Don’t listen to the naysayers, Lorain, Ohio is not closed. Nor is it named after quiche. It just kinda looks like it, with all the boarded up houses and businesses - closed, that is - quiche looks more brunchy. Residents blame the downturn in the city’s fortunes on the closing of the Ford plant. Even though that happened back in 2005, they say it caused a domino effect. First, Ford suppliers went belly up and then, natch, all the businesses that catered to Ford employees. Lorain is recovering, it’s just not rushing into it.
Thirty miles west of Cleveland, this little rust-belt city sits squarely on Lake Erie – well, it’s northern border does anyway
Don’t listen to the naysayers, Lorain, Ohio is not closed. Nor is it named after quiche. It just kinda looks like it, with all the boarded up houses and businesses - closed, that is - quiche looks more brunchy. Residents blame the downturn in the city’s fortunes on the closing of the Ford plant. Even though that happened back in 2005, they say it caused a domino effect. First, Ford suppliers went belly up and then, natch, all the businesses that catered to Ford employees. Lorain is recovering, it’s just not rushing into it.
Thirty miles west of Cleveland, this little rust-belt city sits squarely on Lake Erie – well, it’s northern border does anyway. It is not – I repeat – NOT a suburb of Cleveland. It’s a city, with 64,000 Loranians to prove it. It’s not a big city by any stretch, it only takes up 24 square miles of Ohio real estate, but it’s a city in its own right. Since you’re moving here, let’s get you oriented.
With rents this cheap, you'll have enough left over for champagne (in Lorain)
While it isn’t a huge city with tons of choices, Lorain does offer townhouses, condos, and apartments sprinkled throughout. Rents are pretty cheap – between $425 to about $600 per month. Many allow pets, but plan on paying a non-refundable pet deposit and extra “pet rent” every month. Security deposits are downright affordable and some of the larger complexes offer move-in specials.
Lorain Neighborhoods
Local Loranians recommend the east side of town, across the bridge, or way out west and the southwest. Stay away from East 29th and far, far away from Globe Avenue. Central Lorain, around 17th and Reid is sketchy, but the area around Lakeview Park is cool.
Central Lorain
Downtown Lo-town is a cute little area with lots of old buildings. Scattered throughout you’ll find apartments above businesses. The only problem with living downtown is that, unlike other cities this size, there’s not a lot to do.
West Side
West Side Lorain has lots of newish townhouses. Check out the Hawthorne Avenue area, west of downtown – it’s one of the nice neighborhoods in the city, and located near the lake. You may also want to check out the way west area: south of Meister and west of Leavitt.
South Side
The south side is where you’ll find a lot of duplexes. These are relatively inexpensive and some have yards for the pooch. The best part of south Lorain is near E. 28th St.
East Side
Go across the bridge to get to the nicer parts of east Lorain. Here you’ll find neighborhoods convenient to the downtown area.
Your Lorain Neighbors
The 2011 unemployment rate for Lorain, Ohio sits at 7 percent, which isn’t too bad compared to other U.S. cities. So, your new neighbors will most likely be employed, but they’ll make less than other Ohioans. That’s probably because the chances are real good they never went to college. Graduates are in a substantial minority in Lorain.
This is a good city for the guys: there are far more women than men here. And, chances are, some of them are named Lorraine. For the stereotypical guy, one less important thing to remember. The median age in Lorain is 34, which is younger than the rest of Ohio, and almost half the folks are married.
If you’re a Republican I better warn you that living in Lorain will feel a bit like living on another planet: there are eight times as many Democrats as Republicans. Advice? Just like anywhere. Keep your political views well hidden when hanging out at the local bar with some of your steel-mill buds. Focus on the Cavs, Browns, and the Indians. Just don't root for LeBron.
Don’t Park There, or There
The city of Lorain takes winter safety quite seriously, and they designate certain streets as “snow emergency routes.” You’ll need to get to know which streets these are so you avoid parking illegally on them when there’s 2 inches of snow expected.
Is it Dangerous?
Although Lorain’s crime rates have declined over the past three years, the overall rate remains high for a city of its size. Most crimes occur in the central part of the city, but, as in most cities, large or small, crime can happen anywhere. Yes, a little more so in Lorain than in Bel Air, just use your brain while meandering around... well, you know.
