From Roanoke ,Va To Wooster Ohio,should we? (Columbus, Cleveland: relocate, apartments)

[Cherron]

I've heard that Wooster is a nice town, but my only experience with it is driving through it occasionally. I'm not one to get lost easily, but I sure get turned around in that town! It's a nightmare to drive in, but I suppose you'd learn your way around if you lived there. It's far enough inland to not be bothered too much by lake effect snow. That's not to say the winters aren't brutal. They are. But then again, summers are delightful.

[Donna7]

Originally Posted by ikuout

Thanks Donna7 for your insight! Roanoke Va weather is to mild and sunny alot, dont know about all that cloudiness! Not into the whole farm scene,esp. the teenagers.Any good shopping for teens, any rec. centers within a reasonable distance? Do people accept outsiders? Altho we are coming from Va. we are natives of Nh, lived there 40 years before moving to Va( for 9 years). No southern accents for us! Lots of cheap housing out that way, are people leaving the area, or is it growing? Thanks for any insight!! ikuout

Thank you for your response post. Roanoke VA sounds wonderful; NE OH is NOT mild and sunny alot in winter. Truly it is NOT. It is not the nature of this part of the state. If you're one that truly needs and wants mild weather and sunlight; I seriously caution you to rethink about moving to NE OH. I don't wish to dissuade you from moving here, only to tell you the truth. Perhaps mid-state (Columbus) to the southern part of the state is different. I know that the temperatures are slightly warmer. The cloudiness is real, and it lasts for a good part of the year, starting from late Fall throughout the winter. By Spring, most NE Ohioans are ready for the warmer, milder weather, and the sunshine!

As far as the farm scene, I'm not into that either, my husband and I are not farmers. He is a registered pharmacist, I'm a public accountant; I actually left Corporate America, and have had my own sales business since 1996. I'm looking to relocate back to S. California (my husband and I lived there in the early 80's before we had children, moved back here as I was expecting, and we wanted our children to be near family). The farm scene is not what everyone's into, but farming is a big industry in Wooster (Wayne County) because the land is fertile, and it is a large source of revenue for people. A major employer in Wooster was Rubbermaid; they closed their headquarters down a few years ago. Please come with a job offer in hand, if you can (I believe that you did say that your family was relocating here because of a job? Please accept my apologies if I'm wrong, as it's been a while since a read your original post).

As far as people in Wooster accepting "outsiders" - I believe that you and your family will be accepted easily; I think that most people in Ohio are friendly and nice. As in any state, join those things that interest you, and you will find like-minded people to do things with, hang around with, meet new friends. The being accepted part should not be a problem, in my opinion.

As far as shopping, there is a brand new part in Wooster that has all the traditional shopping amenities, and restaurants that you're probably used to in your area. There is more shopping, outlet malls, etc. within 30 minutes driving distance.

Because I don't live in Wooster (we're about 15-20 minutes away), I'm not sure about rec centers, but I would assume that Wooster has them, as it is the largest city in Wayne County, it is the county seat. I think that if you want to live here, you will be fine. The things that will most likely be different is the climate and the cloudiness in the winter.

I wish you the very best.

[Donna7]

Here is the link to Wooster schools - high school.
http://www.wooster.k12.oh.us/school_...spx?schoolid=1.

Wooster Ohio Chamber of Commerce:
http://www.woosterchamber.com/

[ikuout]

Hi Donna, thanks for taking time to help us, I guess Ohioans are nice! Will have to think about the area seriously. The home prices are much better than here in Roanoke Va. That is very inticing, I must admit. We are native New Hampshirites, so I remember that COLD. Dont miss that. Thanks for your insight, it is helpful! ikuout

[wpd]

My husband and I just moved to Wooster in January after having lived in Frederick County, MD for five years. All of our neighbors are extremely nice...I have yet to meet anyone rude. So, I'm sure you'll be "accepted." Wooster does have a YMCA, an indoor ice arena near the high school, a rec center that is part of the high school, and a fine arts center. Shopping here isn't the greatest, but it could definitely be worse. Thankfully, we aren't too far from Cleveland, Akron, or Columbus, so you could easily go shopping in one of the big cities for the day. I don't know much about the school system, as my son is not quite 2.

As others have said, winters can be cold, but we haven't gotten a whole lot of snow this year (only one major accumulation). Cloudy? Yes, but I don't think it's any worse here than it was in Maryland. The main thing to get used to is the cold. I was getting used to the milder temperatures before we moved here.

Housing here is very affordable when compared to the DC area. The house we owned in MD was a 3 br, 3 ba townhouse built in 1991. Our house in Wooster is a brand new, 3 br, 2 ba single family home and we paid the same amount for it as we did the townhouse back in 2002. We live in the north end of town which is the newer area of town.

In regards to schools, also look into Smithville. Some people who live in the north end of Wooster send their children to Smithville schools.

We are very happy that we made the decision to move out here. My husband and I are both originally from Ohio (although not this part of the state) and we were so glad to get back to the midwest. People are so much friendlier here, the traffic is much less congested, and the pace of life just seems a bit more relaxed.

[Donna7]

To original poster, well, if you're originally New Hampshirites, and have been acclimated to the cold, NE OH probably wouldn't be a drastic change (as far as climate). I think that Wooster, OH would be a great place for you considering that you have children, and are looking for a good place to raise them. I find this part of OH very down-to-earth, family-friendly. We've been in this area 36+ years for me, 42+ years for my husband (besides our stint in S. CA). Like I said earlier, the only thing that bothers me (besides the cold) is the lack of sunlight during a certain number of months, but if that doesn't bother you/affect you greatly, then it should not be a problem. I wish you the best.

[ikuout]

Hi Donna 7, and Wpd, Thanks for the help, All this inside info is invaluable!Metro Dc to ohio, what a change!
Any locals involved in High School baseball, Legion, middle school or travel (AAU) Baseball .We would LOVE to hear from you! Looking for high quality ball in the area? Also heard at Wooster High, you have to pay alot for sports participation, club fees etc.true? We never had to pay for school sports!
Thanks, ikuout

[Donna7]

Pay to play is getting more common in OH. Oh, by the way, be prepared to constantly vote on school levies (property tax or income tax). If they don't pass, then your school will have cuts. In my opinion, this is a huge problem in OH. All of our kids play baseball. The fee this year in area (we play Wooster by the way) - has more than doubled since the previous years. We actually paid approx. 130% more than the previous years for our kids to play baseball.

[WoosterGenerals]

First, I want to say thanks to those in the surrounding area that has had nice things to say about Wooster. Seems sometimes we all get caught up in the sports part of my town is better than yours. This to me shows the original poster just how special the AREA is.

Each area school has their strengths. Wooster is the largest school in Wayne County, and offer the most sports because they have more kids to fill rosters on the teams, more demand for other sports.

Wooster does have the PtoP. Dont know the cost, that is what I was looking up when I found this thread.

PAY TO PARTICIPATE
The Wooster Blade $100.00
Yearbook $100.00
Music $100.00
Speech & Debate $100.00
Drama Club $50.00
Athletics-First sport $100.00
Athletics-Second sport $75.00
Athletics-Third sport $50.00

Sports, Wooster is up and down. They play in the Ohio Cardinal Conference and they are the 2nd largest school in, with some smaller schools playing in it. For the most part, the Conference is competitive in all sports, but some are more competitive than others, and depending on the gender.

The OCC is strong in baseball. Wooster baseball has improved in the 2000's. They have won 15 or more games the past 3 years, around .667 win percentage, in a tough baseball conference. Their website is at http://www.Woostergenerals.com and baseball is at http://www.woostergenerals.com/sprin...all&dyear=2007

They have a Sophomore that made DI 2nd-team All-Ohio, basically as a sophomore, was one of the 20 best in Ohio.

They have anything from Tee-ball to Little League (7-12) to all levels of Summer travel teams to play for.

About the only sport they don't offer is Field Hockey, well, I guess there is bowling also.

Before I go into a little info on Wooster, all local schools are strong in sports. Wooster has lost to both Smithville and Triway in baseball, and they have beaten both, though both school are half the size of Wooster, but Wooster also has Lacrosse with 30 player rosters, just for varsity, which neither of the other schools offer. Lacrosse takes some good baseball players away.

Triway basketball made it to final 4 in basketball in 2004-05, and 2005-06. They get plenty of coverage in the paper since more than a few on the sports staff are from there.

Smithville is known for football, but also volleyball and basketball off and on. baseball does OK also.

Orrville - Football, basketball and trying to rebuilt their volleyball.

Dalton won State in softball last year and should be good again, they have a good DI pitcher. Baseball made it to State 2 years ago.

West Holmes is a little more South, but they are great at Volleyball and girls basketball. I just use volleyball and not girls because around here they only offer girls, though there is boys volleyball in Ohio.

Anyway, the North end is growing. Wooster is a restaurant town. I am guessing because they do have many from the smaller communities around it come into eat, but of course Wooster loves the fast food and love eating out, so not blaming everyone else.

A big builder is Weaver Custom Homes. Single family homes they build are at
There are other builders of course but WCH is a great builder. Most of their homes are built in the North End. I say most, because they also build outside of Wooster. They have built homes approaching 7 figures in the Meadows.

If you are into clothes, as someone said, may have to go to the BIG city. Yes, JC Penny, elder-beerman (had to llok at the spelling because beer man just seems so wrong), and others. Nothing major though.

They have your typical 24hr Wal-mart. They have a few other food stores, Buehlers market being a good one that many frequent.

Gas everywhere. Good Hospital. Health care on about every corner, well, almost.

2 main big parks, not National Forest types, just pools, tennis courts, eating areas, diamonds.

Their Parks and Rec is great. Many in the surrounding areas send teams to play in the leagues they offer. Jr high age Baseball, grade school basketball, all levels of soccer. Of course mens softball.

Been 3 murders I believe in like 10 years, they happened all about the same year, in the North end. 1 mysterious death, but of course it involved a judge, so no crime.

Of course there is drugs here. There are major sweeps once a year. Good thing is they do major sweeps. I am talking no small town cop stuff. Getting people from Detroit and other major cities in big stings.

As they said, Fair is suppose to be one of the best in Ohio, I just think we are so use to it, we don't always understand what we have.

The school was built 13 years ago. I dont believe a levy has past in 3 or so years. They made a bunch of cuts 2 years ago, and they have a good gripe on things now. They are paying for new traffic flows at all school district schools, so they have some extra cash to burn, they are doing something right.

I believe the hit they expected from Rubbermaid leaving, did not really happen. yes, revenues took a dip, but I think they are back up or past where they were. One builder does not built 30 homes that sell for an average of $250,000 if the local economy is bad. Most they build then sell. The point is, someone is buying them homes, of course they may be a reason the school is in better financial situation also.

Anyway, getting a little light headed from info overload. I hope I added something.

[OHDreamer25]

Good Afternoon
I lived in Wooster for 3 years while attending college at the branch Campus of Ohio State and while working in the city. I've been out of school for several years now and have lived in Columbus, Wooster, Ashland, Shelby, Steubenville, Wakeman, and grew up in SE ohio...with that range of locations in Ohio under my belt ( i currently live in Ashland for work) I would have to say Wooster is still the best place I've lived. Housing can be found within your price range easily, and the high school has a very good reputation for both academics and athletics. Like someone else mentioned it hasn't had a levy passed in a few years, but the income of the town is fairy high and system shows it. Having also spent some time in Colorado (which is VERY sunny), and Boston (not so sunny) I would say OH is pretty average. It's not sparkling clear everyday but the seasons are typical for the midwest, and Fall and Spring are gorgeous in the Wayne County Area. Wooster is a very friendly town ( the nicest people i've found yet!) and is growing by leaps and bounds so access to amenities shouldn't be a problem at all. Also this is probably one of the safer towns (crime wise) that i've experienced. I don't know what you're looking for culturally but the range of activities for you and your husband are fairly broad. Many coffee shops are scattered about, and larger variety of eateries than most towns of it's size are available. Also there are parks, hiking, and a number of arts exhibits and concerts at the College of Wooster which is known as a arts school. Lots of my friends still live in the Wooster area, and i visit often to shop and eat so any questions you have feel free to ask. Hope this helps!