Garrettsville (Columbus, Cleveland, Akron: private school, college, live)

[Flower51]

Continuing to look into small towns and now some w/acreage. Anyone know how Garrettsville is? It seems more affordable than some others for having an acre or two.

Tuesday we go back to Doylestown and look around the area...Clinton, Ritman...Terry

[flowers]

Garrettsville? I grew up in Freedom Township and unfortunately went to Garrettsville Middle and High School back in the 80's and early 90's. What do I know about Garrettsville? I know that I have no desire to go back! If you like small town gossip and prejudiced "hill billys", then Garrettsville is the place for you. If not, I would go for less land in a far better place! The school system was far from acceptable, so if you have kids, you might want to consider a private school. Granted this was 20 years ago, but I doubt much has changed. Good luck in your search!

[Orwelleaut]

Portage County is growing fast, as commutes to Akron and Cleveland are short and there is plenty of beautiful, rolling land. If you want bucolic peace in commutable distance of Akron and the Eastern Cleveland burbs, this is the place.

As far as the bigotry of the locals, I can't speak for this town, but will say that the comments posted, if a shoe, would fit Newton Falls pretty comfortably. One must bear in mind that nearby Youngstown-Warren has a rather low educational level for a metro area. Many YSU grads head West to Cleveland or down to Columbus, creating "Brain Drain" in this part of the state. Many of the smaller towns, as a result, do feel a little hayseed-like. If one is seeking a cultured feel, I recommend several suburban areas: Beechwood near Cleveland and Stow or Kent near Akron.

[Mikey257]

I don't know about "Flowers" experiences here, but my family has been in Garrettsville for the last 15 years or so. I can't say enough about the school system and all the wonderful, caring teachers, administrators and secretaries I was in contact with when my son was in school. They literally saved him from a lifetime of being labeled. No, it's not a cultural mecca, but it is peaceful and the residents are kind, caring people. I also lived and worked in and around Beachwood for a number of years, and wouldn't give you 2 cents for it! The people are rude and snobbish and what I could say about the administration would curl your hair. I'd take Garrettsville over Beachwood in a heartbeat!

[Jason_Els]

Attended Hiram College just down the road. I didn't like a single person I met in Garrettsville and that's saying something because I generally found Ohioans very friendly. There's a sense of entitlement in those of the socially prominent families bordering from the obnoxious to the completely rude. Others seemed to be dismissive or trying to rip you off or just plain too wrapped-up in their own little worlds. If you've ever read Sinclair Lewis' Main Street, you'll know exactly what I mean and the town is too small to avoid these kinds of politics.

Sorry G'ville, as Bette Davis once said, "What a dump!"