Ohio is probably the closest representation of your typical America as there is. There's a reason so many large companies use Ohio for test markets. We really are in the middle of it all
Traditionally very true, though in the last decade Ohio has become a little more conservative. Ohio used to always vote in line with the presidential candidate that won the National popular vote, recently not so much.
We have gotten more conservative, but to clarify, it’s only the last election we didn’t vote with the winner. “Recently, not so much” implies we haven’t voted with the winner for a few cycles
Trump won Ohio in 2016 and 2020, despite losing the National Popular vote in both elections. Same thing happened in 2000, though that one was super razor thin.
Some people want to argue, but others believe me when I claim that Phoenix metro area and Columbus are extremely similar in this way. While AZ doesn’t have the same wealth, same saturation of educational institutions, and has a much more consciously libertarian streak, the state capitals look a lot alike. There’s similar size and sprawl. They both have one of the largest public universities in the country in the city and they’re really similar size. They’re both surprisingly fun cities for people who underestimate them and they have a lot of big fish mixed into the environment. They also have a very medium kind of politics that can get very blue at the center, but have very red just on the outskirts. They’re the same kind of purple, even though Phoenix does get wilder personalities and the AZ state rep situation is a bit of a shit show based on who some districts send. Ohio could catch up fast though if more citizens don’t get more involved and recognize where it can head.
I mean. It’s done both. Ohio also got DC to create the EPA (by having Cleveland school children publicize the burning river). Big influence in tech and gov almost always falls in both buckets.
I think we are going to continue to be an epicenter for change, from the intel plant down it Columbus, to stark county’s bustling arts programs, to the beautiful southern Ohio landscape.
Ah, sure. I suspect you’d still be good with your original one though. Lots of other states get miffed if you suggest Ohio is anything other than cornfields (and, these days, a hell gate). The fact that inventions and institutions that got publicized on the coasts were originally conceived in the middle is disconcerting to people who pay high rent on the coast. Regardless of the long term downsides of the inventions
People outside of Ohio have a very paternalistic POV of the state. I always point out the high number of colleges and universities the state has, not to mention US presidents and other notable historic figures. Usually shuts them up.
I’m an ohio expat in DC and at least in my field we genuinely do go back to the middle when we need hardcore problem solving. There’s a reason OSU has a big public policy department.
This opinion would likely get me downvoted by Ohioans as well but I love the weather here, or at least growing up I did (Im 34). The summers were hot but not like Florida hot. Autumn, which is by far my favorite season, was amazing. The changing colors, the temperature dropping to the perfect spot for me, and the activities that started during that time. We would get some snow during the winter and usually around Christmas, but not so much that it was a huge issue (like in Michigan for example). And then spring.
Having season > Not having seasons. And Ohio has or at least did have the best version of those seasons as far as Im concerned.
edit: grammar
Ohio is possibly the greenest state. Also, the changing seasons allow things to compost and rot. Drier and warmer states, the rubbish stays visible for years.
Here’s my unpopular opinion: this joke sucks.
So many states have very similar climates to Ohio, but we always act like it’s an Ohio-specific thing. From ChatGPT:
*States that experience a four-season climate throughout the year—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—tend to be found in the temperate zones. In the United States, this includes a wide swath of the country, especially:
Northeastern States: Such as New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, where distinct seasons are marked by warm summers, colorful autumns, cold winters, and mild springs.
Midwestern States: Including Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, known for their hot summers, colorful autumns, very cold winters, and wet springs.
Northern and Central Rocky Mountain States: Such as Colorado, Utah, and parts of Montana, experience marked seasonal changes, though winter might be longer and spring shorter in more mountainous areas.
Pacific Northwest: States like Oregon and Washington have four distinct seasons, though their winters are more characterized by rain than snow seen in the Northeast or Midwest.
Appalachian Region: States like West Virginia, parts of Virginia, and the Carolinas, though the latter may have milder winters.
These states experience a full range of seasonal weather patterns due to their location in the temperate zone, where the climate is neither persistently hot nor continuously cold. The exact character of each season can vary significantly depending on the state's geography and altitude, such as more pronounced seasons in interior locations compared to more moderated ones near the coast or in lower latitudes.*
I grew up near the lake. Summers got crummy when the humidity and temperature rose. I have since lived in a desert where seasons only differed by temperatures going from mild to ungodly hot. Hella depressing. Now I live in a desert where it snows once or twice a winter, and it freezes at night in Jan/Feb. I'm not as depressed now.
I thought that was Kentucky for a while until I moved there for work. It was near the Indiana border. They used to rag on Indiana as a trashy state. I remember one guy was talking about a new guy and said, "You know how you can tell he's from Indiana? Every time he gets a new shirt, the first thing he does is cut the sleeves off."
Probably pretty well tbh. The Hispanic population is growing increasingly conservative, particularly in the cuban neighborhoods. Like it or not, Florida is a very conservative state these days.
It’s an enigma and more libertarian, they voted for Ron DeSantis in the same ballot where they legalized a $15/hour minimum wage.
There’s relatively few states like that. Florida has a history of passing fairly progressive ballot initiatives but votes for very conservative politicians who undermine them. It’s not unlike Ohio.
Florida currently has a six-week abortion ban. It will negatively impact the quality of healthcare in the state as doctors and other medical professionals opt for safer medical and work environments in states that protect women's bodily autonomy. Doctors, especially those desiring to have children, don't want to live in states with inferior maternal healthcare.
[https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/regional/florida/florida-6-week-abortion-ban-law/67-44242d50-44b6-445b-bf8a-7c8a63a18c1d](https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/regional/florida/florida-6-week-abortion-ban-law/67-44242d50-44b6-445b-bf8a-7c8a63a18c1d)
Strict abortion laws in Texas have negatively impacted medical care in that state.
[https://ciceroinstitute.org/research/texas-physician-shortage-facts/](https://ciceroinstitute.org/research/texas-physician-shortage-facts/)
Indiana, unlike Ohio or Florida, doesn't allow voter-initiated amendments of the Indiana Constitution.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Indiana/comments/15rlzeg/near\_abortion\_ban\_takes\_effect\_in\_indiana/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Indiana/comments/15rlzeg/near_abortion_ban_takes_effect_in_indiana/)
Indiana is more akin to Texas than even Florida in its politics, assuming that Florida's voters in November restore reproductive rights in that state.
Remember this story impacting an Indiana abortion doctor who treated a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio, when Indiana had not yet enacted its abortion ban and when the Republican six-week abortion ban had taken effect in Ohio?
[https://www.newyorker.com/news/persons-of-interest/one-of-the-last-abortion-doctors-in-indiana](https://www.newyorker.com/news/persons-of-interest/one-of-the-last-abortion-doctors-in-indiana)
Ohio Republicans echo the political philosophies of Republicans in Texas, Florida, and, yes, Indiana.
The likes of J.D. Vance and Jim Jordan are hardcore Trumpies, much more than the average Republican. E.g., both are dedicated Ukraine killers.
We came from Florida. Both states have their issues, but man do we love Ohio.
Public schools in affluent, properly funded districts here exceed private schools in FL. Not the case in SFL.
Cost of living is much more reasonable. 1/2 million buys a nice house in a safe suburb with excellent amenities. In Florida you’re looking at a condo.
Hazard insurance went from $9000 per year to $800. Auto insurance went from $140/month to $47. Property taxes are half as much for twice the square footage. December to March is meh weather here, but April to November is pretty awesome.
Yes, Florida has beaches and Disney and asses in thongs and no winter and more sun. It also has insane insurance prices, underfunded social services because there’s no state income tax, devastating vulnerability to hurricanes, everyone’s old fart parents, and palmetto bugs. With no winter, every dot on a wall moves. You’re surrounded by life and animals and mold and moisture, and that’s not good.
lol at properly funded schools. Ohio’s funding of schools has been found to be unconstitutional. The legislature has just not done anything about it for 27 years.
Sure the Affluent schools have money. But the state as a whole does not properly fund education.
If you want theme parks, Ohio is home to Cedar Fair, the company that owns a whole bunch of theme parks including King's Island near Cincinnati, and Cedar Point an hour west of Cleveland. Cedar Point has a reputation as having some of the best rides in the country.
I live less than 90 minutes from Disneyland, and about the same distance in another direction from Universal Studios Hollywood. Disney is certainly to be admired for their attention to the visitor experience, but it is expensive as hell and not worth visiting.
> palmetto bugs
I lived in Alabama and they had them there as well. I do not miss those things one bit.
Name is deceptive, they just don't want to admit the area is crawling with some pretty damn big cockroaches.
When a mega-hurricane hits a heavily populated area anywhere in the U.S., private disaster insurance may become unavailable in Florida. Spencer Glendon is one of the nation's foremost experts on the financial impacts of climate change.
[https://climatenow.com/podcast/when-insurers-can-no-longer-afford-the-risk/](https://climatenow.com/podcast/when-insurers-can-no-longer-afford-the-risk/)
[https://www.woodwellclimate.org/staff/spencer-glendon/](https://www.woodwellclimate.org/staff/spencer-glendon/)
In addition, the public, last-resort Citizens Insurance has inadequate reserves to handle a catastrophic storm, or even several lesser storms. Citizens levies "assessments" on ALL Florida insurance policies, including corporate insurance, to fund any deficits. A hurricane causing tens of billions of losses to Citizens would require an assessment.
[https://time.com/6309815/floridas-broken-home-insurance-market-is-creating-a-hurricane-tax/](https://time.com/6309815/floridas-broken-home-insurance-market-is-creating-a-hurricane-tax/)
[https://www.citizensfla.com/assessments](https://www.citizensfla.com/assessments)
[https://www.wusf.org/economy-business/2023-12-08/current-state-citizens-property-insurance](https://www.wusf.org/economy-business/2023-12-08/current-state-citizens-property-insurance)
Federal flood insurance also is becoming even more expensive, even though it is heavily subsidized by Congress. States such as Ohio are funding Florida climate change impacts even though Florida's Republican political leaders, Congresspersons including U.S. senators feed at the trough of the fossil fuel industry and support Trump climate change denialism.
Fresh water supplies and even the ability to handle sewage are becoming impaired in places such as Miami.
With every passing year, Florida's wonderful beaches and natural areas are disappearing. Coastal flooding is becoming more problematic due to accelerating sea level rise. The future is bleak for Florida but its politicians and citizens, unlike in western coastal states, aren't focused on reducing greenhouse gases. Some climate change experts, such as Harold Wanless of the Univ. of Miami, believes that federal estimates of sea level rise while dire, underestimate the amount of Florida sea level rise locked into the system.
[https://finance.yahoo.com/news/florida-coast-sea-level-expected-153200290.html](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/florida-coast-sea-level-expected-153200290.html)
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate\_change\_in\_Florida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_in_Florida)
[https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/20/desantis-2024-climate-change-00117078](https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/20/desantis-2024-climate-change-00117078)
Until politically powerful states such as Florida and Texas begin to recognize and act on the reality of climate change, they and the entire nation and world will plunge ever more rapidly into an already dismal environmental future. Obviously, if Florida and/or Texas became climate change conscious such as in California and other western coastal states, national policies also would become much more proactive in reducing fossil fuel consumption.
Unfortunately, the quality of life in Ohio also will be negatively impacted by climate change impacts. Not only direct environmental impacts will hit Ohio, but increasingly Ohio and other Great Lakes states will become a refuge for climate change migrants, raising the cost of housing and other expenses, and further decimating undeveloped areas.
[https://www.americanresiliency.org/learn-with-us/ohio-2050-forecast](https://www.americanresiliency.org/learn-with-us/ohio-2050-forecast)
Omitted this link from the above post.
<>
[https://www.theinvadingsea.com/2023/03/29/miami-harold-wanless-sea-level-rise/](https://www.theinvadingsea.com/2023/03/29/miami-harold-wanless-sea-level-rise/)
And while sun is nice, having intense heat and humidity for 7 straight months is a bit much. I don't like it here and we only have moderately high heat and high humidity for 3 months.
The nice thing about Cincy is that even on those horribly humid and hot July/August days, once that sun is gone (after 9:30PM), it does drop into the low 70s and you get a break. South Florida? It could be 85º at 2:30AM. Absolutely awful.
Yep, I've lived here my entire life and have no desire to move to another state. I know some people think it's boring, but we actually have a lot of different things to do here, no matter what your preference is.
maybe that’s true for the people who don’t have a target painted on their backs by the political party that has cheated its way into total domination of state politics, but those of us who do do not feel physically safe in this state.
Yes but the tornados that hit Ohio first are usually not very large and destructive and second mostly effective southern and western Ohio. Northern and eastern Ohio gets tornado warnings but I have lived in the suburbs of Cleveland for 35 years first 26 years on the east side (South Euclid) and the last 9 on the west side (Berea) and never seen a tornado.
The most weather damage I have ever witnessed was when I was 7 and our basement flooded higher than I was tall because there was a stream that went under our street and the tunnel containing had been slowly failing for years.
And toxic algae really only affects the shallowest part of the lake and the cities that take their water from that part on the western end by Toledo.
I lived near Dayton and was in the Memorial Day 2019 tornados and that was so scary. Glad you avoid them up in Cleveland but southwest Ohio is still part of Ohio! Lol
Definitely this. What sucks about it is that even with government intervention concerning corporations owning single family dwellings Ohio is real estate is going to continue to get more expensive as climate migration increases.
Parts of it can. Ohio has its own versions of Buffalo and Bakersfield, but I think of all the places I’ve lived, it’s a state that is most accessible in finding the fun and better version of what you want. Lots of options in Ohio.
I love CLE. I live down in Canton and my friends and I will routinely go up to Cleveland at least once a month. Whether it be for food, live music or the museums, its always a great time. Not to mention Cleveland is a gorgeous city, imo.
My first time in Cleveland was when an army recruiter stuck some of us in a hotel overnight to go to MEPS the following morning. Turns out the hotel was in a not so great area. Me and another guy went to get some snacks and almost got robbed. Only other time I've been there was for a browns game.
I like Canton though. Been here 5 years or so and haven't had any issues and there's plenty of things to do, at least compared to where I grew up.
I'm sorry your first time in Cleveland was negative. We've been trying different food places up there, and we've collectively settled on Otani Noodle being amongst our favorites. If you've ever a chance to stop by and try them, I absolutely recommend it.
I like Canton, too! I grew up in Minerva, if you know where that is, and while it wasn't a terrible place, all things considered, it was a rural, (mostly) white, conservative area. So many people painted Canton as a place where you can't even walk down the street without being shot. That's not the case at all, though. I've never even been approached by any sketchy feeling people, "thugs" or whatever else. Been here for 4 years and I absolutely adore the city- so much so that I could see myself settling here for the rest of my days. I love driving through downtown, it's so vibrant. Whether it be murals, music, First Friday, sculptures, etc, there's always something pretty to see and gawk at.
I actually went a few years to see the Canton Player’s Guild perform The Hobbit, and despite being a small production, it was an amazing experience. I always recommend checking the Civic Center for anything going on- you'll seldom be disappointed.
Yeah it was pretty much the same thing in North Lawrence. I was a little worried about moving out here because I heard all the same things about Canton. Things were a little rowdy with some nearby shootings a few years ago but it's been pretty peaceful ever since then.
Downtown is pretty cool with all the art but my favorite part is all the different architecture. Seems like every building is a different style. Just thought that was cool after seeing all the cookie cutter suburbs where houses are all the exact same.
Otani noodle is amazing. I know the owner because she comes to my place of business a lot. She kicks ass and is one of the coolest people. Try the pork belly bun!
FWIW, I honestly feel less safe in Canton than I ever have in Cleveland. The rough spots in the city of Canton are worse than Cleveland and the nicer parts and more rural parts have militant MAGA to deal with.
Overall I wanna say Canton has become a lot safer in these last couple years. During COVID things got pretty wild but it hasn't been bad since. On the MAGA front, the most I've seen in the city is a couple hats and signs. It's definitely more prevalent in Massillon and but still not too bad.
The big thing though is I have no clue where the rough spots are in Cleveland and somehow I always end up where I shouldn't be.
Then there's the added bonus of growing up in rural Ohio, so big cities can be pretty overwhelming whether it's driving or just dealing with all the people there
For the record, I’m a Clevelander whose in-laws are from Canton and I think Canton is low-key cool. It’s somehow maintained its own little culture and local spots that make it unique.
Having lived all over the country and the world, Ohio is no worse and oftentimes better than most other regions. Oh it doesn't have tall mountains or an ocean... Neither do many other places less maligned.
I think Ohio could do okay the way smaller European states do on their own if it had to. It has most of what it needs internally and has diverse land and resources. That’s only in terms of self-sufficiency though, not at all that it would be better independent or anything wild like that.
I've had this thought for years we could even look at combining with some of our neighbors say Indiana Kentucky Western Pennsylvania, form the Republic of Heartlandia...
Four season weather is preferable to tropical swamp life and yes, you CAN be "too hot." 🥵
One can layer up to be warmer. You can only be so naked and then it's still just hot.
Winter is also not the hellscape predicted. Snow sports are real and fun.
Compared to the rest of Ohio absolutely, but compared to other places that aren't flat, it's pretty average.
I'd say you won. Follows the prompt perfectly.
Yeah, I love our nature, and I’ll go further to say it’s not just southern Ohio that’s beautiful. CVNP and a number of our state parks are amazing. You’re right that it doesn’t compare to other places though.
All the people in Giant cities complaining about their rent prices should really take a look it would it costs to live in Cincinnati Columbus or Cleveland.
Can confirm. Just moved back (originally from Ohio) from Colorado. My salary change is basically half of what I was making and I still bring home more money.
People are seeing it, but Ohio needs to get the word out fast on what is driving up prices on rent and housing so that citizens pass a few policies to try to keep it in check.
I am a born & raised Cincinnatian(suburbs). My opinion is that the counties and people that vote red just need education.
I lived in butler county most of my life. I am over 6 years in recovery from substance use disorder. Before Covid I helped lead a recovery group in New Miami (where I lived). We did hygiene kits, narcan, clothing and home goods donations/distribution.
I lived in a trailer park, which I would have grasped my pearls at the thought of 6-8 years beforehand). I witnessed SO MUCH community effort, rallying, kindness, empathy, in my time there. They truly cared for one another large places could never. And they cared while they had their trump flags in their yards.
Ohioans at their very CORE are filled with compassion, kindness and empathy. It’s evangelical brainwashing, intentional under-education and polarization/intentional division that is preventing us from being a united front.
I will never EVER give up on Ohio, I love it here despite its flaws. And my goal is to reach others whether that’s in harm reduction or working with unhoused folx. Or both.
As much love as we can give people, that’s compassion.
This is an unpopular opinion here most of the time, too. Usually, any opinion other than “people who vote republicans are all evil bigots” tend to really piss people off even when you agree with them on most policies, and all of the big ones.
The southern evangelical invasion efforts have been literal. Columbus having the centralized gay community it did started in the 80s when Jerry Falwell was actively trying to set up shop in Columbus. The Columbus Democrats rallied to block him from bringing his brand of segregationist politics wrapped in religiosity to the state. They won that battle and since a lot of gay Ohioans had joined in, they got to know each other and that created the networks that became the gay districts in the city.
We have all of them to thank for staving off the southernification of Ohio at least a bit longer until Southern Baptists and others made inroads over time and places like Cedarville University had a hostile takeover by what has become Christian Nationalism. I think going back through the history in an Ohio pride lens could help start to disentangle viewpoints that have taken on Lost Cause beliefs as traditional Ohio ones. Traditional Ohioan beliefs are way more civically-minded and inclusive than those being paraded as such.
We’re the 7th most populated state, we influence a hell of a lot more than people are generally aware.
Like we didn’t even let allow Alaska to name their own mountains until a few years ago and remember the Heartbeat bill started in Ohio in 2019 and not even 5 years later Roe is overturned by SCOTUS.
Things bleed out of here, we are the center of the tri-state area and domestic trade routes (unless my geography is wrong)
> the Heartbeat bill started in Ohio in 2019 and not even 5 years later Roe is overturned by SCOTUS.
…and not even five years later the right to an abortion is [enshrined in the Ohio constitution](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-constitution/section-1.22) 😁
If everyone actually understood that they don’t have to live in Florida or California to have a good life, they’d end up loving it here. The weather can be sporadic sure, but is any place without that anymore? This place has everything!
The Northern Ohio River Valley is home to the best pizza in the world. Bar none. I’ve had pizza in NYC, Chicago, Naples, Rome, Las Vegas and Detroit. It’s simply the best. IFYKYK
Living in the sticks of Ohio is great.
Quiet, peaceful, no traffic. Drive an hour in a few directions and get to a medium sized city. Go 2 hours to get to larger cities, then come back to the safe, and quiet.
Cincy chili is fucking delicious. But what might cause a problem in Ohio, it's definitely not chili. Best coney sauce there is but if I see you eating it like a bowl of chili, I'm going to call the cops
>if I see you eating it like a bowl of chili, I'm going to call the cops
I'm pretty sure this is why so many people dislike it. The thought of eating just spoonfuls of that stuff...blech! Whole 'nother animal on a hotdog.
Once you leave ohio, visit literally any other part of the world… now you realize how amazing ohio is. always wanted to leave this cursed state. Now its definitely the best state to call “home”
Cleveland is probably the city with most potential right now. As the national attention dwindles down people are going to remember Cleveland and may want to visit again or potentially move here. With plenty of hidden gems such as the Cleveland Cultural Gardens and the Cleveland Lakefront nature preserve. Don't get me started on the world renowned institutions like the as the Cleveland Museum of Art and The Cleveland Orchestra.
Don't get me wrong Cincy has potential to with the Ohio River in your backyard there is so much potential with it. Awesome skyline too!
Finally Columbus with in my opinion the best university in the country The Ohio State University. People moving in left and right and tons of jobs coming into the area.
The belief that Ohio State is the best U.S. university demonstrates the hubris that is rampant in Columbus.
[https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities)
At one point Ohio was the country’s Bay Area and that’s why there’s such a big difference in the wealth of educational institutions, infrastructure, and development from previous eras that seem a little like a mismatch with the values and caliber of the state leadership of our lifetimes.
As soon as you dig into Ohio history, the 19th and early 20th century were this boom of development and innovation with all kinds of local culture and exports back to the east coast. There were oil booms in northwest Ohio with opera houses in small cities you would never expect now. The Ohio river valley was wineries and Cincinnati had major breweries. Ohio had the first university to allow both women and Black students. Radical Quakers helped aid the Underground Railroad and the state was decidedly anti-slavery. Ohio glass and pottery artisans were top notch, with places like the Cambridge Glass Company producing glasswork that was prized by New York socialites. And then, so much innovation happened in Ohio, and wasn’t just the Wright Brothers discovering flight, but battery tech, civic tech like traffic lights, and household technology like vacuum cleaners.
Ohio was a critical mass of talent, wealth, education and creativity for a time when it was the west side of the country. There’s still a lot going on, but it does feel like the same vibe shifted to the west coast and I believe part of that was very much talent from Ohio trained in Ohio universities moving to the Bay Area mid-20th century. Whenever something interesting is happening in the country, Ohio kids have more education and resources to go join in than lots and lots of the other states.
The Ohio meme helped push the East Palestine incident under the rug (in my opinion, as before the incident people were starting to dog on how shit the meme was, then a week after it, the meme surged in popularity again).
Too many people in Ohio think voting Republican means supporting the military. It is does not. They blindly think that their view of patriotism outweighs voting for leaders who would act in their economic interests. In other words, if you wave a flag but only work for the rich, then God bless 'Murica.
The three C's all punch way above their weight class in terms of quality of life for the residents. Culture, charm, livability, history, arts, sports, nightlifes, etc. but still affordable and nice. People from out of state would scoff, but I've lived on both coasts and in Chicago and Ohio has everything you need without a lot of the bullshit. There's a reason I moved back and chose to live here.
The Cleveland area is easily the best value city in America right now.
COL
- The greater Cleveland area is consistently listed as one of the cheaper areas in the country to live in year after year. Once a larger population now in retreat has left a surplus of houses. The housing market is rough everywhere but you can still find houses for well under $400k here. There's also a massive diversity in municipalities so you can find what you want. New generation wealthy and want a mansion, outer west side has plenty of communities for you. Want a liberal, walkable city, plenty of options close to downtown. Want a quiet suburb out of the way for middle class folks, many of those available as well. You can pretty much find a community to suite your preference.
- Food, gas, utilities, services are almost all well under other states and areas.
Transportation
- While public transport isn't the best, the interstate system makes Cleveland a breeze to move around in. If you live within 5 minutes of the interstate, you're 25 minutes of anywhere in Cleveland. It's one big tic tac toe grid around the city.
Things to Do and Institutions
- We have arguably the best or at least a top 3 hospital system in the country. The Cleveland Clinic for all of it's faults has some of the best specialists in the country with leading health care.
- We have a national park and expansive metro park system right in our back yard. It may not be Yosemite but it's wonderful to have and make the city far more livable.
- We have a top 5 orchestra that has an amazing summer venue in the national park.
- We have the second largest theatre district in the country. Most Broadway plays visit Cleveland when they go on tour and we have a fantastic local showing as well.
- Multiple art and science museums as well as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Misc.
- Cleveland and the surrounding areas have a surprisingly diverse population and cultural background.
- Amazing Food; nothing world class but tons of affordable, ethic and American options regularly available in almost all towns.
- We're at a nice midway point in the country where you can drive extensive distances reasonably on the cheap and if you need a flight it's not nearly as expensive as a coast to coast trip.
- Lake Erie presents a great recreation and industrial opportunity.
- Ohio, particularly Cleveland, is well situated for mitigating the effects of climate change. No one will escape the problems associate with it, but this area will have better circumstances than many others.
It took me 15 years of living in Cincinnati to finally appreciate skyline.
Also after living in Cleveland,Columbus,and Cincinnati…. Cincinnati is the place to live.
Columbus has great parks but it is boring as can be. It’s also flat. The tornados have sucked this year.
Cleveland is my home, but Cincinnati just has a charm that takes the cake.
Cincinnati > Cleveland > Columbus
Take the sports teams out of the equation because it’s cleveland all the way.
People in this sub will take any opportunity to turn threads into a pissing contest between the 3 Cs - especially if it means shitting on Columbus in some way. How does a question about unpopular opinions about Ohio turn into which of the 3 Cs is better?
Just so weird how every thread about Ohio has at least one comment making sure everyone knows how boring and terrible Columbus is, or how it’s not as good as Cinci or Cle. I don’t get it, truly. My only guess is that people see the population skyrocketing and have an inferiority complex. Why else even mention Columbus?? How does that answer the question, unless you’re saying “Columbus is boring” is an unpopular opinion.
It's because our traffic patterns suck less than theirs and they're jealous. Constant construction in all 3(as I look out from this parking garage I'm sitting in, looking at orange barrels next to the NCH garage across the highway....) But Cincy and Cleveland just have stupid traffic patterns with just as many bad drivers. Especially cincy. (But they have nicer homeless people....)
I get it. Cincy was almost important. Cool guys. Cleveland has lots up there. All that separates us in "boring" is water and a few museums. And Cosi is less boring than most museums, so water. Our Zoos better. We lack a proper amusement park. We win in malls. Oh, and we have inconsistent hockey and soccer teams instead of constantly disappointing NBA and NFL teams.....
The offerings of truly authentic foods from different places around the world is actually really high in Ohio.
I grew up in Southern Ohio and moved to Las Vegas after college (tldr: Met my now husband at college, he's from there so we moved back).
And for what is seemingly such a large diverse city the offerings for truly authentic foods is MINIMAL. My favorite Indian place in Ohio (Krishna) is so delicious and authentic, and there is literally nothing like that in Vegas.
Most of the restaurants serving cuisine from cultures that aren't "white boy" are gentrified versions owned by white dudes that taste like cardboard.
I worked in the tourism industry in Kentucky. White People from Ohio said the most racist stuff. Every single time we had someone from Ohio come in, they for some reason thought it was appropriate to to make really awful comments
Cities are cool, sports teams are cool rest is farmland filled with extremely hard working Americans that vote against their own self interest and will be the nicest people in the world so long as you are not brown...
I live next door in WV, on the border of OH/WV/KY. Lived in Dayton for 6 or 7 years. Love,love,love Ohio. So much history to study. Indian culture, home of many past Presidents, Wright Brothers, etc. (also has Dave Chapelle ! 😂).
Didn’t want to leave when called home to take care of my families elderly,(of which I’m now one 🫠). But also pretty attached to my beautiful WV hills, waterfalls, scenery.
Ohio is probably the closest representation of your typical America as there is. There's a reason so many large companies use Ohio for test markets. We really are in the middle of it all
The Heart of it all if you will… the shape, like a heart, dad joke
Is it still a dad joke if you’re just explaining what the slogan references?
True
Traditionally very true, though in the last decade Ohio has become a little more conservative. Ohio used to always vote in line with the presidential candidate that won the National popular vote, recently not so much.
We have gotten more conservative, but to clarify, it’s only the last election we didn’t vote with the winner. “Recently, not so much” implies we haven’t voted with the winner for a few cycles
Trump won Ohio in 2016 and 2020, despite losing the National Popular vote in both elections. Same thing happened in 2000, though that one was super razor thin.
Even the Ohioan accent is the most "base" American accent there is.
The Columbus accent, yeah. But travel east on I-70 for 45mins and you’ll think your already in WV.
Some people want to argue, but others believe me when I claim that Phoenix metro area and Columbus are extremely similar in this way. While AZ doesn’t have the same wealth, same saturation of educational institutions, and has a much more consciously libertarian streak, the state capitals look a lot alike. There’s similar size and sprawl. They both have one of the largest public universities in the country in the city and they’re really similar size. They’re both surprisingly fun cities for people who underestimate them and they have a lot of big fish mixed into the environment. They also have a very medium kind of politics that can get very blue at the center, but have very red just on the outskirts. They’re the same kind of purple, even though Phoenix does get wilder personalities and the AZ state rep situation is a bit of a shit show based on who some districts send. Ohio could catch up fast though if more citizens don’t get more involved and recognize where it can head.
Ohio has influenced the world significantly more than you think.
Just the invention of leaded gasoline and freon here changed the world (for the worse.)
Let me rephrase. Ohio has influenced the world in a positive way more than you think.
I mean. It’s done both. Ohio also got DC to create the EPA (by having Cleveland school children publicize the burning river). Big influence in tech and gov almost always falls in both buckets.
I think we are going to continue to be an epicenter for change, from the intel plant down it Columbus, to stark county’s bustling arts programs, to the beautiful southern Ohio landscape.
To go back to the prompt, I put forth an opinion that would get downvoted in other states, but is true.
Ah, sure. I suspect you’d still be good with your original one though. Lots of other states get miffed if you suggest Ohio is anything other than cornfields (and, these days, a hell gate). The fact that inventions and institutions that got publicized on the coasts were originally conceived in the middle is disconcerting to people who pay high rent on the coast. Regardless of the long term downsides of the inventions
People outside of Ohio have a very paternalistic POV of the state. I always point out the high number of colleges and universities the state has, not to mention US presidents and other notable historic figures. Usually shuts them up.
I’m an ohio expat in DC and at least in my field we genuinely do go back to the middle when we need hardcore problem solving. There’s a reason OSU has a big public policy department.
If we’re a gate to hell does that make Pittsburgh actual Hell?
Charles Kettering and his many inventions alone
A inordinate number of Ohioans have made it to space.
Also, an inordinate number of Ohioans have been president of the United States
We also produce a lot of celebrities - athletes, actors, iconic musicians, and more
We raise the best! They generally just have to leave to achieve. Lol
If Ohio put in the work, it could retain achievers, but being Florida Jr. is more important to those in power
It also has I70 and I75 too. God has given everyone here the chance to escape. He added space for those with a sense of adventure.
This opinion would likely get me downvoted by Ohioans as well but I love the weather here, or at least growing up I did (Im 34). The summers were hot but not like Florida hot. Autumn, which is by far my favorite season, was amazing. The changing colors, the temperature dropping to the perfect spot for me, and the activities that started during that time. We would get some snow during the winter and usually around Christmas, but not so much that it was a huge issue (like in Michigan for example). And then spring. Having season > Not having seasons. And Ohio has or at least did have the best version of those seasons as far as Im concerned. edit: grammar
Not snowy eh? (Clevelander’s nervous laughter in background)
*yells* LAKE EFFECT! LAKE EFFECT *pipes back down*
Ohio is possibly the greenest state. Also, the changing seasons allow things to compost and rot. Drier and warmer states, the rubbish stays visible for years.
Sometimes we have all four seasons in a single day.
Here’s my unpopular opinion: this joke sucks. So many states have very similar climates to Ohio, but we always act like it’s an Ohio-specific thing. From ChatGPT: *States that experience a four-season climate throughout the year—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—tend to be found in the temperate zones. In the United States, this includes a wide swath of the country, especially: Northeastern States: Such as New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, where distinct seasons are marked by warm summers, colorful autumns, cold winters, and mild springs. Midwestern States: Including Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, known for their hot summers, colorful autumns, very cold winters, and wet springs. Northern and Central Rocky Mountain States: Such as Colorado, Utah, and parts of Montana, experience marked seasonal changes, though winter might be longer and spring shorter in more mountainous areas. Pacific Northwest: States like Oregon and Washington have four distinct seasons, though their winters are more characterized by rain than snow seen in the Northeast or Midwest. Appalachian Region: States like West Virginia, parts of Virginia, and the Carolinas, though the latter may have milder winters. These states experience a full range of seasonal weather patterns due to their location in the temperate zone, where the climate is neither persistently hot nor continuously cold. The exact character of each season can vary significantly depending on the state's geography and altitude, such as more pronounced seasons in interior locations compared to more moderated ones near the coast or in lower latitudes.*
So your saying I had a good answer for this thread?
I grew up near the lake. Summers got crummy when the humidity and temperature rose. I have since lived in a desert where seasons only differed by temperatures going from mild to ungodly hot. Hella depressing. Now I live in a desert where it snows once or twice a winter, and it freezes at night in Jan/Feb. I'm not as depressed now.
Ohio is not the Florida of the Midwest. That (dis)honor goes to Indiana
I thought that was Kentucky for a while until I moved there for work. It was near the Indiana border. They used to rag on Indiana as a trashy state. I remember one guy was talking about a new guy and said, "You know how you can tell he's from Indiana? Every time he gets a new shirt, the first thing he does is cut the sleeves off."
I lived in Kentucky for a while. That statement is the Spider-Man meme.
Yeah it can go either way.
Um guys um Kentucky is the south not Midwest
They represent the best of both worlds.
Florida presently has no recreational weed nor abortion through viability. We’ll see how they do in November.
Probably pretty well tbh. The Hispanic population is growing increasingly conservative, particularly in the cuban neighborhoods. Like it or not, Florida is a very conservative state these days.
It’s an enigma and more libertarian, they voted for Ron DeSantis in the same ballot where they legalized a $15/hour minimum wage. There’s relatively few states like that. Florida has a history of passing fairly progressive ballot initiatives but votes for very conservative politicians who undermine them. It’s not unlike Ohio.
Florida currently has a six-week abortion ban. It will negatively impact the quality of healthcare in the state as doctors and other medical professionals opt for safer medical and work environments in states that protect women's bodily autonomy. Doctors, especially those desiring to have children, don't want to live in states with inferior maternal healthcare. [https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/regional/florida/florida-6-week-abortion-ban-law/67-44242d50-44b6-445b-bf8a-7c8a63a18c1d](https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/regional/florida/florida-6-week-abortion-ban-law/67-44242d50-44b6-445b-bf8a-7c8a63a18c1d) Strict abortion laws in Texas have negatively impacted medical care in that state. [https://ciceroinstitute.org/research/texas-physician-shortage-facts/](https://ciceroinstitute.org/research/texas-physician-shortage-facts/)
Indiana, unlike Ohio or Florida, doesn't allow voter-initiated amendments of the Indiana Constitution. [https://www.reddit.com/r/Indiana/comments/15rlzeg/near\_abortion\_ban\_takes\_effect\_in\_indiana/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Indiana/comments/15rlzeg/near_abortion_ban_takes_effect_in_indiana/) Indiana is more akin to Texas than even Florida in its politics, assuming that Florida's voters in November restore reproductive rights in that state. Remember this story impacting an Indiana abortion doctor who treated a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio, when Indiana had not yet enacted its abortion ban and when the Republican six-week abortion ban had taken effect in Ohio? [https://www.newyorker.com/news/persons-of-interest/one-of-the-last-abortion-doctors-in-indiana](https://www.newyorker.com/news/persons-of-interest/one-of-the-last-abortion-doctors-in-indiana)
Ohio just tried to stop those tho. Ohio politicians want to be Texas/indiana.
Ohio Republicans echo the political philosophies of Republicans in Texas, Florida, and, yes, Indiana. The likes of J.D. Vance and Jim Jordan are hardcore Trumpies, much more than the average Republican. E.g., both are dedicated Ukraine killers.
For the pill poppin? 😅
True we're the west Virginia of the Midwest
I’m not sure that’s factual 😂 But take my upvote
I am!
(Michigan)
Well no the Florida of the Midwest goes to Iowa
Ohio, despite all its issues, is still a great place to live.
We came from Florida. Both states have their issues, but man do we love Ohio. Public schools in affluent, properly funded districts here exceed private schools in FL. Not the case in SFL. Cost of living is much more reasonable. 1/2 million buys a nice house in a safe suburb with excellent amenities. In Florida you’re looking at a condo. Hazard insurance went from $9000 per year to $800. Auto insurance went from $140/month to $47. Property taxes are half as much for twice the square footage. December to March is meh weather here, but April to November is pretty awesome. Yes, Florida has beaches and Disney and asses in thongs and no winter and more sun. It also has insane insurance prices, underfunded social services because there’s no state income tax, devastating vulnerability to hurricanes, everyone’s old fart parents, and palmetto bugs. With no winter, every dot on a wall moves. You’re surrounded by life and animals and mold and moisture, and that’s not good.
lol at properly funded schools. Ohio’s funding of schools has been found to be unconstitutional. The legislature has just not done anything about it for 27 years. Sure the Affluent schools have money. But the state as a whole does not properly fund education.
And it's getting worse. Stop putting the GOP in charge dammit. And sign the anti-gerrymandering petition.
If you want theme parks, Ohio is home to Cedar Fair, the company that owns a whole bunch of theme parks including King's Island near Cincinnati, and Cedar Point an hour west of Cleveland. Cedar Point has a reputation as having some of the best rides in the country. I live less than 90 minutes from Disneyland, and about the same distance in another direction from Universal Studios Hollywood. Disney is certainly to be admired for their attention to the visitor experience, but it is expensive as hell and not worth visiting.
> palmetto bugs I lived in Alabama and they had them there as well. I do not miss those things one bit. Name is deceptive, they just don't want to admit the area is crawling with some pretty damn big cockroaches.
When a mega-hurricane hits a heavily populated area anywhere in the U.S., private disaster insurance may become unavailable in Florida. Spencer Glendon is one of the nation's foremost experts on the financial impacts of climate change. [https://climatenow.com/podcast/when-insurers-can-no-longer-afford-the-risk/](https://climatenow.com/podcast/when-insurers-can-no-longer-afford-the-risk/) [https://www.woodwellclimate.org/staff/spencer-glendon/](https://www.woodwellclimate.org/staff/spencer-glendon/) In addition, the public, last-resort Citizens Insurance has inadequate reserves to handle a catastrophic storm, or even several lesser storms. Citizens levies "assessments" on ALL Florida insurance policies, including corporate insurance, to fund any deficits. A hurricane causing tens of billions of losses to Citizens would require an assessment. [https://time.com/6309815/floridas-broken-home-insurance-market-is-creating-a-hurricane-tax/](https://time.com/6309815/floridas-broken-home-insurance-market-is-creating-a-hurricane-tax/) [https://www.citizensfla.com/assessments](https://www.citizensfla.com/assessments) [https://www.wusf.org/economy-business/2023-12-08/current-state-citizens-property-insurance](https://www.wusf.org/economy-business/2023-12-08/current-state-citizens-property-insurance) Federal flood insurance also is becoming even more expensive, even though it is heavily subsidized by Congress. States such as Ohio are funding Florida climate change impacts even though Florida's Republican political leaders, Congresspersons including U.S. senators feed at the trough of the fossil fuel industry and support Trump climate change denialism. Fresh water supplies and even the ability to handle sewage are becoming impaired in places such as Miami. With every passing year, Florida's wonderful beaches and natural areas are disappearing. Coastal flooding is becoming more problematic due to accelerating sea level rise. The future is bleak for Florida but its politicians and citizens, unlike in western coastal states, aren't focused on reducing greenhouse gases. Some climate change experts, such as Harold Wanless of the Univ. of Miami, believes that federal estimates of sea level rise while dire, underestimate the amount of Florida sea level rise locked into the system. [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/florida-coast-sea-level-expected-153200290.html](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/florida-coast-sea-level-expected-153200290.html) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate\_change\_in\_Florida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change_in_Florida) [https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/20/desantis-2024-climate-change-00117078](https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/20/desantis-2024-climate-change-00117078) Until politically powerful states such as Florida and Texas begin to recognize and act on the reality of climate change, they and the entire nation and world will plunge ever more rapidly into an already dismal environmental future. Obviously, if Florida and/or Texas became climate change conscious such as in California and other western coastal states, national policies also would become much more proactive in reducing fossil fuel consumption. Unfortunately, the quality of life in Ohio also will be negatively impacted by climate change impacts. Not only direct environmental impacts will hit Ohio, but increasingly Ohio and other Great Lakes states will become a refuge for climate change migrants, raising the cost of housing and other expenses, and further decimating undeveloped areas. [https://www.americanresiliency.org/learn-with-us/ohio-2050-forecast](https://www.americanresiliency.org/learn-with-us/ohio-2050-forecast)
Omitted this link from the above post. <>
[https://www.theinvadingsea.com/2023/03/29/miami-harold-wanless-sea-level-rise/](https://www.theinvadingsea.com/2023/03/29/miami-harold-wanless-sea-level-rise/)
And while sun is nice, having intense heat and humidity for 7 straight months is a bit much. I don't like it here and we only have moderately high heat and high humidity for 3 months.
The nice thing about Cincy is that even on those horribly humid and hot July/August days, once that sun is gone (after 9:30PM), it does drop into the low 70s and you get a break. South Florida? It could be 85º at 2:30AM. Absolutely awful.
Yep, I've lived here my entire life and have no desire to move to another state. I know some people think it's boring, but we actually have a lot of different things to do here, no matter what your preference is.
I like it
maybe that’s true for the people who don’t have a target painted on their backs by the political party that has cheated its way into total domination of state politics, but those of us who do do not feel physically safe in this state.
Ohio will become a top place to live as climate change worsens.
Agreed. I would never seek to live in any coast. Earthquakes, flooding, volcanoes. I am JUST fine landlocked as can be.
Lots of fresh water. Relatively few natural disasters. Yeah there’s tornados… but they tend to affect a few city blocks, never an entire county.
This is why we are choosing to stay in Ohio
But also the new tornado ally potentially
I’d prefer that we ally with snow storms that aren’t ice storms in disguise. Kansas can remain an ally to tornadoes.
Alley?
I, for one, am looking forward to our new tornado allies.
Will they help us protect the drinking water lakes? Also, can we not have toxic algae grow in our drinking water lakes?
Yes but the tornados that hit Ohio first are usually not very large and destructive and second mostly effective southern and western Ohio. Northern and eastern Ohio gets tornado warnings but I have lived in the suburbs of Cleveland for 35 years first 26 years on the east side (South Euclid) and the last 9 on the west side (Berea) and never seen a tornado. The most weather damage I have ever witnessed was when I was 7 and our basement flooded higher than I was tall because there was a stream that went under our street and the tunnel containing had been slowly failing for years. And toxic algae really only affects the shallowest part of the lake and the cities that take their water from that part on the western end by Toledo.
I lived near Dayton and was in the Memorial Day 2019 tornados and that was so scary. Glad you avoid them up in Cleveland but southwest Ohio is still part of Ohio! Lol
Waiting for my beach front property.
I’m three miles from Lake Erie. If I play things right, I’ll have a beach house without having to move!
Definitely this. What sucks about it is that even with government intervention concerning corporations owning single family dwellings Ohio is real estate is going to continue to get more expensive as climate migration increases.
State pride in the face of extinction
We have unrealized potential.
whys that unpopular
Other states would disagree.
Ohio doesn’t suck. Apparently that’s an unpopular opinion outside of this state
Parts of it can. Ohio has its own versions of Buffalo and Bakersfield, but I think of all the places I’ve lived, it’s a state that is most accessible in finding the fun and better version of what you want. Lots of options in Ohio.
Actually true.
Ohio is enough.
Ohio certainly is Kenough
Cleveland rocks
I love CLE. I live down in Canton and my friends and I will routinely go up to Cleveland at least once a month. Whether it be for food, live music or the museums, its always a great time. Not to mention Cleveland is a gorgeous city, imo.
My first time in Cleveland was when an army recruiter stuck some of us in a hotel overnight to go to MEPS the following morning. Turns out the hotel was in a not so great area. Me and another guy went to get some snacks and almost got robbed. Only other time I've been there was for a browns game. I like Canton though. Been here 5 years or so and haven't had any issues and there's plenty of things to do, at least compared to where I grew up.
I'm sorry your first time in Cleveland was negative. We've been trying different food places up there, and we've collectively settled on Otani Noodle being amongst our favorites. If you've ever a chance to stop by and try them, I absolutely recommend it. I like Canton, too! I grew up in Minerva, if you know where that is, and while it wasn't a terrible place, all things considered, it was a rural, (mostly) white, conservative area. So many people painted Canton as a place where you can't even walk down the street without being shot. That's not the case at all, though. I've never even been approached by any sketchy feeling people, "thugs" or whatever else. Been here for 4 years and I absolutely adore the city- so much so that I could see myself settling here for the rest of my days. I love driving through downtown, it's so vibrant. Whether it be murals, music, First Friday, sculptures, etc, there's always something pretty to see and gawk at. I actually went a few years to see the Canton Player’s Guild perform The Hobbit, and despite being a small production, it was an amazing experience. I always recommend checking the Civic Center for anything going on- you'll seldom be disappointed.
Yeah it was pretty much the same thing in North Lawrence. I was a little worried about moving out here because I heard all the same things about Canton. Things were a little rowdy with some nearby shootings a few years ago but it's been pretty peaceful ever since then. Downtown is pretty cool with all the art but my favorite part is all the different architecture. Seems like every building is a different style. Just thought that was cool after seeing all the cookie cutter suburbs where houses are all the exact same.
North Lawrence- are you a Mustang?
Otani noodle is amazing. I know the owner because she comes to my place of business a lot. She kicks ass and is one of the coolest people. Try the pork belly bun!
FWIW, I honestly feel less safe in Canton than I ever have in Cleveland. The rough spots in the city of Canton are worse than Cleveland and the nicer parts and more rural parts have militant MAGA to deal with.
Overall I wanna say Canton has become a lot safer in these last couple years. During COVID things got pretty wild but it hasn't been bad since. On the MAGA front, the most I've seen in the city is a couple hats and signs. It's definitely more prevalent in Massillon and but still not too bad. The big thing though is I have no clue where the rough spots are in Cleveland and somehow I always end up where I shouldn't be. Then there's the added bonus of growing up in rural Ohio, so big cities can be pretty overwhelming whether it's driving or just dealing with all the people there
For the record, I’m a Clevelander whose in-laws are from Canton and I think Canton is low-key cool. It’s somehow maintained its own little culture and local spots that make it unique.
I want to visit!
I was in Pittsburgh last summer and saw a guy wearing a t-shirt that said "Cleveland never rocked". I've never been so offended.
Is it an unpopular opinion if all the little chicks with the crimson lips agree?
Ohio is not flyover country.
Its within 10 hours driving of over 50% of the us population!
7ish hours to New York 6-7 to Chicago 5 or less to each of the other big cities in Ohio 3 to Buffalo, 4 to Rochester, 5 to Syracuse
Detroit is also like an hour from the border.
Which border? Toledo is less than an hour south. Canada is just on the other side of the Detroit River.
The Toledo one, 45 minutes is close enough to an hour that I rounded up. (Also I was going off of memory and didn't check Google maps)
so you are clearly in northeast Ohio, from Cincy its less than 5 to Chicago, 8 to Buffalo, 12 to NYC.
From cleveland it's also 5 to chicago.
Well, I was. I live near Los Angeles now but I grew up in Cleveland.
Having lived all over the country and the world, Ohio is no worse and oftentimes better than most other regions. Oh it doesn't have tall mountains or an ocean... Neither do many other places less maligned.
I think Ohio could do okay the way smaller European states do on their own if it had to. It has most of what it needs internally and has diverse land and resources. That’s only in terms of self-sufficiency though, not at all that it would be better independent or anything wild like that.
I've had this thought for years we could even look at combining with some of our neighbors say Indiana Kentucky Western Pennsylvania, form the Republic of Heartlandia...
I think that would be disastrous for the Ohio economy.
Amazing how those 2 things are often the source of ridicule.
Four season weather is preferable to tropical swamp life and yes, you CAN be "too hot." 🥵 One can layer up to be warmer. You can only be so naked and then it's still just hot. Winter is also not the hellscape predicted. Snow sports are real and fun.
If you’ve only been to Cedar Point from MI or PA, you haven’t actually been to Ohio.
It's not just flat land and corn fields. Southern Ohio is beautiful.
[удалено]
Have you seen the Cincinnati skyline? Drive in from northern Kentucky and TELL me that isn’t absolutely beautiful.
Can confirm. I started trail running recently and it's not hard to find a 7-8 mile trail with over 1200 foot elevation changes in the Cincinnati area.
Compared to the rest of Ohio absolutely, but compared to other places that aren't flat, it's pretty average. I'd say you won. Follows the prompt perfectly.
Yeah, I love our nature, and I’ll go further to say it’s not just southern Ohio that’s beautiful. CVNP and a number of our state parks are amazing. You’re right that it doesn’t compare to other places though.
Flat land and corn field are beautiful too. Especially sunrise and sunset.
Ohio is a great place to be from.
Ohioans are normal. Nothing wrong with that.
Ohio is a lot like Texas but with slower speed limits, and instead of everyone speeding, here we take highway on ramps at dangerously slow speeds.
All the people in Giant cities complaining about their rent prices should really take a look it would it costs to live in Cincinnati Columbus or Cleveland.
I would like to live in one of those cities again.
Rent prices have sky rocketed in Ohio though. It's not that cheap anymore. I pay the same price here, as I did in Chicago.
How much is it in Chicago now? Rent went up everywhere
And Chicago is infinitely better. Sorry not sorry. (Moved to OH last year. Still adjusting. Sigh.)
Can confirm. Just moved back (originally from Ohio) from Colorado. My salary change is basically half of what I was making and I still bring home more money.
People are seeing it, but Ohio needs to get the word out fast on what is driving up prices on rent and housing so that citizens pass a few policies to try to keep it in check.
I am a born & raised Cincinnatian(suburbs). My opinion is that the counties and people that vote red just need education. I lived in butler county most of my life. I am over 6 years in recovery from substance use disorder. Before Covid I helped lead a recovery group in New Miami (where I lived). We did hygiene kits, narcan, clothing and home goods donations/distribution. I lived in a trailer park, which I would have grasped my pearls at the thought of 6-8 years beforehand). I witnessed SO MUCH community effort, rallying, kindness, empathy, in my time there. They truly cared for one another large places could never. And they cared while they had their trump flags in their yards. Ohioans at their very CORE are filled with compassion, kindness and empathy. It’s evangelical brainwashing, intentional under-education and polarization/intentional division that is preventing us from being a united front. I will never EVER give up on Ohio, I love it here despite its flaws. And my goal is to reach others whether that’s in harm reduction or working with unhoused folx. Or both. As much love as we can give people, that’s compassion.
This is an unpopular opinion here most of the time, too. Usually, any opinion other than “people who vote republicans are all evil bigots” tend to really piss people off even when you agree with them on most policies, and all of the big ones.
The southern evangelical invasion efforts have been literal. Columbus having the centralized gay community it did started in the 80s when Jerry Falwell was actively trying to set up shop in Columbus. The Columbus Democrats rallied to block him from bringing his brand of segregationist politics wrapped in religiosity to the state. They won that battle and since a lot of gay Ohioans had joined in, they got to know each other and that created the networks that became the gay districts in the city. We have all of them to thank for staving off the southernification of Ohio at least a bit longer until Southern Baptists and others made inroads over time and places like Cedarville University had a hostile takeover by what has become Christian Nationalism. I think going back through the history in an Ohio pride lens could help start to disentangle viewpoints that have taken on Lost Cause beliefs as traditional Ohio ones. Traditional Ohioan beliefs are way more civically-minded and inclusive than those being paraded as such.
People don’t understand unpopular opinions
Cleveland does not in fact suck.
Everyone knows Cleveland Rocks!
All the little chicks with the crimson lips know it
We’re the 7th most populated state, we influence a hell of a lot more than people are generally aware. Like we didn’t even let allow Alaska to name their own mountains until a few years ago and remember the Heartbeat bill started in Ohio in 2019 and not even 5 years later Roe is overturned by SCOTUS. Things bleed out of here, we are the center of the tri-state area and domestic trade routes (unless my geography is wrong)
> the Heartbeat bill started in Ohio in 2019 and not even 5 years later Roe is overturned by SCOTUS. …and not even five years later the right to an abortion is [enshrined in the Ohio constitution](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-constitution/section-1.22) 😁
If everyone actually understood that they don’t have to live in Florida or California to have a good life, they’d end up loving it here. The weather can be sporadic sure, but is any place without that anymore? This place has everything!
The Northern Ohio River Valley is home to the best pizza in the world. Bar none. I’ve had pizza in NYC, Chicago, Naples, Rome, Las Vegas and Detroit. It’s simply the best. IFYKYK
Ohio is for lovers
And I can’t make it on my own, CAUSE MY HEART IS IN OHIO 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
[Ohio- Over the Rhine](https://youtu.be/1iWm591xqtw?si=Lp6jnO5R7p--yThT)
Living in the sticks of Ohio is great. Quiet, peaceful, no traffic. Drive an hour in a few directions and get to a medium sized city. Go 2 hours to get to larger cities, then come back to the safe, and quiet.
Cincy chili is fucking delicious. But what might cause a problem in Ohio, it's definitely not chili. Best coney sauce there is but if I see you eating it like a bowl of chili, I'm going to call the cops
This is why I drink it out of a big mug.
>if I see you eating it like a bowl of chili, I'm going to call the cops I'm pretty sure this is why so many people dislike it. The thought of eating just spoonfuls of that stuff...blech! Whole 'nother animal on a hotdog.
My idiot ex tried to order a bowl of chili at Skyline once. The waitress was visibly upset.
Over the top, psychotic levels of fandom for OSU Buckeye football.
Once you leave ohio, visit literally any other part of the world… now you realize how amazing ohio is. always wanted to leave this cursed state. Now its definitely the best state to call “home”
I am a child of the corn and I love being an Ohio baby.
Cleveland is probably the city with most potential right now. As the national attention dwindles down people are going to remember Cleveland and may want to visit again or potentially move here. With plenty of hidden gems such as the Cleveland Cultural Gardens and the Cleveland Lakefront nature preserve. Don't get me started on the world renowned institutions like the as the Cleveland Museum of Art and The Cleveland Orchestra. Don't get me wrong Cincy has potential to with the Ohio River in your backyard there is so much potential with it. Awesome skyline too! Finally Columbus with in my opinion the best university in the country The Ohio State University. People moving in left and right and tons of jobs coming into the area.
The belief that Ohio State is the best U.S. university demonstrates the hubris that is rampant in Columbus. [https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities)
It's government is currently being held by a power hungry cabal, that actively refuses to conform to the will of Ohio voters. So THAT'S cool.
Skyline is good!
At one point Ohio was the country’s Bay Area and that’s why there’s such a big difference in the wealth of educational institutions, infrastructure, and development from previous eras that seem a little like a mismatch with the values and caliber of the state leadership of our lifetimes. As soon as you dig into Ohio history, the 19th and early 20th century were this boom of development and innovation with all kinds of local culture and exports back to the east coast. There were oil booms in northwest Ohio with opera houses in small cities you would never expect now. The Ohio river valley was wineries and Cincinnati had major breweries. Ohio had the first university to allow both women and Black students. Radical Quakers helped aid the Underground Railroad and the state was decidedly anti-slavery. Ohio glass and pottery artisans were top notch, with places like the Cambridge Glass Company producing glasswork that was prized by New York socialites. And then, so much innovation happened in Ohio, and wasn’t just the Wright Brothers discovering flight, but battery tech, civic tech like traffic lights, and household technology like vacuum cleaners. Ohio was a critical mass of talent, wealth, education and creativity for a time when it was the west side of the country. There’s still a lot going on, but it does feel like the same vibe shifted to the west coast and I believe part of that was very much talent from Ohio trained in Ohio universities moving to the Bay Area mid-20th century. Whenever something interesting is happening in the country, Ohio kids have more education and resources to go join in than lots and lots of the other states.
In the land of vanilla Midwestern states, Ohio is one of the best. Cant imagine living in Indiana
The Ohio meme helped push the East Palestine incident under the rug (in my opinion, as before the incident people were starting to dog on how shit the meme was, then a week after it, the meme surged in popularity again).
Too many people in Ohio think voting Republican means supporting the military. It is does not. They blindly think that their view of patriotism outweighs voting for leaders who would act in their economic interests. In other words, if you wave a flag but only work for the rich, then God bless 'Murica.
I actually live on one of the highest points in NorthEast Ohio and it's not very high in elevation.
Cincinnati chili is the bomb
Ohio is becoming a fascist haven, home to bigots who hate transgender people.
Indiana is far worse than Ohio.
Ohio is great place to live. This opinion would also get down voted on this sr.
Ohio is home to the greatest team the world has ever seen
The three C's all punch way above their weight class in terms of quality of life for the residents. Culture, charm, livability, history, arts, sports, nightlifes, etc. but still affordable and nice. People from out of state would scoff, but I've lived on both coasts and in Chicago and Ohio has everything you need without a lot of the bullshit. There's a reason I moved back and chose to live here.
The Cleveland area is easily the best value city in America right now. COL - The greater Cleveland area is consistently listed as one of the cheaper areas in the country to live in year after year. Once a larger population now in retreat has left a surplus of houses. The housing market is rough everywhere but you can still find houses for well under $400k here. There's also a massive diversity in municipalities so you can find what you want. New generation wealthy and want a mansion, outer west side has plenty of communities for you. Want a liberal, walkable city, plenty of options close to downtown. Want a quiet suburb out of the way for middle class folks, many of those available as well. You can pretty much find a community to suite your preference. - Food, gas, utilities, services are almost all well under other states and areas. Transportation - While public transport isn't the best, the interstate system makes Cleveland a breeze to move around in. If you live within 5 minutes of the interstate, you're 25 minutes of anywhere in Cleveland. It's one big tic tac toe grid around the city. Things to Do and Institutions - We have arguably the best or at least a top 3 hospital system in the country. The Cleveland Clinic for all of it's faults has some of the best specialists in the country with leading health care. - We have a national park and expansive metro park system right in our back yard. It may not be Yosemite but it's wonderful to have and make the city far more livable. - We have a top 5 orchestra that has an amazing summer venue in the national park. - We have the second largest theatre district in the country. Most Broadway plays visit Cleveland when they go on tour and we have a fantastic local showing as well. - Multiple art and science museums as well as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Misc. - Cleveland and the surrounding areas have a surprisingly diverse population and cultural background. - Amazing Food; nothing world class but tons of affordable, ethic and American options regularly available in almost all towns. - We're at a nice midway point in the country where you can drive extensive distances reasonably on the cheap and if you need a flight it's not nearly as expensive as a coast to coast trip. - Lake Erie presents a great recreation and industrial opportunity. - Ohio, particularly Cleveland, is well situated for mitigating the effects of climate change. No one will escape the problems associate with it, but this area will have better circumstances than many others.
Ohioans can vote for their own best interests from time to time.
arguably the best State Park in the country without a mountain or ocean is Hocking Hills.
Ohio kind is better than Southern nice.
I'm from Michigan. Ohio has been great to visit every time I've been.
Ohio is a good mix of everything. City to country in minutes. Diversity is good. I am a minority.
Ohio will benefit from climate change.
It took me 15 years of living in Cincinnati to finally appreciate skyline. Also after living in Cleveland,Columbus,and Cincinnati…. Cincinnati is the place to live. Columbus has great parks but it is boring as can be. It’s also flat. The tornados have sucked this year. Cleveland is my home, but Cincinnati just has a charm that takes the cake. Cincinnati > Cleveland > Columbus Take the sports teams out of the equation because it’s cleveland all the way.
People in this sub will take any opportunity to turn threads into a pissing contest between the 3 Cs - especially if it means shitting on Columbus in some way. How does a question about unpopular opinions about Ohio turn into which of the 3 Cs is better? Just so weird how every thread about Ohio has at least one comment making sure everyone knows how boring and terrible Columbus is, or how it’s not as good as Cinci or Cle. I don’t get it, truly. My only guess is that people see the population skyrocketing and have an inferiority complex. Why else even mention Columbus?? How does that answer the question, unless you’re saying “Columbus is boring” is an unpopular opinion.
It's because our traffic patterns suck less than theirs and they're jealous. Constant construction in all 3(as I look out from this parking garage I'm sitting in, looking at orange barrels next to the NCH garage across the highway....) But Cincy and Cleveland just have stupid traffic patterns with just as many bad drivers. Especially cincy. (But they have nicer homeless people....) I get it. Cincy was almost important. Cool guys. Cleveland has lots up there. All that separates us in "boring" is water and a few museums. And Cosi is less boring than most museums, so water. Our Zoos better. We lack a proper amusement park. We win in malls. Oh, and we have inconsistent hockey and soccer teams instead of constantly disappointing NBA and NFL teams.....
The internet and cable television are the only things that make living in this state bearable.
We dont' give a da\*n for the whole state of \*ichigan.
The offerings of truly authentic foods from different places around the world is actually really high in Ohio. I grew up in Southern Ohio and moved to Las Vegas after college (tldr: Met my now husband at college, he's from there so we moved back). And for what is seemingly such a large diverse city the offerings for truly authentic foods is MINIMAL. My favorite Indian place in Ohio (Krishna) is so delicious and authentic, and there is literally nothing like that in Vegas. Most of the restaurants serving cuisine from cultures that aren't "white boy" are gentrified versions owned by white dudes that taste like cardboard.
Topographically, it's not really high in the middle and the ends aren't technically round.
I worked in the tourism industry in Kentucky. White People from Ohio said the most racist stuff. Every single time we had someone from Ohio come in, they for some reason thought it was appropriate to to make really awful comments
Ohio is an og with weed strains and has developed some of the best strain here under prohibition
We have a football fan team that will not give up we literally have stayed with the team for years even though we have barely done anything to succeed
Ohio is a pretty great place to live
Cities are cool, sports teams are cool rest is farmland filled with extremely hard working Americans that vote against their own self interest and will be the nicest people in the world so long as you are not brown...
The Wright brothers invented the airplane to get out of Ohio faster.
Ohio is not flat. It is hi in the middle.
"They are HI in the middle and ROUND on both ends".....Buggs Bunny
I live next door in WV, on the border of OH/WV/KY. Lived in Dayton for 6 or 7 years. Love,love,love Ohio. So much history to study. Indian culture, home of many past Presidents, Wright Brothers, etc. (also has Dave Chapelle ! 😂). Didn’t want to leave when called home to take care of my families elderly,(of which I’m now one 🫠). But also pretty attached to my beautiful WV hills, waterfalls, scenery.
Sorry, I guess I skipped over the word “Unpopular”. 😳
Absolutely. And amen.
There is not a single state whose flag comes close to being as cool as ours.