Why I love Northern Ohio
Perhaps you’ve been in a similar situation? I’m traveling somewhere in the sun-belt. Palm trees. Convertibles with tops down. Lots of very tanned people. And someone will invariably ask, “Where are you from?” “Northern Ohio.” And then the same question virtually every time: “Why would you want to live there?”
Right at that moment, being very articulate, I reply, “Ummm . . .”
So, I’ve decided to compile a list of my top ten reasons I love living in Northern Ohio. These are just mine. But next time someone asks, I’ll be able to give, even if not necessarily reasonable, at a least a heartfelt answer.
Top 10 reasons why I love living in Northern Ohio
1. Autumn leaves, bonfires and s’mores.
2. It’s the football capital of the world.
3. Ohio sweet corn. (None better anywhere.)
4. Snow days. (I mean the ones when we get twelve inches dumped in 24 hours.)
5. Great lakes to fish in (pun intended).
6. Cleveland rocks!
7. Golf courses everywhere.
8. Heggy’s nuts, Troyer’s trail bologna, Gold N Crisp potato chips and Taggart’s sundaes.
9. The Cleveland Indians, Northwest Indians (My high school alma mater) and The Ohio State Buckeyes. (I know there are a zillion more teams but this is my list.)
10. To quote the country song: “These are my people.”
Every once in awhile we forget the incredible blessings of living right where we are. It’s easy to start thinking that life would be better if I moved somewhere else. The truth of the matter is that there are wonderful things, people and places to enjoy no matter where we find ourselves located.
For a while I found myself living in Marengo, Indiana. Marengo is a small town located outside of Louisville, Kentucky. Hicksville and Green Acres rolled into one. The people were amazing. Some of the best home cooking I’ve ever eaten. I even came to enjoy the occasional weekend mushroom hunting excursions in the woods.
For a couple of years I lived in Dublin, Ireland. And yes, it is as green as the pictures (but that’s because it rains all the time). The people who live there have extraordinary family values. Soccer reigns. The arts are revered. I could have lived there the rest of my life.
And now I’m in Northern Ohio. And I love living here!
A friend of mine used to say, “Greg, if you’re not happy poor then you won’t be happy rich. And if you’re not happy single then you won’t be happy married.” I would simply add that if you’re not happy where you are then you won’t be happy somewhere else.
The Apostle Paul put it very succinctly, “I have learned to be content no matter what circumstances I find myself in.” (Philippians 4:11-12)
I would enjoy hearing why you love living where you do . . .
Right at that moment, being very articulate, I reply, “Ummm . . .”
So, I’ve decided to compile a list of my top ten reasons I love living in Northern Ohio. These are just mine. But next time someone asks, I’ll be able to give, even if not necessarily reasonable, at a least a heartfelt answer.
Top 10 reasons why I love living in Northern Ohio
1. Autumn leaves, bonfires and s’mores.
2. It’s the football capital of the world.
3. Ohio sweet corn. (None better anywhere.)
4. Snow days. (I mean the ones when we get twelve inches dumped in 24 hours.)
5. Great lakes to fish in (pun intended).
6. Cleveland rocks!
7. Golf courses everywhere.
8. Heggy’s nuts, Troyer’s trail bologna, Gold N Crisp potato chips and Taggart’s sundaes.
9. The Cleveland Indians, Northwest Indians (My high school alma mater) and The Ohio State Buckeyes. (I know there are a zillion more teams but this is my list.)
10. To quote the country song: “These are my people.”
Every once in awhile we forget the incredible blessings of living right where we are. It’s easy to start thinking that life would be better if I moved somewhere else. The truth of the matter is that there are wonderful things, people and places to enjoy no matter where we find ourselves located.
For a while I found myself living in Marengo, Indiana. Marengo is a small town located outside of Louisville, Kentucky. Hicksville and Green Acres rolled into one. The people were amazing. Some of the best home cooking I’ve ever eaten. I even came to enjoy the occasional weekend mushroom hunting excursions in the woods.
For a couple of years I lived in Dublin, Ireland. And yes, it is as green as the pictures (but that’s because it rains all the time). The people who live there have extraordinary family values. Soccer reigns. The arts are revered. I could have lived there the rest of my life.
And now I’m in Northern Ohio. And I love living here!
A friend of mine used to say, “Greg, if you’re not happy poor then you won’t be happy rich. And if you’re not happy single then you won’t be happy married.” I would simply add that if you’re not happy where you are then you won’t be happy somewhere else.
The Apostle Paul put it very succinctly, “I have learned to be content no matter what circumstances I find myself in.” (Philippians 4:11-12)
I would enjoy hearing why you love living where you do . . .
posted by Greg Nettle at 4:21 PM
7 Comments:
1.) True seasonality. Whatever you don't like about the current season, it'll change in 90 days.
2.) We have the Great Lakes - a geographic area that is completely unique throughout all the world, including it's own weather systems.
3.) Every year at this time the whole Quarter Horse world descends on Columbus, Ohio for Congress. What an honor!
4.) No earthquakes, landslides, typhoons, hurricanes, or tsunamis.
5.) Rednecks. =D
1) RiverTree Christian Church Massillon Campus and all the friendly people there!
2) It's impossible to get bored with the weather it changes often.
3) Amish country shopping and restaurants YUM
4) Family lives here
Hollywood, FL
- Driving with my window down all year long.
- It's never grey and gloomy for more than a couple hours.
- Freshest sushi ever. Caught & fileted, right on the boat.
- Amazing Latin culture and food.
- Hurricane warnings come a week in advance, unlike tornadoes!
- Golf courses everywhere, plus you can go all year long!
- Even when it's hot there's still a breeze.
- Putting up Christmas lights in shorts!
- No potholes.
Though I do miss my family and Ohio Valley fall so badly.
Great post! You and Livingdedgrrl covered most of mine, but I do have a couple to add. (In no particular order...
* A recent study identifies Canton Ohio as the 4th most affordable housing market in the US - imagine applying the junkycarclub strategy to your house payment! (um - not that I've been willing to do that myself just yet)
* RiverTree - not trying to kiss up - but honestly, it would affect my decision to relocate.
* Speed of life - I'd be bored if it were much slower, and I'd be bitter if it were any faster
* Midwestern cookin - nobody knows crocpots like us!
* Family - most of us live here because we were born here and our families have always lived here.
* Safety - Violent crime and natural disaster is low here (relatively spekaing)
* Hay rides!
Love this post! People think I am crazy for leaving Virginia Beach for NE Pennsylvania, so here is the best of both worlds:
Virginia Beach:
1 - 4 season, but relatively mild all around.
2- Great seafood!
3- Da Beach!
4- Forefront Church - The Greatest Tribe I have lived with to date!
5- Lots of fond and loving memories!
6- Being retired military - acess to a lot of facilities and money saving things.
7- Air Shows and Jets flying around all the time! (some might consider that a nuisance - I Love it!)
8- We have pretty good football here too Greg, i.e., Bruce Smith, Plaxico Burress, Percy Harvin, Mike Vick, and more...
9- Good mix of folks from all races
10- Sunrises and Sunsets are awesome!
Lehigh Valley Pennsylvania -
1. 4 Seasons, much like northern Ohio
2. Football and High School wrestling reign Supreme.
3. Great trout fishing!
4 Beautiful scenery - my path of worship is nature and it is at its best in the hills of Pa.
5. Fall and the leaves!
6. 1 hour from NYC and 1 Hour from Philly!
7. Cheese Steaks!!
8. Philadelphia Eagles; Phillies, Flyers; and Sixers all of whom I root for!
9. Lots of unsaved famiy and friends to share the gospel with!
10. Did I say - Cheese Steaks! Oh and don't forget the Lebanon Sweet Bologna!!
That's it from me! :-)
IHL,
Richie
born and raised in Canton OH...now move every 2 years with the Navy. Great post. I miss it all everyday. O-H-I-O
Well, I don't really love it here, just moved here in March 2007 from Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, but my hometown is a suburb near Detroit.
I have lived in Oklahoma, Portland Oregon, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Seattle, WA., California/various locations there, Arizona, for a year in Australia; 3 different locations in that place, the UP (Upper Penninsula)of Michigan, off Lake Superior, and I can say that
I really like Seattle in the summertime, and Arizona in the wintertime. The very best falltime is here and Michigan, of course the UP is the best falltime ever.
Seattle in Spring is gorgeous.
We have moved over 25 times in 33 years. I can complain, but I've come to appreciate all the different places and people, and that "HOME" is really in heaven anyway, so the qypsy life is alright.
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