Moving to Findlay... (Columbus, Toledo, Coshocton: extended stay, apartment, rentals)

[CAtoOH]

My family and I are moving back to this area either at the end of this year or the beginning of next. We are coming from San Diego,Ca so coming to a small town will be different for myself. My husband is originally from Coshocton, OH but moved to San Diego due to the military. I was just wondering if there are many things to do in the area besides parks of if families have to travel to do other activities. I heard there is a zoo in toledo...I hope this doesnt sounds like I'm upset to move, because I am really excited. I actually dont like San Diego!! I know probably sounds strange but there are just way to many people here!! Does anyone know where I can look for places to live online? Are there any good parts of the area? I would appreciate any sort of help!!!!

Cameron

[ImaMichigander]

Welcome!

Lots of housing opportunities. Try realtor.com for a starting point, if you are looking to buy.

In Findlay proper, there are a couple great parks, lots of festivals and fairs in the summer, including the Hot Air Balloon Festival, the Hancock County Fair and others.

There are a couple of pools, some of which you have to be members of to use, others just pay as you go.

In town there isn't a lot to do in the way of family friendly, aside from the Mazza Museum and then the YMCA. The Findlay Art League has some neat family friendly programming throughout the year.

Toledo has a GREAT zoo and soon will have the COSI science center back. Toledo is about 45 minutes to an hour from Findlay. That's also where the nearest good shopping, including the nearest Target.

If you go to Columbus, there is also a zoo and a COSI there too. They have truly GREAT shopping and a nice airport to fly into and out of. It takes between 1.5 and 2 hours to get there.

There is a great drive-thru safari in Port Clinton, which is also where you can catch the ferry to Put-In-Bay, should you be looking for a day trip.

(There have been a couple of good threads lately about Toledo/NW OH and some different amenities. You could check them out for reference.)

Findlay for all that it is and isn't seems a nice place to be-- we'll have been here a year at the end of July and my family has made the transition rather smoothly. I hope that you do too!

Please feel free to post or message me with any questions. I am far from an expert, but I'm happy to share what I know and my experiences!

[CAtoOH]

I really appreciate the input, it helps out a lot. I supposed being the military is sending us here I don't have much of an option as to whether I want to come or not!!! haha but I'm excited for a change!! It looks like you just have to know the ins and outs for what there is there is to do. I appreciate the guidance and help on what there is to do. I will also check out realtor.com, but I'm not sure that we want to buy!! It seems as through my research that you either buy a home or you rent an apartment or condo...is this correct??

[ImaMichigander]

Ummmm... There are some houses for rent. I'm not sure what the price ranges are. It is a buyer's market, though. It seems like you can get a lot of house for relatively little money. We came from MI, when it was bad, but now it is even worse. So our opinion of values may be skewed...

Some folks rent an apartment or do the extended stay hotel, until they decide what they want. We have friends that rented a house and they now have an offer to buy that, since it would be much easier than moving again.

Just please be sure to find out if whereever you end up takes on water during the floods. It doesn't seem to be a question of IF it will flood, but when will it flood NEXT? There was the big flood in 2007, which we weren't here for and then there were like 3 more within 9 months or something. We've had one larger flood, but nothing compared to the flood of 2007, in the 11 months we've been here.

Anything else that you can think, of, please let me know and I'll help anyway that I can!

[CAtoOH]

I really don't want to be living in an apartment with a family of 4!!! You know what I mean? I'm not sure its smart to buy if were not sure were gonna stay there, you know? We are a young family so any sort of advice would be much appreciated!! My husband will be stationed there for 3 years and were not sure if he's going to be getting out of the military or not. I mean would it be smart to buy and then three years down the road we decided we dont want to stay is that a waste of our money?

[Beavercreek33]

I can understand leaving Southern California right now. Too much traffic, expensive, and California's economy seems worse than Michigan sometimes!

Findlay is nice, its a small little city, not far from the bigger cities like Toledo and Columbus that offer great recreational facilities, museums, and shopping. And one of the world's best theme parks is a short drive away... Cedar Point, and you must check out the Kelly Islands.

NW Ohio is a very underrated area in my opinion.

Best of luck to you and your family with the move.

[CAtoOH]

Does anyone if there are any online resources for finding rental properties?? Also what kind of weather conditions am I most likely to face if I move in February?

[ImaMichigander]

Originally Posted by CAtoOH

Does anyone if there are any online resources for finding rental properties?? Also what kind of weather conditions am I most likely to face if I move in February?

Rentals are hard to find, but you can do realtor.com and look for leases. You just have to change the search criteria to look for leases.

Feb will be cold and snowy. Temps in the 30's and lower for the most part. If there is a warm up, there may be the accompanying thaw and flood. You'll definately want winter jackets and snowsuits and boots depending on the ages of your kids. You may want to try to find them before you get here and it seems that the clothing stores are always 2 seasons ahead. But there is a Kohl's here and they usually have great prices on good stuff...

[hertz]

how about craigslist ?
lima / findlay apts/housing for rent classifieds - craigslist

[CAtoOH]

Originally Posted by ImaMichigander

Rentals are hard to find, but you can do realtor.com and look for leases. You just have to change the search criteria to look for leases.

Feb will be cold and snowy. Temps in the 30's and lower for the most part. If there is a warm up, there may be the accompanying thaw and flood. You'll definately want winter jackets and snowsuits and boots depending on the ages of your kids. You may want to try to find them before you get here and it seems that the clothing stores are always 2 seasons ahead. But there is a Kohl's here and they usually have great prices on good stuff...

SNOW?!?!?! In Feb??? Oh man I guess I have a lot to be prepared for don't I?? So in feb there is typically snow? Have they said what kind of winter it is going to be? Were stilling waiting on the orders from the navy to tell us when we'll actually move, but I'm going to be in for a huge shock being born and raised in So Cal. My kids are under the age of 5 so this is going to be a whole new experience for them too!!! I really appreciate all the help. Is there any towns outside of findlay that I should be careful of? I have looked at craigslist for houses and there aren't much for renting options maybe because I'm being picky and want 4 bedrooms. Thanks for all the help ya'll.