Why are people so down on Cleveland? (Cincinnati, Lorain: home, high school)

[scarletneon]

Originally Posted by Cleveland_Collector

Yes, because in 10 months, you would certainly know how the majority of 2-3 million people think. Seriously, why would you move to or stay in a place that you don't like or are "indifferent" about? Certainly, with as much as Chicago has to offer (and it certainly does), you would have been able to find something that would have kept you there.

Having lived here on and off for the greater part of 35 years, I would say that most people have a measured opinion that falls slightly on the side of optimism. The most vocal people are, by far, the pessimists. However, the pessimists usually stay away from this forum because they aren't very well armed with facts and the measured optimists easily defuse any pot-shots they take. Personally, I would rather be around and converse with positive and pro-active people. They have way more to offer than the sniveling, nay-saying miserable people whose sole intent is to bring everybody down.

Wow, rude much? Would you have taken less offense if i would have said that "people i have met fall into those two categories?" because that's what I meant! Maybe the third category is people who gets their panties in a wad if they dont have any feelings about the city whatsoever?

I moved here because I fell into a great job that I want to make my career. So believe me when I say I'm trying to enjoy it here. But over and over I run into people like you who don't make me feel welcome in your city, so indifferent is a pretty nice description for my experience thus far.(because infidderent does mean neither good nor bad ...) I am still getting to know Cleveland but its hard when you feel like people think you're trying to brag because you came from a bigger city (which I'm not, however, I am generally skeptical of things like the casino "saving" the city), or busy in their own little cliques to bother with someone new.

But, you know, thanks for jumping on someone who is still trying to get to know the city and the area just because I haven't decided on how I feel about it yet.

[cali3448893]

Before you guys become a major city your going to have to get people and right now you guys are loosing population but i hope soon it will be different!

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by Cleveland_Collector

Yes, because in 10 months, you would certainly know how the majority of 2-3 million people think. Seriously, why would you move to or stay in a place that you don't like or are "indifferent" about? Certainly, with as much as Chicago has to offer (and it certainly does), you would have been able to find something that would have kept you there.

Having lived here on and off for the greater part of 35 years, I would say that most people have a measured opinion that falls slightly on the side of optimism. The most vocal people are, by far, the pessimists. However, the pessimists usually stay away from this forum because they aren't very well armed with facts and the measured optimists easily defuse any pot-shots they take. Personally, I would rather be around and converse with positive and pro-active people. They have way more to offer than the sniveling, nay-saying miserable people whose sole intent is to bring everybody down.

Wow... Cleveland_Collector, you certainly are Mr. Personality... You must be a great hit at parties.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by scarletneon

I moved here because I fell into a great job that I want to make my career. So believe me when I say I'm trying to enjoy it here. But over and over I run into people like you who don't make me feel welcome in your city, so indifferent is a pretty nice description for my experience thus far.(because infidderent does mean neither good nor bad ...) I am still getting to know Cleveland but its hard when you feel like people think you're trying to brag because you came from a bigger city (which I'm not, however, I am generally skeptical of things like the casino "saving" the city), or busy in their own little cliques to bother with someone new.

But, you know, thanks for jumping on someone who is still trying to get to know the city and the area just because I haven't decided on how I feel about it yet.

Sounds to me like you're still looking for your niche in Cleveland, and in any new city that can take a bit of time.

I think the "cliques" you're running into are because Cleveland doesn't get nearly as many transplants as many major cities do, so Clevelanders aren't used to new people coming in. It's interesting hearing this perspective from a newcomer as, having been born and raised in Cleveland myself, I didn't notice any of that because I wasn't in your position. I think many (certainly not all) Clevelanders still live within ten miles of where they grew up, and they just continue to hang out with the same people that they've "always" known, so they can come across as rather insular and provincial at times.

It's probably easier to meet new people in cities that do have a high percentage of transplants -- people are more open since everyone's in the same boat when it comes to needing to make new friends.

Have you found some things in Cleveland so far that you really like? Like some favorite restaurants or hangouts or other activities/places of interest? I for one would love to hear your impressions.

[scarletneon]

Originally Posted by andrew61

Sounds to me like you're still looking for your niche in Cleveland, and in any new city that can take a bit of time.

I think the "cliques" you're running into are because Cleveland doesn't get nearly as many transplants as many major cities do, so Clevelanders aren't used to new people coming in. It's interesting hearing this perspective from a newcomer as, having been born and raised in Cleveland myself, I didn't notice any of that because I wasn't in your position. I think many (certainly not all) Clevelanders still live within ten miles of where they grew up, and they just continue to hang out with the same people that they've "always" known, so they can come across as rather insular and provincial at times.

It's probably easier to meet new people in cities that do have a high percentage of transplants -- people are more open since everyone's in the same boat when it comes to needing to make new friends.

Have you found some things in Cleveland so far that you really like? Like some favorite restaurants or hangouts or other activities/places of interest? I for one would love to hear your impressions.

I love my apartment, but downtown is kind of weird to me, and there's not really anything open to do if you are alone. I like what's going on in Ohio City like the bars on 25th and such. Also a big fan of the Grog Shop and Coventry (finally found a comparable Thai place to my favorite one in Chicago over there). I need to go explore the museums at some point... The problem is at this point I have to do everything on my own unless it's coworkers converging for a happy hour or something. Unfortunately I have already been burned pretty badly by people I have met here so I am trying to take baby steps and not be as trusting in some cases. Plus, it seems like I do meet people but then never hear from them again so I just assume they have no need for me in their circle of friends. But as far as something I consistently like to do like events to go to or places to volunteer, I haven't found anything yet. Also I am not religious, pretty much atheist, so any church things are out (and it seems like to be a bigger deal here than in Chicago...)

Thankfully I do love my job so I hope everything else will eventually fall into place. It just makes me upset when people give me a hard time about not getting out and doing anything but no one generally bothers to try hanging out with me. I am trying, i swear! I literally accepted my job and moved here within a 3 week period so who knows I may still be in shock! Haha.

[motorman]

Originally Posted by andrew61

Wow... Cleveland_Collector, you certainly are Mr. Personality... You must be a great hit at parties.

(Don't fret, C_C--down in this town we'll still love you in he morning... )

[Townes Van Zandt]

Originally Posted by jonathancalderon71

Before you guys become a major city your going to have to get people and right now you guys are loosing population but i hope soon it will be different!

Interesting. Someone should notify the city of Chicago that, as of the 2010 census, they are no longer a "major" city.

[Townes Van Zandt]

I'd agree with the bulk of what andrew61 mentioned. A lot Clevelanders are used to judging someone based upon which high school they went to. This insular attitude certainly isn't unique to Cleveland. You're probably going to find this in every mid sized city in the country. Actually, it's probably worse in places like Cincinnati(which has a bad reputation for insular locals).

[Peregrine]

Originally Posted by jonathancalderon71

Before you guys become a major city your going to have to get people and right now you guys are loosing population but i hope soon it will be different!

Cleveland lost population to Lorain County and the surrounding suburbs mostly.
People like to portray the area as becoming as desolate as Detroit and that couldn't be farther from the truth.
Try to find an apartment in downtown.
Things are changnig. For the better.
I also disagree with KSUSucks that people tend to judge you... by the high school you went to? Really?
I haven't had any one ask me what High School I went to...um... probably SINCE HIGH SCHOOL. lol

[Peregrine]

Originally Posted by scarletneon

(which I'm not, however, I am generally skeptical of things like the casino "saving" the city)

Just wanted to comment on this, too. I don't recall anyone claiming the casino's were going to "save Cleveland".
The casinos are going to generate income for the city and the state, that's for sure. No need to leave the state to gamble anymore.
(Notice lately the neighboring states casinos are advertising like crazy now? They know that their business is about to take a BIG hit....)
But anyone claiming that one thing is going to SAVE CLEVELAND... is an idiot. And sorry if you've met some idiots in this town, but what town doesn't have their share of those?