Moving....Sometime. (Columbus, Akron, Canton: rental, house, school)

[lilchris28]

I am planning on moving to Ohio sometime, though when I'm not sure because I'm still figuring some things out. I chose Ohio because I would already have a support system in place since I have friends near Canton and Zanesville. I'd like to move somewhere within an hour of the Canton area. I'm looking for an agricultural area where I can have a small farm/garden, but where the cost of living is decent. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[000000]

avoid youngstown.

[JR_C]

Originally Posted by 000000

avoid youngstown.

Read their post again. They are looking for a rural area near Canton.

To the OP, I'd recommend looking in southern and western Stark County. There are lots of small towns and villages with plenty of pretty countryside (IMO) in between. As you head north, the Canton/Massillon suburbs kind of blend into the Akron suburbs.

[000000]

someone else could have at least tried to answer OP's question. as is, my response is good advice.

[JR_C]

Originally Posted by 000000

someone else could have at least tried to answer OP's question. as is, my response is good advice.

If you say so.

[lilchris28]

I'm mainly just wanting to make sure it will be legal to have my show rabbits and my dogs/cats that I currently have on location. I don't want a city ordinance saying I can only have three dogs or something. I'm moving with 5 dogs and my cat. I won't get other pets, but I don't want to have to get rid of the ones I have.

[SWOH]

Hi lilchris28,

Your requirements are very broad, so I'd imagine you could live almost anywhere in that area.

Anything to help us narrow it some? A budget? House requirements (beds/baths/acres/new or with character, etc.)? Amenities you like to have close? A job location/commute distance?

[Meemur]

lilchris28, I read your post in the moving forum. I don't know which cities have a branch of the school you're attending, but I'm going to recommend Mansfield to you if you absolutely have your heart set on moving before you graduate. It's about an hour west of Canton.

Why?

1. There's a Petsmart there (where you're working)
2. There are several colleges in the area, including the Ohio State - Mansfield campus
3. Mansfield is large enough to have a few career opportunities in your field. However, Columbus (an hour and change south) will have a lot more, but rents in Mansfield will be more affordable on a shoe-string budget.
4. All of your animals . . . it's going to be very difficult to find a rental with that many animals but you may have somewhat of a shot in that area if you can live with a farm family (maybe in exchange for some help?) or at least out of town a bit. Outside of the city is quite rural.

As your friends will tell you, the economy in Canton is not that good. Actually, Columbus is the bright spot in the state right now, but it's not an inexpensive area, at all. If you can work and attend school there, Mansfield might be a good compromise.

Now, one other suggestion: Look at the City of Findlay. It's along I-75 in NW Ohio. There is higher education there. Outside of the city is rural, but in the city there would be more opportunities for work in your major. It's far from Canton, but rents are reasonable and you might be able to find somewhere you can have the animals.

I lived in Findlay during the 1990s, and I recommend that area to a single lady over Mansfield-Canton. There is a larger percentage of working men, should you want to date, and just a better economy overall, although keep in mind that few places outside of Columbus are doing all that well right now. That might turn around before long.

Good luck!