Athens, OH questions (Columbus, Cincinnati, Kent: apartment, rentals, how much)

[flyingwriter]

Hi!

I have a few questions for you guys about the city of Athens, Ohio. A little about me first: I'm a 22 year old college senior from southwest Michigan. My first choice is to not move at all, but if I have to move out of Michigan, Athens is high on my list. I've been there a few times and I absolutely love the place, the mountains, and the college atmosphere. I have three main questions for you:

1) How is the job market? I'm graduating with a degree in aviation (yes, I know it's useless) and I'm wondering what kind of jobs are open there. I'm not interested in aviation jobs only, anything that offers advancement opportunity is good.

2) How is the drive to Columbus? I know it's 65 miles, but how long does it take? Is traffic bad? I'm wondering this because I might be applying to some aviation companies in Columbus, and I'm wondering if it's a doable commute.

3) How is the winter weather? I've only been to Athens in the spring and summer, so I haven't had a chance to experience winter weather there. How much does it snow there? I love snow, and I couldn't live somewhere that didn't get snow.

Thanks for the response!

[WeSoHood]

1. The job market there is pretty bleak. You can however, possibly get a job with Ohio University (which is the cities biggest employee) at the Aviation School.

2. The drive to Columbus is really simple. About an 1hr and 15 min to OSU campus. It might be hassle, especially commuting during rush hour. But otherwise, it's a short and straight shot to Columbus.

3. The winter will be milder compared to Michigan. It gets cold and has spurs of heavy snow and ice, but there are far more warmer days. It's definitely tolerable though. Spring is my favorite time of the year in Athens.

[flyingwriter]

Hate to resurrect this thread, but I just found out I have an job interview with a company in Athens and I have a few more questions. I just graduated from college in Michigan.

1. If I do get the job, I will need to relocate, as the 7 hour commute from MI would get old pretty fast . I'm searching for a cheap rental house (not an apartment) in a nice area of Athens. Nothing in the ghetto. I'm only 23, so I don't mind being near college students and the college scene. Something near downtown and/or OU would be good. I'm looking to stay under $800/month. Any ideas?

2. What is the "culture" like there? I know it's not far from West Virginia and Kentucky. Does Athens identify more with the South or the Midwest? I noticed a lot of Southern accents when I visited there a few years ago.

Thanks for the help!

[Sunnydee]

Athens is more Midwestern. It is a drop dead gorgeous area of Ohio and has loads of outdoor activities. I like hiking at Old Man's Cave. Yes, it does get snow, but the snow is measured in inches not feet. The town is dominated by Ohio University, so cheap rentals are available. If you like the bar scene there are numerous possibilities uptown for you to check out. The Halloween party at Ohio U is legendary. People from Cincinnati and Columbus make the trip to OU each year for this particular weekend. Beautiful coeds are abundant. For a 23 year old guy it's just about perfect. Best wishes and let us know how you're doing.