|
cinderblock
Failed Conformist

Registered: 07/13/14
Posts: 866
Last seen: 1 year, 4 months
|
Thinking of relocating to Cleveland or Buffalo
#23450697 - 07/17/16 06:09 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Feel free to let me know how life is - pros and cons, weather, art scene (big deal for me, as I enjoy writing and doing standup... which is also the reason I scratched Utica off my list of possible destinations due to their lack of comedy clubs and nonexistent art scene), etc.
I'm considering purchasing property worth around $50K, and these two cities seem to have the most potential in my price range. Buffalo however costs a little more, so Buffalo would have to be the decisively better option for me to settle for less space.
Cleveland has three major sports teams, so the economy can't be that bad if it could sustain them. But from what I've read, it's dominated by black people (more than 50%). Last time I was here, it was suggested by a native I should avoid East Akron as the black folks are not friendly to anyone who's not black (obviously a generalization but worth noting nonetheless). I grew up in Central Los Angeles in a predominantly Latino section. Plenty of black people here as well. I've coexisted perfectly fine. Nobody has been hostile unless provoked. That said, if you go South, the crime rate's pretty bad. It doesn't matter what color skin you have. If you live in these neighborhoods, you will get fucked with. I know this because I used to repair TVs in those areas and I've heard a lot of anecdotal evidence that have just blown my mind. So I am aware such places exist.
Akron is also an option for me, which has been suggested to be the more culturally accepting city.
Then there's Buffalo, which seems to have more real estate potential, because it's in New York. Real estate in certain areas have doubled and tripled in the last decade, whereas Cleveland has seen very little spike in home value. I also read somewhere Buffalo was ranked third cleanest city, which is a testament to the type of residents who live there. Otherwise, I really don't know much. Again, if I do settle for Buffalo, I probably won't get my own parking garage, at least with the limited capital available at my disposal. Parking garages in the $50K range seem pretty rare in Buffalo, whereas in Cleveland, it seems to be a given. It's a luxury, but if it was up to me, I really don't wanna be sweeping snow off the car everytime, not to mention how nasty your car gets being parked in the open.
Thanks guys, really appreciate any feedback. I'm very serious about relocating. I'm tired of paying expensive rent in Los Angeles, and there's absolutely no way I'll be able to afford a decent place in the entire state of CA at the rate I'm going.
Edited by cinderblock (07/17/16 06:16 PM)
|
Burke Dennings
baby merchant

Registered: 11/29/04
Posts: 81,641
|
Re: Thinking of relocating to Cleveland or Buffalo [Re: cinderblock]
#23450703 - 07/17/16 06:17 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
There was a two day period in 2014 wherein Buffalo got 7 feet of snow. I don't know if you consider that a pro or a con.
|
tealeaf
Just Touch It



Registered: 09/21/06
Posts: 2,907
|
Re: Thinking of relocating to Cleveland or Buffalo [Re: Burke Dennings]
#23450714 - 07/17/16 06:24 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
I would check out Minneapolis waaaay before Cleveland or Buffalo. Been to Cleveland and couldn't ever imagine living there, seemed really dull to me.
|
cinderblock
Failed Conformist

Registered: 07/13/14
Posts: 866
Last seen: 1 year, 4 months
|
Re: Thinking of relocating to Cleveland or Buffalo [Re: Burke Dennings]
#23450724 - 07/17/16 06:27 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Burke Dennings said: There was a two day period in 2014 wherein Buffalo got 7 feet of snow. I don't know if you consider that a pro or a con.
When I was a kid growing up in LA and watching Home Alone for the dozenth time, I fantasized about snow and making snowmen and snow fights.
It's a shame then that my first time encountering snow was when I was in NY a couple years ago for a business trip, and I was late, and to make matters worse, my rental car was completely covered in snow, and I was like, "WTF? How do I get this off?" Fortunately there was a scraping tool in the trunk, and I figured it out, but I really didn't enjoy that.
As someone who's now in his 30s, I have no desire for extreme weather, so no, I don't really care for snow. I also have no desire for the sun, which is ironic because I live in the sunniest damn place in the world, where it might sprinkle a handful of times for like two hours and just dirty up your car.
If I had a choice, my perfect weather is 60 degrees F and foggy. If I see the sun, I get depressed. I know this runs contrary to scientific evidence, but it's strangely true for me. I absolutely detest the sun.
All that said, I don't know what "7 feet of snow" means. Does that mean roads are shutting down and electricity is getting fucked with, water pipes are freezing, etc? If so, that's a massive inconvenience.
|
Big Worm
Perf


Registered: 04/20/09
Posts: 7,642
Last seen: 3 years, 9 months
|
Re: Thinking of relocating to Cleveland or Buffalo [Re: Burke Dennings]
#23450729 - 07/17/16 06:29 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
I used to live in Buffalo.
It's alright depending on what you're into,(good for clubs, bar scene type) but upstate NY is terrible in general. You get a lot of lake effect snow, thruways shut down, people garage doors collapse in. Its not common but it happens.
IMO, move somewhere where there is more opportunity. Buffalo and upstate NY is ran down, old factories, high taxes.
I would never move back to NY unless it wss near the adirondacks or Ithica area.
|
cinderblock
Failed Conformist

Registered: 07/13/14
Posts: 866
Last seen: 1 year, 4 months
|
Re: Thinking of relocating to Cleveland or Buffalo [Re: tealeaf]
#23450738 - 07/17/16 06:33 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
tealeaf said: I would check out Minneapolis waaaay before Cleveland or Buffalo. Been to Cleveland and couldn't ever imagine living there, seemed really dull to me.
Could you please be more specific? What made it "dull?" And how are the people there? Is it really as "ghetto" as people make it seem?
As for Minnie, as much as I'd love to go to a place like that, I don't have the money. I've done my research. The cheapest "major" cities are Cleveland/Akron and Buffalo. Any other cheap places are essentially the boondocks.
I can't get the same square footage and lot size in Minnie for $50K, not even close. It's not inconceivable for me to get a 1,000+ sq ft and 5,000 sq ft lot size with a garage for $50K in Cleveland. I would probably need twice that in Minnie for a similar setup.
If I had this opportunity ten years ago, I would've either gone to Portland, Boulder/Denver, or Seattle/Olympia. Those have always been my favorite places and at one point, they were very affordable at my price range. Not anymore. Population boom + word of mouth has now made them quite on par with home value in Los Angeles.
|
Burke Dennings
baby merchant

Registered: 11/29/04
Posts: 81,641
|
Re: Thinking of relocating to Cleveland or Buffalo [Re: cinderblock]
#23450739 - 07/17/16 06:34 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Buffalo gets "lake effect" snow, and extremely cold temps. Very harsh winters, possibly some of the worst in the contiguous US. I don't live there so I can't tell you much about it. I'm sure the infrastructure & buildings were created with the weather in mind, but blizzard conditions are always going to be an inconvenience.
I'm a foggy/cloudy weather person too. It's just more pleasant and comfortable than full-on, blaring sun.
|
cinderblock
Failed Conformist

Registered: 07/13/14
Posts: 866
Last seen: 1 year, 4 months
|
Re: Thinking of relocating to Cleveland or Buffalo [Re: Big Worm]
#23450768 - 07/17/16 06:45 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Big Worm said: I used to live in Buffalo.
It's alright depending on what you're into,(good for clubs, bar scene type) but upstate NY is terrible in general. You get a lot of lake effect snow, thruways shut down, people garage doors collapse in. Its not common but it happens.
IMO, move somewhere where there is more opportunity. Buffalo and upstate NY is ran down, old factories, high taxes.
I would never move back to NY unless it wss near the adirondacks or Ithica area.
Jesus, that sounds terrible.
I read Buffalo is immune from natural disasters. I guess they don't count snow storms that devastate the structural integrity of your home (new roofing could cost $30K+) and cause road blocks...
Alright, I guess I'm leaning toward Cleveland for the time being.
As for opportunity, I don't really care. Yes, everybody has warned me about the lack of jobs in these places, but I'm a bit of a drifter when it comes to jobs, anyway. I can't really focus on one thing. I get bored extremely quickly. I'm not looking for job security. I've been extremely fortunate in that I've never had a problem with employment. It really just comes down to motivation (a daily struggle). If anything, I get a lot of resistance when I inevitably quit.
What I really enjoy is writing and doing standup on the side, and I'm hoping I could monetize it in the future. But if it doesn't work out, I'll figure something out.
|
DustBunny


Registered: 08/20/14
Posts: 10,404
|
Re: Thinking of relocating to Cleveland or Buffalo [Re: cinderblock]
#23450784 - 07/17/16 06:50 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Like you said, there are many dangerous communities in many different cities, regardless of skin color. I imagine it wouldn't be much of an issue for you wherever you're going in Cleveland, and if so, I'm sure you'd have an idea when you first visit the area.
Are their any other reasons why Cleveland and Buffalo are the top two? $50,000 can go just as far or farther in St. Louis, Kansas City, Milwaukee and more. Minneapolis may be a little out of range, but right next door (10-15mi) is the cheaper St. Paul. I doubt that's the cheapest place around that immediate area either.
--------------------
|
cinderblock
Failed Conformist

Registered: 07/13/14
Posts: 866
Last seen: 1 year, 4 months
|
Re: Thinking of relocating to Cleveland or Buffalo [Re: Burke Dennings]
#23450809 - 07/17/16 06:58 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Burke Dennings said: Buffalo gets "lake effect" snow, and extremely cold temps. Very harsh winters, possibly some of the worst in the contiguous US. I don't live there so I can't tell you much about it. I'm sure the infrastructure & buildings were created with the weather in mind, but blizzard conditions are always going to be an inconvenience.
I'm a foggy/cloudy weather person too. It's just more pleasant and comfortable than full-on, blaring sun.
Everyone has a different tolerance for heat, and mine is pretty low. 75 F, I start getting sticky and feeling oppressed.
That said, I also don't like it when it's too cold. Below 50, and I start feeling the effects, so this "lake effect snow" that I just looked up sounds like a serious hinderance to the quality of life. I remember when I went to NY for a business meeting and everytime I stepped out, my nose instantly started running like a faucet. I've never experienced anything like that, and it really wasn't pleasant.
|
cinderblock
Failed Conformist

Registered: 07/13/14
Posts: 866
Last seen: 1 year, 4 months
|
Re: Thinking of relocating to Cleveland or Buffalo [Re: DustBunny]
#23450893 - 07/17/16 07:21 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
DustBunny said: Like you said, there are many dangerous communities in many different cities, regardless of skin color. I imagine it wouldn't be much of an issue for you wherever you're going in Cleveland, and if so, I'm sure you'd have an idea when you first visit the area.
Are their any other reasons why Cleveland and Buffalo are the top two? $50,000 can go just as far or farther in St. Louis, Kansas City, Milwaukee and more. Minneapolis may be a little out of range, but right next door (10-15mi) is the cheaper St. Paul. I doubt that's the cheapest place around that immediate area either.
Wow, thanks a lot. I had no idea about Kansas City, MO and Milwaukee. I just looked up some homes on Zillow and found some that seemed affordable enough at a glance. I'll have to do some more research.
I think St Louis is still out of my range. I set the max to $70K, and the search gave me a handful of listings... like two or three. Same with St. Paul.
I'm trying to get the most bang-for-the-buck property in a city with a relatively decent art scene (these are the people I tend to hang around, plus my own writing and standup appeals to this demo). In other words, I don't want to be in a farm town with just the general store and blue collar people. I need internet connection and some people I could relate to.
Cleveland and Buffalo seemed close enough to this. Sports teams are generally a good indicator of demographic and economic potential.
Do you have any other suggestions? I'll look more closely into Milwaukee and Kansas City and report back. BTW, which Kansas City were you talking about? Which is better? Thanks again.
Edited by cinderblock (07/17/16 07:23 PM)
|
DustBunny


Registered: 08/20/14
Posts: 10,404
|
Re: Thinking of relocating to Cleveland or Buffalo [Re: cinderblock]
#23450963 - 07/17/16 07:44 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
No problem 
Were you just looking at St. Louis as the city specifically, or St. Louis County? It's a suburb city, and many of them besides just "St. Louis" are right next to downtown. Then you have 10-20mi.+ out of the city/county, where houses and land get cheap. I'd check it out more before making a verdict about a decision this big, same with St. Paul and other suburbs around the Twin Cities. I'd guess most other cities in the Midwest would be comparable to Cleveland and my suggestions, honestly. I am partial to IL, MO, WI, MN, and MI personally, but the main point is that you probably have more options than you thought.
Kansas City, Missouri is what I meant and often considered the "better" city, but KC, KS is cheaper.
--------------------
|
cinderblock
Failed Conformist

Registered: 07/13/14
Posts: 866
Last seen: 1 year, 4 months
|
Re: Thinking of relocating to Cleveland or Buffalo [Re: DustBunny]
#23451006 - 07/17/16 07:57 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
DustBunny said: No problem 
Were you just looking at St. Louis as the city specifically, or St. Louis County? It's a suburb city, and many of them besides just "St. Louis" are right next to downtown. Then you have 10-20mi.+ out of the city/county, where houses and land get cheap. I'd check it out more before making a verdict about a decision this big, same with St. Paul and other suburbs around the Twin Cities. I'd guess most other cities in the Midwest would be comparable to Cleveland and my suggestions, honestly. I am partial to IL, MO, WI, MN, and MI personally, but the main point is that you probably have more options than you thought.
Kansas City, Missouri is what I meant and often considered the "better" city, but KC, KS is cheaper.
Well, as someone who doesn't know these areas at all, it's very difficult to get a gauge of what areas are worthwhile.
If anybody was coming to Los Angeles, I know all the areas extremely well. Most of the people who hate LA don't know the tricks to navigating around the city. I'm also relatively knowledgeable with San Diego, which is my favorite city but extremely expensive.
KC, KS seems more expensive than KC, MO from my research so far. The properties look a lot better and bigger in MO for the same price.
Do you know any cities around St Louis that are nice? I just looked up St Louis Place and St Louis Hills through the suggestion.
|
Lophosaurus
suruasohpol


Registered: 08/09/07
Posts: 8,744
Loc: CA
|
Re: Thinking of relocating to Cleveland or Buffalo [Re: DustBunny]
#23451023 - 07/17/16 08:02 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
The North East is a horrible place to live, at least for what I consider a good place to live. I lived in Michigan for 19 years and I would never move to anywhere where it snows. If I was going to move back to the East Coast my first choice would probably be Ashville, NC.
Between the Cleveland and Buffalo choices, Buffalo for sure. Ohio has to be one of the most boring and ugly places you could live in the US.
|
DustBunny


Registered: 08/20/14
Posts: 10,404
|
Re: Thinking of relocating to Cleveland or Buffalo [Re: cinderblock]
#23451139 - 07/17/16 08:37 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|

There are a few really nice suburbs, but they are the most expensive too. Most have some nice areas, though you probably won't want to live in East St. Louis (Its South Central). That map covers about 35 miles in width, FWIW. It doesn't list the little towns' and unincorporated communities' names, but those should still come up when searching the area.
--------------------
Edited by DustBunny (07/17/16 08:38 PM)
|
5150
phantom

Registered: 09/01/06
Posts: 5,437
Last seen: 4 years, 2 months
|
Re: Thinking of relocating to Cleveland or Buffalo [Re: DustBunny]
#23451331 - 07/17/16 09:54 PM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Isn't tennesse super cheap? Mississipi?kentucky?
-------------------- "the way of the warrior is the resolute acceptance of death" Miyamoto Musashi
|
tealeaf
Just Touch It



Registered: 09/21/06
Posts: 2,907
|
Re: Thinking of relocating to Cleveland or Buffalo [Re: 5150]
#23451963 - 07/18/16 06:47 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
I am partial to IL, MO, WI, MN, and MI
Me too. There are way cooler states imo, but in the Midwest those states are for sure keepers. Going on tour through Indiana and Ohio made me never want to ever live there, even people I talked to that grew up there hated how rundown and boring everything was........It's the "Rust Belt" so yeah. You can definitely have fun while visiting but living there would totally NOT be for me.
Im in Wisc and absolutely love it. Bought a house for $30,000, put $20,000 into it over a few years. People are laid back and friendly and price for living is pretty reasonable.
For me its all about the general personality of the people + viability for cool shit to do year-round.
|
tealeaf
Just Touch It



Registered: 09/21/06
Posts: 2,907
|
Re: Thinking of relocating to Cleveland or Buffalo [Re: tealeaf]
#23451966 - 07/18/16 06:49 AM (7 years, 6 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
I read Buffalo is immune from natural disasters.
Yah mon. Every winter I'm watching Buffalo on the news about their snow. I get a ton of snow but nothing like 7ft. Completely FUCK that! Talk about not being able to live for a month while that shit gets cleared out
|
SpinScratch
Distrusted Cultivator



Registered: 07/26/13
Posts: 826
Last seen: 30 days, 5 hours
|
Re: Thinking of relocating to Cleveland or Buffalo [Re: cinderblock]
#23732623 - 10/12/16 09:44 PM (7 years, 3 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
cinderblock said: Feel free to let me know how life is - pros and cons, weather, art scene (big deal for me, as I enjoy writing and doing standup... which is also the reason I scratched Utica off my list of possible destinations due to their lack of comedy clubs and nonexistent art scene), etc.
I'm considering purchasing property worth around $50K, and these two cities seem to have the most potential in my price range. Buffalo however costs a little more, so Buffalo would have to be the decisively better option for me to settle for less space.
A little bit about Utica... There is a bit of an art scene due to The Munson Williams art museum. And the art school they run. Theres plenty of art students running around. Beyond that not much. Closest comedy club is probably 45 mins away at Destiny USA in syracuse, which is maybe the second biggest mall in the US. There may be more comedy clubs in syracuse also, as well as a more vibrant art scene.
Homes there are dirt cheap and for 50Gs you can get a decent home. There are plenty of decent 2 family homes in that price range and you can rent one apartment out and it will pay all your bills... live for free.
If you are moving from LA the first thing you will notice is that the sun does not shine and life comes to a stop between december and march due to the weather. Unless u like to snowboard or ski. It is very depressing. Buffalo is MUCH worst with snow. Most upstate cities are depressing in general but the countryside is amazing.
Most of Buffalo and Utica are very ghetto... chock full of loud ingnorant, uneducated, uncultured, illiterate, mouth breathing creatures.
I dont know what u do for a living but good luck finding a job in Utica... haha but its cheap living thats for sure. If u can make a good living, youve got it made.
Any questions u have about it just PM me.
Edit: to further sum up utica and other upstate cities in short: Refugee centers, Nursing Homes, Shoveling Snow, Pizza parlors, Depression, Drug rehabs, Homeless Shelters, Psychiatric centers, Food Pantrys, Corner stores, Heroin, Poverty, and dreams of a better life one day.
Edited by SpinScratch (10/12/16 10:18 PM)
|
doomshroom88
psychonaut

Registered: 03/21/10
Posts: 50
Last seen: 6 years, 10 months
|
Re: Thinking of relocating to Cleveland or Buffalo [Re: SpinScratch]
#23732657 - 10/12/16 09:56 PM (7 years, 3 months ago) |
|
|
winter and buffalo is brutal... youve been warned
|
Repertoire89
Cat



Registered: 11/15/12
Posts: 21,773
|
Re: Thinking of relocating to Cleveland or Buffalo [Re: cinderblock]
#23732994 - 10/13/16 01:16 AM (7 years, 3 months ago) |
|
|
Louisville Kentucky
Cheap and it has an art scene, its also well situated for short travels to other major cities
|
|