Originally Posted by
jamesteroh
I like Cleveland but think the downtown has gone downhill. They do have a casino that I like in the Old Higgby building (I loved the old wood escalators in the building) but the last time I was there the flats basically went bust, I use to love shopping downtown when Higgby's and the May Company had big stores. Also miss the Grid (both the newer one and the old one beside where the Flex use to be).
I was really disappointed to learn that in 2014 CLAW will no longer be downtown and will be by the Sheraton.
It was Higbee's. A lot Cleveland's downtown was old warehouses, especially in the flats. I moved there at the end of the Flats decline, the party scene was bananas. However, like in many cities, that party area, has no become homes. I met a lot of kids whos parents bought condos down there because they partied hard down there.
When I first moved there people would tell me about the warehouse district and how it was bars, bath houses and book stores, now those have been replaced with condos and apartments.
Columbus is boring, bland, republican and depressing. I did a stint at Ohio State as well. It's just like these sun belt cities that all look similar. Cleveland has a soul.
Cincinnatti, AKA Cinca-tucky. Racist, and homophobic, they would have us open arms.
Cleveland like the cities I mentioned is similar in ethnic makeup and aold school grit. Cleveland to Ohio, is like NYC to New York. Philadelphia to PA. I found the city and people very progressive. Food and culture top notch. The museums kick ...! Good theatre, nation and regional. Spring, Summer and the beginning of fall is beautiful. Great parks and I love exploring all the architecture and ethnic neighborhoods like I would at home in NY.
The people have a east coast feel but a laid back Chicago attitude. Especially the people on the Eastside. Downtown reminds me of a combination of the loop and Center City Philly, but laid out like Downtown Brooklyn. I think this was a great spot to showcase the real america, and how the LGBT community lives in a city not NY, LA or SF.
CLAW 2014 There is no Sheraton in Cleveland, except the airport. But from what I understand it will be at the Wyndham which is in the heart of the Playhouse Square.