Do I really want to leave? Can't make up my mind!! (Columbus: real estate, rent)

[lookn2relocate]

Anyone who has some input on this I would greatly appreciate to hear from you!

I was raised in Boardman and my husband in Austintown,we are currently living in Boardman, OH in a 2 story 1,700 sq. ft. house with a large yard and large in ground swimming pool. We love our house and love living in Boardman. I like being close to shopping, eating out, the park and other things like that, however as far as the bar seen goes, there are like 5 bars that people go to, and it gets so boring here compared to other cities. BUT other cities are WAY MORE EXPENSIVE to live in! I have been doing research on a couple of areas such as Charlotte and Fort Lauderdale, and can't even figure out how we would come up with the first months rent there, let alone survive!!!!

We were thinking of relocating if we were to find better jobs, however the more and more research I do I'm finding that jobs are pretty scarce everywhere and the better lifestyle it seems we have here!

Right now my husband is layed off from General Motors and I am struggling in the spa industry because it is a luxury service and people aren't paying for it any more!!! We both want to open our own business, but are very scared to make any kind of investment in an area that is closing everything!

It really isn't that bad here, but could it be better somewhere else? I just can't figure that out on my own. Any Advice??

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by lookn2relocate

Anyone who has some input on this I would greatly appreciate to hear from you!

I was raised in Boardman and my husband in Austintown,we are currently living in Boardman, OH in a 2 story 1,700 sq. ft. house with a large yard and large in ground swimming pool. We love our house and love living in Boardman. I like being close to shopping, eating out, the park and other things like that, however as far as the bar seen goes, there are like 5 bars that people go to, and it gets so boring here compared to other cities. BUT other cities are WAY MORE EXPENSIVE to live in! I have been doing research on a couple of areas such as Charlotte and Fort Lauderdale, and can't even figure out how we would come up with the first months rent there, let alone survive!!!!

We were thinking of relocating if we were to find better jobs, however the more and more research I do I'm finding that jobs are pretty scarce everywhere and the better lifestyle it seems we have here!

Right now my husband is layed off from General Motors and I am struggling in the spa industry because it is a luxury service and people aren't paying for it any more!!! We both want to open our own business, but are very scared to make any kind of investment in an area that is closing everything!

It really isn't that bad here, but could it be better somewhere else? I just can't figure that out on my own. Any Advice??

We went through Boardman last weekend and then into Poland (cute village). Boardman certainly does have alot of shopping. In my opinion since your husband is currently laid off and figuring the state the economy is in, I'd stay put. As you noted jobs are scarce all over. I wouldn't consider relocating unless one of you has a firm job offer with a salary you can live on. Things are really shakey all over and unless one has mega bucks to fall back on, its not the time to take such a gamble. This is only my opinion and if you do decide to move I'd do all kinds of research before going. Best of luck.

[CortlandGirl79]

Yeah, i would stay put while unless you can sell your house and find a better paying job somewhere else. Read some of the other state and city forums and you'll see that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. I"m not saying a move isn't right for you, but there are things to consider.

Does it really matter that there are only like five bars that everyone goes to???? Maybe in a few years you will be sick of bars or have some kids that will keep you too busy for the party scene. If you don't want kids and want to keep on partying i'm sure if you look hard you can find more bars. Besides, if people only go to five bars, how are the other "x" number of bars in Mahoning and Trumbull County staying open??? I'm not a big bar hopper or anything, but if i go out i steer clear of the bars "everyone" goes to. I have more fun when my friends and i can hear each other and have a good time. I'm up in Warren, so everyone goes to Up A Creek and a few other annoying places. My friends in I go to smaller more mature feeling bars and have a much better time. Have you gone to any of the places in downtown Youngstown yet? My friends and i really liked Imbibe, haven't made it to the others yet.

[Pumpkin Eater]

Bars are about the last thing I consider when thinking about making a move. I'm sure if you tried hard enough you could find other bars to go to or maybe even find some other fun things to do when you get tired of the bars.

[QCP]

If you have to ask the question, then no you should not leave. You will find yourself miserable and homesick before you even have explored your new neighborhood.

Relocating is a huge undertaking, and should be taken very seriously. From my experiences, the only people that have actually found the other side to be greener (I am one of those) are the ones that were completely dedicated to the relocation.

If it makes it any easier, I live in Charlotte now (11 years - relocated from Cincy area) and a house comparable to what you described, if in a safe, clean neighborhood, with good schools, low crime rate and within 25-30 minutes of downtown (where the bars are at) would start at 350K. And that's for family oriented suburbs. Actual city homes close to the bar scene (less than 25 minutes), start at about 500k for a 1,500 sq,ft fixer-upper. Downtown??? Try 300K for 700 sq. ft. So if finances are an issue - stay put.

Why not Columbus? It's comparable to Charlotte, but much less expensive and obviously closer to home, which should ease your tensions.

[Buckeye in SC]

Originally Posted by lookn2relocate

Anyone who has some input on this I would greatly appreciate to hear from you!

I was raised in Boardman and my husband in Austintown,we are currently living in Boardman, OH in a 2 story 1,700 sq. ft. house with a large yard and large in ground swimming pool. We love our house and love living in Boardman. I like being close to shopping, eating out, the park and other things like that, however as far as the bar seen goes, there are like 5 bars that people go to, and it gets so boring here compared to other cities. BUT other cities are WAY MORE EXPENSIVE to live in! I have been doing research on a couple of areas such as Charlotte and Fort Lauderdale, and can't even figure out how we would come up with the first months rent there, let alone survive!!!!

We were thinking of relocating if we were to find better jobs, however the more and more research I do I'm finding that jobs are pretty scarce everywhere and the better lifestyle it seems we have here!

Right now my husband is layed off from General Motors and I am struggling in the spa industry because it is a luxury service and people aren't paying for it any more!!! We both want to open our own business, but are very scared to make any kind of investment in an area that is closing everything!

It really isn't that bad here, but could it be better somewhere else? I just can't figure that out on my own. Any Advice??

I will tell you to not even consider a move to the Carolina's without landing a job first. Living somewhat close to Charlotte (Columbia's about 90 minutes away), the city has really been hit hard after a couple of decades of incredible growth with one of the 2 big banks (Wachovia) that helped fuel it being bought out by Wells Fargo & the other (Bank of America) getting hammered nationally and the discussion turning towards possible nationalization of them (we see how poor every other government program is, can't imagine anyone wanting to go to a 'government' run bank). Charlotte's unemployment rate soared to near 9% in December from the low 7% area in November. South Carolina isn't much better as it has the 3rd highest unemployment rate of any state at 9.5% in December (although, the 3 major metros - Columbia, Charleston & Greenville are all somewhat below that - think Columbia's was around 7.5% for example).

All that said, having made the move ourselves in 2007 (we lived in the Canton area before moving) to Columbia, we have been very happy with our decision. I will say we kind of had the same mindset as you and your husband do, we were content living in NE Ohio, being close to our families & friends, living in the area we grew up in and familiar with, yet my wife was laid off 2 straight years as a teacher, and we came to the feeling that unless we looked elsewhere, she was never going to fully be satisfied in her career w/the persistent budget cuts at schools in Ohio and we figured if we where going to move, we might as well find somewhere warm, and here we are.

So, definitely look into it if you are not happy with where you are, and especially when the economy starts to turn and there's a little more stability in the job market. I would challenge you though to not limit yourself to just the big cities (Charlotte & Ft. Lauderdale) as there are a lot of cities in the south that offer a lot of great things. Columbia's metro of just over 700k people for example, isn't much bigger than Youngstown's, yet since it's the state capital, there are a lot of events and things to do here. Also, we are just 2 hours from the coast/beaches, 2 from the mountains, and relatively close to Charlotte & Atlanta if you need the large city amenities. Real estate is much more reasonable here compared to that Charlotte or Atlanta for example (although both are beginning to come back down to earth with the recent slow-downs), you could find a nice newer 1700 sq. ft. house in most parts of the city for around $150k, and real estate taxes are much lower here than in Ohio which is another plus - and NO city income taxes! Even living in the city where they get paid by levying an amount on your real estate tax bill, our bill was still lower here than in Ohio for a nicer house!

Another plus is while it gets a little chilly here sometimes in the winter (been in the 40s & 50s so far this week for example), the weather here outside of about 5 or 6 weeks in July & August when it's very hot is fabulous for the most part (this Friday, Saturday & Sunday are all forecasted to be in the mid-70s and sunny - not bad for the first weekend in March!). Charlotte is a great city too, but as I said, it's really taken it's bumps the past 6+ months and the traffic there can get really bad as the construction of new roads have failed to keep up w/the rapid population growth. And you're looking at a metro the size of Columbus or Pittsburgh.

[truemuck]

Originally Posted by lookn2relocate

Anyone who has some input on this I would greatly appreciate to hear from you!

I was raised in Boardman and my husband in Austintown,we are currently living in Boardman, OH in a 2 story 1,700 sq. ft. house with a large yard and large in ground swimming pool. We love our house and love living in Boardman. I like being close to shopping, eating out, the park and other things like that, however as far as the bar seen goes, there are like 5 bars that people go to, and it gets so boring here compared to other cities. BUT other cities are WAY MORE EXPENSIVE to live in! I have been doing research on a couple of areas such as Charlotte and Fort Lauderdale, and can't even figure out how we would come up with the first months rent there, let alone survive!!!!

We were thinking of relocating if we were to find better jobs, however the more and more research I do I'm finding that jobs are pretty scarce everywhere and the better lifestyle it seems we have here!

Right now my husband is layed off from General Motors and I am struggling in the spa industry because it is a luxury service and people aren't paying for it any more!!! We both want to open our own business, but are very scared to make any kind of investment in an area that is closing everything!

It really isn't that bad here, but could it be better somewhere else? I just can't figure that out on my own. Any Advice??

I live in Boardman and I've been unemployed since December, so I feel your pain. I moved here 2 years ago when I inherited my grandma's house. (I'm originally from the Buffalo area)
I've been looking hard for a job, even in areas well outside NE Ohio with no luck. But, in my case, it makes more sense for me to stay put. I pay no rent or mortgage and living here is cheap, which is good when you're unemployed.
Even, if I do find a job elsewhere, I'll probably keep my house here. I wouldn't get much for it, and if my new job in a different town didn't work out, I'd have no place to go. Thats something you have to think about nowadays. A buddy of mine from Coshocton who was working out in New Jersey took what he thought would be a dream job working in the Ozarks in Arkansas, (he's a big outdoorsy type), and moved all the way out there only to be let go 2 months afterwards. And I'm sure he's not the only one to have that happen to him. Luckily, he had a job to come back to.

So, if I was you, I'd stay put. You won't get much money for your house. Property values in the area as a whole are next to nothing and the housing market in general is not very seller friendly right now.

As for you and your husband starting your own business, what kind of business are you thinking? If its a kind of business that doesn't really exist already in the Valley, or you put your own spin on something else, you could do OK. If you're product is unique enough, you might have a shot.

When it comes to the bar scene, I can't really tell you. What kind of place do you like to go? I like dive bars and we definitely have a dearth of those in Boardman, but Girard has some decent ones. If you're looking for something ritzier, I can't tell you. Boardman has too many overpriced "college-type" bars that I grew tired of after my days at Kent, but then again, I've grown tired of bars in general.

The most important thing for you right now, is do whatever will allow you to be the most financially stable and make the most of whatever choice you make.

[lookn2relocate]

Thank you all for your input! I really appreciate hearing from those that are or were in the same situation!

As far as our own business, we have a few ideas. One of them is not located anywhere in Ohio and the other's would be a twist on what is already available here in the area.

My next obstacle will be to get financing to be able to open my own business. I have great business skills, but like I said it's hard and nerve-wracking around here!

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by lookn2relocate

Thank you all for your input! I really appreciate hearing from those that are or were in the same situation!

As far as our own business, we have a few ideas. One of them is not located anywhere in Ohio and the other's would be a twist on what is already available here in the area.

My next obstacle will be to get financing to be able to open my own business. I have great business skills, but like I said it's hard and nerve-wracking around here!

And it's that way all over right now; no perfect place in these times.

[Daytonnatian]

Originally Posted by lookn2relocate

Anyone who has some input on this I would greatly appreciate to hear from you!

I was raised in Boardman and my husband in Austintown,we are currently living in Boardman, OH in a 2 story 1,700 sq. ft. house with a large yard and large in ground swimming pool. We love our house and love living in Boardman. I like being close to shopping, eating out, the park and other things like that, however as far as the bar seen goes, there are like 5 bars that people go to, and it gets so boring here compared to other cities. BUT other cities are WAY MORE EXPENSIVE to live in! I have been doing research on a couple of areas such as Charlotte and Fort Lauderdale, and can't even figure out how we would come up with the first months rent there, let alone survive!!!!

We were thinking of relocating if we were to find better jobs, however the more and more research I do I'm finding that jobs are pretty scarce everywhere and the better lifestyle it seems we have here!

Right now my husband is layed off from General Motors and I am struggling in the spa industry because it is a luxury service and people aren't paying for it any more!!! We both want to open our own business, but are very scared to make any kind of investment in an area that is closing everything!

It really isn't that bad here, but could it be better somewhere else? I just can't figure that out on my own. Any Advice??

Move to Columbus for a while, restart your business down there, and then move back. Or, relocate the spa the Medina, downtown cleveland or Akron, or another wealthy suburb. Boardman is going to be tough for a while, but maybe it will come back with greentech.