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We are possibly moving to Poland, Ohio this summer. We have 4 kids---ages 18 and in college, 16, 12 and 8 and 2 dogs. The oldest one will either transfer to a college near there (he is majoring in Education) or stay here where he commutes. What is there to do for the other kids? The 16 yr old has his license and wants to know what there is for kids his age to do. What type of shopping/restaurants are in the area without having to go into a larger city like Youngstown? My daughter dances on a competition team here and would like to do the same there. The 16 yr old is a kicker for our Varsity team and would like to continue doing that as well. We also need a good pediatric cardiologist, pediatric opthalmagic specialist, orthopedic doctor, pediatrician and a chiropractor. I know it's a lot to ask, but when you have to move a large family with lots of different personalities, I have so many things to think about. Is there a mall nearby? Bowling alley? Mini Golf? Movie Theaters? Grocery Stores? Wal-Mart, Target, Petsmart, Michaels arts and crafts, Borders or Books a Million----etc. Thanks in advance to anyone who can help calm the fear of the unknown!
Location: The Raider Nation._ Our band kicks brass
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Poland is a very nice residential community. The main drag through town is route 224. They have a grocery store, an Arby's, a Dairy Queen, and some doctor's offices. But wait, there's more. The West side of Poland along route 224 blurs into the Township of Boardman. Boardman itself is the worlds longest shopping plaza. It is 5 miles of pure, unadulterated shopping. They have every store that you mentioned, plus many more.
Turn left on South Avenue. There is a putt putt, and family fun center. Your 8 year old might enjoy open sessions at Bounce Around on McClurg Rd. That runs between South Ave and Market Streets.
The Southern Park Mall is located at the corner of 224 & 7. Route 7 is also known as Market Street. The City of Youngstown is not the big city that you think it is. Most people really have no reason to even go there. The downtown area has the Chevy Centre, Stambaugh Auditorium, and some small museums. I want to say Powers Auditorium too. Cortland girl is up on the activities that are located downtown. I'll let her give you the list. I think your kids are better off staying in the Boardman area. An adult should accompany them to any activities in Youngstown.
There are so many doctors in this area, I really wouldn't know who to recommend. Our family doctor is located behind the Poland Arby's. Dr. Sandy Naples owns the Poland family Practice. We are very happy with everyone there.
Well, southrange filled you in on the most important things. The Chevrolet Centre offers the circus, concerts, minor league hockey, and af2 football, among other things.
There's also Eastwood Field where the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (minor league baseball) play in Niles.
That helps a little, knowing there will be some familiar things to the kids. I wasn't too sure about Youngstown, only knowing that it probably isn't somewhere I would want my 16 yr old to go by himself. Coming from a small, rural mountain community and from me, an overprotective mother, I just automatically felt it was better he stick with the small towns. Boardman sounds like there is tons of stuff to do there, which is great for everyone. The area sounds like it is pretty. Are the roads mostly flat and straight or hilly and curvy? I am so used to going through brakes twice a year from going downhill all the time that it might be nice not to have to worry about hills and mountains. What are the kids like there? I know that sounds like a crazy question, but around here, kids are kids--even in high school. They don't act and dress like they are trying to be 25 yrs old. A lot of the kids here are involved in church and with their families. I have read that Poland can be a bit of a snobby community-----I really think our focus is on that community, but our family is far from being snobs. I don't mind shopping the clearance racks and eating at McDonalds and driving my 7 yr old minivan. My 16 yr is concerned that he won't fit in with his 10 yr old Ford Taurus. It looks nice, it's paid for and it runs--what more does he want? Do a lot of the kids drive really nice cars? I am not into keeping up with the Jones's, but I don't want my kids to feel as if they are outsiders and outcasts. They wear clothes from A.E., Hollister, those sort of places, but they aren't into being trendy and keeping up with everyone. It's hard when you have kids and to bring them to someplace you don't even know. I thought when we moved here to the mountains 11 years ago that this would be the last place we'd move to. Thanks again for the help!
That helps a little, knowing there will be some familiar things to the kids. I wasn't too sure about Youngstown, only knowing that it probably isn't somewhere I would want my 16 yr old to go by himself. Coming from a small, rural mountain community and from me, an overprotective mother, I just automatically felt it was better he stick with the small towns. Boardman sounds like there is tons of stuff to do there, which is great for everyone. The area sounds like it is pretty. Are the roads mostly flat and straight or hilly and curvy? I am so used to going through brakes twice a year from going downhill all the time that it might be nice not to have to worry about hills and mountains. What are the kids like there? I know that sounds like a crazy question, but around here, kids are kids--even in high school. They don't act and dress like they are trying to be 25 yrs old. A lot of the kids here are involved in church and with their families. I have read that Poland can be a bit of a snobby community-----I really think our focus is on that community, but our family is far from being snobs. I don't mind shopping the clearance racks and eating at McDonalds and driving my 7 yr old minivan. My 16 yr is concerned that he won't fit in with his 10 yr old Ford Taurus. It looks nice, it's paid for and it runs--what more does he want? Do a lot of the kids drive really nice cars? I am not into keeping up with the Jones's, but I don't want my kids to feel as if they are outsiders and outcasts. They wear clothes from A.E., Hollister, those sort of places, but they aren't into being trendy and keeping up with everyone. It's hard when you have kids and to bring them to someplace you don't even know. I thought when we moved here to the mountains 11 years ago that this would be the last place we'd move to. Thanks again for the help!
The city of Youngstown only has around 80k people, so it isn't really that big population wise.
The roads here won't be anything like you have in the mountains. Yes we do have some nice rolling hills in the area, but most roads are pretty straight for the most part. We do have some roads w/curves, but not mountainous ones. Driving around here should be a piece of cake for you and your family.
I really can't comment on Poland very much because i don't live there and I've only really been there a few times. I will say that it is more of a middle to upper middle class area, which is comparable to the town i grew up in. I think Poland has a good community spirit and like most small towns the people do come together for the greater good. Shoot, lately people have been coming together for good in Youngstown, so it's not really just a small town thing.
I can't really comment on clothes and cars in the community, but I'm sure there is some "keeping up w/the jones'". I think this happens in a lot of areas though and I'm sure not all families partake in this. We had a little of that in my hometown, but it was only a few families, not everyone.
One more thing that i noticed about Poland Village. It looks like a quaint New England town and there are several cool old houses and buildings lining the main roads through town. They also have strict requirements there for businesses, they want them to look historic too. The library also looks amazing!
Alright, that's all i have for now, feel free to ask more later if you like.
Thanks so much----it is sounding like it will be easy for the family to transition there without many problems. I love rolling hills and beautiful countryside and New England style villages. I may just get used to the place! We have moved 7 times with my husbands job from 1993 to 1997 and right here is the last place we moved it. I thought when we moved here it would be forever and we really love it, but times have changed and we need to go where my husbands job is. I'm sure I'll have many more questions to ask----it is so nice to know there are helpful people on this forum.---Thanks!
Are there any book stores like Borders or Books A Million in or near Poland? Is there a public swimming pool or a recreation facility (like a YMCA) that has an indoor pool? We have a big recreation facility here that has exercise classes, an indoor walking/jogging track, weights---anything exercise related, a large basketball court for free play and organized games and two large indoor pools---one geared toward really young kids with a zero entry and goes to 4 ft and a large one geared to swim meets and older kids/adults. Is there anything like that out there? Also, I know you have a lake called Mosquito lake, but all kidding about mosquito's aside, our oldest child almost died from LaCrosse Encephalitis from a mosquito bite 5 years ago and suffered for quite awhile afterwards. He has since recovered, but is there a lot of cases of encephalitis or west nile in the area? This is a huge concern of mine after almost losing a child from a mosquito bite. Thanks for you help!
I know there is a Barnes and Noble right down the road on 224, not sure about Borders, but we have one of those in Niles. Niles is probably 20-25 minutes north of Poland and is home to the other mall in the Mahoning Valley www.eastwoodmall.com
I'm not really sure about your rec center/pool question. I know we have Y's in Warren and Niles, not sure where there are any in Mahoning County, but i'm sure they are there. I know Hubbard has an indoor pool.........wait, here's a post i made about pools in the area a while back //www.city-data.com/forum/3167350-post11.html Hope that helps.
There's also Welcome to Boardman Park and Mill Creek Park has James L. Wick, Jr. Recreation Area | Mill Creek MetroParks (http://www.millcreekpark.com/recreationarea.htm - broken link)
As for the mosquito/west nile question. I"m not too sure about that. I know i've heard on the news over the years that west nile has made it to our area, but i've never heard of anyone getting it. Also, most communities in the area spray for moquitos, so maybe that will help ease your mind.
You also said something about your oldest being in college and not knowing if he was going to stay there or move here and go. Being that you are probably going to be living in Poland i would suggest you guys check out Welcome to Youngstown State University-Home Page . It's a pretty big commuter school and the campus is actually the safest in the state of Ohio. They also have a new rec center there as well as a pool.
I know a lot of people who went through the education program there (the building is pretty new BTW) as well. I must admit, I don't know much about the ed. dept., but Ohio is known for producing lots and lots of teachers every year.
I can tell you that when i was a student there 10 years ago i was never scared and i always felt safe.
Ok, i guess that is enough for now. Feel free to bring up any other questions or concerns.
Cort
Last edited by CortlandGirl79; 05-17-2008 at 11:17 AM..
Location: The Raider Nation._ Our band kicks brass
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This is a contact number for the YMCA in Boardman. Ymca in Boardman Ohio, OH - Yellow Pages - Switchboard.com (http://www.switchboard.com/YMCA/Ohio/Boardman/listings.htm - broken link)
I have never been there, but have heard that it is nice. Call and ask them what they have.
Every book store that you can imagine is in Boardman.
Mosquito Lake is a good 20 or 30 miles from Poland. Cortland Girl lives by there. She can give you the scoop. It's just a name, I have never heard of any mosquito related illnesses around here.
I am getting the idea that you have never been here, so I have to ask what made you pick Poland? Realtor? Recommendations from a friend, or employer? Close to work?
Poland is a very nice town, but there are other towns just as nice, or even better for less money. I guess it would depend on where you have to drive for work. Download Google Earth. You can see a satellite view of the area.
One other piece of information for your kids that drive. The speed limit through Poland is 35mph, and 25mph in the residential areas. Poland, and Canfield don't mess around. They will give a ticket for anything over the limit.
I see CortlandGirl posted while I was in between typing and making breakfast.
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