Akron Ohio (Cleveland, Canton, Fairlawn: ski resorts, home, unemployment rate)

[DVancenza]

I have spent 22 years in Akron Ohio and given all that I have seen, this is a very unfriendly town and a very over priced city to live in. The cost of living here is so out of control! Utilities companies are reaping us off and there is nothing we can do.

The sad job that Akron police department does is pathetic. Child welfare is pitiful. And the school system turns out some of the dumbest people I have
ever seen and heard try to speak correct English. It is not to say that all
students fail but there are far too many people in this town who will have a very hard time making a living because they can read nor carry on a decent conversation..etc.! And I suppose there are dysfunctional families throughout this country but there are just too many in this town given its population.
I keep hearing from many people that say, if it is not a problem in my life, then it is not my concern!

Sure there are some nice and caring people and like many cities, it does have its positive points, but, generally it is so far out of touch with its citizens and their needs it is shameful. I suppose if you have made a decent living and belong to a friendly clique, you are one of the lucky citizens. However, my viewpoint is based upon what I have seen happen all around me..ie taxes going out of control, stores leaving and their replacements reaping off their buyers on a weekly bases. I could go on but the bottom line is that, every city has its down side, but this city is pathetic when it comes to human compassion and kindness. Sadly, if you are disabled and elderly do not
expect much from this area and do watch your back for sure!

Finally, I am not by myself with what I have expressed, I have heard complaints from many people so it is not just me who knows what is not happening for the citizens of this area! As one of the many elderly and disabled citizens, I have tried to get away but it just may not be possible at this point, but I can only pray that death will be my salvation!

[paintballer1708]

Im sorry that you feel this way, and dont wish death as the only way out. If you need information on other parts of the country to look into moving to, please feel free to ask and i will do my best to help you. Now about Akron. I stick up for cities that do their best to make comebacks, and Akron has made a huge one. Ohio has very low taxes, yes they are raising, but this is happening nationwide. Akron is not near as expensive to live in as many other parts of the nation. I left Pennsylvania and headed for Ohio because the taxes there are some 4 times higher. When i go back home i see people always complaining about the problem. Pennsylvania's as well as the rest of the nation is going to be experiencing this problem.

Akron is a great city to live in. I realize based on your opinion you dont think so, and that is perfectly fine and normal. I hated Pittsburgh when i lived there, but now i have gained respect for my home city because Pittsburgh has tackled a lot of issues and made some huge comebacks just like Akron. Akron has an unemployment rate around 4.5%, just under the national average. Akron is seeing a population growth in its metro area, and soon the city is expected to start growing with all the new housing being built. Its a great area to live in, and i know many people that have moved there for cheaper living from Buffalo and Rochester, New York. Akron has a better economy than these two cities as well. It has a lower cost of living and a better economy. The suburbs of Akron are great and booming, the Cuyahoga Nat'l Park is nearby, and you can go to the ski resorts in Geauga and Portage Counties. Akron is a great area to live in, development is booming in the downtown, new jobs are coming with the high tech field expanding rapidly throughout NE Ohio. Im sorry you dont like it there, but you need to realize Akron is not facing problems near as bad right now as other parts of the nation are.

[htlong]

dvanca,
what part of akron did you live in?
i visit several times a year and i enjoy the people, they are quite pleasant .
but i will say my grandson asked me once....pa pa why do you talk to everbody!!!!
i seem to get back what i deal out...and sometimes some really strange looks too!

[Triscuit]

I'm considering making the move to Akron - and I must say, your post troubles me. It's unfortunate you've had such a negative experience with the city, but I guess the thing that makes our country so great is the freedom to do as we wish. Why on earth would you spend more than 20 years in a town you're so obviously miserable in? I think most of the time we make/find our own happiness, so what's stopping you? Although I'm sorry you're unhappy there, I have a hard time believing Akron is that much worse than any other city in America. Maybe you're just looking in the wrong places?
I know you don't know me, and my thoughts probably don't count for much....but take a risk. Quit your job and move somewhere you think you can find happiness. It's what we all deserve. A few years back, I did the very same thing. My friends and family all called me crazy, but it was the best thing I could have ever done for myself. I found happiness, and a sense of inner peace that I thought I'd never know. Love yourself enough to do something about your unhappiness. The only thing keeping you there is...YOU

[Slash83]

Well I agree with the OP. Akron does suck and I moved to Cleveland for a reason - Akron has a crummy skyline, boring downtown activity, the only nice place in Akron is fairlawn..the rest of it does suck. Summit county in general is not very fun as far as things to do, and Cuyahoga County/Cleveland is MUCH better. Totally different than Akron

[IonRedline08]

Cost of living high in Akron? When did this happen?

[CityGrrl77]

Clearly, some of you are delusional lol
Im just playin - everyone is entitled to their beliefs and opinions, of course.

DVancenza - you hate Akron so much that you wish death upon yourself? Are you ok? Seriously, who does that? If you arent happy living here (for apparently 22 years now), maybe you could try another city or another state?
Aside from that, what type of people do you surround yourself with? I don't know what type of 'friendly cliques' you are assumming everyone else belongs to, but maybe its just that you don't share your time with relatively happy individuals. Not only that, but you usually get what you dish out. I rarely come into contact with mean, ungrateful, sadly disturbed people in Akron.
It's sad that you came on here just to create 'bash Akron' post, buy hey, whatev.
Also, by 'reaping' did you mean 'ripping'??? Uh..yeah.

Triscuit - don't worry. If you want to move here, do it. Don't let one negative opinion effect your decision. Akron is great! I've been here for almost 10 years now and I still love it.

Slash - Fairlawn is its own city, not a part of Akron. I lived there for 2 years and altho nice, it wasn't anything dreamy and perfect. Very congested, a lot of uppity people and everything closes down at 9pm every night, aside from Winking Lizard. I swear Fairlawn has a curfew unless you are at Walmart or Giant Eagle. Way exciting.
I really can't believe that you think Cleveland is doing any better than Akron on the 'fun' scale.

[gentlearts]

You just seem like a very negative person. I doubt you will be happy anywhere.

[htlong]

hey I just retired and moved back to Akron because of the low cost of living.putting the corrupt city gov't aside it is a very nice place to live, the people are nice and everything one could need is right here you dont need to go to Cleveland except to see a browns game. they tell me the winters aren't that bad anymore but I can remember them from my childhood and I will spend DEC Jan and Feb in Fla.

[chikaranotori]

DV, wow...if you feel that way about Akron, good thing you never lived in Canton. i always liked Akron...when i was little, it was rather exciting to go to (as in 4 or 5) and always seemed like the big city (until i went to Cleveland).

and i also had a fondness for Quaker Square, and the last train ride i took as a teen departed from the Amtrak station there.