give up the good life for Ohio? (Cleveland, Akron: real estate, housing)

[jc55]

Hey everyone. I have a serious scenerio that I would like opinions on. Since the internet is anonymous, I don't mind sharing too much info for your opinions.

I was born and raised in Carrollton, Ohio on a farm. I moved away and did over 8 years in the military, mostly on the west coast and settled in Oregon for the last 6 years. I work in the semi conductor industry, make about $80k a year, have about $100k equity in my house. We are comfortable and can have about anything we want...except land!
Part time, I can make $20-$25 here building cars but am not comfortable enough yet to start my own business building them. I do have other skills.

I have made up my mind to give up everything including a dream job to move back to Ohio and take my chances starting over. Having had nice things and toys, I realize that they alone don't bring happiness. I also want to give my children a better quality of life and be close to my parents since my wife has ALS(Lou Gehrig's disease) and I may need their help with my children. We want to live in a "community", demolition derbies, county fairs, good churches, have horses,etc.

I see some "fixer" houses on 5 acres from $75k-$130k in Ohio and jobs around $15-$20/hr in tech fields(Akron/Canton).
Anyone with no Mortgage and a crappy job, living the country life frugally? Are you guys happy back in Ohio? What would you guys do? I am atleast a year out so I don't want to rattle the employment resources too hard yet.

Thank you for any thoughts or opinions.

[Cosmic]

Originally Posted by jc55

Hey everyone. I have a serious scenerio that I would like opinions on. Since the internet is anonymous, I don't mind sharing too much info for your opinions.

I was born and raised in Carrollton, Ohio on a farm. I moved away and did over 8 years in the military, mostly on the west coast and settled in Oregon for the last 6 years. I work in the semi conductor industry, make about $80k a year, have about $100k equity in my house. We are comfortable and can have about anything we want...except land!
Part time, I can make $20-$25 here building cars but am not comfortable enough yet to start my own business building them. I do have other skills.

I have made up my mind to give up everything including a dream job to move back to Ohio and take my chances starting over. Having had nice things and toys, I realize that they alone don't bring happiness. I also want to give my children a better quality of life and be close to my parents since my wife has ALS(Lou Gehrig's disease) and I may need their help with my children. We want to live in a "community", demolition derbies, county fairs, good churches, have horses,etc.

I see some "fixer" houses on 5 acres from $75k-$130k in Ohio and jobs around $15-$20/hr in tech fields(Akron/Canton).
Anyone with no Mortgage and a crappy job, living the country life frugally? Are you guys happy back in Ohio? What would you guys do? I am atleast a year out so I don't want to rattle the employment resources too hard yet.

Thank you for any thoughts or opinions.

Yup, you ain't the first guy to have that idea. I was born and raised in Ohio (Jefferson County) the early years also on a farm and fairly early on went out to see the World. Saw a ton of it and I mean all over the World not like some tourist but in situations most people would not believe. Did what many people dream of. A lot of different occupations, experiences, educations, had a number of careers at the same time, on different tracks, even wound up owning a fairly successful business, I had done everything and more than I originally wanted too, some pretty high powered jobs, etc. Made some good money along the way.

Big city, owned the house free and clear, zero debt, should have been happy. Might have been but the place was going to Hell (Boston, Massachusetts and New England in general). So I started to think, time this real estate bubble and bail out of here, do something totally different. About the way you are thinking. But I had gotten used to a certain lifestyle. Did not want to become a hermit totally living out in the boonies. Thought about getting a small farm again.

Finally sat down and wrote it all down into a set of criterion. Did a bunch of years research waiting on that housing bubble to peak. Finally I narrowed it all down to five general locations, three of those were in Ohio. At the end big city life was so unbearable I needed out bad, life was just no fun any more.

So two years ago I sold out and moved back to Monroe County. A just get out of Dodge deal. Get me into Ohio, I will fine tune it later type deal. Has worked out wonderful. The house I got, I finally decided to rehab and let things settle out in the real estate market. Probably still haven't found the right final spot but it will probably be in Monroe County or somewhere in SE Ohio. I am not unhappy, just might find something better. Money is not really a worry.

I got pretty much what I wanted. A no hassle type lifestyle, safe place, I can travel without worrying what is happening at home. A balance between the boonies and civilization, not totally removed from intellectual or cultural inputs. I am totally free to do as I like, I have no need to work. Having the Web these days can help in a lot of those regards about feeling too isolated in a smaller town or even rural situation.

Plus it is not just me. Lots of people I grew up with did something similar. Many of those are returning to Ohio and either going to smaller / medium sized towns or doing what I did. Many also have some sort of nomad lifestyles part of the year. Even those who pretty much stayed in the area in Jefferson are not unhappy with their lot in life today. It offers something difficult to find today. Some of those areas in Ohio preserved the folks roots extremely well, the World changed around them. The network of people remained intact, you actually can trust a lot of them.

I also ran into a bunch of people who bailed out of the Northeast or CA or wherever and went into central areas of Ohio. All seemed to know why they did it and were happy with the results. You find a lot of people from Ohio in Florida in the winter, they are happy to visit and get out of the snow for a bit but are not about to move to Florida. Kind of how I think these days. I don't like having to endure a full winter season any more. I like a tad of it, the start of winter and the end of it is fine. The other 9 - 10 months in Ohio is very nice.

So, yes you probably picked a reasonable area of Ohio to look at. If your roots are in that area could be a big plus. Carrol County is a lot like Monroe, some of the best living they are.

You can make a good living with the right skills or if you hussle a bit. One of the best kept secrets around, the general media and a lot of peeps even in forums like City Data claim Ohio is a wreck and everybody must quickly move to Florida, NC, CA or where ever if you want to be happy. Something very trendy, packed with people, idiots all over and stress levels to the moon.

In fact Ohio has something none of them ever consider. It has a political system that didn't go bust and allow the ability to control daily life / lifestyle to get away from the common folks. All of those problems in places like FL, CA, New England, etc are the result of failed political systems and how remote the control has gotten from the average person. Ohio is one of the few sane places left. None of my relatives are about to leave. There is enough variety you probably can find what you want somewhere in the state.

Something rarely considered but was very, very high on my list to find again. Not every county in Ohio is the same, lot to pick and choose from, Carrol County might not have changed much. Jefferson is like that, some areas like a time warp. Just about zero change from what I remember as a kid, especially in the farm country areas. Same people pass the land down thru the generations.

[Crew Chief]

JC55, pardon the cliché, but: "We weren't born here but got here as fast as we could"... As the son of a sailor, I lived up and down the East Coast growing up. I then joined the military and spent the next 22 years living all over the world. I met the woman of my dreams in Germany and we lived out West and finally ended up here by chance. And we have NO regrets whatsoever! Our cost of living is pretty darn good; our $187,000 house would cost us twice that in Boise, ID (our last military assignment) and I'm guessing closer to a million bucks some places in CA. In settling here, we find that Ohio really has a lot to offer if you're willing to get out. We've seen the beautiful West and can go back if we want. We're only a day's drive from a good bit of the East Coast (without the weather problems and high cost of living, IMHO) We really do love it here. Traveling as much as we did in the military taught us to "find something good wherever you land" But for employment, cost of living and amenities, we have found our permanent home! Shameless plug for our favorite food store: Dorothy Lane Markets here in the Dayton area are the BEST food shopping we've ever done. They treat us BETTER than family and we don't miss anything we could get when we lived in Germany!

[jc55]

Wow, thanks for the lengthly replies Cosmic and Crew Chief. I am a little nervous about getting out there and just making ends meet. Once selling my house here in Portland, there's no coming back. I think the best bet is for us to spend a month out there this summer and get a feel for the community and business environment and go from there. Man, I miss cornfields and fireflies!

[mtheflin]

I am also from Carrollton. I've lived in Az and NC since high school. Couldn't wait to leave Carrollton. Don't remember why.LOL! I have 3 brothers still there. They live well on the income avaiable to the area. 2 work out of Canton. They do not have the issues with raising their kids that I have had in bigger cities. They have nice homes, & comfortable lives. Carrollton school system can't be beat. The programs have improved year after year. Even though the football team doesn't. Did I make a mistake leaving, yeah probably. If I were you and had the oppurtunity to go home, I would run. Nothing beats the smell of hay. I even miss the dairy farm smell. Good luck with your decision.

[Flower51]

Considering moving to a small town area when dh retires in a few yrs and just now digging deeper to find out whats here. We've lived near Cleveland all of our lives and would love to live somewhere slower, greener, simpler, peaceful and just be surrounded with some natural beauty. Metroparks are nice in our area but the noise and activity of everyday life is not something I enjoy.

I'm wondering if "outsiders" are welcomed in these small towns or do they alway remain "outsiders" if they weren't born in the area? Terry

[CleOHRcks]

This is exactly what i think is so great about the people in Ohio. I went to ASU, in Phoenix, I've been debating moving back to AZ after moving to OH after graduation. I want to be in OH, as well as see the world. I know Ohio, is and always will be my home, and my final place. Out there in America, there are great people everwhere, beautiful cities, and homes. I think everyone looks for a place to call home, but in Ohio, it realy trully encompasses you. There is a something about the Ohioian.

I'll love OH til the day I die and i'll back it up and work my hardest to change the wrong that is happening. Every place in the world has bad weather, crime, drugs, low-income housing, etc. No place in the world has what Ohio has, cummunities, great residents, families.

My family is going to celebrate 50 years in Euclid next year. Just east of Cleveland, this lakeside, once summer cottage community, thrives in rich culture, beautiful post WWII homes, and lake access.

My family originally settled on Kelleys Island, most Ohioians dont even know much about the lake, and we have islands. We have a beautiful getaway 5 hours from Cincy! They anticipate by 2015 Sandusky will be Disney World of the North. There are great oppertunities for enjoyment across the state.

I love Ohio, though i'm thinking about stepping away again, it will not be for longer then 2 years. Like any Ohio boy and girl, i know where my home is.

[angelina1982]

well flower 51, i not originaly from ohio. i live in a small town of less then 9,000 people and in southern ohio and i live here 16 yr and i am still an outsider, i cant speak for all of the small towns, but in my town yes if you not born and rasied here you are an out sider. hope you good luck on your search, angelina

[Flower51]

Angelina I'm so sorry for your experience. It sounds lonely where you live.
I'm really thinking this through. Our sons are grown, so there is not the usual "mommy" route to making friends...it seems like children are magnets and that was a way to meet people yrs back. Not sure how to go about it esp in a sleepy little town. Where I live now, I usually take a basket I've put together w/fresh fruit etc...over to new neighbors along w/a note and my name and phone number so they can connect if they have questions or just want to talk...this is in the city and it doesn't always turn out that people follow up on the gesture. Once someone said, "No one's ever done this for me before!!!!" But I never heard from her again! So....anyone out there have good ideas for ways to connect w/new people and make friends in a very small town ????

[summer22]

Originally Posted by Cosmic

I got pretty much what I wanted. A no hassle type lifestyle, safe place, I can travel without worrying what is happening at home. A balance between the boonies and civilization, not totally removed from intellectual or cultural inputs. I am totally free to do as I like, I have no need to work. Having the Web these days can help in a lot of those regards about feeling too isolated in a smaller town or even rural situation.

Plus it is not just me. Lots of people I grew up with did something similar. Many of those are returning to Ohio and either going to smaller / medium sized towns or doing what I did. Many also have some sort of nomad lifestyles part of the year. Even those who pretty much stayed in the area in Jefferson are not unhappy with their lot in life today. It offers something difficult to find today. Some of those areas in Ohio preserved the folks roots extremely well, the World changed around them. The network of people remained intact, you actually can trust a lot of them.

You can make a good living with the right skills or if you hussle a bit. One of the best kept secrets around, the general media and a lot of peeps even in forums like City Data claim Ohio is a wreck and everybody must quickly move to Florida, NC, CA or where ever if you want to be happy. Something very trendy, packed with people, idiots all over and stress levels to the moon.

In fact Ohio has something none of them ever consider. It has a political system that didn't go bust and allow the ability to control daily life / lifestyle to get away from the common folks. All of those problems in places like FL, CA, New England, etc are the result of failed political systems and how remote the control has gotten from the average person. Ohio is one of the few sane places left. None of my relatives are about to leave. There is enough variety you probably can find what you want somewhere in the state.

Cosmic, your post did a lot for me today. It tells me a lot in words about what keeps me attracted to living in Ohio or Indiana. I'm in Indiana now, in a small town about 50 miles from Chicago. I'm a college grad, graduate degree even, but doing my best to work from home, and work seasonally in the area from time to time. I love high school football games, seeing friends at the grocery store, the laundromat, and at the Y, I have rich friendships with people I have known from online, and my only wish really is this community was just a little more open, and had a bit more to do, and this region would be so much better if we did anything to keep our HS and college grads here in the communities instead of leaking them to other states year after year.

I don't ask for a lot, and I wonder often if I'd be happier living in Portland or someplace abroad that's more lively, but... being here these last few years has really brought me down-to-earth and reminded me about what's important, and if I ever have kids, reminds me about the kind of life that I want to provide to them.

I lived in Indiana for 8 years, Ohio for 3, and this is the third year back in Indiana. For the OP - Ohio I think is a good choice for you, its a little more sophisticated and active than Indiana, and especially since you know the area from growing up there.

I like Cosmic's paragraph about the political system. I think that says a lot about why IN and OH are as they are. After growing up in a big city and then coming to a place like this, where even the state representative will write you back within a day if you send a question, its empowering, and thats true whether you agree or disagree with the politics at the moment, because every place has problems if you choose to dwell on them.

Another thing I've learned from living here is make sure to keep enough of a budget and income so that you can travel so when you need a taste of the city, or the ocean, or just a wild weekend, you can afford to go and not have to think twice about it. Plan ahead for your business goals, start working on a business plan if you have any inkling about using that for your mainstay, pick and choose the connections you want to keep when you move here and then once you make the leap, just keep your head up and make it work!

Good luck to you!