Ohio: The Northeast or Midwest? (Canton, Mason: fit in, best, cities)

[M TYPE X]

Cleveland/Akron seem almost northeastern to me (my hometown is in SE Michigan). Central and western Ohio are very Midwestern.

[Cosmic]

Ohio is definitely part of the midwest.

Just go to Boston and ask where is Ohio? Some think it is part of India, others think it might be out somewhere around CA. They don't talk Real USA up there. There are no nice townships, nothing is square. Most places you can't even turn right on red like in the real Midwest.

They talk about down east stuff or you kaan't geett tharrr from heere

There are no Pilgrims in Ohio; there are no Yankee type holidays in Ohio. Where did anybody get this strange idea. They make real milkshakes in Ohio.

Even NY sometimes doesn't want to claim being in the northeast.

[LancasterNative]

I've lived in Ohio all my life, and have NEVER considered myself a part of the Northeast! When I think of the Northeast, I think of rude pushy people who say "youse guyz"...

Cleveland certainly feels more Northeastern than where I'm from...but then Cleveland's kindof generally weird anyway

Far as I'm concerned Ohio is both Midwestern and Appalachian. And perhaps even some parts (Ohio River counties like Clermont, Adams, Brown) could be considered Southern by the grace of God

[LancasterNative]

Originally Posted by the_pines

Texas, California and Ohio are probably the most independent states in the country.

Interesting insight. Thanks!

This actually puts Ohio in some pretty lofty company

[OneWayOut]

I always considered Ohio the "middle East". Its not west, its not the middle west-- in fact, its not anywhere near the west. I consider the west anything west of Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, and the Dakotas, which are all "central" or Great Plains states. The east is anything east of PA, WVA, Ken-tuck, etc-- (aside from those states that are considered "the South"). Ohio is not in the middle of the US, nor is anywhere close to the western US...its closer to the central Us than the west. It is in the middle of the general "eastern" states in the us, so it is in the "Middle East", just like Saudi Arabia.

[LancasterNative]

Originally Posted by OneWayOut

...so it is in the "Middle East", just like Saudi Arabia.

Except for the lack of sand. Or oil. Or terrorists.

Although with the latter, I'm sure there are a few Islamakazi nutjob cells operating undercover in our major cities...

[twange]

The reason it's hard to define Cleveland as either midwestern or north-eastern is that it is neither. Cleveland is part of THE GREAT LAKES RUST BELT. Just like Detroit, Toledo, Buffalo, Erie, and Pittsburgh (although on a river). You could even throw Toronto in there as well (although much more cosmopolitan) this area has a completely different vibe than the midwest and/or northeast. The location:close to appalachia, close to Canada, within a days drive to the East coast, the creation of the Erie Canal which connected it to other cities in all directions, makes this area unique.

If people would start seeing it for the unique location it is, instead of just an old, dying crust, then it might turn into the next boomtown. When water becomes the next rare resource, The Great Lakes will be the spot to be.

[MABCle]

^Exactly we just have to make sure those desert southwest states don't build a canal and try to steal our water.

[Ohiogirl81]

There's nothing northeastern about Ohio.

Thank God.

[jsmill]

As a native Cincinnatian, I always considered myself to be a midwesterner. But there is a definite difference in feel between northern Ohio and southern Ohio. Not counting the indigenous peoples already there, the north was settled originally by New Englanders and their influence is seen in most of the older towns ands cities. The south was settled by Virginians. Ohio was the first state created out of the Northwest Territories, and the other states created out of NW Territories are all clearly midwestern. And the final proof -- the local TV show of the 50s and 60s, The Midwestern Hayride

...though it sure did sound southern to me!