Anyone know of the area around Portsmouth? (Dayton, West Portsmouth: relocating, home)

[the_pines]

I don't know where we're going to end up moving to as of right now. My list was Boise(northern area), Western North Carolina, Northern California(ruled out, to expensive), Alamogordo New Mexico(no family around), back to Dayton Ohio, and southern Ohio.

I love Ohio because I was born there and I have family there still. I'm particularly interested in southern Ohio around the Shawnee State Forest and Shawnee State University. The University is a huge plus as well as the foothills. I don't know if I could adapt to living in a small town, but maybe I find it pleasant. Also I have three girls and school curriculum is very important to me. I want them to have very hard courses.

Any information on the area and pictures would be very appreciated. Relocating back to Dayton is a big possibility as well.

[Kereczr]

Originally Posted by the_pines

I don't know where we're going to end up moving to as of right now. My list was Boise(northern area), Western North Carolina, Northern California(ruled out, to expensive), Alamogordo New Mexico(no family around), back to Dayton Ohio, and southern Ohio.

I love Ohio because I was born there and I have family there still. I'm particularly interested in southern Ohio around the Shawnee State Forest and Shawnee State University. The University is a huge plus as well as the foothills. I don't know if I could adapt to living in a small town, but maybe I find it pleasant. Also I have three girls and school curriculum is very important to me. I want them to have very hard courses.

Any information on the area and pictures would be very appreciated. Relocating back to Dayton is a big possibility as well.

The portsmouth area is kind of an interesting place because it is basically a cross between a college/retirement town. So if you do move here you will be seeing a lot of elderly/young adults. Other than the college though, Portsmouth really doesn't have that much to offer in terms of education. We did just get new 50 million dollar schools which are very nice, however, the teachers aren't that impressive, so obviously neither are the classes. We do have a private school or two if you can get your children into there. Portsmouth though, really isn't a place I would want to raise kids. TO be perfectly honest it has a drug/crime/juvenile delinquent problem. Also, in terms of entertainment, the area is pretty lack-luster. Pretty much the only thing we have around here are shawnee state sponsored events and a wal-mart. The leadership in this town is horrible as well. You ask pretty much any portsmouth native and they will say almost exactly the same thing. Also, the local law enforcement is kind of shady and has an element of corruption/ public disdain to it. Not all of the law enforcement, just certain elements. The foliage is really beautiful around here, but the town is not, very old, poorly maintained buildings are the norms here. We could have had a plethora of businesses in the area but thanks to the corrupt leadership who had connections to one of the strongest businesses here at the time, martings, malls and the like were kept out so that there was no competition and it is obviously hurting the town now. In terms of jobs, unless you can work at a hospital, you will be hard pressed to find a job here that doesn't involve flipping burgers. Pretty much the only thing this area has going for it is the beautiful surroundings.

[the_pines]

Ok' thanks. I don't really need to know anything more about it. I'll stick to Dayton then. I would like to get involved with a poor community in Dayton anyway. Picking up trash and whatever else possible.

[Sun Tzu]

Originally Posted by Kereczr

The portsmouth area is kind of an interesting place because it is basically a cross between a college/retirement town. So if you do move here you will be seeing a lot of elderly/young adults. Other than the college though, Portsmouth really doesn't have that much to offer in terms of education. We did just get new 50 million dollar schools which are very nice, however, the teachers aren't that impressive, so obviously neither are the classes. We do have a private school or two if you can get your children into there. Portsmouth though, really isn't a place I would want to raise kids. TO be perfectly honest it has a drug/crime/juvenile delinquent problem. Also, in terms of entertainment, the area is pretty lack-luster. Pretty much the only thing we have around here are shawnee state sponsored events and a wal-mart. The leadership in this town is horrible as well. You ask pretty much any portsmouth native and they will say almost exactly the same thing. Also, the local law enforcement is kind of shady and has an element of corruption/ public disdain to it. Not all of the law enforcement, just certain elements. The foliage is really beautiful around here, but the town is not, very old, poorly maintained buildings are the norms here. We could have had a plethora of businesses in the area but thanks to the corrupt leadership who had connections to one of the strongest businesses here at the time, martings, malls and the like were kept out so that there was no competition and it is obviously hurting the town now. In terms of jobs, unless you can work at a hospital, you will be hard pressed to find a job here that doesn't involve flipping burgers. Pretty much the only thing this area has going for it is the beautiful surroundings.

You're killing me with your blanket statements.

Please provide proof to your statements about the following:

Entertainment
Education
Employment
Politics

There are plenty of opportunities to succeed in Scioto County and the surrounding area.

[carol56ec]

You can read in the Portsmouth Daily about the corrupt local officials and the drug problems and prostitution. The new schools are nice but I heard the new principal is on suspension right now so that doesn't look good for them either. The general look is pretty rundown and shady except the area immediately around SSU. I don't like to drive through it in the dark. There isn't much around for entertainment. I wouldn't move here on purpose. Go further east to Fairland. Nicer place and really good system.

[Juniptulip]

Hi the_Pines, I know its probably too late, but you have been misinformed by the two, carol56ec and kereczr...obviously they are the negative people that have kept Portsmouth in the dark for so many years. I have driven through Portsmouth many times in the dark and I have to say that I have never been afraid to do so. Entertainment wise, we have a couple bowling alleys, movie theaters, a great antique market, murals, a great little community theater, Restaurants, a cirque du soleil type performance place, parades, a college campus, karaoke (just to name a few)....if you know enough about the community, there are always great things to do here!!
School wise, we have brand new public schools as well as a couple private schools that many of my friends' children attend. They are very happy with their education. I personally have worked in the schools a few years back and was very impressed with the caring nature and also the professionalism of the teachers.
Portsmouth does not itself have the wal mart, sorry to let you down, it is actually in a neighboring town by the name of New Boston, which also has an applebee's and a little strip mall going in.
I'm sorry that you were misinformed, one really big problem Portsmouth has are negative people. Portsmouth is great...you get the smalltown atmosphere, everyone knows everyone...I'm proud to call it my hometown regardless of what negative people may say!! So please, consider us in the future, or do not make a judgement on our town based on what the two above have said!
Thank you and good luck to you with your move!

[spacekittin]

Juniptulip,

I am glad to see a positive post on here about Portsmouth, I am considering that location as one of my possibilities for a future home. I have researched a lot and it is nice to see that someone is standing up and stating the good parts. All areas have negatives too, but the positives are what I want to know.

I have looked at photos of the area and I am curious about something, does the river ever flood into town? It looks as if the streets run right on the river's edge.

[Juniptulip]

I think in 1937 it did, but honestly, I have no proof. Today, though, it never happens. Right now there are some awesome floodwalls that the city utilizes in case of the river water getting high.

As you would travel from Portsmouth to West Portsmouth, some roadways are covered by water, but they are only alternate routes and it doesn't hinder traffic, as one can us another route.

The Floodwalls have also been used on one side as Murals and on the other side there are stars that famous portsmouth citizens autograph when they come home.

If you have any other questions, just let me know, I'll do my best to answer them!!