[scd0903]

Hi Clark,

I think I read in one of the forums that you moved from suburban Cleveland. Where did you live in Cleveland? How long ago did you move? How has it been so far? Where did you move to? I know you said it was a small town - maybe too small. Knowing what you know now....if you had to do it all over again.....what would you do the same? Different?

Since we have the Cleveland connection in common, I would be most interested in your perspective. Are there any towns in NE Ohio that are similar to what you are experiencing down there? Is there a biased against Northerners?

It is not a done deal that we are moving yet but it certainly is a looming possibility and I want to be as informed as possible when we head down house-hunting and school-hunting.

Thanks so much!

If you are missing winter, I'll tell you that we have about 18 inches of snow on the ground right now. The kids had a snow day on Monday.

Take care ~

-scd0903

[Clarkx3]

Well where to begin,
First off let me state that we didn't "choose" Alabama. My husband was offered a job transfer here through his company. Thank goodness for that though as the job market back home is unstable at best. I love Ohio I miss home, but the sad fact of the matter is that our Governor did so much to ruin industry for us in the last 5 years it's just so sad. Anyway, enough preaching....We had the choice between here and Greenville S.Carolina. The job here was better, the housing market was great, property taxes are so low compared to up North it's crazy, school systems? Just do your homework on that one. The biggest reason we are a little farther out from Greater Birmingham is just that reason. We lived in Lorain Co. 25 min west of Cleveland, and although we were close to everything our daughters school back home was relatively small and close knit. We looked at alot of very capable and nice schools in some of the upscale and growing suburbs outside of BHam. However they were all very crowded and getting worse everyday if you believe the news down here. Funding is an issue (that's anywhere though) for building bigger ones. We are happy with our choice for our daughter she is in 6th grade in White Plains Elem. it is part of the Calhoun County school district. It is nice a new school due to the recent growth in this area. They are however strict. It is different than back home for sure, and I don't mean better or worse....just different which applies to everything here. You just have to take your time and learn that the pace of life is different in many different areas across our country. I would be happy to help you out more with any questions. Would we move again?? In a heartbeat, the most important thing is being able to financially survive, and find a place where your kids can learn and be happy. It is hard when it's far from home, but anywhere his job takes us we go. We feel fortunate he had the type of job that didn't leave us "stuck" without these kind of opportunities. Hope this helps, but remember everyone is different. I am trying to make the most of it

[scd0903]

Clark,

Thanks for the feedback - - we live on the east side of Cleveland - - near Chagrin Falls - - the schools are awesome but my wife can't take the winter. We are in the middle of the snow-belt. It snows from Halloween through the 2nd week of April. My company has a position available for ARK / LA / MS - - but she has friends in Alabama and thinks the quality of life would be better there. Because of my job we would be in the north - near Tenn. - - like Huntsville or Athens or Florence or Decatur.

Thanks for the feedback - hang in there - - we have friends from Medina that moved to Hoover and it took them about 2 years to get fully "adjusted"./

Warm regards ~

-scd0903

[Clarkx3]

Thank you very much, and your welcome as well.
Keep me posted as to how things go for you and your family. We are on the east side of Bama, only about half an hour from Georgia so I am unable to give advice on the areas your looking in to. It's getting better everyday. Part of me wishes we moved closer to BHam since alot of the people we have hit it off with are in the burbs there, but we stand by our decision to have a smaller school system for our daughter. We can always move if after a year it just isn't working out on this side of town. Best of Luck.
I do remember Ohio winters.....usually last about 6 months haha
I love snow though, just not the bitter cold air that blows down from Canada...good ol' "Alberta Clippers".