Wanting To Move From CA (Columbus, Cleveland: apartment, how much, house)

[kandjgalvez]

Let me break it down for you.

I'm a young female trying to get a more extensive college education but already have 6 years of customer service, 1 year in management and 2 years supervisory work under my belt. I am currently studying to be a graphics designer. I have already done some professional advertising for local companies here in Ventura, CA. You can check it out at Babycakes Cartel - Graphic Design / Multimedia Freelancer - iFreelance.com.

I want to work, study and live in the same place though I wouldn't mind making a considerable drive from work to home if I can't live and work in the same city. I want to live in a climate that is normally cold (rain, snow, whatever). I want to live near water (lake, river, ocean, whatever). I love the mountains and nature but still need my clubs, downtown, shopping and fun!

I am engaged! My fiance wants to earn the main income and I want to work part time while I send myself to school. He has a 5 year old daughter and wants to have her live with us (on weekends, holidays and summer) so I am aiming to make payments (rent/lease to own) on a 3 bedroom house, but for the beginning I'm down for a three bedroom apartment.

My fiance wants to at least get some response from Ohio residents that came from California or locals that just want us to know something special about their state. I'm looking specifically at and around Toledo.

[whobitty]

If you are looking for a place with educational opportunities, Toledo is certainly a good choice. We have several universities and smaller colleges in the area. We have the University of Toledo, Bowling Green State University, Owens Community College, and Lourdes College, and that's just naming a few. The University of Michigan is also only 45 minutes away. We also have a great library system as well, which I really missed when living elsewhere.

It certainly gets cold here in the winter, but also hot in the summer. We have snow, of course, though many of the big systems seem to split and diverge around us. I actually wish we'd get more snow. As far as water, we are situated near the muddy Maumee River and Lake Erie. We have an excellent metro park system. Don't expect any mountains or even many hills for that matter, though - we are flat here. You'd have to head south to Cincinnati for a hillier experience.

A great thing about Toledo is that you can get just about anywhere in twenty minutes. We have a downtown, however it may be smaller and less "hustle & bustle" than you are used to. It has made some big strides in the last few years and has some nice things to offer, though. We also have many new shopping areas, such as Levis Commons in Perrysburg and The Shops at Fallen Timbers (Holland/Maumee?).

As far as clubs, I have no idea anymore. I was happy to wave goodbye to that whole scene once I was married. My friends who have moved to CA and are now in their thirties seem to maintain more of a late-night, club lifestyle. They are definitely seem to be less settled into their lives than we are here in Ohio. The biggest difference our friends have found in moving to CA was the way people related to one another. They are always happy to find another transplanted midwesterner to converse with. When they are back in Toledo visiting, they have also commented on how much friendlier everyone seems to be here.

Before you make the big leap anywhere, you should definitely visit first and see if you can really picture yourself there. Good luck!

[YoMikey617]

Toledo ??? Toledo is the worst part of Ohio.

[kandjgalvez]

Thanks for your response whobitty. You have been the most helpful in my efforts as of yet! The schooling is the #1 priority on my list so its great to see that Toledo has a lot to offer. Would you say that it would be a good idea to buy a house there though? I was told that the economy was falling apart and I don't want to end up being stuck there.

Yomikey617 - Mind telling me why you feel this way?

[Traveler87]

Toledo really is a nice city. I just stated this in a previous post. A great park system, a very nice skyline, the Marina District across the river from downtown was just approved, a new downtown ballpark is planned, the Skyway Bridge was just finished, and there are some really nice suburbs. Not to mention Toledo offers one of the best art musuems and zoos in the country.

If no luck in Toledo, I am pretty sure you can find somethings in the larger cities of Cleveland, Columbus of Cincinnati.

[Butterfly Works]

Cleveland Cleveland Cleveland 4 or 5 major colleges a fairly large graphics art community and some reall neat urban housing especiall in and adjacent to the warehouse district and public transportation from just about anywhere to anywhere in the county

[lydunn]

I used to live in Toledo the University is nice but there is nothing else to do in the city after 5 forget. I live in Cinti right now and we have 3 great schools here. Univ of Cinti (Alma Mater), Xavier (My sis alma) and Miami (Party School)...Just wondering why you are leaving Calif (Ventura) beautiful area to come to Ohio. I see you want more of an education does Calif not offer that???? Cinti I believe or Columbus would be the better place for you. If you need any help let me know.