Not liking Columbus (Reynoldsburg, Grove City, Hilliard: crime, job market, high school) - Ohio (OH) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

jbcmh81 · 10-20-2013, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spudcommando

Maybe moving here from Los Angeles has skewed my viewpoint a bit, but I find traffic in Columbus to be a refreshing change of pace. I don't really find myself getting annoyed or seriously stressed out anymore like I use to when driving on the 405 during its all too numerous moments of gridlock. Aggressive driving unfortunately is a fact of life in any urban area of notable size, you just have to adapt to the flow.

As for the football culture around; while it is a big deal around here, my social life has been fine despite never having watched a single game and I'm a OSU student. Football despite the cult like stereotype I had heard about before coming here is quite easy to ignore.

The OSU stuff is almost always overblown. I think what happens is that people hear from so and so that it's terrible and that you'll have a terrible social life if you don't watch it and that becomes some kind of unrealistic expectation. It can easily be ignored and it doesn't have to be a part of one's social life at all, but it's like a few people just want to create this false reality about it. I'm a native. I didn't care about OSU football. No one else cared that I didn't. There was no shunning, no unfriendliness. I had a fantastic social life there, and my friends were a mix of natives and non-natives.

jbcmh81 · 10-20-2013, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EggyB

I guess it all depends on what you are used to. To someone from a small town, Columbus would seem like a big scary place. But the truth is, you need time and willingness to adjust. The traffic is NOTHING compared to any city of similar size. Try driving home from work in Austin... It is what you have to deal with in any populated area.

As for the rudeness, you have to be willing to reach out first with a warm friendly smile. A few ppl will be suspicious of you and not return the greeting but most will return it. Try meetup.com, church, or a local gym to meet ppl. As for rude ppl at work, it happens. Not every job you have will ppl give you warm fuzziness. Ultimately, you are there to collect a paycheck and pay your bills. Socialization, although nice, isn't necessary at work. If it's too much though, seek new employment.

As for the OSU obsession here....yea it gets nauseating. I wish Columbus had other major sports teams to spread the love. But it is what it is....you join the cult or pass on the punch. I choose to avoid Buckeye social events and it works for me.

NO city is perfect really. You adjust to it as best that you can but attitude is key. Adopt a positive outlook...things may look better after sometime.

It does have other major sports. Try living in a Latin American city when it comes to soccer. Now THAT is something you can't escape. Columbus' sport fandom barely exists in comparison.

EggyB · 10-20-2013, 07:39 AM

No it doesn't. There are not elementary school kids in Spain (or Pennsylvania, one state over) wearing Columbus Crew jerseys. There are, however, Real Madrid fans walking around Easton mall right now probably.

There is a difference between having a major sport and having a recognizable major sports team. Ask anyone 50 miles outside of Franklin County the name of columbus' hockey team....you'll most likely get a blank stare. Ask your average non Ohioan the mascot for OSU, you'll have more success getting an answer.

bjimmy24 · 10-20-2013, 10:01 AM

Posts with virtually the same exact complaints can be found in every single city forum on this site.

I really hate the driver complaints though. I mean seriously, look at the other forums. EVERYBODY always complains how drivers in City X don't know what they're doing. It's kinda fascinating and annoying at the same time. People who make such grievances are people who probably didn't want to really move in the first place.

Midwest for Life · 10-20-2013, 10:00 PM

I miss Columbus.

dxdtdemon · 10-20-2013, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EggyB

No it doesn't. There are not elementary school kids in Spain (or Pennsylvania, one state over) wearing Columbus Crew jerseys. There are, however, Real Madrid fans walking around Easton mall right now probably.

There is a difference between having a major sport and having a recognizable major sports team. Ask anyone 50 miles outside of Franklin County the name of columbus' hockey team....you'll most likely get a blank stare. Ask your average non Ohioan the mascot for OSU, you'll have more success getting an answer.

I think you're somewhat missing the point that jbcmh was trying to make. If you aren't an OSU fan, don't have your own washing machine, and decide that during OSU games is the best time to go to the laundromat, it is still open, and there are other businesses that are still open. In many soccer-crazy countries, everything is closed while the local team is playing whether is Real Madrid or some fourth-division team that hasn't won a match all year.

EggyB · 10-21-2013, 12:23 AM

Cannot disagree with that. Buckeye love is no where near that level....but it would still be nice to have other major sports teams to go nuts about....

conusmound · 10-21-2013, 07:50 AM

You're from Southeastern Ohio? I'm a native of Marietta (a.k.a. Deliveranceville) myself! If I get homesick, I just rent a DVD of The Hills Have Eyes.

jbcmh81 · 10-21-2013, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EggyB

Cannot disagree with that. Buckeye love is no where near that level....but it would still be nice to have other major sports teams to go nuts about....

There are, that's the point as well. Just because you don't like the Blue Jackets, Crew, Clippers or other sports as OSU doesn't mean you can't "go nuts" over them. Some people do. There's no reason to be offended or get all upset over that either.

sftong · 10-21-2013, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notlikingcolumbus

I moved to the Columbus area for work last December. ...
Now the reason why I am not liking it here: ...

I can see why you dislike this city. See my reply on the other columbus thread -- http://www.city-data.com/forum/colum...lity-life.html

Now, there are a few things I can relate to what you observe, and maybe I wonder if this is location related. Before I said this, I hope nobody would be offended by thinking I am discriminating, but rather I am focusing on the topics only.

1st suggestion -- Moved out of Grove City, into northern part like Dublin, Powell, Lewis Center, Westerville, or even Upper Arlington. UA has many OSU (Ohio State U) students and faculties with international perspective, so the community is much more welcoming differences.

I lived in Powell 10 years, and I have never met any rude or unwelcoming people. So was Dublin which has like 15% Asian communities. One thing I can see for Columbus driving habits -- they are all very polite. Context here is that I spent 100% driving around UA and to the North. Along SR 315, cars are nicer and people driving habits are great. The moment you get into south part of Columbus city, well, good luck.

For some reasons, South Part and West belt (270, Hilliard city area) has tons of truck, and that also make driving dangerous. Also, I found that when driving on SR315 getting close to downtown, more trucks and more debris on high way!!

you cannot must not use apartment experiences as Benchmark, esp if you come from small town into a bigger city. Everywhere you go in big city, the bigger the city the more "cold" people get in relationship, and the less time they have for you because they are always too busy!!