might relocate from Akron to Cincy area (Cleveland, Cincinnati: rent, crime)

[hairmetal4ever]

My girlfriend and I have a long-distance relationship. She's in the DC area and I'm in Akron. We are planning to get married next year but have yet to determine where to live. We had some pros and cons of each place

Pros - Akron
-cheap housing
-close to my family and friends
-I keep same job
-better "family" town

Cons - Akron
-not greatest job market for her
-weather
-less entertainment
-far from her friends

Pros - DC
-good job market
-entertainment
-prettier city
-weather

Cons - DC
-traffic
-INSANE housing costs (even in the high-crime areas!)
-traffic
-INSANE housing costs
-crime
-far from both our families

We're both willing to move. She hasn't said as much, but here are the peeves I thinks she'd have about Akron - the weather, the job market, and the lack of historical artifacts and less of a "city" to go to for entertainment. (We'd still rather LIVE in a suburb.) Her family isn't in DC anyway so that's a non-issue, but of course she has friends there. For me, the biggest issues of DC are housing costs, being far from my family, having to find another job (less of an issue for her because eventually she wants to be a stay at home mom) and traffic.

Then I thought, what about Cincy? It's scenic, noticeably better weather than Akron and only ever-so-slightly colder than DC in winter, less snowfall, better job market, more active downtown and cultural activities, more of a "city" feel than Akron, and "cleaner" than Cleveland. Housing is still cheap, I would be within 4 hours of my family, and could keep my job (we have a Cincy office I could transfer to, and do the exact same job.)

What does everyone here think? I haven't even run the idea by her, I'm just brainstorming. Plus, both of us will have moved for each other, so we're "even" in that regard, so to speak.

Also, if I do choose Cincy, what are good areas? Need a decent school system, would prefer a bit of land, something more suburban. What about Northern Kentucky? Or Clermont/Warren counties?

[fauxgal]

Ok so I think people in here are starting to get the idea that I love living in Lebanon. I know that a lot of people think that Mason is much better but depending on where you live there you could be stuck in traffic before you even hit the interstate.
We have wonderful schools and we are not fighting to get levies passed on our ballots every year.
You can get a lot of house for your money because our taxes are much lower. Please feel free to PM me if you need more information.
Are you looking to buy a house or rent one??????

[wastina]

Wow: from DC to Akron! You are right to worry! If you are considering Cincinnati, check out Glendale and Terrace Park. While on different sides of town, both have the perks of community nucleus, old homes and proximity to shopping, entertainment, etc. The CVG airport is a serious transportation hub for US and international flights. You are right to consider Cincinnati!

[hairmetal4ever]

Originally Posted by fauxgal

Ok so I think people in here are starting to get the idea that I love living in Lebanon. I know that a lot of people think that Mason is much better but depending on where you live there you could be stuck in traffic before you even hit the interstate.
We have wonderful schools and we are not fighting to get levies passed on our ballots every year.
You can get a lot of house for your money because our taxes are much lower. Please feel free to PM me if you need more information.
Are you looking to buy a house or rent one??????

We'd prefer to buy. Lebanon looks nice, I did a search for homes there, seems a bit cheaper than Mason which I've also heard is good.

We both work in the financial field, will Cincinnati have a decent pool of jobs to choose from?

For me, I can keep my same job, I could literally finish up in the Akron office on a Friday and show up at the Cincy office Monday morning and keep going like nothing happened. However, she will work at least until we have kids, and I don't necessarily want to stay at this company forever, so having other opportunities would be good!

[fauxgal]

Lebanon is much cheaper than most areas. Mason has had the issue with school levies on their ballots and Maineville and West Chester also. We seem to be able to keep the spending in our schools pretty low and managed well.
Also it is a very up and coming town. Kroger is building a "super" kroger there. Although they call it the Marketplace. And there are rumors that we might also get a Target. So you will not have to run down to the next exit to get things.

[paintballer1708]

I just about made the same move from Westlake up by Cleveland down here to Mason. I really like both Mason and Lebanon. They are growing like crazy, but they still have that small town feel to them. Its nice only living 30 minutes from Cincinnati and Dayton. Warren County is very nice.

[hairmetal4ever]

Originally Posted by wastina

Wow: from DC to Akron! You are right to worry! If you are considering Cincinnati, check out Glendale and Terrace Park. While on different sides of town, both have the perks of community nucleus, old homes and proximity to shopping, entertainment, etc. The CVG airport is a serious transportation hub for US and international flights. You are right to consider Cincinnati!

Both Glendale and Terrace Park are beautiful communities, but a bit rich for my blood right now.

[paintballer1708]

^Check out Butler and Warren Counties. Great communties, very safe, great job markets and not far from bustling Cincinnati. Cincinnati had faster job growth rates than any major city in Pennsylvania. Cincinnati is really got a good job base and some great communities to be living in.

[hairmetal4ever]

Originally Posted by paintballer1708

^Check out Butler and Warren Counties. Great communties, very safe, great job markets and not far from bustling Cincinnati. Cincinnati had faster job growth rates than any major city in Pennsylvania. Cincinnati is really got a good job base and some great communities to be living in.

In Mason, is the trip to 71 South from Columbia Road or Kings Mill Rd. as bad as I hear?

[fauxgal]

Originally Posted by hairmetal4ever

In Mason, is the trip to 71 South from Columbia Road or Kings Mill Rd. as bad as I hear?

Kings Mill rd would be perfect. You will hit 71S with no problem there. Just stay away from Mason/Mont. & Tylersville