Relo to Newark,OH (Columbus, Cincinnati: insurance, how much, houses)

[dyna rider]

I have a possibility of relocating to Newark, OH and am not familiar with what to expect. I'm originally from Long Island, NY but relocated to Florence, SC (not recommended) 3+ years ago. Information about the area is much appreciated. Things of interest are neighborhoods, shopping, food, weather, local activities (car shows - Motorcycle events), etc. Also, is there a helmet law in OH? Are there diners, bakeries, delicatessens, coffeehouses and non-chain restaraunts? Also, I'm looking for a realistic view, so feel free to mention the good, the bad and the ugly. Thanks.

[paintballer1708]

Welcome to the forum, dyna rider. Newark is really a nice city to consider a move to. Its east of Columbus and not far from the entertainment. It is located in Licking County and is really a booming area. I think Newark is only about 30 minutes from the Eaton Center in the Columbus suburb of Gahanna. It is one of the largest shopping malls in the nation. You are also not far from Columbus itself which has an attractive downtown. One negative of the area i can think of was when we were looking for a place to move to around the general area, was the traffic. A lot of construction they were trying to spread the lanes i could tell in some areas to meet the growth. But Newark is in a nice scenic area. Some really nice parks within a 30 minute drive.

BTW, i dont think that you have to wear a helmet in Ohio. I see many that dont wear them around Cincinnati.

Heres the cities main website:

http://www.ci.newark.oh.us/

[dyna rider]

Thanks for responding, I did a search on OH helmet laws and found that riders who are under 18, or are otherwise novices, are required to wear a helmet. Other than that, no helmet required.

[Cosmic]

Been a long time, since I've been to Newark, drove back with a relative last Xmas but it was dark, couldn't tell much, lot more traffic than I liked. More built up than I remember. My relatives like it there, been there a long time. Very scenic if you aren't trying to get somewhere.

The law should be those under 17 always required to wear a helmet, also riders of all ages for within one year after getting a license. IIRC, within the first year, no carrying of passengers.

Your crazy not too, Ohio roadways can be a slaugherhouse in many areas. Guy killed in a small town here on the town street, T-Boned a car, probably would have survived with a helment. Showing off, way too much speed.

[dyna rider]

Thanks for the info about the helmet law, it confirms what my research suggested. In regards to it being crazy not to, it depends on a whole host of variables. There are many schools of thought about that. Riding style seems to play mostly into that - as you suggested, speed was probably a major factor. So was showboating. It has been statistically determined that the type of motorcycle (and the disposition of the rider) has a great deal to do with the risks. Those who ride what I refer to as "tree darts" tend to operare their rides in a manner that is exceptionally unsafe. Even the insurance industry has picked up on this fact and charge their customers accordingly. I do not criticize anyone for helmet usage (or lack thereof) but for myself, I prefer to base my decision on personal choice and responsibility. The law to me is as much a matter of the government micromanaging my personal affairs as it is the taking of MY choice to make MY own decisions regarding MY safety. Sorry for the rant!!!

Otherwise, I thank you for your response. Having been from Long Island, I'm too familiar with congestion and although I will need to see it in person to verify, I have a difficult time imagining that Newark can compete with that madhouse.

Thanks again for your response and I'll be looking forward to anything else you (and others) may have to offer in regards to my original post.

[paintballer1708]

I believe after the Ben Roethlisberger incident, Pennsylvania now makes everyone wear helments.

[Chinadolls]

I am moving back to Newark after having been gone for the past 20 years (I live in Kentucky now). I grew up there and went to school there. My parents and friends still all live in Newark. It is a very nice city. It has grown a lot since I left. And you should see how much it has grown since my family moved there in 1970. It now has about everything we are looking for (schools for my kids, a swim team, plenty of places to eat and shop). We are just starting to look for a house, but since I know the area, I am doing initial looks on the internet. It is strange though that areas that were frarms and fields (Owens Potato Farm for one) are all housing developments now.

[paintballer1708]

^Its a shame, but that is all sprawl. Newark was a great area though. My wife and i were looking into that area around Columbus for a possible move. Its a great little city in a great county. Its got some great scenic areas for a nice drive just minutes from the city limits. And its not far from Columbus either. Seems like the area offered a lot. We were looking into Heath around Newark. Good luck on the move, and i hope everything goes well.

[dyna rider]

Well, I just recently returned from an interview in Heath, OH and had the opportunity to check out the area. It seemed quite nice - the type of place my wife and I could be quite happy. We have already looked into the housing stock and have found many viable offerings. Assistance on which neighborhoods to look at in greater detail would be appreciated. Also, although I hadn't the chance to check it out in person, I heard that Granville is very nice and worth looking into. Other than that, I'm still open to any other commentary about the area and also any particulars about the restaraunts, shops and stores in the area.

[paintballer1708]

^Granville is a great area. I really like the sorrounding area around Newark. A lot of nice smaller communites. One thing that i do like is that it is not a far communte from Columbus, which has a lot of entertainment. For shopping and good restaurants i would check out Easton Town Center, the largest mall in the Columbus metro. Its located near New Albany and Gahanna. Also check out the Polaris Place Mall along the Polaris Parkway in northern Columbus.