im moving to ohio.. any advice?

That must be some good shit you are smoking, you who thinks it is possible to size up people you have never met. Or is it acid that you are on? Sounds more like acid to me.......

So you don't think it's possible to get to know anyone through written exchange? Have you ever read the letters of Vincent Van Gogh, Abigail &John Adams or Virginia Woolf? I think you can learn a lot about people just by reading what they write. In this computer format I even get to ask questions to clarify my impressions.

I suspect many of us here know the real you better than the people with whom you interact in real life.

Ha!

True dat.

Cudo’s to you, OG! You’re trying to make a better life for yourself. And no matter what state that is in, you deserve a big pat on the back. Keep a positive attitude and no matter where you go, you’ll make it. I have no idea what Hawk's problem is, but take him with a grain of salt. You'll find some of the friendliest people you ever wanna meet down in the sticks of southern Ohio. Will you find any bad-asses? Of course. You won't go anywhere and NOT find them.

As for unemployment, it is what is right now. State to state….it’s actually lower than Nevada.

To go one step farther, about 25% of the counties in Ohio, saw their unemployment rate go down last month. Mostly due to factories that had been on temporary shut downs and are now up to speed again. There are jobs to be found, but it sounds like you already have one lined up. I can understand the county you are going to, having a higher unemployment rate than other counties of Ohio. It’s just the way it is down there. Not that this really pertains to you, but up in the Northern part, where I am, Whirlpool just hired almost 300 people. Cooper is gearing up to hire about the same. Ball Metal is supposed to be hiring, come June. I talked to a guy not too long ago that works in Findlay and they just started working 50 – 60 hours a week at the factory he’s at. It’s not all doom and gloom like Hawk wants you to believe. Down where you are at, look at the glass as half full and not half empty. There are 85% of the people working! Not to mention that you have a job lined up, anyhow.

No matter where you’re at in Ohio, and no matter what direction you go, you’re going to find something to do. From the flat lands of Northern Ohio to the rolling hills of Southern Ohio.

It you get to feeling like you miss the “night life” ……there’s always Columbus. Just about anything you want to do, can be done there. Club 185 is about the best “singles” bar, IMO. Be careful in the bars around campus if you decide to go there. They can be rowdy.

Here's a few of my favorite places in Ohio. Most of these places have camping facilities close-by if you like to camp. I grew up doing that, and I doubt I will ever stop loving it.

Wayne National Forest - Lots of hiking and fishing. It’s beautiful! And not too far from you.

Then there's Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, Cantwell Cliffs - Around Logan, Ohio.



Not too far from me you have Cedar Point. Roller coaster capital of the world if you like that kind of thing. I grew up with it in my blood! Even worked there a couple of summers when I was in school. Total blast!




Lake Erie – Hundreds of miles of shorelines and some of the most beautiful sunsets you ever wanna see. There’s also miles of protected sandy beaches. But most of all, if you wanna catch some walleye or perch , you won’t come home empty-handed.




Of course if you go to Lake Erie, there’s always the islands. South Bass Island, in Put-In-Bay, can’t be beat! Of course you have to get to the islands, and the best way to do that is by the Jet Express. That runs about $25 / round trip. But well worth it.



Lots to do in the Cincy area, too.

Anyhoo ..... good luck and be proud of yourself!

I’ve lived in Ohio most of my life except for 6 or 7 years in New England. I spent most of the time in N.E. Ohio but know practically all of the state. I can answer any specific questions that you have. Just so you know what you are going to encounter:

The area you are going to is VERY rural. There is really no Ohio city of any size within a 90 minute drive. It’s over an hour to Wheeling WV. It’s at least 90 minutes to Akron and another 40 to Cleveland. You will be much more likely to head to Parkersburg or Wheeling for nightlife rather than N.E Ohio.

There is very little work anywhere near this area. It is good you have some set up. The Federal Government considers this and surrounding counties part of Appalachia (extreme rural poverty). I know people who taught in public schools in that area 15 years ago, even then the lack of funds was so great if you had a relative in the same grade you shared text books!

You will not be in an area free of drugs. Meth. Labs are a curse in this area of the state and it is one of the largest pot growing areas in Ohio. There are also gangs. It is infinitely safer than Vegas or Cleveland for that matter.

The area is quiet and pretty. There is a LOT of outdoor stuff to do there and nearby. Like anything else it is what you make of it. Just remember what Buckaroo Bonsai said: “No matter where you go…there you are.”

Good Luck


Oh yes. lots of great winding state higways for you bike!!! The trip to the Ohio River is very nice.

Since you will be an Ohio resident and so NOT be driving a vehicle with Michigan plates you shouldn't have any trouble. We tell people from Michigan that it happens to everyone. They aren't the sharpest tools in the shed.