Why does everyone seem so down on Cleveland? (Lorain, Lakewood: crime, home)

[Kasey77]

I grew up in Cleveland and had some of the best times of my life there. I left in 77 to see experience the world. Moved back in 87. I was so homesick. Met a man and married and moved again in 89. Came back last summer and spent four months there. I wanted to go home. I wanted to move back. When we first got there, I could actually feel the depression there. It was an oppressive feeling. I was in a state of shock as to what the city and the burbs looked like. I had been back in 96 and it had really changed since then.
I have to say that I did meet some people that absolutely loved Cleveland.
I am so sad at the decline of Cleveland. I want to go home. Just not sure Cleveland is home anymore. And i agree with the posts on the state of depression there. It is in the air. So so sad.

[saraperez]

Originally Posted by xwideopenskyx

If you have to ask this question, sounds to me that you haven't completed your homework. Did you at least visit Cleveland once? I've read your other posts and I see that you have a family in tow. You owe it to them to at least check it out. There are plenty of cities in this country where you and your family can live and thrive in an urban setting, sorry to say Cleveland isn't one of them. That is my opinion and you may disagree with it, but then again I know the city well since I lived there for 30 years.

Opinions are like noses . . . everybody has one and thank you for sharing yours with me.

I do so welcome and appreciate comments regarding my due diligence on fact checking the city we're moving to, especially from a complete stranger. Quite productive, oh wait no it's not.

[xwideopenskyx]

Originally Posted by saraperez

Opinions are like noses . . . everybody has one and thank you for sharing yours with me.

I do so welcome and appreciate comments regarding my due diligence on fact checking the city we're moving to, especially from a complete stranger. Quite productive, oh wait no it's not.

Well, you are on here asking for opinions, aren't you? Do you only want to hear the good things to make yourself feel better about your relocation?

I bet you haven't even been to Cleveland yet, right?

Good luck!

[Donna7]

Originally Posted by saraperez

Opinions are like noses . . . everybody has one and thank you for sharing yours with me.

I do so welcome and appreciate comments regarding my due diligence on fact checking the city we're moving to, especially from a complete stranger. Quite productive, oh wait no it's not.

You really have some nerve attacking wideopenskyx for posting an opinion on a public bulletin board and then acting all snippety about it. Where do you think that you landed with your question? We are ALL on a public bulletin board. If you don't like her opinion, or a "stranger's opinion", then go ask your Uncle Herman or Aunt Sally about NE OH or Cleveland, and get off your cloud.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by Donna7

You really have some nerve attacking wideopenskyx for posting an opinion on a public bulletin board and then acting all snippety about it. Where do you think that you landed with your question? We are ALL on a public bulletin board. If you don't like her opinion, or a "stranger's opinion", then go ask your Uncle Herman or Aunt Sally about NE OH or Cleveland, and get off your cloud.

Very well said Donna!!

[Donna7]

Originally Posted by Kasey77

I grew up in Cleveland and had some of the best times of my life there. I left in 77 to see experience the world. Moved back in 87. I was so homesick. Met a man and married and moved again in 89. Came back last summer and spent four months there. I wanted to go home. I wanted to move back. When we first got there, I could actually feel the depression there. It was an oppressive feeling. I was in a state of shock as to what the city and the burbs looked like. I had been back in 96 and it had really changed since then.
I have to say that I did meet some people that absolutely loved Cleveland.
I am so sad at the decline of Cleveland. I want to go home. Just not sure Cleveland is home anymore. And i agree with the posts on the state of depression there. It is in the air. So so sad.

So what have you decided? I don't blame if you're still deciding. Moving 2500+ miles (and your whole life) is not an easy decision.

I can understand what you're going through as there comes a time in everyone's life (I think) that a person wants to "go home". I don't know that "home" is the same 31 years later that it was when you grew up. You mentioned the state of depression that you feel in Cleveland/NE OH; it's been like this for a long time; actually since the mid to late 70's in the area that I grew up in in NE OH. Before I even finished high school in 1981, companies had started to fold. There were times of rebound and high hopes, but Ohio has had some real lackluster "leaders" to say the least, corrupt and crooked to be more specific.

I think that most NE Ohioans have real resiliance for putting up with the cr*p that has occurred in this state for a long, long time. Many have had to leave for no other reason but sheer survival.

Don't take this the wrong way, maybe you can explain it to me, (ONLY IF YOU WISH, if you don't, please don't worry about it), how you didn't develop those "bonds" that you're looking for in CA if you've been there for 31 years. Maybe you moved a lot; I don't know. Whatever you decide, it will be okay. If you move back, and don't like it, there are always other options as long as you have your health and the financial resources to make a change. Take care.

P.S. -Kasey, if there's anything in my post that you don't wish to answer, that is no problem. I feel that you really want to "go back home", but wonder if it will be the same. Honestly, if you are ready to retire, ready to just slow down the pace of your life, and be around those that you grew up with (if they are still here, or at least some of them), then it won't be bad. The weather is going to suck compared to SD, but you already know that. The biggest concern that I would have if I was in my prime and thinking about relocating back to NE OH would be the state of the economy - period. If the economy is not an issue, then it's a different story.

[Donna7]

Originally Posted by Alaskapat528

Very well said Donna!!

Thanks, Pat; not that I want to put down the poster who was upset; perhaps it was not a good time.

Anyways, Pat; what have you decided to do with your relocation? Are you still in Alaska?

[xwideopenskyx]

Originally Posted by Donna7

You really have some nerve attacking wideopenskyx for posting an opinion on a public bulletin board and then acting all snippety about it. Where do you think that you landed with your question? We are ALL on a public bulletin board. If you don't like her opinion, or a "stranger's opinion", then go ask your Uncle Herman or Aunt Sally about NE OH or Cleveland, and get off your cloud.

Thank you Donna.

It's been a while since I last posted on the OH forum. I remember some of your past posts. Are you still searching for a new "home"? If you don't mind me asking that is. It takes some time and serious planning, doesn't it? It took me a few years to pick just the right place.

Hope you find your patch of sunshine soon.

[BelieveInCleve]

Its all about peoples opinions and how you look at things. Even though the main attitude in the city may be down and depressed, I have still met many many people that love Cleveland and the whole area and said they wouldnt want to be any other place in the world. I have met a lot of people who also said they would never want to move in their lives, matter of fact a lot of people that did move didnt want to but they were forced to due to jobs and things. What Im saying is Dont let how other people think affect how you think. If you live here and live in a nicer area and you have food to eat, than its very possible to be happy here.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by Donna7

Thanks, Pat; not that I want to put down the poster who was upset; perhaps it was not a good time.

Anyways, Pat; what have you decided to do with your relocation? Are you still in Alaska?

Hi Donna, yes we are still in Alaska. However, we are in the midst of packing and shipping. Looking at Orrville and Navarre with both having easy access to Canton and Massillon for work. Was a hard decision because moves can sure be scarey and nerve-wracking.

I think you were right on target with the poster. If you ask questions, be prepared for open and honest feedback, otherwise why ask it.