Portage Lakes and surrounding areas? (Columbus, Cleveland: cul-de-sac, real estate, house)

[SocialTatts]

I am thinking of moving out to that area. Are the winters simply unbearable? Are you trapped inside the house all winter? Is the construction trade at a complete hault do to weather? As you can tell my worries are about the winters. I am from Arizona and it has changed so much here that I want to change my scene and move by lakes and water. I also have some family there but of coarse they will tell me it is awesome there to get me to move back there. Any input is welcome. Thank you!

[xwideopenskyx]

Originally Posted by SocialTatts

I am thinking of moving out to that area. Are the winters simply unbearable? Are you trapped inside the house all winter? Is the construction trade at a complete hault do to weather? As you can tell my worries are about the winters. I am from Arizona and it has changed so much here that I want to change my scene and move by lakes and water. I also have some family there but of coarse they will tell me it is awesome there to get me to move back there. Any input is welcome. Thank you!

I also read your posts on the Tucson forum. What can I say, change happens everywhere. Sorry to hear that you don't feel like you belong in Tucson anymore. Aside from people (with money) who retire to AZ, many others relocate (without money) for the weather and better job opportunities. I lived in the Cleveland area and comparing the stats on crime, economy, job growth etc. Tucson sure comes out as a winner. In the Cleveland-Akron area I could only afford a house in undesirable areas in the city, out here I was able to buy a house on acreage on the outskirts of Tucson and found a better job in only 6 weeks. That's a way better deal IMO. Portage lakes area is decent as compared to Cleveland but not as compared to Tucson. Weather wise, there is a lot of precipitation (snow, rain, drizzle) a lot of cloudy days and gray is the primary color. You make tons of outdoor plans just to have them washed out. It can get depressing after a while for some. You may enjoy the change. I sure am enjoying the sunshine in Tucson! Good luck to you and if you wish, keep us posted on the job outlook in the Portage Lakes area.

[PaulDib]

First of all, let me just say that the Summer/Fall on Portage Lakes cannot be beat. It is the most beautiful area. All kinds of fishing and boating going on. There are a few restaurants and bars on the lake, just enough to make it feel like a cozy neighborhood bar - because that's what they are. You can't drink on Portage Lakes, but that's for the best. Lots of families and kids and you don't want anyone getting hurt. The cops won't mess with you if you aren't an idiot though.

Now for the winters. I'm not a winter person myself, so I really just keep my head down and try to get through it. That being said, there are things to do on the lake in the winter. Last winter, my dad and I took 4-wheelers out on the ice (along with about 20 others doing it as well) and bombed all around for an entire Saturday. That was a blast. Snow-mobiles, ice fishing, ice skating, etc. It's all in your attitude I guess. Before you know it, spring is there and all the birds come back. People are really friendly and not uppity at all. I don't know about the school system (Coventry), or the taxes. My parents have a house on the lake and they are kind of pre-retired. They love it. Great lifestyle. Good luck in your decision!

[htlong]

i wouldnt worry about the lakes but the sun is unpredictable ,i was up there last week and they had the first snow and it was nice to re-experience the snow but i wouldnt want it daily. last year it was cold but the previous years it has been mild, about every 5 years the ice box comes through.
as far as constuction while i was there goodyear agreed to build its new company headquarters which will give work to many for the next few years.

[pasharon]

a friend of mine used to work in coventry plaza at olan mills.

[Robhu]

The Portage Lakes area provides year round activities if you are an outdoor type. I have lived around Akron all my life (60 yrs) and that is close to Portage Lakes. Some years we have some pretty good snows and some years we wonder if we will even have a white Christmas. It varies. The northeast counties, east of Cleveland, get the most snow due to lake effect off of Lake Erie. Sometimes we get some of that too. But nothing like east of Cleveland. Are the winters unbearable? You can have a tendency to get cabin fever but you aren't going to be snowed in all winter. There can be cold spells that last for awhile but it's nothing like the Dakota's or Minnesota. As far as construction it is kind of seasonal unless you do indoor carpentry, etc. I did see a house built last year during the winter but the foundation was down before the the temps got low. There isn't much cement, asphalt type of work that goes on during the winter. There will be days that you have to clean the snow or ice off your vehicles windows if you don't park them in a garage. Once in awhile we can get some deep snows. I'm talking 12 inches or more. But that is an exception and not the normal. The road crews do a fairly good job of keeping the roads in pretty good shape.
All considered it would be a climate change for anyone coming here from Arizona. We have lower temps but more humidity during the summer. Some winters are cold and snowy but nothing you can't survive. Some are kinda wimpy as far as snow and cold. You might have one bad winter and 3 or 4 that didn't amount to much. There is no cookie cutter pattern as far as winters go.
The population in general is friendly and will hold a door open for you if you are going in or out of a place of business behind them. Like any place in the world it has its pros and cons. But in my opinion the pros outweigh the cons.
It isn't a bad place to live. There are some really nice areas to raise a family in.
Obviously, I am not one of your relatives. I have no reason to entice you into relocating here. I'm just trying to let you know about the area.

[Donna7]

I agree with what the previous posters have mentioned; one thing that is important to know is that besides the winter, snow, ice, temps, there are pervasive gray skies most of the late Fall and Winter season, sometimes a bit into Spring. Spring has also brought a few snow storms our way, usually one for sure. I don't know if you are one that craves sunlight or not, but coming from AZ, the lack of sunlight for an extended period of time might be an issue. I think it is best to come here January through February and see what you think. Many people are fine with the winters here, some aren't. I think it is different for each person. Best wishes to you.:0

[dmsd212]

have lived in Manchester, part of the Portage Lakes, most of my life...i feel it is Gods Country....we have 4 seasons and i wouldn't trade it for anything....we are close to Akron, Cleveland, Columbus and our weather is not that bad...we have snow plows so the roads are always clear unless there is a blizzard....which i can only remember 1 in the last 50years...lol...like i said you will love it here...summertime we have lots going on at the lakes and we have the BEST school system....aka if you need a home we are selling a nice ranch on a cul-de-sac....must move to smaller home for health reasons....best of luck and if you're looking to buy contact me...

[Traveler87]

The change of seasons in the best IMO.

[Mrs. P]

Originally Posted by PaulDib

First of all, let me just say that the Summer/Fall on Portage Lakes cannot be beat. It is the most beautiful area. All kinds of fishing and boating going on. There are a few restaurants and bars on the lake, just enough to make it feel like a cozy neighborhood bar - because that's what they are. You can't drink on Portage Lakes, but that's for the best. Lots of families and kids and you don't want anyone getting hurt. The cops won't mess with you if you aren't an idiot though.

Now for the winters. I'm not a winter person myself, so I really just keep my head down and try to get through it. That being said, there are things to do on the lake in the winter. Last winter, my dad and I took 4-wheelers out on the ice (along with about 20 others doing it as well) and bombed all around for an entire Saturday. That was a blast. Snow-mobiles, ice fishing, ice skating, etc. It's all in your attitude I guess. Before you know it, spring is there and all the birds come back. People are really friendly and not uppity at all. I don't know about the school system (Coventry), or the taxes. My parents have a house on the lake and they are kind of pre-retired. They love it. Great lifestyle. Good luck in your decision!

Not to mention Howie's and Sunday Football. I miss the Lakes horribly, I miss Ohio horribly, I do not miss winter.

I keep see sawing back and forth about moving home. Housing is so incredibly cheap right now....but taxes are still too high ESPECIALLY in the Lakes. Utilities high too.

BUT....I'm sick of the Southern culture, I'm sick of horrible food, no parks, nothing is green, lakes (especially REAL ones) are rare, so I keep going back and forth.

If I do move back, it will be to the Lakes no question. I suppose if I knew I could find a job (and I know that isn't probably likely) I would go back.

So for now, I try to deal with great weather, sun sun sun, new housing that is much cheaper than Ohio's, no heating bills except maybe January, cheap electric even though I have to run my air a good 5 months a year, 480.00 a year real estate taxes (yup you read that right our schools are not funded with real estate taxes)

Each place has it's points good and bad.

But for the original poster, moving from AZ to NE OHIO in the snow belt? I'd say that's going to be a bit much. It's a great place to grow up, to sled ride, to ice skate, to ice fish, to go out on the lakes with 4 wheelers and snow mobiles, it's just great...especially when you're younger....what's bad is when you get a little older and have to get up and deal with snowstorms, ice on windshields every freaking day. If winter was only truly 3 months in NE Ohio, it would be easier, but you know and I know winter in NE Ohio is a good 5 months. October (it always snows on Halloween) November December January February March, and even sometimes April...