Clifton Suites: $825 for 411 Square Feet, With Shared Laundry

30-Second Take

Clifton Suites is a small, older one-bedroom apartment at $825 per month for 411 square feet. That works out to about $2.01 per square foot, before any required fees. The unit is available now, and the property advertises a reduced security deposit plus up to $350 off the first month if you apply quickly after viewing. The trade-off is blunt: shared laundry, no listed parking, no pets, and an original-condition unit.

The advertised $725 figure attached to this review does not match the current one-bedroom listing. Zillow shows the 411-square-foot Unit E314 at $825 base rent, while the cheapest available unit is a 184-square-foot studio at $695.

Property Details

Address: 11118 Clifton Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44102
Property: Clifton Suites
Unit: E314
Rent: $825 per month, before required fees and charges
Layout: 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Size: 411 square feet
Availability: Now
Laundry: Shared laundry
Parking: None listed
Pets: Not pet-friendly
Condition: Original

The listing shows eight photos and marks the property as verified. It does not provide a days-on-market figure, so there is no reliable way to tell if the landlord is struggling to fill this unit or simply keeping the listing current. No price-drop history appears in the supplied listing either.

The building advertises studios through two-bedroom apartments. Current listed prices start at $695 for a studio, $825 for this one-bedroom, and $969 for a two-bedroom. The property is on Clifton Boulevard in the 44102 ZIP code, but the listing does not give a walkability score, transit distance, highway access, school assignment, or parking arrangement. Those details need to be confirmed before applying.

The advertised specials are unusually time-sensitive. According to the Zillow listing, applying within 24 hours of viewing can bring $250 off the first month's rent, while a separate look-and-lease promotion offers another $100 off for applying within 24 hours of the showing. The reduced security deposit is advertised at $199. Ask the leasing office whether these offers can be combined and what fees remain due at move-in.

Where It Wins

The main appeal is simple: an available-now one-bedroom under $850 in Cleveland. At 411 square feet, this is compact, but it gives a solo renter a separate bedroom rather than a studio layout. The current move-in promotions could also lower the first month's cash requirement, especially if the $199 deposit offer applies to this specific unit.

• ✅ Available now, which matters if your lease is ending soon.
• ✅ Separate bedroom at $825 base rent.
• ✅ Up to $350 in advertised first-month discounts, subject to timing and eligibility.
• ✅ Reduced security deposit advertised at $199.
• ✅ Clifton Boulevard location with access to Cleveland's west-side neighborhoods.

The surprise is the promotion structure, not the apartment itself. The listing puts more emphasis on fast application timing than on upgrades, suggesting the landlord is using discounts to create urgency. That can help your upfront budget, but it is not evidence that the ongoing rent is unusually low.

Where It Falls Short

411 square feet is tight for a one-bedroom. You will need to measure the bedroom, confirm closet space, and decide where a desk, dining table, and full-size sofa would go. The listing describes the condition as original, so do not assume renovated cabinets, newer appliances, updated flooring, or modern bathroom finishes.

• ❌ Shared laundry instead of in-unit machines.
• ❌ No parking is listed, a problem if you drive daily or own more than one vehicle.
• ❌ Pets are not allowed.
• ❌ Base rent excludes required fees and charges.
• ❌ No supplied information on utilities, application fees, amenity fees, or total move-in cost.
• ❌ No days-on-market or price-history data to show how negotiable the rent might be.

Compared with a nearby studio at $695, this one-bedroom costs $130 more but provides 227 additional square feet and a separate sleeping area. Compared with the building's $969 two-bedroom, the one-bedroom saves $144 monthly, but the two-bedroom may offer better value for roommates if the extra space is usable. The listing does not provide enough detail to compare finishes or layouts fairly.

The biggest practical risk is the missing fee schedule. A $825 base rent can look affordable until utilities, trash, renter requirements, parking alternatives, application charges, and recurring building fees are added. Get the full monthly ledger in writing before paying an application fee.

Best Fit

Best for one person earning enough to keep total housing costs manageable, working near Clifton Boulevard, and willing to live without a pet or private parking. It also suits a renter who values immediate availability and can attend a showing, apply within 24 hours, and verify the promotional terms on the spot.

Skip it if you work from home and need a real office, own a car without a dependable parking plan, have a dog or cat, or expect renovated finishes. A couple could fit physically, but 411 square feet will feel restrictive quickly unless both people own very little and spend much of their time outside the apartment.

Before signing, ask five questions: What is the exact monthly total after fees? Which utilities are tenant-paid? Is parking available nearby or through the building? What appliances and finishes are in Unit E314? Can the $199 deposit and first-month discounts be combined?

Final Verdict

Choose this if you are a solo renter with an under-$900 base-rent budget, no pet, and a short commute to Cleveland's west side, and you can live with 411 square feet plus shared laundry. Skip this if you need parking, work from home, or want updated finishes; the promotions may reduce move-in costs, but they do not fix the apartment's limited space or missing fee details.