Lima Ohio Questions

[eigen]

Avoid Lima like the plague! It demonstrates all the problems of our country--a shrinking increasingly elderly population, poor education, horrible race relations and one of the highest crime rates per capita in the country. The people of Lima live in a fantasy world where they think everything is available to them, because they never leave the city to learn what the world is really like. Young people of promise flee the city at the first opportunity. One constantly hears of wonderful things coming to Lima, but somehow it never happens. Nearly 20% of the homes are vacant (and this doesn't count those that have been bulldozed, leaving empty lots). The city is virtually bankrupt, with school layoffs increasingly common. Don't think about coming here.

[pouzr]

Anyone who is smart avoids Lima. It has the highest crime rate for a city its size in the country (larger per capita than places like East St. Louis and Newark). Education is far below the national average (only 9% of the population went to college). There is a regional campus of Ohio State University, but it is a joke: poor faculty, worse students. Cancer and respiratory illness rates are far above the national average. Of course it has malls and restaurants, like anywhere, but it has no quality of life. The large downtown office buildings of an earlier era are empty. The schools are virtually bankrupt and are laying off teachers regularly. The two hospitals rank below average in most categories (and why does a city of declining population need two expanding hospitals: figure that one out. The answer is obvious). The city most recently received national attention because of its race riots last winter. Population has declined by 40% in the last 25 years: the city is full of empty houses and vacant lots. I commend hrahrig for his devotion to the city but unfortunately he is describing Lima of 50 years ago, not today.

[mjuikl]

One of the real problems in Lima is that it has no local newspaper. The Lima News is a right-wing front that uses local issues to advance its national agenda, and has no interest in the issues of Lima beyond this. If there were a credible local paper, there might be some agressive reporting that would make things better.

[Ashley111]

Counting the days until I can leave!

[limaohio80]

Race riots. What race riots? You got some bad info.

[GioSandroSam]

We are possibly moving to Lima Ohio. My wife is interviewing in the medical field there. We have 3 boys 5 3 and 2. I'm a stay home Dad. I'm very active in Music and enjoy outdoor activities with my sons. We enjoy living on the water. We have a realtor taking us around to places to live.

So should we see other areas other then Lima? What is close buy? withing 30min drive. Being if the job is acceptable...
I'm not into driving 20 miles for gas or shopping..
How are the schools and community for us?
Thanks to anyone....

[City Boy Columbus]

Originally Posted by pouzr

Anyone who is smart avoids Lima. It has the highest crime rate for a city its size in the country (larger per capita than places like East St. Louis and Newark). Education is far below the national average (only 9% of the population went to college). There is a regional campus of Ohio State University, but it is a joke: poor faculty, worse students. Cancer and respiratory illness rates are far above the national average. Of course it has malls and restaurants, like anywhere, but it has no quality of life. The large downtown office buildings of an earlier era are empty. The schools are virtually bankrupt and are laying off teachers regularly. The two hospitals rank below average in most categories (and why does a city of declining population need two expanding hospitals: figure that one out. The answer is obvious). The city most recently received national attention because of its race riots last winter. Population has declined by 40% in the last 25 years: the city is full of empty houses and vacant lots. I commend hrahrig for his devotion to the city but unfortunately he is describing Lima of 50 years ago, not today.

I am a Lima native who now lives in Columbus and has been here for the past 5 or so years I lived in Columbus since 1999 back in forth. But all in all I live here in Columbus 8 going on 9years. I do agree that Lima is very bad of a city the only place to live in Lima is Shawnee if u have the money. But one thing I didn't know was that it's crime rate was that high.
I knew it was violent for it's size but I thought maybe 6th or 7th for a city it's size not number one. anyway Lima also has a bad attitude about change like change would make it sick. They would renovate the heck out of that city but expansion in growth is not in their vocabulary.

[Lima Native]

I am 54 years old, college graduate, live in the city limits, and I LOVE LIMA! I have a feeling those of you criticizing here will have a problem no matter where you live. There were no race riots, crime in the city has declined for YEARS, I have owned my home since 1987 and have had 0 problems in those 28 years. The cost of living is extremely reasonable, there is plenty to do - but , guess what? You have to actually look for something to do, not have it fall in your lap! Good jobs are to be had, but again, if you are lazy and can't pass a drug test, you won't be able to land a good job. Life is what you make of it. You can live large in Lima, if you work on the other side of town, it is only 3 miles, there are no traffic jams. For a town this size to have a quality symphony is a plus! Even the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Van Wert is a mere 45 minutes away - and they bring national productions nearly every week. We have community theatre at the Encore, very high end restaurants, and well and middle and fast food places. Lima is centrally located between Cleveland for professional football, basketball, and baseball - just 3 hours- and Cincinnati for professional football and baseball - just 2 hours. It is said 80% of America lives within 5 hours of Lima. If you can't find it here, you can't be happy ANYWHERE.