Thinking about leaving Ohio??? Get in line and fill this out (Toledo: layoffs, neighborhood)

[jstn]

Originally Posted by urbancharlotte

Photo of Toledo
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Photo of Raleigh
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The Raleigh area (economically) is heading in a different direction than Toledo. However as a "real city", Toledo trumps Raleigh and just about every "city" in NC. I can understand why a Buckeye would call Raleigh a "chithole". By "real city" standards, it is. Charlotte is about the only city in the state that is trying to become a "real city".

Photos of Charlotte
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I used to live in Ashland Ky and partied in Ironton OH on the weekends. Ironton (for a small town) has got ALL of these NC towns beat hands down!!! Columbus is also the "chit" on the weekends too!!! I think Ohioans should stay at home because the grass ain't greener in NC. Charlotte is NC's best hope for a "real city" and it isn't even on Cincy and Cleveland's level yet!!! To be quite honest, it will never be a Cincy or Cleveland. There is too much sprawl down here!!! If you are a fan of sprawl and low density towns with little history and culture, NC is your state. The only thing better in NC is the weather. If you like the snow, the weather here sux!!!

Ohio is a great state!!! I can't see why a Buckeye would leave Ohio for NC!!! Other than a job transfer, there is no reason to come to NC IMHO. NC is still very backwards when compared to Ohio (socially speaking). I grew up in Charlotte BTW and lived/worked in Ohio for nearly 3 years as a trucker. I have worked out of a Walmart Distribution Center in Washington Court House and I have carried freight from Youngtown to Cincy. I am very familiar with the entire state of Ohio enough to tell you guys that you all are not missing a thing living up there. NC is highly overated. Take it from someone who grew up in NC and has an Ohio connection. OHIO FREAKING ROCKS AND DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YA'LL DIFFERENT!!!

My friend, I just can't seem to figure you out. I mean what exactly is your angle. You keep mentioning "real city". What exactly defines real city? If you are referring to grittiness, extensive rundown areas and large pockets of high crime, then yes Ohio has more real cities than NC.

I was born and raised in the Cincy-Dayton area and have now lived in Charlotte for more than a decade. I find it laughable that you would discourage people from looking at NC for a possible move (unless you just don't want anymore Northerners moving here).

With a name like urbancharlotte, I'm guessing you want to be a big-time city dweller. That's fine, I understand that, but I hate to tell you that you won't find that in Ohio either. A few more old buildings and historic architecture don't make a city any more vibrant or livable.

The truth is, I know Charlotte, Cincy, and Columbus very well, and Cleveland fairly well, and Charlotte wins hands-down. It's clean, it's safe (when compared to cities of relative size), and it's economy when compared to the 3-C's, is booming. Raleigh, economically at this time is far superior to any of the mentioned cities.

You see, while you seem to picking a city based on grittiness, "weekend fun" and "real city" characteristics, most rational people tend to choose a relocation spot because of economy, livability, affordability, opportunity and desirability. In that case, than I would say both, Raleigh and Charlotte are far superior to ANYTHING Ohio has to offer.

I am not putting down Ohio in anyway, as it's my history and I still have a lot of love for it. But when someone says they desire to move from Ohio to the Carolinas, I fully understand where they are coming from. Been there, done that...It was the best move I've ever made.

BTW, there are thousands and thousands of former Buckeyes currently living in the Charlotte. For every one person I meet that misses Ohio, I meet 10 that are glad they made the move.

[urbancharlotte]

Originally Posted by jstn

My friend, I just can't seem to figure you out. I mean what exactly is your angle. You keep mentioning "real city". What exactly defines real city? If you are referring to grittiness, extensive rundown areas and large pockets of high crime, then yes Ohio has more real cities than NC.

I was born and raised in the Cincy-Dayton area and have now lived in Charlotte for more than a decade. I find it laughable that you would discourage people from looking at NC for a possible move (unless you just don't want anymore Northerners moving here).

With a name like urbancharlotte, I'm guessing you want to be a big-time city dweller. That's fine, I understand that, but I hate to tell you that you won't find that in Ohio either. A few more old buildings and historic architecture don't make a city any more vibrant or livable.

The truth is, I know Charlotte, Cincy, and Columbus very well, and Cleveland fairly well, and Charlotte wins hands-down. It's clean, it's safe (when compared to cities of relative size), and it's economy when compared to the 3-C's, is booming. Raleigh, economically at this time is far superior to any of the mentioned cities.

You see, while you seem to picking a city based on grittiness, "weekend fun" and "real city" characteristics, most rational people tend to choose a relocation spot because of economy, livability, affordability, opportunity and desirability. In that case, than I would say both, Raleigh and Charlotte are far superior to ANYTHING Ohio has to offer.

I am not putting down Ohio in anyway, as it's my history and I still have a lot of love for it. But when someone says they desire to move from Ohio to the Carolinas, I fully understand where they are coming from. Been there, done that...It was the best move I've ever made.

BTW, there are thousands and thousands of former Buckeyes currently living in the Charlotte. For every one person I meet that misses Ohio, I meet 10 that are glad they made the move.

I made more money and paid less in rent in the Ohio area than Charlotte. Charlotte and Raleigh are doing quite well economically but a "choice mover" should not come to NC. By "choice mover" I mean people that don't have a job already lined up. The numbers and the hype about NC's cities don't tell the whole story. I am a native New Yorker so trust me, I don't consider Ohians as being unwanted Yankees LOL!!! I just know of numerous newcomers to NC that did not find what they had hoped to find "Greener Grass". I am glad you found it though.

Someone said that Raleigh is a "chithole". When it comes to "real city grit" Raleigh is. So is Charlotte to an extent. I have come to learn that there are those that tend to want that grittiness and "soul". I know it may sound crazy, but some folks look for that when they move. If they don't find that, they complain. Crazy, but true...

Jobs is a problem in Ohio, but the unemployment rate in Charlotte and Raleigh is going up. Raleigh's county (Wake) is number one in the state when it comes to foreclosures. Charlotte is number two I think. Does this sound like "greener grass" to you?

[GeminiGal]

Originally Posted by urbancharlotte

I made more money and paid less in rent in the Ohio area than Charlotte. Charlotte and Raleigh are doing quite well economically but a "choice mover" should not come to NC. By "choice mover" I mean people that don't have a job already lined up. The numbers and the hype about NC's cities don't tell the whole story. I am a native New Yorker so trust me, I don't consider Ohians as being unwanted Yankees LOL!!! I just know of numerous newcomers to NC that did not find what they had hoped to find "Greener Grass". I am glad you found it though.

Someone said that Raleigh is a "chithole". When it comes to "real city grit" Raleigh is. So is Charlotte to an extent. I have come to learn that there are those that tend to want that grittiness and "soul". I know it may sound crazy, but some folks look for that when they move. If they don't find that, they complain. Crazy, but true...

Jobs is a problem in Ohio, but the unemployment rate in Charlotte and Raleigh is going up. Raleigh's county (Wake) is number one in the state when it comes to foreclosures. Charlotte is number two I think. Does this sound like "greener grass" to you?

Great post. I have lived in Charlotte, now in Columbus. In fact, I have lived in quite a few cities in NC, Raleigh being another. Have many friends and family still in NC. I meet folks all the time that call NC their "dream destination" and specifically they want to be in Charlotte first, then Raleigh. I am telling everybody who asks, especially now, do not move without a secure job and lots of cash in case you loose that job. COL is not that much cheaper in the South. In fact, we came to OH specifically because of more $$. My DH is in corporate HR and wages in many cases are less in the South due to the demand of folks that want to live there!

Unemployment may be low in Raleigh, but the word is that many have moved on and are not reporting. Raleigh is heavily tied to the IT sector. Charlotte is heavy financial. All is not said and done with Wachovia and BoA and jobs as the banking industry continue to take hits. I know quite a few folks that live in both places, things are not a rosey as they once were.

Now is not the time to move anywhere without a secure job. I have heard too many stories of folks moving with a "secure" job, a few months later being stuck and unemployeed unable to find work. If you don't have heavy cash readily available, then financial disaster could be on the horizon if all cards are not played accordingly. Seriously folks, this economy is not a good time to look foor greener pasteurs unless you have lots of cash that you can blow through!

[Blondie08]

I agree with you.

Originally Posted by urbancharlotte

I made more money and paid less in rent in the Ohio area than Charlotte. Charlotte and Raleigh are doing quite well economically but a "choice mover" should not come to NC. By "choice mover" I mean people that don't have a job already lined up. The numbers and the hype about NC's cities don't tell the whole story. I am a native New Yorker so trust me, I don't consider Ohians as being unwanted Yankees LOL!!! I just know of numerous newcomers to NC that did not find what they had hoped to find "Greener Grass". I am glad you found it though.

Someone said that Raleigh is a "chithole". When it comes to "real city grit" Raleigh is. So is Charlotte to an extent. I have come to learn that there are those that tend to want that grittiness and "soul". I know it may sound crazy, but some folks look for that when they move. If they don't find that, they complain. Crazy, but true...

Jobs is a problem in Ohio, but the unemployment rate in Charlotte and Raleigh is going up. Raleigh's county (Wake) is number one in the state when it comes to foreclosures. Charlotte is number two I think. Does this sound like "greener grass" to you?

[jstn]

Originally Posted by urbancharlotte

I made more money and paid less in rent in the Ohio area than Charlotte. Charlotte and Raleigh are doing quite well economically but a "choice mover" should not come to NC. By "choice mover" I mean people that don't have a job already lined up. The numbers and the hype about NC's cities don't tell the whole story. I am a native New Yorker so trust me, I don't consider Ohians as being unwanted Yankees LOL!!! I just know of numerous newcomers to NC that did not find what they had hoped to find "Greener Grass". I am glad you found it though.

Someone said that Raleigh is a "chithole". When it comes to "real city grit" Raleigh is. So is Charlotte to an extent. I have come to learn that there are those that tend to want that grittiness and "soul". I know it may sound crazy, but some folks look for that when they move. If they don't find that, they complain. Crazy, but true...

Jobs is a problem in Ohio, but the unemployment rate in Charlotte and Raleigh is going up. Raleigh's county (Wake) is number one in the state when it comes to foreclosures. Charlotte is number two I think. Does this sound like "greener grass" to you?

I understand your point about needing a job before you move, but isn't that just common sense. Sure we get our fair share of northerners that move down here, thinking it's a jobs paradise. But you could say that about any growing city (Nashville, Austin, Portland, etc.) Then they act as though it's Charlotte's fault that they were too stupid to understand the basics of financial security.

However, if you notice the original quote I addressed, this was not the issue. I was addressing your unfair bashing of NC.

You paid less rent in Ohio? Are you really comparing Ashland, Ironton and Washington CH to a major metropolitan area such as Charlotte?

Charlotte and Raleigh are a "chithole" because they lack grittiness?
Seriously? Did you really just call somewhere a "chithole" because they are nice. I understand some people like older cities with an urban, rundown feel to it. I get that. But, I just can't understand how being too nice makes somewhere a "chithole". That's a new one: hey don't move to Charlotte, you'll hate it because it's too new and clean. The niceness just sucks! That may be true for 1 out of 1,000 people if you are lucky.

Unemployment Rate in Raleigh and Charlotte is rising? Have you watched the news lately? You could say that about every major city in America. I hope you didn't have dig too far for that jaw-dropping info.

Wake County leads the state in forclosures, followed by Charlotte (Meck. Cty)? Well, considering about a third of the state's population lives in those two counties, I'd say that seems pretty logical. What's your point? Ohio has one of the worst forclosure rates in the entire country.

I'm sorry, I simply find many of your assessments to be inaccurate, maybe even ridiculous.


I personally could be very happy living in any of Ohio's major cities, but as a former Buckeye, now a Tar Heel, I will just say; if you are considering a move to NC, and you have job secured AND you will be able to live away from family without getting homesick, I feel certain that most of you (99 out of 100) will find Charlotte (or Raleigh) to be more desirable than any of Ohio's cities.

Take time to research (other than this forum), visit and plan. Good luck.

[west5548]

Originally Posted by jstn

My friend, I just can't seem to figure you out. I mean what exactly is your angle. You keep mentioning "real city". What exactly defines real city? If you are referring to grittiness, extensive rundown areas and large pockets of high crime, then yes Ohio has more real cities than NC.

I was born and raised in the Cincy-Dayton area and have now lived in Charlotte for more than a decade. I find it laughable that you would discourage people from looking at NC for a possible move (unless you just don't want anymore Northerners moving here).

With a name like urbancharlotte, I'm guessing you want to be a big-time city dweller. That's fine, I understand that, but I hate to tell you that you won't find that in Ohio either. A few more old buildings and historic architecture don't make a city any more vibrant or livable.

The truth is, I know Charlotte, Cincy, and Columbus very well, and Cleveland fairly well, and Charlotte wins hands-down. It's clean, it's safe (when compared to cities of relative size), and it's economy when compared to the 3-C's, is booming. Raleigh, economically at this time is far superior to any of the mentioned cities.

You see, while you seem to picking a city based on grittiness, "weekend fun" and "real city" characteristics, most rational people tend to choose a relocation spot because of economy, livability, affordability, opportunity and desirability. In that case, than I would say both, Raleigh and Charlotte are far superior to ANYTHING Ohio has to offer.

I am not putting down Ohio in anyway, as it's my history and I still have a lot of love for it. But when someone says they desire to move from Ohio to the Carolinas, I fully understand where they are coming from. Been there, done that...It was the best move I've ever made.

BTW, there are thousands and thousands of former Buckeyes currently living in the Charlotte. For every one person I meet that misses Ohio, I meet 10 that are glad they made the move.

You hit the nail on the head. The thing I miss most about Charlotte is that Charlotte is clean, modern, and very urban. Raleigh is another beautiful area and would move there as well. Columbus has a lot of old buildings and you can see it in their skyline, it's about as unimpressive as anything I've ever seen. I remember when I was leaving Charlotte I was asked by several from Ohio why I would want to move to Columbus or Ohio in general and I said "Something different", they said you'll be back and they were right.

Columbus and Ohio have realized they have a brain drain problem with keeping younger/educated people here, it doesn't have what they are looking for. Many of our interns we get can't wait to get out of here and are just using this chance to get some experience to move elsewhere either out west or to the southeast. Everyone says the economy in Columbus is better than the rest of Ohio and yes I would agree, however Columbus has a service based economy and give it time, with the way the economy is, Columbus is going to fall into an economic downturn as well.

[QCP]

I know this is a forum about Ohio, but I must say that I agree 100% with jstn and west.

I too have moved from Ohio(Cincinnati Area) to Charlotte. I have family in Columbus and visit frequently. While I do like Columbus, and still love to visit the "Nati", I am willing to say that the majority of people would pick Charlotte over both cities - hands down - not even close.

Raleigh is much more suburban, but VERY nice. All of my experiences with Raleigh have been very pleasurable. It is a nice, clean, rapidly growing city.

Despite what urbancharlotte says, Charlotte is very vibrant as a city. We have a very nice, clean and safe downtown with tons of new development. There are cranes everywhere! We have pro sports, nice restaurants, entertainment and a light rail system in place and expanding in the near future. All of this is downtown, so how is it not a "real city"?

I personally was really sad to leave Cincy. I had no choice if I wanted to keep my job. But, after time, I realized that it was like an unwanted divorce from a miserable marriage. I truly didn't realize just how depressing Ohio was until I left her. Wow, my eyes are wide open now.

For those of you considering a move to Charlotte, here's what I (personally) have found that could not be matched in Ohio:

• nice clean cities - I didn't realize just how slummy Cincy was until I got here.
• Great weather - our winter is your late fall - perfect!
• Access to outdoor recreation - the beach (several) and the mountains. I was there just last weekend - WOW!
• Strong economy - especially compared to the 3 C's
• City planners with vision - I have watched Charlotte grow from a sleepy little southern town to a thriving metroplolis.
• Great weekend trips - some of our mountain towns (Boone. Blowing Rock, Hendersonville, Asheville, Cashiers, Brevard, etc) amazing. Then we have great beach towns within a 3-4 hours (Wilmington, Hilton Head, Savanna, Charleston - After you move here you'll realize that Myrtle Beach is an armpit and only a tourist trap for Buckeyes looking for a vacation spot )
• But most of all the thing I find here that I did not see at home is HAPPINESS. Most of the people here are here because they WANT to be, not because they HAVE to be. That really changes the attitude of the entire city.

So, are the Carolinas the paradise that most people claim it to be? Well, like what jstn said, if you don't have a job or are likely to get homesick, then no, it is not. But, if you have a secured job, and don't mind living away from your family (I have actually grown to love it), then yes, this is a WONDERFUL alternative to the gray skies of Ohio.

[Buckeye in SC]

Originally Posted by QCP

For those of you considering a move to Charlotte, here's what I (personally) have found that could not be matched in Ohio:

• nice clean cities - I didn't realize just how slummy Cincy was until I got here.
• Great weather - our winter is your late fall - perfect!
• Access to outdoor recreation - the beach (several) and the mountains. I was there just last weekend - WOW!
• Strong economy - especially compared to the 3 C's
• City planners with vision - I have watched Charlotte grow from a sleepy little southern town to a thriving metroplolis.
• Great weekend trips - some of our mountain towns (Boone. Blowing Rock, Hendersonville, Asheville, Cashiers, Brevard, etc) amazing. Then we have great beach towns within a 3-4 hours (Wilmington, Hilton Head, Savanna, Charleston - After you move here you'll realize that Myrtle Beach is an armpit and only a tourist trap for Buckeyes looking for a vacation spot )
• But most of all the thing I find here that I did not see at home is HAPPINESS. Most of the people here are here because they WANT to be, not because they HAVE to be. That really changes the attitude of the entire city.

So, are the Carolinas the paradise that most people claim it to be? Well, like what jstn said, if you don't have a job or are likely to get homesick, then no, it is not. But, if you have a secured job, and don't mind living away from your family (I have actually grown to love it), then yes, this is a WONDERFUL alternative to the gray skies of Ohio.

I think you hit the nail on the head w/these points. Especially your very last one about the wonderful alternative to the gray skies of Ohio. Even on our 'cold' days in January & February (when highs are still in the low 40s), almost all of them are as sunny as can be. You just don't realize the difference until you've experienced both sides of it.

I liked your comment on Myrtle Beach too...haha...it is funny how Ohioans think it is the best place to vacation when you have awesome alternatives right down the coast (and just as close I might add) in Charleston, Savannah & Wilmington. I guess it's okay if you have young kids b/c they have a lot of activities for them, but other than that, why would you choose Myrtle over any of those 3 cities?

I've said it before, and while I would try to focus on the positives if we ever have to move back to Ohio for any reason, I know I would be so depressed to head back to the gray skies and cold winters.

[Mrs. P]

I guess what you all are seeing in Charlotte is totally escaping me. Huge layoffs, everywhere is what I see.
My company alone over 600 gone in a year. I'd hardly say Charlotte is booming anymore.
Their unemployment rate is almost as high as NE Ohio, did you know that?
Charlotte ran on 2 major business....banking and transportation. I'm in the latter business.
Both industries have taken HUGE hits this year...and the trickle down factor of Wachovia's potential THOUSANDS of layoffs, is going to have a major affect on downtown...yeah there are cranes down there, and how many of the "too-too" overly priced downtown condo's went belly up? 2 of them I believe, and they'll be turned into apartments with rents way over a thousand, and probably closer to 2,000.00....if anyone can afford to rent them. Even Nascar down here is taking a hit. DEI (Dale Earnhardt Inc 100 employees laid off yesterday, Bill Davis racing 40 laid off 2 days ago). Houses aren't selling here as well anymore, and our homes are losing values....seriously do you think that Charlotte is not being or going to be affected like the rest of the USA? That's a problem I have down here, too many people with blinders on. They ask you if you like their city, and if your honest and tell them no or it's just ok, they go ballistic...if you don't want to know don't ask. Do I go up to people here and say how much I dislike certain things? No...but if they ask I tell. Funny thing is????? how many REAL Charlotteans do you know or have ever met? My husband was one. I rarely ever meet any.

I wouldn't move down here without a secure job. And can truly say, I wished I never moved here at all...but family comes first, so I'm making the best of it. And yes rents are much higher in Charlotte than where I lived in Ohio, gasoline is way more, food is way more, utilities about the same, car insurance way more, but....you're right Charlotte is a lot cleaner...then again much of their downtown is way newer than most of Ohio's large cities...it's a pretty downtown or as Charlotteans call it "uptown"....but for all it's prettiness....it's going to be ugly (not in the physcial sense) when the Wachovia layoffs start.
Most of the restaurant/bars/beauty salons/barbershops/little stores in uptown are already suffering...it's going to get worse...Now Charlotte will start seeing empty buildings...been down to South Park lately? All those big beautiful office buildings off of Barclay Downs? most of them are dead empty did you know that? I worked in a building that had 1200 employees. It now has about 200. Our company left that building and moved into another even farther south in Charlotte.

Yes the weather is nicer, yes downtown is much cleaner. But truly for every good thing I can say / see about Charlotte, I can find another 10 negatives to say as well. Just as I can for Ohio. Both places have plus and minus categories.

[Buckeye in SC]

Originally Posted by Mrs. P

I guess what you all are seeing in Charlotte is totally escaping me. Huge layoffs, everywhere is what I see.
My company alone over 600 gone in a year. I'd hardly say Charlotte is booming anymore.
Their unemployment rate is almost as high as NE Ohio, did you know that?
Charlotte ran on 2 major business....banking and transportation. I'm in the latter business.
Both industries have taken HUGE hits this year...and the trickle down factor of Wachovia's potential THOUSANDS of layoffs, is going to have a major affect on downtown...yeah there are cranes down there, and how many of the "too-too" overly priced downtown condo's went belly up? 2 of them I believe, and they'll be turned into apartments with rents way over a thousand, and probably closer to 2,000.00....if anyone can afford to rent them. Even Nascar down here is taking a hit. DEI (Dale Earnhardt Inc 100 employees laid off yesterday, Bill Davis racing 40 laid off 2 days ago). Houses aren't selling here as well anymore, and our homes are losing values....seriously do you think that Charlotte is not being or going to be affected like the rest of the USA? That's a problem I have down here, too many people with blinders on. They ask you if you like their city, and if your honest and tell them no or it's just ok, they go ballistic...if you don't want to know don't ask. Do I go up to people here and say how much I dislike certain things? No...but if they ask I tell. Funny thing is????? how many REAL Charlotteans do you know or have ever met? My husband was one. I rarely ever meet any.

I wouldn't move down here without a secure job. And can truly say, I wished I never moved here at all...but family comes first, so I'm making the best of it. And yes rents are much higher in Charlotte than where I lived in Ohio, gasoline is way more, food is way more, utilities about the same, car insurance way more, but....you're right Charlotte is a lot cleaner...then again much of their downtown is way newer than most of Ohio's large cities...it's a pretty downtown or as Charlotteans call it "uptown"....but for all it's prettiness....it's going to be ugly (not in the physcial sense) when the Wachovia layoffs start.
Most of the restaurant/bars/beauty salons/barbershops/little stores in uptown are already suffering...it's going to get worse...Now Charlotte will start seeing empty buildings...been down to South Park lately? All those big beautiful office buildings off of Barclay Downs? most of them are dead empty did you know that? I worked in a building that had 1200 employees. It now has about 200. Our company left that building and moved into another even farther south in Charlotte.

Yes the weather is nicer, yes downtown is much cleaner. But truly for every good thing I can say / see about Charlotte, I can find another 10 negatives to say as well. Just as I can for Ohio. Both places have plus and minus categories.

Your points are well reasoned, keep in mind though that while Wachovia's demise likely will cost the city many jobs, the same can be said for the many large regional banks in Ohio - National City is in even worse shape in Cleveland, KeyBank and some of the others have taken huge hits as well and are laying off people. I am interested to see how Charlotte will be effected by the Wells Fargo-Wachovia merger. There was an article in USA Today about a week or so ago discussing the impact it's having on all areas of the economy in Charlotte already if for nothing else the fear factor of uncertainty w/lots of people unsure about their future.

Yes gas is higher in Charlotte, but for you being in Ft. Mill/Rock Hill, it usually has the cheapest gas in SC and it is typically 30 cents or so cheaper than the national average (currently gas is around $1.75-$1.85/gallon in Rock Hill/Ft. Mill - national average is around $2.10-$2.15).

I don't think rent is that much higher compared to what you would pay in any of the big cities in Ohio - we have friends that live on the east side in an apartment right now - about 15 mintues from downtown near Mathews right off of Independence Blvd.; I think they pay in the mid-$700 range for a 2 BR/2 Bath, 1200+ sq. ft apartment, and the complex is in pretty good shape. Don't think that is out of line w/rent in Ohio unless you live in a small town or rural area - which isn't comparing apples to apples.

I'll give you groceries are a bit higher down here, I've noticed it moreso w/staples like milk, eggs, etc.

As I've said before, we chose Columbia over Charlotte & Raleigh. Charlotte has poor interstate/highway infrastructure in the sense that I-485 doesn't form a true loop around the city, and I-77 is only 6 lanes through downtown. I still think though, even for all it's problems, Charlotte is still a better option than the 3 C's - w/maybe Cincinnati as the exception - as long as you have work lined up and don't just move on a whim - which is foolish regardless of where you are moving too.

It all comes down to individual preferences, I like Ohio, I have most of my family and friends still living there, but I love being in a milder climate, that my wife can actually have opportunities to do what she went to college for, and being so close to the beach & mountains. Columbia, Charlotte, Charleston, Raleigh - none of them are utopias and all have their share of problems - but when comparing the pros & cons to most every city in Ohio, think that most people will see them as desirable alternatives.