homesick for ohio (salaries, to move, vacation)

[ryeager9]

Originally Posted by Kasey77

This is so good to read. I miss Ohio so much and live in what is deemed as one on the most beautiful cities in the country. People here think I am crazy when I say I want to go back. Every day my family is deciding "should we stay or should we go" Especially when we read about all the migration out of there and the economy. We are hesitant to go back. I spoke with an old friend last week and they are moving from the area.
I think growing up there was a blessing. I don't think I could have had a better childhood.
And when I go back to visit, the people are so warm and friendly. It is lonely in paradise!
Good to know others feel the same

If I had a good job offer, I would not hesitate to move back. But I'm older and not as brave to just move back without a firm offer and a good security blanket (like 6 months of emergency funds). I have a friend who moved from NC to San Diego about 18 months ago. He said it was nice for the first year he was there (he sent me pics...it does look like paradise). But the novelty has worn off and he is over it. He is now in the process of moving to Chicago. He's only ever lived in TX, NC and CA. So the midwest will be a shock to him, esp. with winter coming. But I think he will be pleasantly surprised. I can't wait to find out how he settles into Chicago. I am sort of vicariously living thru him as I plan my own escape back somewhere to the midwest.

[SCBeaches]

Originally Posted by Kasey77

This is so good to read. I miss Ohio so much and live in what is deemed as one on the most beautiful cities in the country. People here think I am crazy when I say I want to go back. Every day my family is deciding "should we stay or should we go" Especially when we read about all the migration out of there and the economy. We are hesitant to go back. I spoke with an old friend last week and they are moving from the area.
I think growing up there was a blessing. I don't think I could have had a better childhood.
And when I go back to visit, the people are so warm and friendly. It is lonely in paradise!
Good to know others feel the same

Ah-h-h yes, what a utopian world we grew up in -smalltown USA. It is the "perfect world" that so many are searching for today and trying unsuccessfully to recreate. I am working on some stories about my childhood in Waterville and it sounds, on paper, as close to Mayberry as one could get.

* riding bikes until almost dark and our parents never having to worry because everyone watched out for everyone's children
* going up to Herb's Variety for a burger, fries and shake at the soda bar. Oops, no money? Don't worry, Herb will catch your mom for it the next time she comes in...
* playing tag and catching lightning bugs in the dark while all the parents sat on the front porches visiting
* my brother and I setting up our yearly vegetable stand to sell our homegrown vegetables that Mom hadn't frozen or canned
* spending summer days at the town park behind the fire station participating in the Summer Recreation Activities: crafts, baseball, cheerleading, archery, reading program, baton twirling, playshop (theater), etc.
* Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veterans Day parades and celebrations
* the Waterville Festival and Rouche de Beuf Day
* Fireman's chicken barbeques
* High School football games (go Anthony Wayne!) and chili dinners
* church on Sunday, Bible School in the summer (everyone went!)

These are but a few of my fond childhood memories of life in the 60's and
70's in Waterville, OH (between Toledo and Bowling Green). Boy do they make me homesick!

[Kasey77]

Well, I am so so glad that I am not alone. So many people bashing Ohio blah blah blah....
I think Ohio is beautiful. I hope some day to go back.

[firefightermom]

I miss Ohio too! I grew up north of Dayton and couldn't wait to escape...I went to college in Cleveland since I had to stay in-state, and figured that was the furthest from Dayton I could get. Ended up getting married to former college sweetheart 6 years after college and moved to his hometown in MD. What a huge mistake! I had no idea how much I would hate the east coast mentality of rush, rush, rush, and the overcrowdedness of the area. We finally we moved to south central PA this year. I suffered 9 years until I just couldn't take it anymore! It's not Ohio, but it's close enough. Small town, nice people, and a much better place to rasie my kids. Do what your heart tells you.

[Donna7]

Originally Posted by Kasey77

Well, I am so so glad that I am not alone. So many people bashing Ohio blah blah blah....
I think Ohio is beautiful. I hope some day to go back.

So let's get this straight: you've been gone for 31+ years, living in San Diego (and other places), yet you're somehow an "expert" on how other life-long Ohioans feel and what they've gone through and continue to go through living in NE Ohio for the last 30+ years. Apparently, if things aren't so great for SOME NE Ohioans because they can't stand the weather anymore, or can't find jobs in their field, and they speak up about it, then they're "bashing Ohio". If you think that Ohio is the cat's meow, then move back here and stop using the excuse of how you have to wait for your retirement, wait for this, wait for that until you move back while the rest of us are still living here. You got your chance, you took it, but God forbid that others grab hold of an opportunity if it takes them somewhere else. That would mean that they're "bashing Ohio." I guess when you moved out 31 years ago, that was a huge "thumbs up"/vote of confidence for Ohio.

In the end, you have the right to live wherever you want. So do others. They shouldn't be accused of "bashing Ohio" if they exercise their choice. You exercised yours.

To all the people who "miss Ohio" - no one's stopping you from moving back. Welcome back. I hope that you get to re-live the glory days of your youth or whatever period of time you miss and you associate with Ohio.

For the rest of us, we're ready to move on and create new memories. My husband and I lived in S. CA in the early 80's. We moved back to NE OH to have and raise our children around family. Now it is time for another chapter. It doesn't mean we hate Ohio or think that Ohio stinks. Maybe it will be worse somewhere else; people should at least have the right to give it a try. It doesn't mean that they're bashing Ohio.

[SCBeaches]

Originally Posted by Donna7

So let's get this straight: you've been gone for 31+ years, living in San Diego (and other places), yet you're somehow an "expert" on how other life-long Ohioans feel and what they've gone through and continue to go through living in NE Ohio for the last 30+ years. Apparently, if things aren't so great for SOME NE Ohioans because they can't stand the weather anymore, or can't find jobs in their field, and they speak up about it, then they're "bashing Ohio". If you think that Ohio is the cat's meow, then move back here and stop using the excuse of how you have to wait for your retirement, wait for this, wait for that until you move back while the rest of us are still living here. You got your chance, you took it, but God forbid that others grab hold of an opportunity if it takes them somewhere else. That would mean that they're "bashing Ohio." I guess when you moved out 31 years ago, that was a huge "thumbs up"/vote of confidence for Ohio.

In the end, you have the right to live wherever you want. So do others. They shouldn't be accused of "bashing Ohio" if they exercise their choice. You exercised yours.

To all the people who "miss Ohio" - no one's stopping you from moving back. Welcome back. I hope that you get to re-live the glory days of your youth or whatever period of time you miss and you associate with Ohio.

For the rest of us, we're ready to move on and create new memories. My husband and I lived in S. CA in the early 80's. We moved back to NE OH to have and raise our children around family. Now it is time for another chapter. It doesn't mean we hate Ohio or think that Ohio stinks. Maybe it will be worse somewhere else; people should at least have the right to give it a try. It doesn't mean that they're bashing Ohio.

Speaking for myself only, I was merely responding to the thread topic. I check this forum ocassionally since I still have aunts, uncles, and cousins in OH. I have nothing ill to say about the state since it is where I was born and raised. I didn't move away until I was 27 and am now 50. Yes, I have fond memories of living there...nothing wrong with that. Would you rather we be bitter and post negative things about Ohio? I am a positive person and prefer not to say anything if it isn't for constructive purposes.

Why did I move away? I would have had to substitute teach for at least 2 years before securing a full-time teaching position because that's the way things were back in the mid-80's (more graduates with education majors than teaching positions). I couldn't afford to live on a substitute's pay. There were jobs here in SC and the fringe benefits were living near the beach and having mild winters. I stayed because I found that I loved it here....my job, my new friends, the weather, the lifestyle, etc. I have no intentions of moving back to OH because this is "home" now. But that doesn't mean that I still don't have fond memories of my childhood in Ohio and that I don't still speak highly of Ohio. I happen to love both states!

[Donna7]

Originally Posted by SCBeaches

Speaking for myself only, I was merely responding to the thread topic. I check this forum ocassionally since I still have aunts, uncles, and cousins in OH. I have nothing ill to say about the state since it is where I was born and raised. I didn't move away until I was 27 and am now 50. Yes, I have fond memories of living there...nothing wrong with that. Would you rather we be bitter and post negative things about Ohio? I am a positive person and prefer not to say anything if it isn't for constructive purposes.

Why did I move away? I would have had to substitute teach for at least 2 years before securing a full-time teaching position because that's the way things were back in the mid-80's (more graduates with education majors than teaching positions). I couldn't afford to live on a substitute's pay. There were jobs here in SC and the fringe benefits were living near the beach and having mild winters. I stayed because I found that I loved it here....my job, my new friends, the weather, the lifestyle, etc. I have no intentions of moving back to OH because this is "home" now. But that doesn't mean that I still don't have fond memories of my childhood in Ohio and that I don't still speak highly of Ohio. I happen to love both states!

Sorry, my post was not directed to you in any way. It was directed towards another person ENTIRELY.

[leaving513forever]

Originally Posted by wesley45133

Ohio really is an awesome state. I went to North Carolina for just a week and I couldnt wait to get back to Ohio. I understand why you miss being there.

I know I'm late here, but LOL I just went down to NC for a weekend and was halling butt to get back to the midwest..

[leaving513forever]

Originally Posted by Mrs. P

AMEN, I say it weekly. Ideal way to grow up. I miss so many things about Ohio that I just thought, well every state has this: IE: Metro Parks, GOOD MILK :-) STREET LIGHTS (who would have thought those are not provided in many places in NC and SC) ??

I'm pretty sure, when I retire for good, I'm leaving the South and heading to Ohio near Amish country. I miss the beautiful green, I miss REAL lakes, not fake lakes like down here, I don't care about snow because if I don't have to get up to go to work, then I don't have to worry about snow on the car, and I'll hire someone to dig the driveway out if necessary. I will never ever live in or near a large city again after living in the Charlotte Metro area...ever.

OMG I was thinking the same thing when I went down to NC for a weekend. I was like where the hell are their street lights??

[LewLew]

Originally Posted by leaving513forever

OMG I was thinking the same thing when I went down to NC for a weekend. I was like where the hell are their street lights??

You mean the ones on the side of the road that you can't see if an SUV is next to you? How about the signs for the stores that are 4 feet tall, and you are somehow supposed to see them while driving and trying to look left and right for the steet lights! LOL I understand they want it to be "pretty", but it's not practical.