A Travel Nurse's Guide to Cleveland Neighborhoods: Commutes to Cleveland Clinic, UH, and MetroHealth

You've signed a contract in Cleveland, Ohio. Your start date is set, orientation is on the calendar, and now you need somewhere to live for the next 13 weeks (or longer, if it gets extended). You want a real bed, a kitchen for meal prep, a washer for scrubs, and a commute that doesn't eat into your sleep.

We host travel nurses, residents, techs, and other medical staff on contract in our furnished homes, and the same questions come up every time. This guide walks through Cleveland's three big hospital systems, which neighborhoods fit each one, what to check before you sign for contract housing, and how extensions work when you book with us.

Starting a contract soon? Send your dates through the inquiry form on our monthly stays page, and tell us which hospital you're working at.

The three big systems, and where they are

Cleveland Clinic and UH are both on the east side, along Euclid Avenue, with UH farther east in University Circle. MetroHealth is on the west side, south of Ohio City. If you're working at one of these campuses, that single fact narrows your neighborhood choice a lot.

Many systems also have hospitals and clinics around the suburbs. If your assignment is at a regional site rather than a main campus, check its address before you choose where to stay.

Matching neighborhood to hospital

All drive times are approximate and depend on traffic, weather, and shift time. Check your route at the hour you'll actually be driving, including a night-shift return.

Cleveland Clinic: Larchmere or the 4-bedroom

For Clinic contracts, most nurses drive. The Larchmere house is a quiet residential base about 10–15 minutes by car from main campus (approximate, about 3–4 miles). It has three bedrooms upstairs, two full baths, free on-site parking, and a fenced yard, which is great if you travel with a dog.

The 4-bedroom near the Clinic is described in its listing as steps from main campus. It sleeps eight across four queen bedrooms and two baths, on the second and third floors, with a long driveway and dedicated guest parking. It's best for a group traveling together.

From Little Italy, the Clinic is about 2 miles west (approximate). It's not a practical walk before a 7 a.m. shift. The HealthLine runs along Euclid Avenue around the clock, per RTA and Cleveland Clinic, or you can drive. Check employee parking with your unit before you assume you'll drive in.

University Hospitals: Little Italy

For UH contracts, Little Italy is hard to beat. UH and Case Western are about a five-minute walk from our homes there, so you may rarely need your car, or may not need to bring one. The Red Line station nearby goes downtown and to the airport. See staying near University Hospitals and our Little Italy guide.

Two of our four Little Italy apartments are on the first floor; the other two are about 15 steps up.

MetroHealth: Ohio City

For MetroHealth contracts, Ohio City is the natural fit. It's on the west side, closer to MetroHealth's main campus, and all five of our homes there list free on-site parking. You're also close to downtown, the West Side Market, and plenty of places to eat on your days off. See our Ohio City visitor guide.

The spacious 2-bedroom with free parking is a good example: two bedrooms, an in-unit washer and dryer, self check-in, and parking near West Side Market. The second bedroom works as an office, a room for a visiting partner, or a place to sleep during the day while someone else is up. It's upstairs, so plan for stairs on move-in day.

What to check in contract housing

Use this list with any place you're considering, whether through your agency, a corporate housing company, or directly with a local host like us.

• Commute at your shift time. A 15-minute drive at noon can look different at 6:30 a.m. or 7:30 p.m.
• Parking. Is it on-site, a driveway, or the street? Is it guaranteed? In winter, this matters a lot.
• Laundry. Scrubs every shift add up. At our homes, every unit has an in-unit washer and dryer.
• Kitchen. Meal prep is how most nurses stay sane on a contract. Every one of our homes has a full kitchen.
• Sleep. If you're on nights, ask about the bedroom layout and street noise.
• Utilities. Are electricity, heat, water, and internet included? At our homes, on monthly stays, they are. No separate utility bill.
• Linens and cleaning. We provide bedding and towels at arrival. We don't do scheduled mid-stay cleaning or linen changes; you can message us for a refresh.
• Pets. Pets are welcome at our homes, and any pet fee shows before you pay. Fees and limits vary by home.
• Total price. Ask for the full total for every night, including fees and taxes. With us, it all shows before you pay.
• Cancellation terms. Contracts get canceled. Read the terms before you confirm. With us, they depend on the home and dates and show before you book.
• Extensions. Can you stay if your contract is extended? Ask before you sign.

For the full checklist, see what's included in a monthly rental.

Agency housing vs booking directly

Some agencies place you in housing; others give you a housing stipend and let you find your own. Both can work. If you're finding your own, booking directly with a local host has a few practical advantages:

• You talk to the people who manage the home. When you book on our site, your booking details include a messaging link, and a small local team answers.
• Extensions are a conversation, not a new search. If your contract is extended and the home is free, we'll extend your stay. If it isn't, we'll check our other homes.
• You see the real home. Every listing on our site shows photos, amenities, and details like stairs and parking, so you know what to expect before move-in day.

If your agency or employer is booking for you, the inquiry form on our monthly stays page has a company field. Tell us who's staying, the dates, and what your company needs, and we'll reply with what we can offer.

Extensions, next contracts, and colleagues

Contract life is unpredictable. Here's how we handle the common changes:

• Contract extended: tell us as early as you can. If the dates are open, we'll lock them in.
• Contract ends early: cancellation terms depend on your booking, and they show before you confirm. Message us as soon as you know.
• Coming back for another contract: book on our site again, or message us with your new dates. You'll already know the homes and the commute.
• A colleague needs housing: send them to our monthly stays page or all our homes. Word of mouth means a lot to a small local team like ours.

Living in Cleveland on a contract

A few things that make a 13-week stay better:

• Winter is real. Lake-effect snow can come fast. Pack boots with tread and an ice scraper. When snow is expected, we clear driveways, walks, and steps ahead of guest arrivals. See our winter visitor guide.
• Days off are worth planning. The West Side Market, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance, and the restaurants in Little Italy and Ohio City are all close to our homes.
• Self check-in fits odd hours. Our homes use a smart lock. Check-in is at 3 p.m. and checkout is at 11 a.m. If you're arriving off a late flight, you won't need to meet anyone.

Frequently asked questions

What's the best neighborhood for a Cleveland Clinic contract?

If you'll drive, Larchmere (about 10–15 minutes by car, approximate) or the 4-bedroom described as steps from main campus. Ohio City works too, at about 20–30 minutes on a weekday morning (approximate).

What's the best neighborhood for a UH contract?

Little Italy. UH is about a five-minute walk from our homes there.

What's the best neighborhood for MetroHealth?

Ohio City, on the west side, with free on-site parking at all five of our homes.

Do you offer 13-week stays?

Yes, at many of our homes. Minimum stays vary by home and date, so check the calendar, or send your contract dates through our monthly stays page.

Are utilities included?

On monthly stays, electricity, heat, water, and internet are included. There's no separate utility bill.

Is smoking allowed?

No. Smoking isn't allowed at any of our homes.

Ready to line up contract housing? Start with monthly furnished stays in Cleveland, or compare all our furnished homes.