Why are people so down on Cleveland? (Columbus, Lorain: fit in, best city)

[New-in-NEO]

Hi folks, I'm newer to the area due to new job. I moved from Buffalo, and heard these horror stories about how Cleveland is crime-ridden and a dead city. That's such a lie!

I was shocked to see a real vibrant downtown with a nice skyline, and vacant buildings being filled. One of my big challenges is actually finding an apartment because everyone is moving back to the city! But there are lots of good jobs here, and it's not manufacturing. We are turning into a major city for insurance, banking, and obviously healthcare.

It's not that there isn't bad, but literally every city has it's share of bad areas, especially a city the size of Cleveland. I drove through Cuddell and East Cleveland yesterday, and honestly, those are the only 2 areas I've ever driven through in the day where I felt a little worried (especially East Cleveland, I didn't wait for the green light a couple times there because someone shady was coming towards me).

But what more do you want? There are jobs (and not the type that can be outsourced), the weather really isn't bad, people are nice enough, and downtown (as well as some of the outlying areas) are coming back.

I challenge anyone who doubts me to drive through a relatively inexpensive and fringe good neighborhood like Detroit-Shoreway, or even parts of Ohio City, and say that this isn't a fine town.

[scarletneon]

Oh just wait, the people on this forum aren't down on it.

I moved here 10 months ago from Chicago and my best description of how i feel about Cleveland is "indifferent."

[New-in-NEO]

Perhaps, but listen to the media and you'd think that we are in a decaying warzone.

[scarletneon]

Originally Posted by New-in-NEO

Perhaps, but listen to the media and you'd think that we are in a decaying warzone.

Ahh yes, very true! I don't even bother watching the news here because it's so sensational. I have found that most people here fit into a couple categories: total cynic or Cleveland is the best city ever.

[TomJones123]

Hater-ade

[costello_musicman]

Originally Posted by scarletneon

Ahh yes, very true! I don't even bother watching the news here because it's so sensational. I have found that most people here fit into a couple categories: total cynic or Cleveland is the best city ever.

The duality of Cleveland.

[Cleveland_Collector]

Originally Posted by scarletneon

I have found that most people here fit into a couple categories: total cynic or Cleveland is the best city ever.

Yes, because in 10 months, you would certainly know how the majority of 2-3 million people think. Seriously, why would you move to or stay in a place that you don't like or are "indifferent" about? Certainly, with as much as Chicago has to offer (and it certainly does), you would have been able to find something that would have kept you there.

Having lived here on and off for the greater part of 35 years, I would say that most people have a measured opinion that falls slightly on the side of optimism. The most vocal people are, by far, the pessimists. However, the pessimists usually stay away from this forum because they aren't very well armed with facts and the measured optimists easily defuse any pot-shots they take. Personally, I would rather be around and converse with positive and pro-active people. They have way more to offer than the sniveling, nay-saying miserable people whose sole intent is to bring everybody down.

[Cleveland_Collector]

Originally Posted by costello_musicman

The duality of Cleveland.

The duality of <fill in the blank>.

[funkenstein91]

I grew up in Lorain and always hated living there but loved the region as a whole. Can't wait to move back to NEO after finishing my time at OSU.

[osu4brutus03]

I hate when people talk so poorly of Cleveland not even knowing what the city has to offer....it doesn't help with all the negative press from the news. Instead of all the negative what about all the good the city is doing. Cleveland is definitely on the rise....I cannot wait to move back to Cleveland from Columbus