Help!!! Moving to Ohio in 2 months and want to know your opinions. (Columbus: ski resorts)

[geovulcan]

My husband (Sean) and I just got married. We currently live in Houston, TX and finally able to leave now that Sean finished school. We are both 25 years old with Bachelor's degrees and looking to move to Ohio.

These are the attributes we're looking for in our new hometown:

-> LOTS of scenery! Sean and I, both, are suckers for it. Biking trails, parks, nearby opportunities for hiking, camping, etc. We enjoy winter sports as well.

-> Small-medium size town. We wouldn't want to necessarily live in the city, but in driving distance since it's likely we will work in the city. We are thinking something a little like Dublin is to Columbus.

-> Available jobs. Sean's a Graphic Designer and I have a teaching and Fitness/Nutrition degree. We're willing to drive to work as long as we live somewhere beautiful.

-> Safe enough to walk around at night without worrying.

-> Relaxed, down-to-earth, family-like community. Not snooty preferably.

-> We will be interested in buying a house within the next year, so looking for someplace where we can get a nice house for less than $215,000.

So if you had no ties and could move wherever you wanted to in Ohio, where would it be?

Also, do people play soccer in Ohio? Are there high school soccer teams?
Thanks in advance for your responses. We'll be moving at the end of March, and need to find an apartment soon. Any information is very much appreciated!!!

Best wishes for 2008!

Sincerely,
Sean & Leah Kerndt

[ericmc783]

Originally Posted by geovulcan

Also, do people play soccer in Ohio? Are there high school soccer teams?

Yes, Almost every high school, even the small ones, have soccer teams.

It's still predominantly a football state. But high school soccer has really taken off in ohio the past ten years or so.

And based on your criteria, I would consider some of the western 'burbs of Cleveland if you're willing to consider living near cleveland. Suburbs like Lakewood, Westlake, Strongsville, and bay village.

[Crew Chief]

With all due respect to Ericmc783, if you want to avoid that awful "lake effect snow", get away from Cleveland and look in the Cincinnati 'burbs! Heck , ya can always drive up to Cleveland and sightsee!

[Traveler87]

Cleveland is a great city that offers so much. We offer a national park in a metro area of over 3 million. Here in Rocky River, we have so many bike trails, walking trails, and this is just the beggining. This leads you into the Cuyahoga Nat'l Park. This is just part of the Cleveland Metro Parks, which are only 30 minutes from downtown depending on traffic and where you are at, but a great escape from the city life. Great suburbs are Brecksville, set in the middle of Cuyahoga Nat'l Park, Seven Hills, Bay Village, Westlake, Olmsted Falls, Fairview Park, and Rocky River.

Columbus also offers a variety of metro parks. Many set in the northeast suburbs of Wothington, Gahanna, and New Albany. Newark has about 50,000 people, but still has a small town feel to it, and is located in a very beautiful area east of Columbus. Its not a long drive from the city. Dublin and Hilliard are nice, but more expensive, and Delaware north of Columbus is also quite nice, but growing very rapidly. Delaware County was the 12th fastest growing county in the nation last census. But still a nice area, and the growth is being controlled.

As soon as I am done with college I would like to get a job in Columbus. There are a lot of good things happening down there, and being an urban planner in Columbus, there are so many oppurtunities. Best of luck in the move. If you need anymore help I will try my best.

[CortlandGirl79]

Actually, the OP said they enjoy winter sports. I don't know about Cinci, but NE Ohio is close to some decent ski resorts.

[Traveler87]

Originally Posted by CortlandGirl79

Actually, the OP said they enjoy winter sports. I don't know about Cinci, but NE Ohio is close to some decent ski resorts.

Alpine and Boston Mills/Bradywine are some nice ski resorts.

[BuckeyezRule]

Originally Posted by Traveler87

Alpine and Boston Mills/Bradywine are some nice ski resorts.

Those are right up my alley! I've tried to become a ski buff out here in Utah, but the mountains are insane. Well, for me anyway. I'm a novice. LOL

You know, I really liked Akron, & surrounding cities for smaller town feel, w/ big city amenities. Plus, the housing is cheap. =) Lots of hiking in Summit county too. & yes, big football state! =)

[Stephan_K]

Originally Posted by BuckeyezRule

Those are right up my alley! I've tried to become a ski buff out here in Utah, but the mountains are insane. Well, for me anyway. I'm a novice. LOL

Boston Mills and Brandywine relative to UT, WY or MT skiing would be equivelent to a "bump" on any one of the hill out that way . I love it!

If you are new to the sport, these two places will be great depending on when you visit them. Usually they are the places of chooice for MANY area school ski clubs and such and get very crowded. (or they used to be when I was in school 20 - 25 years ago). Hey all you youngsters, has it changed much over the last 20 years? Haven't been there in that long. When you get used to the real mountains, those "bumps" in Clev. aren't even worth the trip anymore .

[Traveler87]

Park City in Utah blows Bradywine and Alpine out of the water lol.

[BuckeyezRule]

It just depends on what you are looking for. I loved Dover Lake Park at Brandywine/Boston Mills, before it got publicized, & the general public ruined it. I also heard it closed. So sad. As for out here, all I can do is CC ski w/ ski's & boots I got from our local 2nd hand store. It is fun, & I like doing it 'by myself' (I usually pull the kids behind me on a sled) . Or, snowshoe that way too. As for change, last time I was up by BW/BM, not much change, just to the towpath trail that we liked to ride. =)