Looking to relocate- need info about suburbs! Please (Columbus, Cleveland: renting, hotels)

[joeandkellylv]

mY HUSBAND IS CURRENTLY A POLICE OFFICER IN LAS VEGAS AND WE ARE THINKING OF RELOCATING/STARTING OVER IN EITHER COLUMBUS OR IDAHO. NEVER BEEN TO EITHER. MY HUSBAND IS ORIGINALLY FROM OHIO(YOUNGSTOWNAREA) AND WANTS TO STAY AWAY FROM CLEVELAND SIDE FOR THE RAISING OF OUR KIDS. WE WANT THE CITY- BUT LIVE IN A QUAINT SUBURB THAT IS NICE GOOD SCHOOLS, SMALL TOWN FEEL BUT HAVE THINGS TO DO- FRIENDLY AND EVENTS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. LOTS OF KIDS WOULD BE GREAT- WE ARE WHITE- WOULD LIKE THEM EXPOSED TO ALL RACES- BUT DON'T WANT TO BE A MINORITY. JUST A NICE MIDDLE CLASS SUBURB THAT IS GREEN- GET ME OUT OF THIS DESERT. I AM FROM CALIF ORIGINALLY SO THE COLD IS DEFINATELY GOING TO BE AN ISSUE- AM I IN FOR A BIG SHOCK??? I KNOW IT WILL BE COLD- HOW MANY MONTHS. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE PICTURES OF LIFE IN GAHANNA OR WESTERVILLE... IF THOSE TOWNS ARE EVEN GOOD CHOICES. HOW ABOUT COMMUTE TIME TO COLUMBUS FOR MY HUSBAND?? THANKS ANYONE!

[Midwest girl at heart]

We moved to OH just over a year ago and I had never been to Columbus before (originally from Indiana).
This place is AWESOME! We got a huge snowstorm last year but was told by a neighbor he had not seen this much snow since he was 4. It was melting by day 2. Any other snow was about 2" max. and didn't last long. We don't even own a snow blower.

Fall here took me by surprise. The sheer beauty in comparison to other areas of the country we have lived in. (South and Chicago area). I am desperately awaiting it.

People here are amazingly nice. There is no pressure to be something your not.

We live in Dublin and it is great!

[suzuki98]

I live in Chillicothe,OH which is about 45 min South of Columbus and it is a great place to raise kids. I was born and raised here and lived in columbus for about 2years then decided to move back to Chillicothe to raise our kids. We get so many compliments on the main City park! If you have any questions about the area let me know. Below are some websites:

Official Site of the City of Chillicothe Ohio

Visit Chillicothe, Ohio - Ross County - Hotels, Attractions, Dining, Shopping, Events

Chillicothe, Ohio - Ohio's First Capital - Chillicothe.com

[NewToCA]

Westerville will be a good choice for atmosphere and schools. Regarding weather, figure a cold period of about three months. Typically, Columbus gets into the low to mid 40's during winter, but has a cold spell of a week or so that can have highs in the teens and lows near zero.

Snow isn't too bad though, in my 14 years in Columbus I had about 4 or 5 where I didn't shovel at all, and a few more where I only had to shovel snow once or twice. However, Columbus can get a foot of snow now and then too. Weather is very varied within a season.

[Doug17]

Believe it or not, I am from Youngstown, live in Vegas, and likely will be relocating to Columbus, too. In my opinion, Westerville or Dublin will give you exactly what you are looking for. After living in Vegas and CA, I think you will go stir crazy if you move too far from the city. Like my wife tells me "You THINK you like the idea of country living" but once you're there you will lose your mind. If for no other reason, avoid Cleveland because of the weather. Even though Columbus is only a few hours south, the winters there are much more mild than Cleveland. I know Boise is the "hot place" to move here in the west, but I don't think you will regret a move to central Ohio.

[ChrissyR]

I personally love Gahanna. I see you mentioned it here. Right now we are renting. It is a very nice community. I would Google it and see what you come up with. The schools are top notch. I researched before moving here. There is a wonderful place called Creek Side. Racial diversity. A good mix. We are like 2 minutes from I-270. Stores are close, nice parks....I don't regret moving here at all. We came from Tucson, AZ three months ago. This used to be my home state but we have been gone for 10 years. We will see how I deal with the cold weather. I have become a bit of a desert rat.