Cincinnati and Cleveland (Columbus, Parma, Lorain: amusement parks, neighborhood, best school)

[bakkam]

Originally Posted by cincimaster

Salary wise I will be 20 % higher in Cleveland. Now my question is is this increase worth looking at the cost of living and weather

Money aside, if the company (for example: its one of the best companies in the country or the world ) or the position (for example: you jump from an replaceable employee to management or from management to executive level) will significantly add to your career, then I would begin considering this option, otherwise, it may not be worth it. Of course, this is only my opinion given the small info you have provided. Let us know.

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Originally Posted by Subway

If I decide to move out of Cincy, which is a definite possibility at some point, I want to head west, probably to the Pacific Northwest. It's difficult for me to imagine any circumstances under which I would move back to Cleveland.

Well said. Why Pacific Northwest over southwest or south or southeast?

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Originally Posted by MABCle

the 3rd ranked hospital system in the nation,

From a patient perspective, people must understand that a high ranking does not guarantee or translate to better quality healthcare in all areas of medicine. Within this context, the rankings are misleading for some. Some Clevelanders could probably ratify or elaborate on this.

Example from experience: A university may be highly ranked. But a group of faculty members for a group of students could be poor at this highly ranked university.

[newt]

"people must understand that a high ranking does not guarantee or translate to better quality..."

You're stating the obvious.

Rankings are a listing of items in a group according to a system of rating or a record of performance. Of course a high ranking doesn't guarantee anything, however, it certainly could be used as a criterion in an evaluation.

[MABCle]

Originally Posted by bakkam

From a patient perspective, people must understand that a high ranking does not guarantee or translate to better quality healthcare in all areas of medicine. Within this context, the rankings are misleading for some. Some Clevelanders could probably ratify or elaborate on this.

Example from experience: A university may be highly ranked. But a group of faculty members for a group of students could be poor at this highly ranked university.

OK, but people (not you) like to post and post whenever Cleveland is the worst at something or near the top of a negative list (Do those list mean anything? I realize it all has to be put into context, you may get bad care by some staff at the clinic, when others may get excellent care. The same goes with crime, where there may be a high crime neighborhood, there may also be a very safe one down the street. Context.

[Subway]

Originally Posted by bakkam

Well said. Why Pacific Northwest over southwest or south or southeast?

The Pacific Northwest would be my first choice because of its temperate climate and natural beauty. I hate cold/snow and heat (especially if its accompanied by high humidity), and I prefer cloudy days over sunny days, so places such as Seattle (which I fell in love with when I vacationed there several years ago) are ideal for me. The place which, IMO, has the best climate in the U.S. is Eureka, CA (272 miles north of San Francisco), where the average high for its coldest months (Dec, Jan) is 55 and the average high for its warmest months (Aug, Sep) is 64...now that's temperate!

[MABCle]

Though I've never been there the beauty of the "Emrald city" and that region in general is undeniable, but as for the temperatures, its true we get cold which I don't like, but deal with, but give me those 90 degree days with humidity anytime!

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Originally Posted by Subway

The Pacific Northwest would be my first choice because of its temperate climate and natural beauty. I hate cold/snow and heat (especially if its accompanied by high humidity), and I prefer cloudy days over sunny days, so places such as Seattle (which I fell in love with when I vacationed there several years ago) are ideal for me. The place which, IMO, has the best climate in the U.S. is Eureka, CA (272 miles north of San Francisco), where the average high for its coldest months (Dec, Jan) is 55 and the average high for its warmest months (Aug, Sep) is 64...now that's temperate!

I have heard good things about Seattle from literature of my profession. Seems like you have done your due diligence.

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Originally Posted by newt

"people must understand that a high ranking does not guarantee or translate to better quality..."

You're stating the obvious.

Rankings are a listing of items in a group according to a system of rating or a record of performance. Of course a high ranking doesn't guarantee anything, however, it certainly could be used as a criterion in an evaluation.

Exactly, the ranking should be used as an initial criterion for deciding which hospital system to go with. There are many other more important factors that should be included in the decision process when a patient chooses a hospital system or specifically the doctor.

One of the criteria being the length of the appointment slot that is assigned to the doctor to see a patient. Patients should ask is the doctor getting 10, 20, 30 minutes consultation time for each patient, I think. Medical treatment is kinda different from going in for an automobile oil change.

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's tag line is choose a system as if your life depended on it or something like that. I think UPMC is quite correct about it.

My two cents

[Ohiogirl81]

The cost of living in Cleveland vs. Cincinnati isn't that bad. Don't sweat that.

Yes, you'll have to get used to just a little more snow. But the streets departments are so much more competent. But ... schools and businesses don't close when there's "only" 6 inches of snow on the ground, and being afraid of driving in the snow is not a valid reason for missing work.

What else is different (I've lived in both places)? A slightly faster pace, self-deprecating sense of civic humor, ethnic neighborhoods. The east vs. west side mentality is there -- that and the bizarre workings of the city council just might make you feel right at home, LOL.

You'll also have to get used to living along beautiful Lake Erie. That's what I missed most when I moved from Cleveland area to Cincinnati. The first summer I lived in Cincinnati I thought I was going to die of heat prostration! You might enjoy the breezy summer days on the beach. Which is much nicer than The Beach.