Moving to OHIO? (Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati: real estate, homes, job market)

[carmonster]

Hi all,

I've never posted on a forum before, but I thought I should give it a try. I live near Los Angeles, CA and, as odd as it sounds to people here, am thinking about moving to Ohio. I see real estate I could actually afford and I am seriously tempted. I am a 29 year-old woman with a 7 year-old autistic son and a half Cambodian boyfriend. I'm nervous about Ohio not being liberal enough for me. I wonder if there are good recourses for my son's education and care. The state of California makes things very difficult on autistic children. Will they frown on my "interracial" relationship? No one here bats an eyelash. I wonder if looking a little alternative is a crime. I've heard the job market there is going down the tubes. I work in construction administration (or any kind of office job) and my boyfriend is a machinist. I am probably about two years away from being ready to move, but I am a person who plans way ahead. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[wrightflyer]

I'd suggest Columbus or Cleveland but only from what I hear (I live in Dayton). Both are in moderate to somewhat liberal areas of the state. Cincinnati is ok, but southwest Ohio tends to be one of the more conservative parts of the state. Also, Columbus seems to be having a decent rate of growth compared to other areas of the state. Not that Ohio's out right bleeding people and jobs. It has some problems but if you look, you can probably find a decent place to call home.

[dyt937]

dayton suberbs

[Paddington]

Almost every East-Asian woman that I see in Ohio is married to a white guy.

Also, there's nothing crazy about moving from CA to OH. There's more folks moving that way than the other way around. Most of the students I know from California for example in my program are planning on staying in Columbus, because they cannot afford the real estate in their home state.

[Crew Chief]

Carmonster, I think you three will be happy in Ohio! If for nothing else, real estate prices are a LOT more reasonable than CA! I suppose SW Ohio is considered "conservative" but most everyone I (and my German-born wife) have encountered here have been very nice. (We are pretty much Middle-of-the Road-ers) Granted, there are jerks everywhere you go. But I don't think most people around here even come close to fitting that description. Dayton, because of the large amount of automotive in the area, is somewhat of a tool & die center. I'm guessing your B/F should have an easy time finding work here. Cincinnati also has lots of industry, so there (as well as many areas of our state) should be ample opportunites for someone with good t & d skills. I'd say that, generally, maufacturing jobs are on the decline in Ohio. But there are still plenty of good jobs for those willing to work and have the right skills (or willing to acquire new ones)

Our neighbors (in a subdivision where homes run $200K-$250K, which is fairly upscale for Ohio) are a Korean family that moved from L.A., a black family, a family from Nicaraugua that has lived here in Ohio MUCH longer than we have, and an Israeli couple. And those are just the ones we know personally. I doubt you all would have any problems here.

As for your son, I know our school district (Centerville) has good programs for special needs kids in place. And a number of districts locally have good programs, as well. It might be worth it to inquire at districts that make your "short list" of places to live.

Best of luck to you three wherever life takes you!

[carmonster]

Thank you for all your responses. I haven't traveled much. My knowledge of other states is rough at best. I love the diversity of Los Angeles. It would kill me to live in some closed-minded all white area (despite the fact that I myself am white). I am on the artsy young end of the spectrum. Very liberal. I'm just trying to make my way in this world - raise an autistic son, live happily ever after with my boyfriend, and own some property. I don't see that happening here. In California, you'll be swallowed up if you don't make over six figures.

[dyt937]

try dayton,ohio
lots of things to do and see
airforce museum, miami river, stateparks close by, etc.
stay in the suberbs though
and both cincy and columbus are about a hour away

[sugarbomb]

Hmmm. My dad is a tool and die maker, and is really struggling right now. He works for a major car company, and everyone is holding their breath while they wait for the news that their shop is closing down. Its been like that for years; seems like every 5 years or so a place where he works shuts down. Administration work should be no problem, though.

I don't have any experience on the interracial relationship front, but I don't think it would be a big deal at all.

I'm an artsy liberal in Toledo who has also lived in California, and yeah, it's quite a bit different. I'm in a fairly Democratic area for Ohio, and I still encounter annoyances. Examples: I can't get my co-workers to recycle, I see lots of pro-Bush bumper stickers, and I live in a state that shot down rights for non-straight domestic partners (in 2004). There are food co-ops, art galleries, and Democratic headquarters here, but there are also the Ten Commandments on the county courthouse lawn and gigantic pickup trucks with jingoist slogans aplenty. I can't speak for other areas of Ohio (I hear Columbus is supposed to be the most happening place in Ohio), but I think the basic structure is the same. I don't mean to dissuade you, I just thought I'd share my experience.

If a lower cost of living is what you seek primarily, there are other, more liberal areas of the country that might be worth looking into. Minneapolis (if you don't mind the cold), Madison, or Portland, maybe?

[vader]

Whats so odd about moving to Ohio? Hundreds of people move here year. Alot from California actually..

Parts of Ohio is liberal and parts are conservative. Columbus is one of the most liberal places in America so dont beleive everything you hear out there in Lala land..

[dyt937]

nothing is wrong!