Relocation question (Cleveland, Akron, Canton: mcmansions, travel, job)

[miche47]

Ok I just got a new job in Westlake, but my husband works in Orrville in Wayne County. We are currently living in Canton, Ohio and need to relocate, however we are not sure where to go. Our current commutes (to my old job) are 35-40 minutes right now, so traveling to work is not a huge issue for either of us. Anyone have any suggestions on good cities that would work for this situation? Ideally we would like somewhere with some character - It seems like a lot of the places to the south and west of Cleveland are a bit too cookie cutter. Am I overlooking somewhere that could work for us? Thanks!

[bubbagirl]

If you don't mind the commute to Orrville... Berea, North Royalton, and Strongsville are all really nice areas with some old charm and character. I especially like Berea. Also check out Sharon Center and Granger areas - both about midway between both locations and good access to 71.

Other centralized points to consider would be Wadsworth, Rittman, Doylestown.

I agree... too many cookie cutter and McMansions along 71. Very bland, no character. My hubby is commuting from Doylestown to Strongsville right now and it about a 40 min drive assuming he gets on the road BEFORE most of the traffic (absolutely no later than 6:30am to make 7:30 start time)... probably an hour or so for Westlake.

[IDTwinsMom]

What about Hinckley or Granger? I live in Wadsworth, and I think you'd like the community here, but it would be a haul to get up to Westlake (probably 45 min.) Best of luck!

[Naturgal]

Greetings everyone!

I know you're out there. Former Orrvillians who have left and now you want out the rat race. You think back to the good, simpler times you experienced here in Amish country. You miss the small hometown feel, the fall leaves, the farms, the countryside and the clip clop of Amish buggies. Well, come on back home to Orrville.

We are in the midst of a revitalization. Orrville is one of a handful of towns across Ohio that are part of the Ohio Main Street program. We have received grants to revitalize our downtown and improvements are evident everywhere. Our downtown is becoming quite quaint these days. If you are looking to open up a little store, come on back and open one downtown. We have plenty of industry and our own electric company too!

Contrary to some statistics you might come across, Orrville is virtually crime free. It is a very safe town. I am prone to take walks in the middle of the night and have never been accosted in any way. I don't know where they got their statistics from because I'm sure if any serious crime happened it would be the talk of the town. There are no such thing as home invasions here, no carjackings and no murder. I feel completely safe here in Orrville.

We have a beautiful park with a creek running through it that holds concerts in the summer and abound with ballfields. We have great schools, in fact they just built a new school. There is a boys and girls club that caters the youth. Your kids can even go there while they wait for you to get off work. This is a wonderful place to raise children.

You are just 20 minutes away from all the shopping in Wooster and close to Canton, Cleveland and Akron. Orrville is not a mecca for shopping but they like to keep it that way. I can sit on my front porch and watch Amish buggies clipclopping down the street. They come in to go to our grocery stores. A very short drive takes you right into the heart of Amish country and its breathtakingly beautiful.

Nearby Kidron is a mecca for the Amish and there you have Lehmans, the largest old fashioned hardware store in the world. They have been selling hard to get non electric items since the 50s. They started out catering to the Amish's needs. Refer to Lehmans.com to see what I'm talking about.

Kidron also has weekly livestock auctions and an outdoor flea market where Amish and "Englishers" mingle. All around the area you can get locally made Swiss cheese and bulk food stores abound. One of the simplest pleasures around here is to take a country drive and get lost in Amish country. Marvel at the beauty of the well kept farms, see beautiful draft horses and dairy cows in the pasture. You'll see the Amish working teams of horses in the field. Okay now your turn fellow Orrville residents, help me explain why living in here is so great!