Any Ohio (Canton area) helpers out there?

[FINFAN]

DH is in a spot to poss. be transfered...too soon to know for sure, but pretty good possibility. Looks like there are other candidates, but DH was told to send his info etc. right away on Friday. We live in Chicagoland (Naperville) and have 2 kids entering 8th and 4th. We found out today that we can decline if we want,(current position is under duress tho, 2 salary cuts so far) but would like as much info as we can gather, we have never been to Ohio and as you can see by my tag, it is an Eastern move for us, but not QUITE as far South as we'd hoped. We leave for WDW in 8 days so I am a bit stressed right now. The old saying, be careful what you wish for (new job, move) can come back and kick you in the A**! Towncrier has been MOST helpful so far, but I am bugging the poor man to death...any other brutally honest folks out there? Again, I know nothing for sure, so I truly do appreciate you guys going out of your way.
TIA,
Pam

 

[Cindy B]

Well, I lived about an hour away from Canton. The first thing I think of Canton is the Football Hall of Fame.

I actuallly had a friend in Minerva.. a little furhter away. It was pretty rural in Minerva.. not much going on there.

 

[shortbun]

Check out Ohio schools. I personally feel that our schools are
mostly a mess. There are little gems hidden around but in general,
the funding is bad-the governor just cut it by a lot. they say he'll lose his bid for re-election because of it. I personally like living in Ohio-I'm in Columbus though.

 

[Steve H.]

I'm a little father north, in the Cleveland suburbs, but I can try to help you with any questions you might have. A number of my friends live/lived in the Canton/Akron area, so I might be able to get in touch with them for some answers too.

shortbun's right -- the school system of a lot of Ohio is not in the best of shape, but there's definitely some good things about the area. Canton's cost of living, for example, would most likely be much more affordable than the Chicagoland area.

 

[nancilyn]

I live about 20 minutes west of Canton. The area I live in is a very quiet rural area. If there are any questions I can answer, I would be happy to help.

 

[RNMOM]

I went to nursing school for 3 years in Massillon. It is pretty much just a continuation of Canton to the west. At that time they had pretty good schools that get funded pretty well due to their football program. It was a terrific town to live in. True small town midwest Ohio. It is so close to Canton it would not be a problem to commute.

I have an older sister living in Minerva. I would not want to live there personally but she is happy.

Massillon /Canton area is very close to Holmes County where there is a large population of Amish. They have some very nice stores, some tourist type activities and lots of skilled labor. Akron is close as well and has quiet a lot of culteral activities. There are a number of small colleges around. I think it would be a great place to raise a family if my kids were younger. The cost of housing will be amazing to you. Even in the western suburbs of Cleveland, where we live, the cost of housing is not bad at all.

Schools everywhere these days are taking a big hit. It trickles down from Washington, IMHO. The realtors have ratings and lots of information about that kind of stuff. My DSis is a realtor and if you want a referral to one in that area I could ask her. She deals closer to Minerva.

Oh yeah, over Labor Day and the weekend before, I think, there is a "Great Trail Buffalo Festival". They have a French and Indian war reinactment with folks living in Teepees for the week with lots of food, music, crafts and it is all held on a big buffalo farm. Really cool and my kids loved to go to it.

We are really pretty cool here.

I lived in Champaign/Urbana for 2 years and DS#2 was born there. Canton is larger than that area and the biggest difference from Illinios and Ohio is, we have trees and HILLS. I missed the rolling green hills SOOO much when I was in Ill.

 

[FINFAN]

Thank you for the help, we still do not know anything further...this is SO frustrating...I was hoping to enjoy this week getting ready for our trip...and now all I can think of is...ARE WE RELOCATING? N.Canton was mentioned to DH by colleague in Ohio, but now I am a bit worried about the school situation. I checked into Minerva, and tho it looks nice, our towns current population is about 140,000, and I think going to about 6-7,000 may be too much of a change. Most people we have talked to are suggesting we take the risk and stay put...this is SO hard, especially when we may be worrying for nothing if they choose someone else. It's so bizarre to wake up and have someone else decide your fate for you....like I said, we CAN decline, but probably not the best career move. Or, DH may not pan out to be the best of choice, therfor you know your days are most likely numbered at current position. can we just go to WDW and NOT come back?

 

[monalsw]

since we have to live in ohio (dh won't move south, like orlando, as long as his mother is still living-and probably not even after she's not), i think we have a pretty good location.

we are 30 minutes south of canton..making us 90 min south of cleveland, when we need to see the Indians; 60 min south of akron, where my family lives; 30 min east of amish county with great shopping and food; and 2.5 hours ne of columbus, where i travel to for work and shopping sometimes!

small town, maybe 12,000, good schools, family-oriented community, with lots of recreation within driving distance. many folks drive to canton, and further, for work, but it's a straight shot on the expressway.

i travel to canton for the disney store, certain restuarants, etc, and personally, would not want to live there. but, i have friends at work here, who live there and wouldn't want to live anywhere else! so it's a personal choice.

an added bonus is akron canton airport has daily flights to orlando, and fairly cheap!

good luck, whatever happens!