Lefty Vegan Heretics

[Crew Chief]

OK7, I live in Dayton but deliver to Columbus frequently. Despite being glad I'm an omnivore, I still agree with you; Columbus IS a great place to live. I also believe things happen in cycles and Columbus (and the Midwest) will one day soon rise up out of the corn fields again! I understand the arguments of those against the Three Cs rail project (and other mass transit issues) but I truly believe that we need mass transit as a long term goal. Maybe we won't see it in our lifetimes, but I believe that Ohio will one day be as densely populated as the Eastern Seaboard is now... (Besides, we've already seen Seattle, who even needs a Pergola, we can buy Starbucks here and it doesn't rain nearly as much as in the PNW!)

As long as the "entrepreneur class" doesn't force politicians to reduce government jobs to a form of serfdom, I see Columbus as a very stable, livable city. Despite the stereotypes, I also find Ohioans as diverse in their political and other philosophies as anywhere else.

[columbus_123]

1. Columbus Metro is very conservative area.
But there are several oases with progressive mindset.
2. Columbus Vegetarians
vegetarian.meetup.com/17
Columbus Vegans
vegan.meetup.com/44
3. Official unemployment statistics is not true.
Unemployment is big problem.
4. You need to have car. Progressives with money live in Northern Suburbs.
5. Columbus is not open to new ideas. Alternative lifestyles are underground here.

[Tenzo]

who even needs a Pergola,

do you know what one is?

we can buy Starbucks here

That is hardly a unique qualification for anything

and it doesn't rain nearly as much as in the PNW!)

We are just as cloudy as seattle.

[jmargaret]

ok7--yes, your ideas are a "stretch." See above post by Columbus_123 --that sums up Cowtown pretty well.

[asher519]

I moved to Columbus from Portland this past year so I'll throw in my two cents.

"1. Columbus is changing."

When I got here in June, it was the first time I had been here in nearly 12 years and many changes were evident. From a burgeoning art scene to tackling issues of downtown redevelopment to growing bicycle and environmental movements, good things are happening here. It's still a long way from Portland, but keep in mind that people who move to Portland believe in the idea of Portland. As you may have noticed, Columbus doesn't always have that luxury. Another thing I've noticed--and a reason this wonderful city truly benefits from new blood--is Columbus is hesitant to try new things; the powers that be like to see how things work elsewhere and then spend years trying to figure out if a successful model could be adapted for central Ohio. Columbus is generally open-minded, but that stems from a conservative foundation. With that said, I live in the Short North area and am amazed how often I think to myself, "that reminds me of Portland."

"2. We don't eat meat, but it looks like that really isn't much of an issue in Columbus."

I am a predominately vegan vegetarian and have never had a problem feeding myself here.
Pattycake Bakery | 3009 N. High Street Columbus OH, 43202
Dragonfly Neo-V Events : Columbus, OH
Rad Dog!
Clintonville Community Market
Bexley Natural Market Cooperative Grocery
Welcome! | The North Market

"3. Unemployment is lower in Columbus than elsewhere in Ohio."

I can't give you specifics on the graphic design market here--though, anecdotally, it seems fairly strong--but I can tell you that after over a year of unemployment (much of that spent struggling in Portland's insanely bad job market) and a cross country Great Recession Migration, Columbus is where I found a job.

"4. Columbus is expanding its public transport system."

The city currently relies on buses, the major lines of which are generally convenient and frequent. If you are involved with OSU there are free shuttles and monthly bus pass perks. Mayor Coleman supports a streetcar line though it's been out of the news for quite some time. Apparently there are still light rail studies on the table, but that's all years away. My hope is that when the 3-C passenger line is up and running in a few years (fingers crossed) it will spark interest among the hesitant (see my response to #1) in finally bringing light rail to America's 16th largest city. I have a car, but it's battery is always dying on me as I rarely use it. I walk to work, walk to campus, walk to the market. I love my car and use it as needed, but I refuse to be car-dependent. Columbus is also making great strides in its promotion of two-wheeled transportation and was recently ranked as a bronze level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists; the first city in Ohio to be so ranked.

"5. Columbus is home to a diverse population and its people are open to new ideas."

Columbus is not Chicago in terms of diversity, though it's far more diverse than Portland. A lot of the diversity we do have comes from OSU as well as some of the larger employers. My little posse at work includes a gay Hispanic man, a woman from South Africa (she sounds like Mary Poppins), and an Asian-American whose mother runs a Vietnamese bakery. So we're not Chicago, but we're far more diverse than other areas of the Midwest.

"Ok...so is that crazy? A stretch? Or are we on to something?"

I don't think it's crazy and not all that much of a stretch. Columbus has a long way to go, but it also has amazing potential. What Columbus really needs is more people to believe in that potential instead of complaining about how it's not this place or that place or whatnot. Be the change you envision. When you visit, as you're wandering around the city, getting to know this place for yourself, be aware of the pockets of wow. I run into them all the time and I wish the naysayers would open their eyes to them a bit more. It's those moments when you catch yourself thinking, "Why don't you here about Columbus more? This place is pretty damn cool!"

Feel free to PM me with any thoughts, questions, or just to say hi. And good luck on your journey!

[fishnfool]

As a former Ohioian for 25 years and now living in New England.....I'm not really sure if the Columbus really has that vibe of feel you're going for. I think you'll be able to make it work but it won't really be ideal. The downtown is NOT like other major cities....you will need a car. Cbus is a city full of sprawl, chain stores, and mega shopping complexes outside it's relatively small downtown.

Have you ever checked out Portland Maine? It's smaller but really has that PNW vibe but with the classic New England colonial/historic feel. It has a great downtown (completely walkable and livable)...and an oceanfront. Tons of vegan/veggie restaurants. The city screams creative, vegan, artsy, with tons of shops, a great music scene, and a major focus on local food/businesses, etc. It's also one of the most diverse cities in NE...(keep in mind NE is not very diverse though.)

The winters will be similar to Cbus without the wind, and more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and nature (i.e. skiing, hiking, climbing, snowshoeing etc.).