Cleve Royale sits right on the Cleveland Avenue CMAX line, Columbus's bus rapid transit that runs from Downtown up through North Linden, so you can get to work, class, and shopping without owning a car.
Looking for affordable apartments near a bus line in Columbus? You want a place where getting to your job and around the city does not depend on a car. Cleve Royale is built for exactly that. We are at 3607 Cleveland Avenue in Northeast Columbus, ZIP 43224, sitting right on the Cleveland Avenue CMAX corridor. That means fast, cheap bus trips downtown, to campus, and to work. Our rents are some of the lowest on the block too, with studios from $800 and 1-beds from $850 a month. You keep more of your paycheck on both rent and car costs.
What Is CMAX?
CMAX is Columbus's bus rapid transit, and it runs the length of Cleveland Avenue, right past our door. It carries riders from Downtown up through North Linden and the Northland area and on toward Westerville. Being rapid transit means the buses show up frequently and keep moving quicker than an ordinary local route, so it is a reliable way to plan your day. COTA, the city's transit agency, operates the line. Before your first trip, look over the routes, maps, and current times on the COTA website.
Where the Bus Takes You
The Cleveland Avenue line puts a lot of everyday destinations within reach. It runs downtown toward the Statehouse and the jobs and offices clustered there. It also gets you toward Columbus State Community College when you have class. Along the way it ties into the Linden and Northland transit centers, where you can hop onto other routes. From those points you can head toward Easton for shopping and work shifts.
Transit centers really earn their keep when your errand is somewhere the main line does not go directly. At the Linden and Northland hubs, a handful of routes gather in one place, so you step off one bus and catch the next after a brief wait. That opens up jobs, grocery runs, clinics, and visits to family across town. With the line running right in front of Cleve Royale, most of Columbus becomes reachable from home.
Why Going Car-Free Keeps More in Your Pocket
The gas pump is only a slice of what a car costs. Add up the monthly payment, the insurance, the repairs, and parking, and it grows fast. Living right on the bus line lets you set most of that aside. Whatever you save can shift toward rent, groceries, or a little cushion in savings. If your budget is tight, dropping the car is one of the simplest moves for holding onto more of your income each month.
Cars also have a habit of springing surprise bills that wreck a monthly plan. A blown tire, a battery that quits, or a repair estimate can land all at once and never at a convenient time. Lean on the bus instead and your travel cost stays flat and easy to budget for. When you are counting every dollar, that kind of predictability is worth a lot.
Cutting a car payment, insurance, and gas out of your budget can free up hundreds of dollars a month for many households, money you can steer toward rent or savings instead.
The Apartment Itself
Skipping the car should not mean settling for less at home. Our studios and 1-beds are renovated and easy on the budget. Every unit includes a refrigerator, an oven, A/C, and comes cable-ready. Trash and a shared on-site laundry room are part of the deal, so there is no drive to a laundromat. Take a look at our current floor plans and pricing to find the layout that fits you and your budget.
New to the Bus? How to Ride
Never taken the bus in Columbus? It is more straightforward than it seems. Our guide to getting around Columbus without a car walks you through planning a trip, paying the fare, and making connections. And if you want to live close to one of the area's largest job and shopping destinations, read our post on apartments near Easton Town Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the ride downtown?
The trip downtown on the Cleveland Avenue CMAX line is designed to move quickly, since rapid transit buses run often and travel faster than a regular route. Your actual time will shift with traffic and time of day, so pull up the latest schedule on the COTA website to map out your own ride and arrival.
Is there a bus toward Easton?
Yes, Easton is reachable by bus. The Cleveland Avenue CMAX line links to transit centers where you can transfer to routes running toward the Easton area. That gives car-free renters a genuine path to jobs and shopping there. Check COTA for the current routes and transfers that match your trip.
Ready to live right on the line and drop the car costs? Cleve Royale Apartments, 3607 Cleveland Avenue, Columbus, OH 43224. Reach our leasing office with any questions, or start your rental application today. Live on the line, see availability.
