looking for small town in OH to make home (Columbus: for rent, affordable houses)

[trtlflwrs]

Wionee-

It's a good area as far as retail (Eastwood Mall, newly renovated and Southern Park Mall not too far away), food (great local Italian, Greek, and Slovak menus), and entertanment (local university campuses offer theater, standard movie venues, and indoor sports complexes).

As far as education goes... it's lacking, but that's my opinion of the entire state of ohio. As someone who graduated with a teaching degree and have numerous friends in the same profession, I would say that about 1 in 20 licensed teachers are actually hired by local districts. THIS IS NOT AN AREA I WOULD SUGGEST MOVING TO IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO TEACH. Many just end up in substituting for 4 or more years before landing a job.

As far as real estate, it's dirt cheap in most of Warren, but even if you fix it up- I'd venture to say it would be hard to sell. I would look at Howland (it's a township of Warren) or maybe Mineral Ridge, Niles, Cortland or Girard if you want resale value to the property.

As far as the snowbelt goes, it basically peters out by the time you reach the Warren area. Now I'm not saying we don't get snow... but it's not like Chardon or Ashtabula!

I grew up in Niles and still have family ALL around the area. Currently live in North Canton and love every minute of it! Feel free to message me if there's a question I haven't asnwered.

[paintballer1708]

^Im a big fan of North Canton. Great area!

[wesley45133]

Hillsboro is a nice little ton of about 7-8,000 people in Highland County. Hillsboro is 1hr 30minutes from Columbus and 1hr from Cincinnati. We have two lakes nearby, and St. Rt. 32 is just minutes away from Hillsboro.We have a college, a bowling alley and several other stores and entertainment places. The website for the City of Hillsboro is http://www.hillsboroohio.net/index.htm
Good luck and Happy Hunting!

[lugnut]

Originally Posted by cwarner

Hello all! I am new to this, but stumbled on this website and forum and decided to try it out in my research. I am in search of a really nice, friendly smaller town in OH that I can make my home. I currently live out of state in a large city but long for that small town feel. Can anyone give me any names of towns that you are familiar with that you could tell me about?
I do appreciate all that respond....thank you so much! cwarner

Have you looked at Marysville, Oh? Population @ 17,500, 30 minutes from downtown Columbus, U.S. interstate surrounding, 20 minutes from nearest Col. suburb, small town but growing quickly. County seat, many educated residents, manufacturing and other jobs close ( Honda of America ) employs 10,000 - 15,000 people within 10 miles, Scotts Co. ( lawn supplies ) 2 miles from town, etc.
Lousy OH weather - several hot, muggy days in summer, typical winter day is overcast, 40 degrees, maybe rain. Some snow, not much, usually. If you can't live near Lake Erie, Marysville not bad - 2 hrs. from the lake, 2 hrs. from Ohio River. 3 plus hrs. from Pittsburgh, same w/Indianapolis and Detroit; 6 plus from Chicago. Surrounded by farm land, in slow process of being converted to residential.

[angelbntk]

Hey there. My husband & I searched alot of areas also before finding London. It's not far from Columbus & they have an "old , home-town" feel. There are older & new homes. We have 3-kid's, and in my oppinion, the schools are great. As far as taxes go, it's 1% here.
We have lived here for a little over a year & love it.

[paintballer1708]

^London is a very nice community. How long of a drive would you say it is to Springfield though?

[dawnie417]

Originally Posted by cityblues

Hello, I am looking to move into Warren, Ohio. Any information you could give me would be great. I am looking in the NW and NE sections. I have heard Warren has a high crime rate. I live in a large city now. What is the sales tax? Is it on everything you buy? Thanks again.

HI, I recently bought a house on the NW side of Warren. I haven't moved in yet, but I am there every weekend. I have not have any problems and I like it very much. The people are all very friendly everywhere I go. My new neighbors are great. They say the crime is low and not a problem. The sales tax is 6.5% on just about everything except food ( excluding soda ). The NE and NW sides of Warren are nicer than the SW in my opinion.

[mcgavin]

Hi There -

Let me know where in Ohio you are thinking of. If you are open to anywhere, there are some great towns near Cleveland. Do you want rural or urban? Wooster is a nice small town, about 50 miles South of Cleveland, but it is rural. I can give you more ideas, if I have a sense of what your needs are.

[CirclevilleGuy]

Originally Posted by FinanceMom

I have positive memories of attending the Circleville Pumpkin Festival as a kid! It wasn't nearly that large back then! But - I just have to ask - I also remember the city having a distinct smell that was rather disturbing, from some sort of mill nearby. Is this still the case?

This year's pumpkin show was great , seeing that it was the 100th pumpkin show brought in a absolute ton of people. If you (Or anyone for that matter) Is in circleville , you HAVE to see the 100th Pumpkin Show Murial that was painted near the intersection of Court & Main.

I think the smell you're reffering to is the Mead Mill in Chillicothe , which sometimes can be 'smelled' even up here. I can't say that there's any particular smells or anything disturbing about Circleville. We've lost alot of our business recently, and are now becomming a very popular bedroom community for columbus. Property prices are low, taxes aren't too bad , so alot of people are thinking about us when moving to the area.

I'm hoping to shoot a short (15 minute) movie about Circleville soon and posting it on my website. Its amazing to do research into the history of the town, but then I know i'm biased.

[MarianneB]

Thanks for the well wishes and advice from everyone! We moved in Sep. and closed on our new house mid December! Even with snow on the ground, we love it here! We ended up buying in Kettering and are only 1/2 mile from where my parents lived when I was born! Kettering is a good size town for us and we really like where we are. We are on a cul-de-sac so our daughter is able to ride her bike/scooter, etc and I don't have to worry about her as much which is nice.
Our business is up and running and we're getting new pet food customers daily and life is good in Ohio
Thanks everyone!
Marianne