Looking for the perfect small town (Columbus, Cleveland: low crime, homes, new construction)

[Walla450]

Okay, I know there have been plenty of threads asking for suggestions about the perfect town. I also know there is a small town thread that was recently posted in, but it's pretty old and I don't want to dredge it up again.

So, let me tell you about my perfect small town. I know I will probably never find a place that has every single thing I want. This is just a wish list. Please let me know if you know of a place that matches this description.

• Location: Close enough to a larger city for hospitals, culture, etc., but not a suburb of a larger city. I don't really want anything in NE Ohio, specifically Akron and anything north of it. I'd also prefer that it not be on the western border of Ohio...a bit further in is better for me. Out of all the big cities to be "near", Columbus would be my pick. Again, I do not want to live in a Columbus suburb.
• I want it to conjure up the words "cute" and "quaint." I want it to look very nice and appealing. I want a place where people take care of their yards and homes. "Old-fashioned" would also work. I'd like to live in the 50s, so the closer I can get, the better (I don't mean old-fashioned in a negative, close-minded way).
• Town square - I want a little "town square" area with cute little shops and ice cream parlors where you can walk or sit and watch the people. No strip malls! It's okay if the town has some, but I don't want that to be all their is.
• Character and history - I'd prefer an older community with character. I'm not a huge fan of new construction. I'd like an older home with character. There can be new construction, as long as there is also older homes as well (and by older I don't mean the 70s or 80s).
• Large lots - I want there to be large lots available, at least 2 acres. I'd prefer a home on at least 2 acres. All properties don't have to be this way, but I want them to be available. I'd even like it to have some rural areas. I don't have to live right near the town square or anything, so a property in a more rural area would be nice.
• Good schools and several schools to chose from. I'm going to have children and I am also a teacher. I need a place where I have more than one choice about where to send my children. I also need a place with more than one or two schools where I will have a better chance of finding a job.
• Safe- I want a place with very low crime rates.
• Community activities - I want a community that has activities, such as parades and farmers markets and street fairs.
• Good economy - I don't want a place that is really going down the drain and I'll regret moving to in 10 years time.
• Price - Somewhere that I can find a nice home for $250,000-$300,000

[wGoshen]

Delaware, Ohio.

Although in a few years the Columbus suburbs could be creeping in.

[ksu sucks]

Why nothing north of Akron? Too weak for a little snow?

[5Lakes]

Well I know some towns that sound like what you describe, but they are in Northeast Ohio. Vermilion, Chardon, Wooster, Orrville, Madison, and maybe Medina are what comes to mind.

I don't know the rest of the state as well, but some other nice small towns that are close to larger cities are Port Clinton, Delaware, Granville, Newark, and Lancaster.

[Daytonnatian]

Heck, you just described Troy, Ohio. Exactly (I mean like eerily correct). But it's only about 40 miles from Indiana and a half hour to the nearest sizable mall, so you might not find it appealing. (still has decent shopping in town, and a smaller mall to the north in Piqua)

Yeah, probably the best place to look would be north of Columbus, with Marysville possibly being the best fit. Urbana might also fit the mold, too, and maybe even Circleville.

Good Luck!!!!

[Walla450]

Originally Posted by ksu sucks

Why nothing north of Akron? Too weak for a little snow?

I've lived in the area my entire life. I love the snow. I have several reasons for not staying in the area. The perfect community could make me stay, but I'd like to live in a different area of Ohio if possible.

[Walla450]

Originally Posted by 5Lakes

Well I know some towns that sound like what you describe, but they are in Northeast Ohio. Vermilion, Chardon, Wooster, Orrville, Madison, and maybe Medina are what comes to mind.

I don't know the rest of the state as well, but some other nice small towns that are close to larger cities are Port Clinton, Delaware, Granville, Newark, and Lancaster.

I don't really consider Vermilion or Orrville as being in NE Ohio. They might technically be, but they are outside of the radius I mentioned.

I just want to clarify that I don't need to live in central OH. I do like that area, but I could live in other areas.

Originally Posted by Daytonnatian

Heck, you just described Troy, Ohio. Exactly (I mean like eerily correct). But it's only about 40 miles from Indiana and a half hour to the nearest sizable mall, so you might not find it appealing. (still has decent shopping in town, and a smaller mall to the north in Piqua)

Yeah, probably the best place to look would be north of Columbus, with Marysville possibly being the best fit. Urbana might also fit the mold, too, and maybe even Circleville.

Good Luck!!!!

That's a little far West in the state for me, but I'm not completely against it. If I find the "perfect" town, I could be willing to move to areas I previously hadn't been very open to. I don't mind being far from the mall at all. I don't need everyday access to large shopping areas, malls, and other such things. I'll look into Troy, thanks!

[bbb3601]

I am going to say you described Lancaster as well. If you want a little slower (Lancaster has gotten big) Logan, or Circleville. Finding a 2 acre lot in any of these places would be very easy. All three have hospitals, and less than 1 hour from columbus. I know Lancaster, and Logan have town squares, and great ice cream. Very nice historical homes, and great community pride. Good luck in your search because with your price range I am sure you will come very close to satisfying your desires. As far as schools obviously Hocking county you have the public district or Catholic. I don't really know about Lancaster, or Circleville, but I am sure they offer choices. As far as work depending on where you desire to teach (Logan closer to ou/hocking college. Lancaster has many college branches) I am sure the local districts have some openings or again Columbus is less than 1hr. I am also going to throw Pickerington into the mix for some reason, and maybe Canal Winchester although they may be too close to Columbus for your comfort.

[sandwalk]

Maybe look at Norwalk or Milan. Both have nice central business districts as well as historic home districts. Milan (birthplace of Thomas Edison), if I recall correctly, has a 100% occupancy rate of all buildings/shops around the town square. Also, you are less than 1/2 hour from the lake and beaches, about a 1/2 hour from metropolitan Cleveland, and about 1 1/2 hours from Columbus.

[Mattress]

I would look at Dover, Wooster, and Ashland.