difference from north east, cultural differences, etc? (Columbus, Cleveland: apartment, houses)

[Dave27]

I currently live in Boston and thinking about moving to Columbus. Can you please provide me with some examples of how life in Columbus is different from the north east? Cultural differences? Etc?

[Fletchman]

Well, for starters, many people here like to live on large spread out lots as opposed to the row houses and apartment buildings of the NorthEast.

Also, family gatherings here tend to favor three things: Mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and pie.

College football is generally more popular than pro football here.

Ohio is generally more Protestant than the NorthEast. Methodists and Evangelicals tend to dominate. The 'Protestant Work Ethic' is definitely at work here.

Southern Ohio, especially, tends to feature a more "Southern" feel with southern accents etc. It feels more like Kentucky or West Virginia.

Only part of Ohio I would consider to be somewhat NorthEastern in character is the area from Cleveland to the PA state line. It was settled originally by Connecticut farmers.

[Dave27]

Thank you for your reply!

[New to New Albany]

I guess it depends on what area of Columbus you're thinking about moving to. The biggest difference between Columbus and Boston is that everything is spread out, no one uses cabs or public transportation and the downtown streets are pretty empty on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. There's a few areas of Columbus that would remind you of Boston neighborhoods. The short north has a Boston feel and so does the german village. The short north and campus area reminds me of Allston. There's no real cultural differences(with the exception of people preferring to live away from the city instead of living in the heart of it). Don't get me wrong, there's some very hip active areas downtown if that's what you're looking for. But if you want suburbs, you won't have a problem finding it! There is nothing like a Newbury st. here as far as shopping goes or to be "seen". We do have several areas that are similar to Natick/Framingham shopping or the Burlington mall.
Oh yeah, they don't say packy or package store here...they call it the "Liquor Store". People sent me to the UPS store the first time I asked where the closest package store was.

[fromMASS]

I lived in Ohio for 6 years and I am originally from Massachusetts. There are SIGNIFICANT differences. I have found that education is not taken as seriously in Ohio as it is in MA. I have also found that people in MA are much more direct in communication than Midwesterners. Public transportation is considered a norm for all social classes in MA, but seems to be utilized more in Ohio by the lower of the social classes. Racism and Chauvinism are blatent in Ohio, but not really tolerated as such in MA. I lived in the Dayton area and visited Columbus on several occasions. Perhaps Columbus is different than Dayton...

[000000]

Originally Posted by fromMASS

Perhaps Columbus is different than Dayton...

dayton and columbus are indeed different mindsets. so, to are boston and columbus. there is no boston of the midwest, although chicago is quite large and madison is self-absorbed hip.