Sorry, found Ohio not so appealing... (Columbus, Cleveland: lawyer, rv parks, relocate)

[rosesnivys]

Hi HI ALL.
I was born in ohio and I didn't find it appealing at all either, lol.
I moved out and never intend to return.

Originally Posted by OneWayOut

Hello all, Im new to this forum. I just started researching a few other states, and decided to join in. Ive been stuck here in OH, dangerously close to the Michigan line, for a few years now. I am trying relentlessly to get out, but it seems every other day something happens here to prevent it. Biggest mistake I ever made was moving here from Maryland. Here are my reasons.

1. People. There are some good people here. Dont get me wrong. Otherwise, they are very cliquey, rude, fake, and will backstab you in a moments notice. Getting drunk and driving old beat-up Camaros to the trailer park to see your girl seems to be the favorite pastime– It is at least in the part of Ohio that I am stuck in (Toledo). You have to be a “good ‘ol boy” to fit in here. Get drunk, and watch OSU!! If thats not your bag, plenty of tattoos, hat turned sideways, shorts falling off your rear, and plenty more alcohol coupled with pot (or something worse) is the way.

Aside from that, they have their own native language here. For example, instead of a “vacuum” it is called a sweeper. Sweepers are machine guns or brooms, not vacuums. When you say “thank you” to an Ohioan, all you get is “YEP”. “Your welcome” is not in their vocabulary. Also, soda here is called “POP”, A pop is a noise, not a softdrink. (I know, grow up, but these are pet peeves) These are just a few examples, there are many many more. The accent is a cross between the Kentucky drawl, and the Michigan roll. They couldnt come up with one on their own. There seems to be a problem with teenage pregnancy, and single women that have 5 kids with all different fathers.

2.The weather. Summers are oppresively humid, rainy, seldom sunny, and very short. Mosquitoes are as big as squirrels, and will attack you relentlessly even if you were swimming in a bath of bug spray. Winters are so cold that you cant even touch your steering wheel in the morning without your fingers freezing to it– thats if you can get into your car after scraping 3 inches of ice off of it. Long, gloomy, sub-zero winters are the norm. They last from October to April here. They use salt on the roads, so not only does your car freeze, it rusts out all over. The brown nasty slush on the roads in winter is no picnic either.

3. Economy. I have been trying to sell my house and move out, almost a year now. I have dropped the price twice. It is now quite less than what it appraised at. I live in what is supposed to be a “nice neighboorhood” by Ohio standards. Toledo is very slow right now. There are very very few jobs that dont consist of waiting tables, or low paid factory work. No wonder I cant sell it. Those that have good jobs here are either lawyers or doctors. Ohio has one of the highest bankruptcy rates, so go figure. I can say im glad to have the job that I have, but I have found it pays better elsewhere.

4. Toledo & Vicinity: I have never seen some where that is so sports-barified in my life. Chain restaurants and big box stores are everywhere. This is becoming the norm most everywhere though. It is ridiculous. It is impossible to get anywhere without driving. The bus system is sub par, and hardly runs anywhere– if you want to go to a bar or club, your out of luck unless a DD can be found. Walking anywhere is out of the question. That normally does not bother me that much, but just adds to the difficulty of having some kind of fun here. There is no culture here. The downtown is a lifeless concrete nightmare, and the rest is just ghetto stick houses. The only plus side, is 5/3 Field. I will give it that-- except that I object to it being named after a bank. Again, sign of the times.

Outdoors life is nearly non-existent. Cedar Point is the only plus if your into that. Going fishing in polluted lakes and rivers and getting wasted while doing it is all there is. I was in Fremont just today, and drove over the Sandusky river bridge, and it smelled of sewage. Golf and parks get old quick when they look the same. There are no mountains, ORV parks, or nice huge national parks here. Flat as a table top. You have to drive for 3 hours to see even small hills.

I could go on for hours, but that should give you a good idea. Thanks for reading my rant. I am looking at North Carolina, Arizona, Oregon, or Georgia right now as possible new homes. I have been to all, and have not decided which to move to yet. But I cant even move till my house sells. Pardon any misspellings or grammatical errors, its not because im from Ohio.

I know some of you wont feel the same way. This is just my opinion of this place.

[OneWayOut]

Originally Posted by Manhattan-ite

I think Ohio is depressing. Very depressing! But I would much rather live there than in Phoenix!! Home of the 120 degrees, heat waves, crime waves, endless sprawl, no downtown, awful traffic, uncontrolled growth, spiraling murder rate, air and water pollution and so on...

Yeah, there are reasons to live or leave any place on earth. This could go on forever.

Yes, Ohio is very depressing. Phoenix has its issues too. It has the issues that I have seen in many major cities really. I love it here so far. The 120 degrees in the summer is a small price to pay for no more freezing cold, monotonous Ohio living. AZ has beautiful mountains and desert, every possible activity you could think of, the Grand Canyon, and the close proximity to Las Vegas, San Diego, etc, etc, which makes it even better.

[Art1979]

You know, I was going to write a very long-winded response to this post, but thought better of it. I've been out Maryland and the surrounding area, and can easily label it as an "East Coast Mentality" state:

- People from the Ohio are stupid, redneck hicks, but don't mind our ignorance!
- We're not rude, we're direct. If you think otherwise, kiss off!
- You don't say things the same way we do, therefore you are constantly subject to petty ridicule (even though we have our own language quirks). I can expand on this. They are crayons, not "crowns". As much as "pop" bothers you, my relatives in Baltimore drove me up the wall saying that.
- I before thee, except after me.
- YOU MEAN THOSE SPEED LIMIT SIGNS AND LINES ON THE ROAD PERTAIN TO ME!?! Side Note: I know it wasn't brought up but it does relate to the previous bullet point. I never knew what really bad driving was until I drove in Maryland.

To be honest, there are SEVERAL parts of that rant I can easily come up with comparisons to where you used to live. I'll give you that Toledo isn't the hip or even an up-and-coming place to live, but some of those states you mentioned aren't either (honestly, you hate oppressive humidity, and were considering moving to Georgia?). Poor local government operation has put Toledo into a tailspin to which I do not know if they can ever recover. However, using Toledo to describe Ohio is like using Queens to describe New York City.

Regardless, you've probably moved out by now, and are happier(?) that way. More power to you.

[OneWayOut]

Originally Posted by Art1979

You know, I was going to write a very long-winded response to this post, but thought better of it. I've been out Maryland and the surrounding area, and can easily label it as an "East Coast Mentality" state:

- People from the Ohio are stupid, redneck hicks, but don't mind our ignorance!
- We're not rude, we're direct. If you think otherwise, kiss off!
- You don't say things the same way we do, therefore you are constantly subject to petty ridicule (even though we have our own language quirks). I can expand on this. They are crayons, not "crowns". As much as "pop" bothers you, my relatives in Baltimore drove me up the wall saying that.
- I before thee, except after me.
- YOU MEAN THOSE SPEED LIMIT SIGNS AND LINES ON THE ROAD PERTAIN TO ME!?! Side Note: I know it wasn't brought up but it does relate to the previous bullet point. I never knew what really bad driving was until I drove in Maryland.

To be honest, there are SEVERAL parts of that rant I can easily come up with comparisons to where you used to live. I'll give you that Toledo isn't the hip or even an up-and-coming place to live, but some of those states you mentioned aren't either (honestly, you hate oppressive humidity, and were considering moving to Georgia?). Poor local government operation has put Toledo into a tailspin to which I do not know if they can ever recover. However, using Toledo to describe Ohio is like using Queens to describe New York City.

Regardless, you've probably moved out by now, and are happier(?) that way. More power to you.

Yes! I have moved, and am much happier... in AZ.

I have to agree, Marylanders are extremely crazy on the roads. After surviving the bumper to bumper 90 MPH on the DC Beltway, or route 50 from DC to the Bay Bridge-- then experiencing the Toledo natives' idea of bad traffic--a backed up exit ramp off of 475 with a 5 minute delay-- or perpetual construction (I-280, 36 years and running)--- I would prefer the Toledo traffic over that. The traffic here in Phoenix is not great either (specifically the 202 Loop and Sqaw peak Hwy rush hour)--and is very predictable. Everyone speeds (+ the speed limits here are 75 in some areas) but it feels safer than the beltway, and is not as ridiculous as Toledo--as far as the road rage is concerned. If you hold someone up for 10 seconds in Toledo you can become a murder victim-- or they are "all up in your grille" like they say in Toledo.

East coast mentality? I know what you mean--but I never portrayed anyone from Ohio as rude or arrogant....until I got there and met them. I could care less about the language thing. Here in AZ, we say soda or soda pop, and vacuum (dammit!!). I also know now what a "swamp cooler" is-- and it is not a refreshing drink.

Toledo is what I consider a very undesirable place to live. I do hope things can be better in Toledo some day, for their sake. The downward spiral that they are in just keeps going faster and faster. My friends from Toledo often talked of the "good days" when employment and money was not so hard to come by legally. I did not intend to condemn the whole state of Ohio, I just could not find another area in Ohio that was "appealing" after my Toledo experience.

The humidity on my Atlanta visit was oppressive. It is a great city though, and like the desert heat here, the humidity would be a small price to pay for plentiful activities, culture, employment, and no 7 month sub-zero winters.

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by sandra_m_morrison

My college roommate was from Cleveland and at the start of winter she was so excited for the snow. I had to sit her down and explain to her that in Cincinnati, we get snow 3 maybe 4 times a year.

I'm late to the party on this thread, but this made me LMAO because it's so true. Many, many years ago, I relocated to Lebanon from Painesville for a job. One morning during that first winter, my alarm went off to the sounds of the disc jockeys rattling off all the school closings. Even after living on the North Coast for most of my life, I still enthusiastically greet the first snow of the year like a long lost friend. I sprang out of bed, opened the curtains, and I could still see the grass sticking up out of the snow!!!! The streets were wet and free of snow. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, and vowed I'd move back to NE Ohio as soon as possible.

Instead, I stayed in Lebanon/Cincinnati for 23 years ... It took me about 10 years to adjust to the southern Ohio way of life, but I'd give anything to be back there now.

[WIMU]

I cant wait to move from Ohio almost there just need to rid myself of a house. I am going back to New England where at least it is beautiful everyday and not full of polluted air and waterways. Strange people here who have sports on the brain 24 hours and will work only when they absolutely have to and then run to the golf course(maybe a little early). Snow is the white death here--you can't drive because they don't plow and you can't drive because they can't drive in anything. Was here one day after moving in Jan 2001 and somebody plowed into my rear because they didn't know that the white stuff on the gound was called snow and it might be a little slippery. Way too southern down in Cincy and heading back north thank god.

[RuthlessVentures]

Just been re-reading this thread, I find it interesting that so many people refer to Ohio as being "Midwest" . . . . I was raised in Kansas, always considered anything east of the Mississippi as "Back East". Not trying to start a flaming troll attack, just my viewpoint. I was born in Texas, raised in Kansas, my stepdad was a Georgia/Tennessee man, I've lived in Maryland, Florida, Wyoming, and now Texas, have been to every state in the lower 48 except the West Coast States and anything North of New York State. So, I can't say much about them, other than what I hear from others. Each state/area has it's own "ups" and "downs". I've never been to Toledo, so I can't say anything good or bad about it. By the way, where I grew up, it was "colors", not "crayons, crayolas, or crawns", LOL!

[HAS]

Originally Posted by RuthlessVentures

Just been re-reading this thread, I find it interesting that so many people refer to Ohio as being "Midwest" . . . . I was raised in Kansas, always considered anything east of the Mississippi as "Back East". Not trying to start a flaming troll attack, just my viewpoint.

Ohio is the eastern-most state considered to be in the Midwest. Here's a link of all the different regions in the United States:


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/af/Map_of_USA_showing_regions.png (broken link)

[sjgphoto]

I'm fairly new to this forum, meaning I have read much, havn't posted. I ran across this thread as I am originally from northeast Ohio. I havn't lived there in several years due to the military, but I do know about it.

I thought the original posters comments were hilarious. Reason being, I currently reside in Mississippi and I could have swore I was in the Mississippi forum. First, we have a ton of trailer-parks down here, many pregnant school-age girls, according to the news, and plenty of rude drunkards.

Yea, I havn't called soda-pop by the term "pop" in many many years. Actually, it kinda sounds funny when saying it aloud. But, some parts of the country call in soda, some call it pop, some call it soda-pop. Whoopie! Also, on the vacuum note, boy I havn't called it a sweeper in ages either. Cool.

Anyway, I am not gonna ramble. I didn't even think of reading every page of this thread. So, I hope I didn't hurt anybody's feelings that live in Mississippi. Oh yea, I'm moving back north in 2 weeks, albeit Pennsylvania.

Scott

Originally Posted by OneWayOut

Hello all, Im new to this forum. I just started researching a few other states, and decided to join in. Ive been stuck here in OH, dangerously close to the Michigan line, for a few years now. I am trying relentlessly to get out, but it seems every other day something happens here to prevent it. Biggest mistake I ever made was moving here from Maryland. Here are my reasons.

1. People. There are some good people here. Dont get me wrong. Otherwise, they are very cliquey, rude, fake, and will backstab you in a moments notice. Getting drunk and driving old beat-up Camaros to the trailer park to see your girl seems to be the favorite pastime– It is at least in the part of Ohio that I am stuck in (Toledo). You have to be a “good ‘ol boy” to fit in here. Get drunk, and watch OSU!! If thats not your bag, plenty of tattoos, hat turned sideways, shorts falling off your rear, and plenty more alcohol coupled with pot (or something worse) is the way.

Aside from that, they have their own native language here. For example, instead of a “vacuum” it is called a sweeper. Sweepers are machine guns or brooms, not vacuums. When you say “thank you” to an Ohioan, all you get is “YEP”. “Your welcome” is not in their vocabulary. Also, soda here is called “POP”, A pop is a noise, not a softdrink. (I know, grow up, but these are pet peeves) These are just a few examples, there are many many more. The accent is a cross between the Kentucky drawl, and the Michigan roll. They couldnt come up with one on their own. There seems to be a problem with teenage pregnancy, and single women that have 5 kids with all different fathers.

2.The weather. Summers are oppresively humid, rainy, seldom sunny, and very short. Mosquitoes are as big as squirrels, and will attack you relentlessly even if you were swimming in a bath of bug spray. Winters are so cold that you cant even touch your steering wheel in the morning without your fingers freezing to it– thats if you can get into your car after scraping 3 inches of ice off of it. Long, gloomy, sub-zero winters are the norm. They last from October to April here. They use salt on the roads, so not only does your car freeze, it rusts out all over. The brown nasty slush on the roads in winter is no picnic either.

3. Economy. I have been trying to sell my house and move out, almost a year now. I have dropped the price twice. It is now quite less than what it appraised at. I live in what is supposed to be a “nice neighboorhood” by Ohio standards. Toledo is very slow right now. There are very very few jobs that dont consist of waiting tables, or low paid factory work. No wonder I cant sell it. Those that have good jobs here are either lawyers or doctors. Ohio has one of the highest bankruptcy rates, so go figure. I can say im glad to have the job that I have, but I have found it pays better elsewhere.

4. Toledo & Vicinity: I have never seen some where that is so sports-barified in my life. Chain restaurants and big box stores are everywhere. This is becoming the norm most everywhere though. It is ridiculous. It is impossible to get anywhere without driving. The bus system is sub par, and hardly runs anywhere– if you want to go to a bar or club, your out of luck unless a DD can be found. Walking anywhere is out of the question. That normally does not bother me that much, but just adds to the difficulty of having some kind of fun here. There is no culture here. The downtown is a lifeless concrete nightmare, and the rest is just ghetto stick houses. The only plus side, is 5/3 Field. I will give it that-- except that I object to it being named after a bank. Again, sign of the times.

Outdoors life is nearly non-existent. Cedar Point is the only plus if your into that. Going fishing in polluted lakes and rivers and getting wasted while doing it is all there is. I was in Fremont just today, and drove over the Sandusky river bridge, and it smelled of sewage. Golf and parks get old quick when they look the same. There are no mountains, ORV parks, or nice huge national parks here. Flat as a table top. You have to drive for 3 hours to see even small hills.

I could go on for hours, but that should give you a good idea. Thanks for reading my rant. I am looking at North Carolina, Arizona, Oregon, or Georgia right now as possible new homes. I have been to all, and have not decided which to move to yet. But I cant even move till my house sells. Pardon any misspellings or grammatical errors, its not because im from Ohio.

I know some of you wont feel the same way. This is just my opinion of this place.

[OneWayOut]

Wow, hi again all, I have not visited here in some time.

AZ living is still going great. No complaints thus far. The job is going great, along with many new neighbors, some culture shock (for the good), and many more new friends, and things to do! A great fit. I predicted I would miss the mid-west greenery, and I do! However, the mountains here are all that I need to make up for that. Ive been so busy exploring. Every weekend has been a trip to some different part of the state, Ive never logged so many miles on my car in 6 months. I have to say the best so far has been the new Grand Canyon Sky-Walk, simply un-freakin believable. The outdoors here is unlimited, it seems it would take a lifetime to experience anything twice.

I have been talking to everyone back east now regularly, and they have convinced me to come back for a visit, Memorial day weekend. Its off to Ohio, then to Maryland for a few days, then back to AZ.

I am actually looking forward to visiting that state I found "not so appealing"--again, and seeing everyone. I expect to arrive in Toledo on the 25th-- Just to experience the 29 hour drive from Tempe again. I bought a conversion van for this trip, and many more within AZ and elsewhere to come!