Worth moving to Lima for this opportunity? (Columbus, Cleveland: insurance, daycare)

[lawmom]

Husband is a physician and we are looking around for places to move. We are currently in rural, coastal Maine. While I grew in Maine and love many things about it, we're looking elsewhere for better schools than this town, a more populous area so I can have a better chance at furthering my profession (attorney who would love to do only SS disability), and more things for the kids to do.


Frankly, we were not looking at the Midwest at all (kind of sick of snow), but learned of an opportunity in Lima where it is DH's dream job -- and they are offering a huge sign-on bonus and other truly impressive perks. Enough to make us really think about the move.

I understand that we probably would want to be in the Shawnee area as the schools are very good. As for things to do, coming from a town of 6000 and having to drive 30 minutes to a Walmart and an hour to a mall, Lima seems to have enough to offer, plus there are sporting events, the Toledo Zoo, etc.

But then I just read on this forum that someone lumped Lima into the Third World country of the US category, saying it was "a deserted farm town 100 miles from nowhere."

I've always believed every area has its good and bad. Is it really that bad there? Any input is appreciated.

[ImaMichigander]

We were perfectly happy in Michigan, but for my husband's employer. He too is a physician. When the offer came along to work for Blanchard Valley Hospital in Findlay, we went to look. We were amazed at how neat of a town it was, since we'd never even heard of it before. The job offer was AMAZING, the cost of living good and the people are very nice. The housing market was great compared to Metro Detroit-- definately a buyer's market. The schools seem good, we'll let you know in about 2 weeks, since school starts early here. We are very pleased with the Daycare, in fact, much more so than our school in Michigan.

I've never been to Lima. But the posts on this board just blast it. And not just a little bit, I mean they BLAST it.

I can tell you that Lima is not far from Findlay and might be a better living option that is within an easy drive. We don't have a Target, but do have a Meijer and 2 Walmarts. There is a small mall that seems less than sufficient, but there are 3 great malls in the Toledo area (and 3 Targets-- can you tell that I am a Target girl?)-- 2 of the malls are brand new. Very nice. We made the drive yesterday in about 45 min. Found everything that we needed. Apparently, Colombus is where all of the great shopping is. Haven't tried it yet, but will soon, I'm sure.

I don't know if you work or not, but I am a stay at home mom. When hubby found a dream job that could not be passed up, I couldn't ask him to. I was very resistant for a LONG time, but am in Ohio now and, for the most part, am pleased.

I wish you and your family luck! And feel free to message me if you have more questions....

PS-- if your hubby is thinking about coming to OH to practice, start the process today. Really, today! It took sooooooo long to get through the new federal credentialling agency and then the State Medical Board of Ohio took their sweet time too. The process took from early Feb to May. If you are thinking of moving anywhere out of your home state, do the Federal Credentialling ASAP, you'll need it anywhere you go.... And then there are the insurance panels... YIKES!

[lawmom]

Thanks for the info, Ima! (Do you mind if I call you that, lol?)

We will look into Findlay. I did want an area with easier access to shopping (It's 30 min to a Walmart and TJMaxx now, and an hour to a mall.) I miss Meijer, though, and would be happy to have one again! (I lived in Lansing for a few years.)

[chance2jump]

I am just outside of Bowling Green..

I hear a lot, and I mean A LOT of bad about Lima. My employer's training center and area operations hub is in Lima. Very few like heading down there, and they never have anything good to say. I would probably suggest Findlay, too. There is decent shopping, good highway access, and BG/Perrysburg isn't too far away. Most of NW Ohio is very rural with agriculture being the biggest industry. Cost of living is very inexpensive.

The landscape would most likely be the biggest culture shock for you. I'm from Lansing area, MI originally, then moved to Cleveland, then transferred out here..... this part of Ohio is FLAT. Hard to get used to when you're used to (and prefer) a little more landscape diversity.

[Ashley111]

I would suggest visiting before making any decisions. The hospitals are very nice so either one I'm sure would be ok. Lima really isn't very nice at all. I have lived in Lima my whole life and I will be moving as soon as I can. The houses are cheap, which is nice but a bigger house isn't going to make up for the quality of life in Lima. The mall is small with very little to offer and you will probably find yourself driving to Columbus or Ft. Wayne to shop.

Lately there have been an increase of shootings in the area (a drive-by (sp) where a woman was killed right in front of St. Rita's Hospital). Here is a link to the Lima News online LimaOhio.com. You can check this out once and awhile and get a feel for yourself.

Outdoor activities are also lacking. There is one main park (and a few smaller parks) where I only take my dogs to during the daylight. It is very scary, in my opinion, when it starts to get even a little darker. It has a nice playground, a few ponds and a small path that would take about 20 minutes at most. Some people go out the the resevoirs to walk or take boats but really that is all I can come up with.

If you do move here I would live in Shawnee like you said. As for the schools I know friends that have gone there but I really couldn't tell you how great it is or not. It just seems like a normal school to me. I would try to google the info.
If I was just talking to one of my friends I would advise them to run in the other direction! Some people love it here (mostly elderly that remember how it was). Lima just doesn't have what I want in life. I want walking paths, cute little shops, fun interesting places to eat, a good mall that I don't have to drive an hour and a half to, an airport nearby to make vacations that much easier, neighborhood activities and fun things to do with my future children. If this offer came up once there has to be another place that would be willing to give you something close to similar. You are planning a big move and you already said the midwest wasn't really where you were looking. If you are sick of snow check out somewhere like North Carolina. I love all the trees in NC. When I came back to Lima it was so depressing to me Lima looks very dirty. If you are still thinking Ohio check out Columbus, Dayton or Cincinnati.
Good luck and I would not choose to live in Lima for any amount of money (ok if it was a lot like a half mil a year haha).

[ImaMichigander]

Amen, sister, to how very flat this area is. I mean, a pancake has more elevation. I always laugh when I hear about how diverse the landscape is in Ohio-- because I have never noticed it. And I know it certainly is not here....

Coming from rural ME, the practice opportunities might be more of what your husband is familiar with. There is one town where my husband practices that the whole COUNTY has 9 docs. I'd never been to a 25 bed hospital before, but it was really neat. They had 5 er beds and the whole department was as big as my living room. Coming from Metro Detroit, we don't have ANYTHING like that. We have mega hospitals, even the community based hospitals are big. But the folks were all so friendly and there was none of the "I'm not doing it, because that's not my job..." Everyone there wore many hats and were happy to do so!

And as for great opportunities, suggest that hubby take a look at the Blanchard Valley Website and perhaps the Mercy Memorial Hospital in Tiffin. It's hard to recruit for the smaller towns, we've been told.

[lawmom]

I suppose any towns near Columbus would be too far of a commute for him?

We are looking at a few opportunities in NM, but those are in similar-sized departments and rural, too. I wanted to live in an area with easy access to, well, stuff. So in NM we were thinking of living in Las Cruces and he would commute an hour (He would not work M-F 9-5, so it wouldn't be horrible, and we'd get him a Prius.)

Since we were already thinking of him commuting an hour or so, are there areas near Columbus or another city that would be nice?

[Ashley111]

Marysville always seemed nice to me. I have only lived in Lima so someone that lives there would be a better source. My fiance

[Ashley111]

(sorry here is the rest...) is currently commuting to Columbus until we sell our home and he can usually make the drive in about 1 hr and 20 min.

[lawmom]

What I am reminded of is that everything is subjective, and Lima would be a great place for some and not for others, like every other locale in the world. We may just fly out to take a look around -- obviously we'd need to do that prior to making any decisions.

I suppose that we could always stay for 3-4 years (DH needs to commit for 3 years to get the bonus and loan payments), and then move somewhere else if we really don't like the area. The chance to work in a level II trauma center is a hard one to pass up for him.

I've also been looking at Troy/Tipp City as a possible option. Does anyone have any input about those towns?