Why do you still live in the Norton, Barberton area? (Akron: crime, house)

[Discgolfer]

I grew up in Norton, graduated from Norton High in the 60's. After getting married in 1973 we moved to Wadsworth. Wadsworth was and is a superior community. I still own my parents house in Norton, pay over $3,000 a year in taxes. For what, no services other than a Barney Fife police department. Poor road maintenance, no sewer or water, rusted out cars, third rate schools, city council that has been bickering for decades and a poor quality of life. I saw the the handwriting on the wall 30 years ago regarding northeast Ohio and moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. Why do you stay in Norton and Ohio. Life is better in the South!!

[JustOpinions]

Agree with everything but the schools and quality of life. The schools are rated on par or better than most every district that surrounds them. Better roads and you wouldn't know when you cross the Medina county line.
Your opinion on what things are is seems based on what it once was and not allowing for improvements made in your exile.

[gentlearts]

The reason why is that it is the heartland. People are nice and normal. If someone wants to stay in the place they were raised because it is comfortable, so what?

I lived in NE Ohio for many years before moving to Savannah, and I miss many things about it, like good schools. good roads, and friendly people. I don't miss winter, but the summers here are brutal.

[penguintech]

A lot of my Family still lives in the Barberton / Kenmore / Norton area and it's usually where I stay when I come home for visits. To be honest, I always just feel at home there. It's comfortable. I know my way around, very little has changed. It's a feel I suppose. Metro DC area, and all the places I have lived out here, none give me the same feeling as I get when I am home.

[goofy328]

Originally Posted by Discgolfer

I grew up in Norton, graduated from Norton High in the 60's. After getting married in 1973 we moved to Wadsworth. Wadsworth was and is a superior community. I still own my parents house in Norton, pay over $3,000 a year in taxes. For what, no services other than a Barney Fife police department. Poor road maintenance, no sewer or water, rusted out cars, third rate schools, city council that has been bickering for decades and a poor quality of life. I saw the the handwriting on the wall 30 years ago regarding northeast Ohio and moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. Why do you stay in Norton and Ohio. Life is better in the South!!

Is Norton still independent? I thought Akron was going to annex Norton, if that did happen it sounds as if that did not work out so well for Norton.

[goofy328]

Originally Posted by Discgolfer

I grew up in Norton, graduated from Norton High in the 60's. After getting married in 1973 we moved to Wadsworth. Wadsworth was and is a superior community. I still own my parents house in Norton, pay over $3,000 a year in taxes. For what, no services other than a Barney Fife police department. Poor road maintenance, no sewer or water, rusted out cars, third rate schools, city council that has been bickering for decades and a poor quality of life. I saw the the handwriting on the wall 30 years ago regarding northeast Ohio and moved to Charlotte, North Carolina. Why do you stay in Norton and Ohio. Life is better in the South!!

It depends on what part of the South you're referring to. Virginia is a lot of fun, but it is a madhouse. Pay through the nose for everything and nothing to show for it. Crime is relatively low, in comparison to parts of Ohio, and the weather is good, but other than that I'm living hand to mouth.

And you can have North Carolina. This is about as far South as I'm going to go; yes the weather is better in the South but the infrastructure here, the xenophobic people and the conservative, 1950s attitudes are enough for me. Not that Ohio is necessarily progressive but you usually knew where people stood up there. Down here it's anyone's guess.