Relocating Columbus vs. Dayton??? (Cincinnati, Kettering: high crime, houses, job market)

[Genesis]

Hello!! I am a divorced Single parent looking to relocate to Ohio. I have lived in Tennessee for the past 10 years about 5 hours from home (Northern Kentucky/ Cincinnati) Area. I would like to be closer to home, but I like some distance between my family. I am 32 years old and I have a 7 year old and I have permenant custody of my cousins 3 year old. We are a biracial family, often mistaken for some Spanish heritage, and I have found our race to be a bit of an issue since there are so many illegals. I dont like being labeled, however Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth of the United States therefore I dont see a problem with America having things written in spanish.Not to mention practically every country in the world has things written in English(I use to be in the Army). We go to other countries and automatically expect people to speak to us in English. If Americans dont learn other languages in the long run it may actually hurt us. I have NO spanish ancestry but since I am often mistaken for the race I have found myself defending certain issues. I am not bilingual but I can speak a little French. I have brought up the race issue simply because my race has not helped me in the State of Tennesse!!! People here often fly the confederate flag and there was a store in the mall dedicated to confedreacy.. I just feel it is high time I leave. There are places with good southern hospitality, but (1) ignorant event a year is enough to spoil the idea of living here. I have 10 years of Federal service combined with a Logistics background working for the Military.I plan to move following my Graduation with a Bachelors Degree in Business and Management. Anyhow, I would like some insight to relocating to OHIO, and any advice concerning Dayon Vs. Columbus.I hope I didn't turn people off to giving advice, and I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

[paintballer1708]

Well im sorry that some spots of Tennessee are still in that position. If i were you i would look into moving to the Columbus metro. They have a diverse population, a growing job market, and just an all around good area to live in. Check out the suburbs of Worthington, Westerville, Newark, and Delaware. What all are you looking for in a certain area?

[Genesis]

Thanks for your reply. I see from most of your comments you a bit of an Ohio expert . I am looking for a nice community that is outside of the inner city with good schools, and a nice diverse community base. I like being able to have the city amenities without the inner city crime. Since I am a single parent safety, and schools are my most important requirement. My son's current school is very nice, and since we live near the Military Base all the schools in our town have a security feature, where noone can get in the building unless they are buzzed in.I really like that feature and was wondering if any of the public schools in Daytonor Columbus area have similar security.

[Yankee&Proud]

I am from Dayton and have a bi-racial family myself. You will find that being a part of a bi-racial family won't even get you a second look from those in the Dayton area. Bi-racial families, couples, of any two races together is something very common.

I understand the difficulties you've found in TN. I'm currently located in Little Rock, AR. My company relocated my family here last July. It amazes me how backwards people can still be.

Dayton is a place where you'll find that as a rule, people are allowed to be whomever they are. Everyone that I know either personally or professionally have friends of all races, religions, sexual preferences, and more.

When last in OH I lived in the city of Kettering. The neighbor to my right was a black family, the neighbor to my left was middle eastern, the family 2 doors down was white and 3 doors down was hispanic. We all came out to our front porches each evening and chatted with each other as our children played together.

Dayton does have a high crime rate, their schools are not good by any standard, the economy will soon crash with the closing of GM and other plants. You may actually find it is better to live in one of the suburbs. Huber Heights is a nice suburb for bi-racial families as well.

[Gee]

Columbus and Dayton are both good choices with your job background (federal service), experience(logistics) and education (Business and Management). Since Columbus is the Capital of Ohio it has a lot of government jobs and is also home to many business' headquarters and warehouses. Dayton is home to Wright Patterson AFB which will be expanding soon with the consolidation of many military facilities.

[Genesis]

I am pleased to find out the information you provided about Kettering. I have seen alot of good things about Kettering on different websites. I am weary of the info about Dayton though...I have heard good things about Bearvercreek as well. In my neighborhood in Tennesse I think there is a rainbow coalition of people, seeing that this is a Military town. It's the Natives of Tennesse that Run the city though. They have had the same two Mayors taking turns for the last 30 years, and the Department of Justice has had 12 EO complaints about the Police Department in the last year.So far 2 cases setteled out of court for $250,000.00. It is not everbody that is stuck on the confederate mentality but when it confronts you it really hurts. Unless you are in the Military or work for the Military, one will find that most places in this town only want to hire minorities in "service jobs" that pay awlful, even with a degree.Ortherwise you can commute to Nashville which is an hour away. However, Thanks Yankee

[Genesis]

I appreciate your insight into Columbus. I have already looked into trying to get a job with the Department of Logistics. However I wont be finished with my classes until March. I am looking so forward to having my Bachelors Degree.

[paintballer1708]

Columbus is a good city if you want to work in the government or large corporations. Dayton is a good city if you work in the military, mainly the airforce. Riverside, which is a suburb of Dayton, seems to be attractive to many foreigners. The population in 1990 was 1,500, in 2004 it was over 23,000. The suburbs around Dayton worth checking out that are diverse would be Beavercreek or Kettering.

[Genesis]

Thanks for your information about Dayton and Columbus. My next concern in finding a church home. I currently attend Mt. Zion Ministries (3 locations) in Nashville, TN. Bishop Jospeh W. Walker is the Pastor, and he has a television Ministry that comes on the Trinity Broadcast Network. He also has a website, www.jwwministries.com.

Does Columbus have a large Gospel Ministry Base like the church I just described??? Thanks

[streetcreed]

Well, Columbus is a larger city and metro than Dayton, and has one of the best economies in the region and Ohio. Now it all depends on if that matters to you.

And I wouldn't worry about a church you will be able to find almost any kind of church you want in Columbus it is a large city.