Ohio: Economically depressed? (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo: public school, contractors, tax)

[BelieveInCleve]

I dont have anything against Kentucky, but I do find it to be kind of middle-of-nowhere and boring. I dont understand what would even given Kentucky the right to bash Ohio.

[InLondon]

Originally Posted by Traveler87

I am sorry, but in some parts of Kentucky, esp in the eastern end of the state, I had never seen poverty like that before. Literally, trailers with trash all over the yard, no electric, and the kids had little education, if any at all.

This post just proves my point. Well I am sorry but the same thing exists in Ohio. Cleveland, Toledo, Youngstown, Cincinnati, Dayton all have big poverty issues.

[Cincy-Rise]

Originally Posted by Buckeye in SC

The other thing the state has no control on is it's gloomy weather (w/the exception of the southwest portion i.e. Cincinnati of the state).

Buckeye, I wish this were true! lol ... but 240 miles is a piece of sand to cloud cover 50,000 feet above sea level.

[Cincy-Rise]

Traveler, I've really enjoyed reading some of your post in this thread!

Keep it up! Ohio really is an amazing state.

[hillside]

ohio is going downhill and at breakneck speed.

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by hillside

ohio is going downhill and at breakneck speed.

Are you in Ohio? And, if not, tell us what "perfect" State you reside in please.

[hillside]

columbus, ohio.

grew up in cincinnati, lived in dayton and hamilton as well. outside of columbus, what city in ohio isn't going downhill? youngstown, canton, cleveland, lorain, akron, toledo, dayton, middletown, hamilton, and cincinnati are all in bad shape and struggling with serious poverty issues and terrible schools. a lack of education creates and maintains cycles of poverty as much as any other culprit, so with ohio's sorry system, where do you think this state is going to be in 15 years?

[chikaranotori]

see, usually, i would agree with you on every point, hillside...except there are a few inaccuracies. i live near youngstown, and yes, it has serious problems, but there are people there who really do care and really are trying to improve it. does that mean they have a long way to go? probably. as far as schools in the y-town area, it all depends on what district you mean. because there is South Range, Boardman, etc, which actually rate very highly (according to state scoring).

i was raised in Canton...not a fabulous city by any means, but again, they are trying the best of a bad situation (poor local government decisions, which might change with the mayor recently voted in) and capitalizing on the Football Hall of Fame (which still rakes in the majority of the cash for the city). as with the schools, again, all depends on the district: Jackson, North Canton, Plain, are all excellent districts which turn out students who can easily compete in the real world.

and Akron? well, yeah, it has felt the effects of the manufacturing downturn...so has most of the eastern part of the US, but as far as doing well, it actually is surviving quite bravely. Akron is a fine city with some good schools and is pretty safe considering its size.

Cleveland has problems. duh. but they are trying and though i don't have a lot of love for it (it seems that alot of people don't for some reason...), for everything that has happened with the economy, they are again doing pretty well for a city of their size and scope.

Cincy? don't know much...haven't been there since 5, so any opinion on my part would be unfair. but Cincy people seem to love their town, so there must be something there worth loving.

there seem to be two attitudes when it comes to ohio. one is "oh well, ohio is gonna die, so screw it and let it die." the second is the ignorance of those more privileged to the fact that there serious problems that need to be taken care of before the state can progress.

[BelieveInCleve]

Im going to have to agree with Hillside on this one. All of our urban areas are in terrible shape as far as the main cities. Columbus is really the only city thats even doing good in Ohio and actually growing. Dayton, Cleveland, Youngstown, Toledo, Akron, Elyria, Lima and maybe Cincinnati and a few others are all still losing population. The schools are also in bad condition.

[GeminiGal]

Originally Posted by Hey_Hey

You know it's bad when Columbus is the highlight of your state's economy. It may be the best economy in the state, but compared to Southern or Western cities population and economic growth is pretty anemic.

I've recently met two families from the South (where I am from) that have moved to Columbus. So far, they have been more than happy with their decision to move here. Both have been lured by jobs. I really am shocked at the number of people transfering from other places as well like CA & TX. Everyone seems pleased with Central OH. Maybe there is some need for us Southerners & others to get away from the migration and the crazy growth.

I really do feel for these cities that are having population loses and are considered "dying" cities. I have been very pleased with Columbus and with the cities around OH that I traveled to this Summer.

I do have to say, that we went to MI and there are parts of that state that are absolutely beautiful. I still am happy we picked Columbus.