looking for small town in OH to make home (Columbus: for sale, house)

[BettylouO]

We moved to Newark, Oh two years ago and like it. We find many small towns in this area are nice. Millersport, Utica, are two we like. Just look and you will find what you want in this central ohio area.

BettylouO

[ZOLA]

thanks everyone for your help... looking for something in the country for critters...again, thanks....

[JefffromOhio]

I moved to the Central Ohio region about 8 years ago and regret it every single day.

Ohio is a very depressing state: with is extremely high unemployment, its masses of poor people, its low education levels, it horrendous air, water and land pollution problems, its cloudy and humid weather, and so on.

Ohio really is one state to avoid if at all possible.

[OHtoCT]

Do you mean small town cozy or small town rural? Grandview Hts is a suburb of Columbus and it's wonderful. Very few chain restaurants, a co-op garden, smaller homes, a main strip with independent owned theater, coffee house, ice cream. It's about 10 minutes from downtown Columbus which is a nice city: a blend of sports, art and family values. So if you are looking for something quaint and a little hip, you should check out Grandview. It's also very dog friendly.

[lizohio]

hi everyone,
I live in Dayton, and want to move so badly. I have two 10 year old children that I do not want to finish raising here. High crime rate, drugs on every corner, and it seems the violence is worse than anywhere else I have lived. Schools are real bad, too. Cuts in academics and teachers makes it that much worse. Like many of you, I would love to move someplace in Ohio that is much more easy going, but also have access to the city. I thought about moving, possibly between Akron and Cleveland, or maybe Mount Vernon area. Anyone have any suggestions? I've been looking for apartments, but I'm open to all options at this point. My children and I love snow, so going south is not of interest to us. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. We are trying to move before the school year starts again.
Thanks to all who respond.

[JefffromOhio]

lizohio:

If you cannot move out of Ohio altogether, then move to Licking County which is located east of Columbus.

This area, unlike most of Ohio, is poised to grow in the very near future with the completition of Hwy 161 to Granville.

Do not move too close to Franklin County (which includes Columbus) because you will run into gang problems and crime - everything that you want to avoid.

Do not move to Newark because it is a city in decline.

Move to places Heath, Granville, Hebron, Etna and other nearby areas.

[missohio]

If you're looking for a small, friendly, historical town, check out Lisbon, Ohio. About 45 miles south of Youngstown, Ohio. Close to Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Population approx. 2700. Good school but limited employment at this time. Second oldest town in Ohio.

[Ceezer]

I grew up around Marietta, which is in the southeast region of Ohio at the confluence of the rivers Ohio and Muskingum. It was the first organized settlement in the Northwest Territories. Population is around 14,000 but it's just down the road from Parkersburg, WV (30-35k) which is where some of the jobs come from. There is a real small-town feel but a community bond when it comes to helping each other out or gathering for festivities downtown.

Marietta is home to the Sternwheel Festival where paddle boats and sternwheelers from all over the US congregate along the banks of the Ohio between Marietta and Williamstown, WV.

Marietta College is a highly regarded institution with one of the best petroleum programs in all of the world, as well as one of the best AAA baseball teams in the US each year. Washington State Community College is in Marietta, Ohio University is 30 minutes away in Athens (many people make that commute daily), Ohio Valley College is 15 minutes away in Parkersburg, WV, and WVU-Parkersburg is 15 minutes away so there are plenty of educational opportunities.

Marietta is also home to Rossi Pasta. The world famous Fenton Art Glass is blown right across the river in Williamstown, WV and the equally famous Lee Middleton Doll factory is down the road in Belpre, OH.

Marietta/Belpre/Parkersburg was setting for the movie Bubble, the movie Salvage, and is being filmed in a new movie from the Crooks brothers.

It's a small town so there are claims from the younger folk of "nothing to do" but as someone who's traveled the US and half of the world, I find solace in the laid back environment of the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Even George Washington himself claimed to know of no better place to live!

[diane faith]

I have been looking into South east Ohio and northwestern WV for the perfect small town. I have actually been to Marietta years ago and it was very friendly there. Since my husband is a glassblower we could benefit from buying a property with a gas well (We have to run the glass furnace on natural gas) I am looking in these areas. Ohio forum seems more depressing to me in general and WV forum everyone loves the friendly people there so much. What are the pros and cons of small town living in Ohio??? I home school my kids and we are used to rural living. I don't want my kids to feel I moved them to a depressing place. They are such great kids they make friends wherever we go....they love seniors and babies so their ability to enjoy anyone's company is unlimited. I haven't compared the home school laws of Ohio to WV yet. In Illinois they are very easy on Home schoolers. Anyone have advice for me on great small towns let me know. Really small is fine with me we ship out our glass so I don't need to be near any galleries or art areas. I have lived in a small town all my life and the big city of CHICAGO is now encroaching on my little town in it's ever expanding sprawl of gang bangers. Yucko to any big cities they are not my cup of tea!

[MotleyCrew]

I am curious as to what kind of small town Willard has turned in to. My parents came to CA from Willard when they were very young. We used to go see my grandparents every summer to see the farm. I loved those visits and can still smell the hay and corn in the barn. It was such beautiful land and the town was very cute. Loved the little ice creme parlor and going for a root beer float.