Toledo or Cleveland (Cincinnati, Dayton, Maumee: insurance, appliances, safe neighborhood)

[Rebek56]

I love both cities, but as a person with asthma, I have found the air quality in Toledo (upwind of the refinery, which is east of the city proper) better than that in Cleveland.

[MarcBetrus]

There's no comparison...lool.. Cleveland is a vastly superior city along every possible metric. A better choice would be between Cleveland and Columbus.

[miamian in nc]

When I lived in Cleveland, I visited Columbus and l didn't like it at all. Actually, I've found that some capital cities aren't all that appealing. I lived in Raleigh for a while and I really disliked it. Maybe it has to do with all the government buildings and all else being located outside of a capital city.

[InnerCitySoul]

Hello Miamian!

Like you, I've shifted my focus these past few weeks and have been somewhat delinquent in checking back on the Glass City. Funny enough, the more I do so, the better Toledo looks. Interesting that you mention Milwaukee...it's a city that in so many ways, checks ALL the boxes...except weather. After living in the South for the better part of 2 decades, my biggest concern about moving back to the Midwest is the long, cloudy and gray winters. I'm banking on the beautiful summers, 4 true seasons and snowstorms balancing out the loss of my preferred alfresco dining options with the cooler/cold weather?

One (of the many) things that intrigues me when considering a move back to the Midwest is reconnecting with some of my Hungarian culture! That will most likely be limited to dining...but it's some of my favorite food! My maternal grandparents were both 1st generation American/Hungarians. They spoke the language fluently (I still remember how to say "I love you Grandpa" in Hungarian thanks to many patient lessons from my Grandmother.) I spent my summers in Florida when my Grandfather retired and was treated to all of the staples...my Grandma was an amazing cook! I was somewhat raised on the savory and sweet foods of Hungry and have always enjoyed indulging that passion! I think Cleveland is the de facto (big city) capital of Hungarian culture in the US and would provide many opportunities to engage with it in multiple ways.

Well, before I get accused of threadjacking, I'll close for now. Wishing you nothing but the best on your search Miamian! Feel free to DM me with any insights you have on other areas that I might find helpful...it definitely seems as though we're on a similar path, searching for that next great chapter! Like you, with the warmer weather upon us, I'm definitely going to spend some time in the Midwest/Toledo this summer (and really excited to do so!) I'll add my observations/thoughts on this thread after doing so.

Paul

[WRnative]

Originally Posted by miamian in nc

WRnative, you are a wealth of information! I have seen your responses many times to posters and your various linkes are amazing!

Thank you so much. I will spend time checking out the links you sent me. As far as the Hungarians go, i'm second generation Hungarian and to be honest, connecting with Hungarians isn't important to me, but I do love the food and some of their music, but not all. I love all kinds of ethnic festivals - Hungarian, Polish, Italian, Greek - you name it. These would be fun.

Thank you also Tobias C., for your encouragment!

You can search this website for ethnic festivals.

https://ohiofestivals.net/category/ethnic-festival/

You also can search for Cleveland, Akron/Canton and Toledo, as well as by month.

https://ohiofestivals.net/category/ethnic-festival/

[SavannahMick]

Originally Posted by miamian in nc

It's been a while since I've been on here and I'm now looking more seriously at Toledo. I came across an article online and in that article it was mentioned that Toledo is a "Welcoming City." I learned about the nonprofit "Welcoming America," and I saw that another reference "U.S. Together." From what I read, they do a lot to help refugees, including ESL classes.

I'm in the process of investigating these nonprofits to see about opportunities there, both office support ones and teaching ESL. Then, I spoke with Renhill Staffing and they are an agency that staffs schools in Toledo with substitutes.

Someone here on C-D has been most helpful to me also by providing me with names of apartment complexes. This person also mentioned Tobias C in this regard, so I'd like to maybe message him here as well.

Getting back to the article, the writer spoke very highly of Toledo being a friendly place. Midwesterners in general have a really great reputation for being friendly and welcoming.

Right now I'm still here in the small in-law suite, and I was thinking I ought to up and move now but I don't feel quite comfortable doing it during the holidays given the coronavirus.

Hey Miamian,
I posted on Madison and we connected a bit.
I recently have checked out the Cleveland/Toledo areas. For background I am 65 and looking for one more move... wanting to buy one more home in a really low cost environment.
Trick is to always imagine if the area will suit you when you are 70+: Is it economical, is it safe for older people so they don't feel they have to hibernate at home, and is there a sizeable population over 55 yrs of age. It is a trap to think you can handle an area -- NOW -- but what about later?

If you think you will, as you age, be safe and able to journey around Toledo or Cleveland inner cities a great deal -- I think you are wrong. Single elderly folk are targets...plain and simple. So that means a very safe, economical, suburb that has enough around it to be more then just a bedroom community.
I find Toledo flat out depressing, especially with a much more vibrant Cleveland area close by -- which is just as inexpensive. However I find the Suburb of Maumee a very nice secret and very inexpensive.

I am now considering North Olmstead seriously and have been pleasantly surprised on this location. West Cleveland suburbs get like 20 inches LESS snow then the east side (much warmer winters). It is very affordable and is surrounded by a dozen very very safe (like NO crime whatsoever) Suburbs. It is surrounded by shopping and parks, close to the airport and Lake Erie, with the option of going into Cleveland which does have a wealth of top Entertainment.

If you look at Areavibes these suburbs are rated 88-94 which is the highest rating anyplace receives.

Main thing about North Olmstead is that the population over 55 years of age is over 35%. This means when I am 75 I will feel welcome and able to move around the area with confidence and peace...

so peace... and goot luck...

[brickpatio2018]

I drove through Toledo and was pleasantly surprised. Perrysburg, Maumee, and Ottawa Hills were absolutely beautiful. The University of Toledo's campus...adorable and beautiful. The drive into town along Monroe Street by the art museum...lovely. The riverwalk area and various museums were nice and I loved how the downtown baseball stadium is below street level so that as you drive past you can see down into the stadium. Wonderful!

I also liked the scale. Compared to these cities with two million people that go on forever and are full of traffic and congestion, Toledo feels like a more human-scaled size. I liked it. The river through town is pretty.

I didn't know what to expect and I certainly didn't see everything, but I liked it.

[on3]

Toledo vs Cleveland?

That like comparing Zanesville to Pepper Pike. One is vastly superior to the other.

[ferraris]

Originally Posted by on3

Toledo vs Cleveland?

That like comparing Zanesville to Pepper Pike. One is vastly superior to the other.

How insightful. I'm glad you included so much information relevant to OP's situation.

[Larry Siegel]

Originally Posted by MarcBetrus

There's no comparison...lool.. Cleveland is a vastly superior city along every possible metric. A better choice would be between Cleveland and Columbus.

...or Cleveland and Pittsburgh (about the same distance).