Any cheap, charming. liberal, artsy cities in Ohio?

[HuskerDu]

I graduated from OU Main Campus/Athens in 96 after living there for six years and it was already changing then. It really isn't the liberal artsy mecca it once was...unless, of course, you consider drunken preppy 20somethings in a bar puking to be progressive in some sadistic way. There are only a handful of little shops and cafe/pub/restaurants left that have any history or creative edge and the big chains are quickly replacing them. The University has plenty to offer in the way of various arts programs, but it is mostly geared towards the student body. Please don't get me wrong... I love the place and go back to visit often, but it is first and foremost a drinking town for students with some charming societal drop-outs from years and decades gone by still hanging about. A thriving music scene still exists there that is much better (more original/down to earth) than some of the larger Ohio cities like Columbus, but like most things in Athens, you need to be in a bar to enjoy it.

[Cosmic]

By your standards probably would rate as very cheap, is charming in its way, liberal for sure, artsy like few smaller towns ever are.

It does have a lot of the things only big cities tend to have. A tad toward culture and a population that likes that type of lifestyle.

Columbiana is up toward Pittsburgh in Columbiana County. Has lots of things geared toward the life style of the more wealthy folks of the past. Lot of that type of thinking still prevades the area. They even kept an old theatre and plugged a ton of money into it in the downtown area. An area that sort of values the intellectual side of life. Free concerts on the commons in the park in summer.

A blend of possible things. Still a lot of farm country about in the area.

[avail apart]

hi hubcap, im moving out of a great place in 2 weeks. an apartment about 7 miles from Athens campus-in the country becomes available October 1st. the rent is $600, which includes heat, electric, water, and trash pickup, with satellite tv and internet extra. contact me if you want more information.

[lemonlauren]

Yellow Springs sounds like exactly what you're looking for... very artsy, very liberal, very unique. I can't think of another town in OH that fits that bill better. House prices vary a bit, but are probably moderate for small-ish town Ohio - which is pretty cheap. If you want even less expensive, you could try Fairborn, OH. It's not super artsy there, but if you live close to the public library anyways you'll still be in the middle of mostly locally-owned shops, which I've always thought was nice. And Fairborn is only about a 10-15 minute drive at most to Yellow Springs too.

Lauren Wickline

[kelebek]

In the Cleveland area: Tremont, Lakewood, Ohio City, Coventry Village in Cleveland Heights