Ohio City Most Similar to Ann Arbor, MI? (Cleveland, Cincinnati: college, income)

[motorman]

^ Glad this red herring of yours got smoked out early. Now, w/o further ado, may we move back to the OP's original concerns?

[VM1138]

Thanks for the responses, everyone. I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking for. Basically I'm a Michigander who hates the state, aside from summer (but summers are nice everywhere to me) and is stuck in a rural area. My wife doesn't want to move far from family, so I'm pretty much stuck in the immediate vicinity (Indiana, Ohio, parts of Illinois). I don't have a real career at the moment, though I'm considering trying to break into publishing in some fashion, but I'm also realistic and know I'll never end up in NYC for it or anything, hence my comment about indie publishers.

As a history graduate (Master's degree) Ohio's history is far more interesting to me than Michigan's, Indiana's or Illinois. Ohio also seems to be a little more geared toward celebrating and preserving history than those other states. In Indiana I can't see myself living anywhere other than Indianapolis, but again, the history just isn't there, though I hear the town is booming.

Problem is, because I don't have a corporate-style career, most traditional lists of great cities to live in don't fit me. Ann Arbor, in theory anyway, seems to fit the bill with a lot of culture and a diversity of opportunities. But for all the perks it has it's still a fairly small city and outside of it there really isn't anything. I guess I was just hoping Ohio might have similar city, only bigger or with even more opportunities.

[SWOH]

^Of course! Thanks for replying back and clarifying more.

Have you ever considered Pittsburgh?

[captainclipper]

I'm an alum of both OSU (undergrad) and UM (grad school). In Ohio I would say hands down the city most similar to Ann Arbor is Columbus.

Check out columbusunderground.com to get a feel for what's going on in the city these days.

Also, if you're considering Pennsylvania, I'd echo the previous poster that Pittsburgh would be another good option to check out.

Good luck with everything!

[VM1138]

I never considered Pittsburgh. I always imagined it as just another struggling rust belt City with not much to offer. I'll look into it.

[UKWildcat1981]

I used to live in Columbus, OH before I moved to Lexington, KY. I am not sure how Columbus, OH compares to Ann Arbor in any way. I am not seeing that comparison at all. Columbus, OH is huge compared to Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor is a great college town, I don't know if Ohio has anything like Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor is a great college town, it reminds of Athens, GA a lot and Madison, WI other great college towns.

[WRnative]

Originally Posted by UKWildcat1981

I used to live in Columbus, OH before I moved to Lexington, KY. I am not sure how Columbus, OH compares to Ann Arbor in any way. I am not seeing that comparison at all. Columbus, OH is huge compared to Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor is a great college town, I don't know if Ohio has anything like Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor is a great college town, it reminds of Athens, GA a lot and Madison, WI other great college towns.

Ann Arbor technically is a university town. Ohio, like Michigan, actually has some great college towns. E.g., Oberlin.

[SWOH]

Originally Posted by VM1138

I never considered Pittsburgh. I always imagined it as just another struggling rust belt City with not much to offer. I'll look into it.

Ah, then very good you're giving it a look! Now that could not be further from the truth - out of the entire rust belt, somehow they have pulled off the best revitalization. Against all odds, really - Cleveland, Detroit, etc. have far better locations, more industry, and better resources.

But given what all you've stated I can't imagine a better fit city than Pittsburgh for you.


Best of luck!

[WRnative]

Originally Posted by SWOH

Ah, then very good you're giving it a look! Now that could not be further from the truth - out of the entire rust belt, somehow they have pulled off the best revitalization. Against all odds, really - Cleveland, Detroit, etc. have far better locations, more industry, and better resources.

But given what all you've stated I can't imagine a better fit city than Pittsburgh for you.


Best of luck!

Pittsburgh's cultural attractions are not as good as Cleveland's and it's two hours further away from Michigan.

Both Cleveland and Pittsburgh have more reasonable costs of living than Chicago.

[VM1138]

Anyone know what the history job scene is in Cleveland? I've heard there are actually a few history related jobs throughout the state once in a while.