Akron, Ohio (Cleveland, Cuyahoga Falls, Newark: crime, house prices, job market)

[mlalonde]

Hi everyone;

I was thinking of leaving the Bronx, New York (ugh) and move to Akron, Ohio. It seems like old-time America, and the prices of houses can't be beat. Is it unfeasible to think a single middle-aged woman can begin again in Akron? Any thoughts? Thanks so much!

[lella1885]

hi !!!!!!
Excuse me if I write to you as, living in Italy, I am not in a position to give you any advice concerning the move. The fact is that rarely I see middle age people using internet, for this reason I decided writing to you.
Further, I went twice in USA and love so much your Country. I am Italian, Bologna to be exact. Single, 55 years old and work as clerk in a huge travel factory. The first time I was in America I went several days in Ohio, Leetonia. This little city is so charming and beautiful. I went also in Chicago, Detroit, Nigara falls but I left my heart in New York. Amazing town, so wonderful !!!!!
Italian cities gives not these feelings.
I should be very happy to have an american friend, if you wish.
(when I was young........2000 years ago........I had several friends all over the world, I liked very much writing and about every day I received letters from them).
ciao Gabriella

[htlong]

mlalonde,
the house prices are low because the job market isnt the greatest, do you have a special job skill? before i would move i would make sure i had a pretty good paying job first.
the cost of living comes no where near nyc and its burgs, but you will still need more than min. wage.
akron doesnt get the most sunshine in the world and winters come and go some cold some not so cold,some years lots of snow some years just a little.
there are many nieghborhoods which are really nice. highland square,firestone park to name a few. the subirbs are more expensive.
all in all it would sure beat what i have seen of the bronx...... in a new york minute!

[paintballer1708]

Akron's job market is not that bad. Obviously the population growth speaks for itself. Akron has some good growth rates and people across the nation are moving there. I live in the suburbs of Cleveland and Akron is not a far commute. It really is amazing the housing you can get and the price for it. You can get some great looking houses for great prices. I know Ohio's job market is better than New York's. Akron has alot of suburbs. Some can be expensive depending on what part of town you are in. But the prices of living there compare no where to the Bronx. To name a few Fairlawn, Cuyahoga Falls, Barberton, Portage Lakes, Kent, Stow, and Silver Lake, Out of those the most expensive is probaly Portage Lakes. Its an upscale community. LOL but im sure living in the Bronx you could find a nice home in Portage Lakes. There has been some awesome job growth in just Akron alone. The metro areas job growth has been great. Your not too far from Cleveland and there is alot of entertainment between the two cities. The winters can get bad just like in New York but some aren't that bad. And the summer gets hot. Lake Erie has some great beaches and the Kelly Islands are a big partying spot up on the lake. You can get there by plane or by boat. Today it was 95 and sunny. Its been quite hot the last few days. Overall i think you will really like Akron and get away from that hectic lifestyle that NYC brings. Good luck with your move.

[mlalonde]

Thanks for all your feedback. I was told by the realtor that Akron doesn't get as much sun as some other parts of the world, but then again, I'm not a sun person. Give me a tree over the beach anyday. I'm moving to the Kenmore area, I believe, with a view of Silver Lake. I was very impressed with everyone's keeping their propertys clean and manicured. If you saw how dirty many of the inhabitants of the Bronx live and want to live, it'd make you wonder what country you were really in. As far as jobs are concerned, I work in the legal field and wouldn't move until I had a job first. I got some really great feedback when I visited a law firm and a head hunter in Cleveland. Even though there is mass transportation, the commute isn't too bad; in fact, I've experienced much worse, when I used to live in upstate New Jersey and commuted every day to Newark, New Jersey, another Bronx wannabe.

All in all, I'm getting excited about the move and really can't wait!

[mlalonde]

I meant my new home has a view of Summit Lake. Sorry for the snafu. It's still lovely to me!

[paintballer1708]

Well good to hear you found a place. Silver Lake is really nice. I figured you would have to of had a job before moving. Thats always the smart thing to do. Cleveland and Akron are really big as far as the legal field are. I know the largest law firm in the world has its HQs in Cleveland. Good Luck with your move and we are here if you need any help.

[htlong]

big difference between summit and silver lakes...on the whole i would rather kenmore than the silver lakes country clubettes.
kenmore has some well kept parts and some pretty shabby parts but its a working glass ,down to earth neighborhood
im sure you will like it

[mlalonde]

I'm really glad I found this forum along with all the great feedback I'm getting. I know every town in every state has it's own set of problems; but I've experienced them all. I grew up in a small town in New Jersey called Union City; boy, talk about crime and no air! Then I worked the majority of my life in Newark, NJ (talk about the armpit of the world) and New York City (great for tourists and poor people; no hope for the middle class). But living in the Bronx taught me some valuable life-skill lessons. If you don't look out for yourself you're a gonner. I never thought I would say this but I'm glad to leave the east coast. My friend who hooked me on Ohio did me the biggest favor!

[paintballer1708]

^Yes, i have heard many bad things about New Jersey. My friend mike and his wife use to live in Long Branch, NJ. They said the beaches were always dirty and they had underground fires where they burned their trash. Didnt sound to great. They said there were alot of toxic waste released into the air from these fires. Every state does have their problems though. And i have also heard alot of bad things about Hoboken, NJ. What is that area like? Anyway glad to hear that you are happy with your move and im sure you will like the Akron metro.