The Pros and Cons of Living in Ohio

On any given day in Ohio, you could find yourself in two completely different states of mind in a difference of an hour. One moment, you are looking at a beautiful view of snow-topped trees from a lookout point high above the forest. Then, soon after, you are dreading the idea of driving through what has become an intense blizzard on your way home.

So, it’s safe to say that with Ohio, as with any state, there are positives and negatives to choosing to spend your life there. It’s almost like Ohio; when you’re living there, it is similar to a family member: one moment, you are having the most enjoyable time with them, and the next, they are frustrating you more than anything.

Now, I may be biased as an Ohio native myself, but I would say the pros outweigh the cons of living in this great state. However, it is important to look at this issue impartially, so in this list of the pros and cons of living in Ohio, I hope to present an even balance of positive and negative aspects and then let you decide whether Ohio is a place you would want to call home. 

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Economy

Pros:

A. New Careers and Business Opportunities

While it may be easy to see certain parts of the state and decide that there are no opportunities left here, one has to look only at the Columbus area to see that this is not the case. Columbus is filled with several surrounding towns and neighborhoods bursting at the seams with new people moving to it to start new lives and, importantly for our purposes, begin new careers. This is due to a number of different reasons, one of which is that Ohio State University. It is one of the largest colleges in the U.S., is based in Columbus, Ohio, and provides a large number of young people just starting their careers in the area.

B. Low Housing Prices

For those looking to live in Ohio, one of the most important aspects of the state would be how easy it is to afford a house. Well, for those considering Ohio, you’re in luck! Whereas in most places in the United States following the pandemic, housing has risen to its highest levels in decades, Ohio is one of the only states where home prices have remained low.

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Cons:

A. Slow Growing/Declining Population

As someone who grew up in Ohio and still lives there today, I have constantly been exposed to the history of my state, especially how it has changed in the last century. In these situations, I am continually reminded by people, especially in older generations, reporting on how much life existed within the state even 20 years ago versus today.

B. Low Innovation Potential:

With much of the population moving out in recent decades, other people from outside the state are less likely to move here. This includes new business owners and innovators. Despite companies like Intel investing in Ohio, the story for the state in recent years has been more stagnant when it comes to new products and businesses.

C. Older Business Methods

Because few significant new businesses have been created in Ohio in recent years, the way that business is done in the state has stayed fairly stagnant, as well. Now, this is not to say there are no opportunities for success (as we will discuss), but many of the companies in Ohio have been in the state for a long time, thus making it difficult for them to change.

Entertainment

Pros:

A. Sports

One has to look no further than the sports scene to see that there is a lot to do in Ohio. Particularly in the state’s three main cities, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus, the sports teams are at the forefront of things to do for fun. Each of these cities, and elsewhere in the state has a long history of being staples in their respective leagues, not to mention the loyal fan bases that have followed them along the way, both at the professional level and below. The Ohio State Buckeyes offer a sports team that nearly the entire state collectively supports, offering another exciting aspect of entertainment as it does not only stretch to support the team in one city. 

B. The Arts 

Beyond sports, the arts are also a great draw for anyone who wants to live in Ohio. The three main cities mentioned before, and smaller metropolitan areas like Toledo and Akron have their scene for the arts. Whether it’s the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland or the Cincinnati Museum of Art, there are numerous interesting activities to do while in this state related to art galleries, theater, music, and literature, among all of the arts.

C. Historical Locations and Museums

As a state with more than 200 years of history in the U.S. and even more history prior to that, there are a number of sites within Ohio to learn more about how the country and state came to be. This includes many museums in Ohio’s largest cities, such as Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati, and military sites like the Battle of Lake Erie at Ohio’s northern end. With so many options, it’s safe to say there’s more than enough history to explore in Ohio.

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Cons:

A. Lack of Flare

Even as someone with a great love for the state like myself, I understand that, from an outsider’s perspective, Ohio may not have the large, world-famous appeal of a state like New York or California. Sure, us Ohio natives could tell you that the state is tied with Virginia for having the most U.S. Presidents, but that kind of history just does not seem to match the glamor of Hollywood or the high-reaching architecture of New York City.

B. Fewer Live Event Opportunities

Perhaps due to the lower population and “grandiosity” compared to other states like New York or California, Ohio does not seem to get the same opportunities for concerts and other live events as other areas. I am constantly reminded of this when people I know are forced to travel out of the state due to their favorite artists not traveling to Ohio.

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Geography and Climate

Pros:

A. Temperate Climate

Save for the parts of Northern Ohio close to Lake Erie, which get high amounts of snow, the climate of much of the middle and southern parts of the state is fairly warm, with temperatures hovering in the 60s and 70s for much of the year. Of course, this does not match the beautiful, 90-degree weather in a place like Southern California, but it still does suffice for most people. Also, it ensures that, unlike Southern California, Ohio rarely, if ever, is put in a drought. So, perhaps it is more accurate to say that if you are looking for a climate that is not too radically warm or cold, sunny or cloudy, then Ohio is the perfect place to move to.

B. Wildlife and Nature

From the vibrancy of Cuyahoga Valley National Park to the intrigue of Wayne National Forest, Ohio has countless opportunities to explore interesting plant and animal life. These spots offer beautiful views of trees in the distance (especially during the fall), and chances to hike and explore all the state’s parks. The best part about this is that whether you live in an urban, suburban, or rural area, chances are there are always nature reserves like the Metroparks close by.

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C. Bodies of Water

One unique aspect of Ohio is the fact that it is flanked to the north and south by historic, vibrant bodies of water. To the northern end, there is Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes. This can offer some great opportunities for beaches, jet skiing, fishing, and other water-related activities that will surely keep you entertained. The same is true for the southern end of Ohio, where the Ohio River offers similar activities while also lying close to Cincinnati, one of the state’s greatest cities.

Cons:

A. Cold Weather North

Having first-hand experience with Ohio weather, I know it is certainly not a pleasant sign for anyone looking to move here. It isn’t even necessarily the cold of it in general. There are many positives to the snow, including the ability to ski and snowboard, along with just the sheer and surprising beauty that can be brought from light snow on a bright winter day. Yet, when this snowy and cold cycle goes on for months and months — from December through February (and sometimes even through March and into April) — no fun from snowboarding can make a person want to keep the weather the same as it is.

B. Sporadic Temperatures

One of the most negative parts about the temperatures in Ohio is that you never really know when the cold will end for the year or even for the day. It often occurs that in the morning, you could have sunshine and temperatures in the 50s, but then by the late afternoon, it is a snow/sleet mix and low 30-degree weather. All of this considered, there are certainly things to be desired from the climate in Ohio — a fact that might make someone think twice before moving to the state.

C. Lack of Vacation Spots

Ohio does have some great places to visit; however, because the weather is rarely as beautiful as a place like Florida, it is not often sought as a place that people outside the state visit to go on vacation. As mentioned before, for almost half the year, much of the state is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and for most of the rest of the year, the temperatures do not often go above 80 degrees. Maybe this is why many people leave Ohio to go on vacation during the winter months.

Conclusion

As I mentioned earlier, there are countless ways in which states can be viewed positively or negatively — and Ohio is no exception to having both pros and cons to it. But at the end of the day, it comes down to which of these outweighs the other in your mind. If having little to no snow in the winter is a must-have, then this might not be the state for you. However, Ohio is a great pick if you are looking for a state with an incredible sports history.