Why does Cincinnati and all of Ohio have such a bad rep? (Newark: where to stay, sales)

[esya]

I grew up in SW OHio and I cannot agree that people are unfriendly from that part of the state.

[PhillytoCincy]

Interesting you say the things you do.

Ohio created the most jobs last month
87 out of 88 Ohio counties experienced drops in their unemployment rates
Ohio's unemployment rate dropped and will probaly drop even more with the new job creations (first fact is proof of that)
We are the 7th most populated state in the country ... 11,542,000 residents
We are 6th in the nation for fortune 500 companies
5th largest university system in the country
Construction cranes dot the "conservative" city of Cincinnati
The billion dollar Banks Project is under construction on Cincy's riverfront
The Cincinnati Rivefront Park is under construction
The Cincinnati Streetcar was approved
Cincinnati is building its new tallest
Cincinnati is building one of the best and one of the only urban casinos
Find a place like Findlay Market in most cities
Over The Rhine is experiencing some of the fastest gentrification in the country
You do not find neighborhoods like Mount Auburn, Mt Adams, Over the Rhine, etc in too many cities
Cincinnati is home to Macy's, Fifth Third, GE Aviation, Procter and Gamble, Great American Insurance, Kroger, ect.
Cincinnati is in the top 10 cities per fortune 500 based companies
Cincinnati was in the top 10 cities for US graduates

I could continue, and that was just Cincinnati.

[LukaBelle521]

Having grown up in SE Ohio, I have, quite frankly, had my fill of Appalachian hillbilly jokes and stereotypes. I think it's sad that people from the state are trashing it on here, as well. If you don't like it here (or any place), feel free to move. I'm sure every state has their share or version of beer-drinking white trash. Having taught in both Columbus and a very small, rural public school district in SE Ohio, I can tell you I have seen intelligent and beautiful people in both regions. I don't think Ohio or any part of it is any better or worse than any other state. As for flat and bland, the whole southern portion of the state is rolling hills to small mountains. I suggest checking out Wayne Nat'l Forest for some great hiking and climbing. And, as for the flatter areas, have you ever seen a wheat field blowing in the wind on a sunny day? We also have the Great Lakes, many good fishing lakes around the state, and the Ohio River, which I am partial to having grown up on it. The summers were a bit cooler and shorter in Columbus, with long, cold, miserable winters, admittedly; the summers in southern Ohio are long, hot, and humid. But, so was the summer I stayed in MS, as it is in Wilmington, NC where my family lives (where the land is sandy and dry and scratchy-no soft, green grass for walking barefoot in). So, I guess my point is go where YOU love it and focus on the positive!

[Montrell]

Originally Posted by esya

Ok maybe the dumb hillbilly rep does have its basis in fact--Ohio used to be a middle of the road, moderate sort of place and now many have leaned over toward conservativism, which really hasn't done a darned thing for their economy.

Ohio has become more and more liberal over the years IMO and it hasn't done a darned thing for their economy.

[Montrell]

Originally Posted by Spartan06

Obama is definitely not a popular figure here in Cincinnati as well. Frankly, I get sick of hearing all the conservatives whine at work about what Obama is or isn't doing.

It was no different than the way liberals whined about Bush day after day at work for 8 years. I've always found it funny how people all of a sudden notice "whining and hatred" when it is only directed at those they prefer.

[drfixit]

I have been living in Cincy for 10 years with my husband. We have tried hard to make friends. WE are good friend, fun loving people but the first question seems to be where you from - not from around here I can tell or it is which high school did you attend? Anyway, we have made one friend so far.

[drfixit]

There is a lot of poverty in Cincinnati. People just don't care about each other or their communities. They are just plain mean for no reason. Even driving they will not slow down and let you over if you miss a turn - even when you ask nicely. Bad attitudes especially in the schools...feel sorry for the teachers.

[smoking357]

You won't hear that from me. It's a nice place with great scenery, good schools, things to do and tasty victuals to eat. Decent people. Nice neighborhoods.

It snows, and there are way too many cops with radar guns. Oh, and there are bedbugs.

All in all, I don't have much bad to say about Cincy or Ohio.

[progmac]

Originally Posted by drfixit

There is a lot of poverty in Cincinnati. People just don't care about each other or their communities. They are just plain mean for no reason. Even driving they will not slow down and let you over if you miss a turn - even when you ask nicely. Bad attitudes especially in the schools...feel sorry for the teachers.

i'm sorry that you had a bad experience. if there is one thing about Cincinnati it has the friendliest people of anywhere i have ever lived. and i work downtown and live in the city. this sentiment is echoed by most everyone i know who has moved here from, well, anywhere. also, i have never been somewhere with as much neighborhood pride as people have in cinci. the exception is people who feel they are being pushed out of a gentrifying neighborhood.

[PhillytoCincy]

It is interesting....

Seriously people, with all due respect, the way you talk about places, you can find these characteristics all across the country. Bad drivers, poverty, etc. It is not limited to one place.