, this team should be playing important games in September, if not October, for years to come. Keep your eyes on Grady Sizemore—he is an All-Star caliber player who may make a run at an MVP in the coming years.
• Culture—University Circle, while I don’t take full advantage, is an amazing place. While I am not often seen in line for the Art Museum having cultural options makes a town complete.
• Good people—I have found good people here in Cleveland. I moved here with just a few friends from college. They had made themselves a nice group of friends since college and I was welcomed by this new group seamlessly. In fact I was already on a co-ed softball team before hitting the ground last year. We are currently in the midst of our second year together.
This is far from a complete list of what makes Cleveland work for me. Others have their own lists including the metropark system, sailing on Lake Erie, jobs at top financial institutions, etc.
Again, I have only been here one year. I still need to explore my new city. Send along what makes Cleveland work for you…it may be something I have missed and want to check out.
Posted by jbg15 at October 10, 2005 04:12 PM
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