Apple store joking aside, I know that from a national retailer level. They really see the NEO area around Cleveland divided into Eastside Cleveland, Westside cleveland and Akron (particually west Akron/fairlawn). My wife is friends with the owners of the Melting Pot franchises in CLE (OK she works there, but we are still friends with the managing partner) and before the economy tanked their research showed that the area could support 3 stores, the Legacy, Westgate and a 3rd store in Fairlawn/west Akron. I think that shows a lot of overlap between the 2 cities. I am not saying that Akron is a suburb of CLE. Just that West Akron is the overlap point with the southern CLE suburbs, Akron and Canton, just like Legacy is the overlap point with eastern CLE Burbs, Euclid and the Lake county exurbs.

Some people are complacent in a bubble I suppose.... but, honestly, who here would live in Akron and NOT, from time to time, take the short trek up I-77 or Rt. 8 for certain attractions you just can't find there.  Nobody that I know who lives in or near Akron.  The Sports venues, the Zoo, the theatres, the orchestra, the dining, and other attractions such as RRHOF, GLSC, and CMA to name a few.  Akron's equivalents just don't compare, although its art museam is nothing to thumb the nose at.  It's not a knock... just reality.

 

I would never say that NYC or Chicago don't draw me on any level.  I love the fact that those two great cities are so close and I try to go to each at least once a year.  If they were 30 minutes away, I would be there every weekend I'm sure.  Not comparing Cleveland to either NYC or Chicago, but I'm just trying to wrap my mind around the thought of how (outside of personal animosity) I could possibly live in Akron and not take advantage of Cleveland's offerings.

Though I think a continuing question is do Clevelanders really really feel connected to Akron?  Macedonia suburbs/CSA bull-ish aside, is there really an acknoweldgement of Akron as a part of the "Cleveland area" or is it "that place south on I-77?"  How well do Clevelanders know Highland Square, Portage Path, etc?

 

I am born and raised in Cleveland my whole and I hardly know of thing about Akron.  Even after all these cities trips I have done with Ink throughout Ohio I almost never got to Akron.  I only started learning about Akron last year.  I think Clevelanders such don't pay much attention to Akron and almost everything you would want to check out like neighborhoods, museums, restaurants; Cleveland already has.

But still, Akron has its unique elements and funky neighborhoods as well.  It's understandable for Akronites to have hometown pride and "keep it local."  I agree with the logic that "why would we go to Akron when we have it in Cleveland!" but I also see the logic of the Akronites posting "I almost never go to Cleveland...we have it here in Akron!"  Aside from media and professional sports, Akron really does have the "basics" when it comes to midsized metropolitan areas.  Apparently, even an Apple Store.

But still, Akron has its unique elements and funky neighborhoods as well. It's understandable for Akronites to have hometown pride and "keep it local." I agree with the logic that "why would we go to Akron when we have it in Cleveland!" but I also see the logic of the Akronites posting "I almost never go to Cleveland...we have it here in Akron!" Aside from media and professional sports, Akron really does have the "basics" when it comes to midsized metropolitan areas. Apparently, even an Apple Store.

 

and in the same vein, I know people in jersey who can see NYC from their apartments but never go.

Oh, definately.  Newark certainly is in the same category as Akron (albeit a much larger scale).  They even have professional sports teams yet are STILL overshadowed by New York.

The Apple Store is on it's way....

 

But yes Akron has a lot of amenities, some from good planning and some left over from the boom years in the early part of the century. The downtown revitalizations and Lock parks are coming along nicely. So is the integration of the UA campus into downtown. I agree with C17 on his rings theory, if I am hungry I am not driving 45 minutes to get a burger at Swensons but I would do it to go to a muesem, zoo or ball game.I have cousins in Y-town who drive to Crocker Park/Legacy village to go shopping.

But still, Akron has its unique elements and funky neighborhoods as well.  It's understandable for Akronites to have hometown pride and "keep it local."  I agree with the logic that "why would we go to Akron when we have it in Cleveland!" but I also see the logic of the Akronites posting "I almost never go to Cleveland...we have it here in Akron!"  Aside from media and professional sports, Akron really does have the "basics" when it comes to midsized metropolitan areas.  Apparently, even an Apple Store.

 

The 'basics' perhaps.... but 'basics' are not going to make me drive 30 minutes.  I have all the 'basics' on the eastside of Cleveland and I don't venture elsewhere to find them.  The question as I see it is, does Akron have anything 'comparable' to Playhouse Square, Severance Hall, the Zoo, GLSC, the sports venues you already mentioned, etc?  If those particular attractions were not in Cleveland, but rather 30 minutes south, you better believe I would be making the trip.  On the other hand, and not meant in anyway to demean, Akron has very little by way of attractions which will cause me to drive 30 minutes that Cleveland does not.  I will say that Cleveland has nothing like 'May Day' (does that still happen every year?), but I grew out of that type of scene a while back.

 

I don't believe that anyone is arguing that people from Akron need to come here to eat at Applebee's, shop at Radio Shack or go to a bar.  I certainly don't go to Parma to find those things (well.... I don't go to Parma period).

While I generally agree, I think the implication that Akron relies on Cleveland as some sort of tourist weekend getaway is kind of presumptuous as well.  I'm sure some Akronites do but for the most part, how often does one really go to a museum, a zoo, or a symphony (unless you're dedicated in that sort of field)?  I'd imagine Akronites would partake in their own art museum, zoo, or other area attractions than to go to Cleveland (not to say they don't go to the CMA or RRHofF and vice versa for Clevelanders to go to Akron's Art Museum or the Akron Zoo).  And that's what I mean, "the basics."  I know you weren't trying to say Akron folks need to go to Cleveland for Hungry Howie's.

I don't think that there is any implication that "Akron relies on Cleveland as some sort of tourist weekend getaway".... I don't think ANYONE relies on Cleveland, or any other major Ohio city, as a tourist weekend getaway.  I was simply responding to the notion that Cleveland has nothing to offer for Akronites.  On the contrary, Cleveland has plenty of attractions that Akron simply does not..... the type of attractions that would cause you commit a 1 hour round trip in the car.

 

Also, the point is that, unlike say someone from Dayton or Cincinnati, a trip to Cleveland for someone from Akron is just a hop, skip and a jump.  You certainly don't need to commit an entire weekend.... you just need a few hours.  For someone from Akron to go enjoy an afternoon in downtown Cleveland, they would probably have to commit only an additoinal 30 minutes of their day compared to the time I would have to commit.

Sure, but I suppose how often is it the case for Clevelanders to take that 30 minutes south on I-77 to Akron?  Akron has unique attractions as well (Akron Art Museum, Goodyear World of Rubber Museum, Stan Hywet) but how often do Clevelanders go there?  What I'm getting at is reciprocation.  Do Akronites travel to Cleveland's unique attractions as much as Clevelanders visiting Akron's unique attractions?  This supposed divide may have something to do with perspective if anything else.

I don't think that there is any implication that "Akron relies on Cleveland as some sort of tourist weekend getaway".... I don't think ANYONE relies on Cleveland, or any other major Ohio city, as a tourist weekend getaway.  I was simply responding to the notion that Cleveland has nothing to offer for Akronites.  On the contrary, Cleveland has plenty of attractions that Akron simply does not..... the type of attractions that would cause you commit a 1 hour round trip in the car.

 

Also, the point is that, unlike say someone from Dayton or Cincinnati, a trip to Cleveland for someone from Akron is just a hop, skip and a jump.  You certainly don't need to commit an entire weekend.... you just need a few hours.  For someone from Akron to go enjoy an afternoon in downtown Cleveland, they would probably have to commit only an additoinal 30 minutes of their day compared to the time I would have to commit.

 

I don't think anyone was saying that.  If I lived in Akron, and could drive, I would probably visit Cleveland a couple times a year.  But, from what I've observed, I think there is a psychological divide that makes a trip to Cleveland from Akron feel more like a journey, and less like a quick trip in the car to the store.

Nobody ever said that it was like a quick trip to the store.  The part you bolded was in response to JamesMatthews' post.  Go back and read that.  I suppose it was just his personal opinion, but I would think/hope that is not the general opinion among Akronites - i.e. that Cleveland has no drawing power.

 

CDM, I am not sure how many people actually have an interest in going to a rubber museam, but I am sure some Clevelanders do make that trip.  The art museam, once again, Clevelanders would go to if they truly loved art and I'm sure many visitors are from Cleveland.  However, would anyone legitimately argue that CMA is not far superior?  Especially considering it is free and the tours it gets, I would think it is a far bigger draw.  Frankly, I would be shocked if the flow of 'tourist' (or whatever you want to call it) traffic is equal.... but I also think that the discrepancy is perfectly justified.  You wouldn't argue that more Chicagoans actually do or should travel to Milwaukee than the other way around?

don't forget about lake erie.  I know tons of people that drive up from ytown/warren and can/akr to go fishing, beaches, etc.... No where south of here can compete w/our lake.  When me and my friends lived in akron we probably drove to downtown cle to party as much, if not more, than to downtown akron. 

I purposefully did not mention the lake because, frankly, Cleveland unfortunately does not have a draw for the lake the way places like the Geneva and Sandusky areas do.  When Akronites plan a trip to Lake Erie, I highly doubt Edgewater or North Coast Harbor is what they have their eye on.  Hopefully we will do something about that eventually.  It is an asset we have that is drastically underutilized.

Forget unique attractions....how many Clevelanders (including those who live in the suburbs) travel to Akron for work (daily) or business (often) and visa versa.  My God it is 40 minutes from Public Square to downtown Akron.  I personally traveled to Akron for court 4-5 times a month and additional times for depositions and client meetings. There is no divide.

Nobody ever said that it was like a quick trip to the store. The part you bolded was in response to JamesMatthews' post. Go back and read that. I suppose it was just his personal opinion, but I would think/hope that is not the general opinion among Akronites - i.e. that Cleveland has no drawing power.

 

CDM, I am not sure how many people actually have an interest in going to a rubber museam, but I am sure some Clevelanders do make that trip. The art museam, once again, Clevelanders would go to if they truly loved art and I'm sure many visitors are from Cleveland. However, would anyone legitimately argue that CMA is not far superior? Especially considering it is free and the tours it gets, I would think it is a far bigger draw. Frankly, I would be shocked if the flow of 'tourist' (or whatever you want to call it) traffic is equal.... but I also think that the discrepancy is perfectly justified. You wouldn't argue that more Chicagoans actually do or should travel to Milwaukee than the other way around?

 

But if the setting of this thread is since Akron is only 30 minutes from Cleveland (Chicago is 90 minutes from Milwaukee), there should be more interaction, or in other words "it's down the street."  The CMA is without question superior to Akron's but that isn't to say Akronites don't/shouldn't appreciate their own art museum instead of saying "screw this, we're going to Cleveland's!"

...though I'd be interested in hearing more from Akronites...

 

But if the setting of this thread is since Akron is only 30 minutes from Cleveland (Chicago is 90 minutes from Milwaukee), there should be more interaction, or in other words "it's down the street."  The CMA is without question superior to Akron's but that isn't to say Akronites don't/shouldn't appreciate their own art museum instead of saying "screw this, we're going to Cleveland's!"

 

I never said there should be more interaction.  I think we are debating the actual levels of interaction, not what those levels should be.  And nobody is suggesting that Akronites should look at their museam and say "screw this, we're going to Clevleand's."  I just think that more Akronites would be more inclined to visit both than Clevelanders.

 

Suppose you have two individuals who LOVE roller-coasters.  One lives in Sandusky and the other lives in Cincinnati.  I think that common sense could lead to the conclusion that it is perfectly possible that while the individual from Cincy will visit both King's Island AND Cedar Point each summer, the individual from Sandusky will go to CP each summer and may never visit KI one time in his/her lifetime.   

 

But see, there's the trick.  Not many from Cincinnati actually DO visit Cedar Point each summer by any means (nor Dayton) simply because of road access and it's too damn far!  Kings Island is the "summer park" for Cincinnati while Cedar Point is in "some far flung land near the Lake."  While I'm sure the "summer park" for Cleveland (and Detroit) is Cedar Point, some probably only go to Kings Island once every five years (more Detroiters than Clevelanders due to access/I-75).  I'm sure some Cincinnatians (aside from die-hard coaster junkies) visit Cedar Point once every five years but it's all about access. 

 

And in comes perspective (which I suppose that's what this thread is really about).  The levels of interaction clearly rely on distance.  It is logical that someone in Barberton may not know a damn thing about Cleveland versus somebody in Richfield.  Somebody alluded to perspective distance (meaning, 35 miles is a "long time" to most people in that area) which is probably the reason why there is a "divide" to begin with.  For a classic example, look at Baltimore and Washington. 

The point IN GENERAL IS DUMB.  Arguing 77 miles versus 60 miles of continuous urbanity and saying "gee, Cincy to Springfield is far!  But Cleveland to Canton is okay!  Then to interject Sandusky, Youngstown, Wooster, and Mansfield into this "mega-NEO region" is JUST AS SILLY as me putting a 80 miles radius around Dayton and including Van Wert.  It's only 60 miles!"  It's ridiculous.  Sprawl is sprawl, no matter how far-flung it is.

 

The reply was saying it was dumb to include Dayton with Cincinnati while Canton is not included with Cleveland.  The original point was valid, albeit off topic.  Your reply just made no sense.  I was simply pointing that out with my own non-sensical reply.

 

Back to our regularly scheduled thread...

The point IN GENERAL IS DUMB. Arguing 77 miles versus 60 miles of continuous urbanity and saying "gee, Cincy to Springfield is far! But Cleveland to Canton is okay! Then to interject Sandusky, Youngstown, Wooster, and Mansfield into this "mega-NEO region" is JUST AS SILLY as me putting a 80 miles radius around Dayton and including Van Wert. It's only 60 miles!" It's ridiculous. Sprawl is sprawl, no matter how far-flung it is.

 

The reply was saying it was dumb to include Dayton with Cincinnati while Canton is not included with Cleveland. The original point was valid, albeit off topic. Your reply just made no sense. I was simply pointing that out with my own non-sensical reply.

 

No.

 

While I personally don't sense a rivalry, I find it funny that Cincy and Dayton, which are still metro areas miles apart from each other and with more separate identities than CAK and CLE, may end up one huge metro area in this Census, Ohio's biggest (which folks down there are rooting for) while the much larger Canton, Akron, Cleveland area, which is a continuous 60 miles from downtown to downtown, likely won't be counted as one metro...... and nobody seems to care. Another case of NEO taking the backseat...

 

...is the reason why I brought out the stats and why it made perfect sense for correction.  NOW we may go...

 

Back to our regularly scheduled thread...

Here is another take that I don't think is off topic.  CWRU has one of the top biomedical engineering program in the nation. U of A has one of if not the top polymer engineering program in the nation and CWRU is no slouch in materials science either.  Kent state has an excellent chemistry department and the Liquid Crystals Institute or whatever it is called is a premier research and development institute in its field.  CSU has an emerging physics department and CWRU is good in this area as well. 

 

Toss in NASA Glenn and why don't we bring in some subtantial NSF money with some sort of joint reseach consortium a la Research Triangle?

 

Parochialism?

I'm sure there's some cross-flow for both cities' cultural institutions.  FWIW, I think that Stan Hywet Hall is a fairly popular place to visit among Clevelanders... for what it is.  There are only so many people out there who like to visit gardens.

 

On the other hand, I know tons of Akronites who come to Cleveland for the entertainment venues- especially to see shows.  Not saying that there's nowhere in Akron to see a band (far from it,) but I'm always surprised at the number of people from near Akron that I meet at shows up in Cleveland.  Of course, lots of Clevelanders go to Blossom, too.

I grew-up in the Akron area and went to college at KSU, then CSU and worked for 5+ yrs in the Cleveland area.  I think there is a divide, but not an apparent dislike between the two.  I feel the reasons are: 1) distance- each city has a lot to offer, so residents are less likely to make the trek from one to the other.  and 2) Akron and Cleveland are culturally very different despite their proximity.  Akron has a strong West Virginia influence, while Cleveland has a stronger Eastern European influence and has a much larger African American population.  I feel that this cultural divide is significant, especially for metros that are right next to each other.

I don't think anyone was saying that. If I lived in Akron, and could drive, I would probably visit Cleveland a couple times a year. But, from what I've observed, I think there is a psychological divide that makes a trip to Cleveland from Akron feel more like a journey, and less like a quick trip in the car to the store.

 

I disagree.  I think it's even more blurred when you go from a suburb of Cleveland to a suburb of Akron, which many suburbanites do regularly.  I know people from Twinsburg, Macedonia, and Hudson.  All of them considered themselves Clevelanders because that's where they came from and most of them still worked in the Cleveland area.  However, I know others here have known people from these suburbs that consider themselves Akronites.  I'm sure there are some that consider themselves both or neither.

 

I go to Akron or the Akron area a fair amount.  Being from the east side, I head over to 271 and down Route 8.  It doesn't take me very long and surely doesn't feel like a journey.  My company flies everyone out of CAK when they are sent out of town (yes, they are cheapskates).  Of course there is going to be SOME divide between Cleveland and Akron, they are two distinct urban centers.  But there is also SOME divide between any two urban centers.  There's even a divide at some level between Ohio City and the CBD.  There's a divide between my yard and my neighbor's.

 

In other words, I think this argument about "whether there is a divide or not" is insane.  Of course there's a divide.  The question is how much.  That is subjective and we don't have a scale to measure it, which means this argument is subjective and will go nowhere.

 

And, yes, I'm SUPER CRANKY today!

Here is another take that I don't think is off topic. CWRU has one of the top biomedical engineering program in the nation. U of A has one of if not the top polymer engineering program in the nation and CWRU is no slouch in materials science either. Kent state has an excellent chemistry department and the Liquid Crystals Institute or whatever it is called is a premier research and development institute in its field. CSU has an emerging physics department and CWRU is good in this area as well.

 

Toss in NASA Glenn and why don't we bring in some subtantial NSF money with some sort of joint reseach consortium a la Research Triangle?

 

Parochialism?

 

There already is quite a bit of collaboration.  The Research Triangle is mostly a lot of good advertising, in my opinion (as someone in a scientific field.)

In other words, I think this argument about "whether there is a divide or not" is insane. Of course there's a divide. The question is how much. That is subjective and we don't have a scale to measure it, which means this argument is subjective and will go nowhere.

 

And, yes, I'm SUPER CRANKY today!

 

Most arguments are subjective.  That's what causes discussion.

(aside from die-hard coaster junkies)

 

KEY WORDS.  Re-read my post.  I wasn't saying that CP is better than KI overall or that its overall draw of attendees from the other half of the state is greater (although I would suspect that to be the case).  But CP clearly has superior roller coasters.  Therefore, the flow of 'die-hard coaster junkies' will be disproportionate.  I'm sure that KI is a great time, but there is only one roller coaster capital and it draws visitors from all over the globe, including any die-hards who may live in Cincy.

 

Same thing applies here, Cleveland may not be a better City to live in than Akron, but it clearly has superior attractions for visitors.  Therefore, the flow of Akron residents visiting Cleveland is disproportionate (no proof beyond common sense and logic) to tje flow of Cleveland residents visiting Akron for the purpose of visiting each respective city's attractions.  Would you dispute that?

 

Now, don't go trying to twist it into some suggestion that Akron has nothing to offer, or that Akronites should foresake their own attractions.  The point is rather simple and obvious - Akronites are more familiar with and frequent Cleveland's attractions more than Clevelanders are familiar with and frequent Akron's attractions. 

(aside from die-hard coaster junkies)

 

KEY WORDS. Re-read my post. I wasn't saying that CP is better than KI overall or that its overall draw of attendees from the other half of the state is greater (although I would suspect that to be the case). But CP clearly has superior roller coasters. Therefore, the flow of 'die-hard coaster junkies' will be disproportionate. I'm sure that KI is a great time, but there is only one roller coaster capital and it draws visitors from all over the globe, let alone any die-hards who may live in Cincy.

 

Ah, but if you're a die-hard fan, one would know Kings Island is a VERY famous place for coaster junkies (The Beast alone) as Cedar Point or a Magic Mountain.  And "superior coasters" is about as subjective as saying "New York is the best city in North America."  Kings Island draws visitors from all over the globe as well + is the US' top seasonal amusement park (Cedar Point is 2nd, BGW is 3rd):

 

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201004/1895/

 

And ANY self-respecting coaster junkie would go to BOTH parks (Ohio is rare) every summer, not just one.  I know we're going WAY off topic but this goes to show the whole "perspective" thing in full light.

 

Same thing applies here, Cleveland may not be a better City to live in than Akron, but it clearly has superior attractions for visitors.  Therefore, the flow of Akron residents visiting Cleveland is disproportionate (no proof beyond common sense and logic) to tje flow of Cleveland residents visiting Akron for the purpose of visiting each respective city's attractions.  Would you dispute that?

 

Certainly not, but that does not tie into why Clevelanders perhaps visit Akron less proportionately than Akronites visiting Cleveland.  Of course, I'm relying on word of mouth in this thread, not actual stats.

 

Now, don't go trying to twist it into some suggestion that Akron has nothing to offer, or that Akronites should foresake their own attractions.  The point is rather simple and obvious - Akronites are more familiar with and frequent Cleveland's attractions more than Clevelanders are familiar with and frequent Akron's attractions. 

 

Sure, but if we are talking proportions, there may be the reason why the divide exists in the first place: marketing.  How does Akron market itself to Clevelanders?  Cleveland certainly markets itself well to Akron.

I don't think it comes down to marketing.  I think it comes down to reality.  Cleveland simply has more to offer FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO DRIVE 30 MINUTES TO SEE SOMETHING.  And this goes back to my original point.  There are far, FAR more people that are willing to drive 30 minutes to see one of the 'Big 5'.... or to see a Broadway show on tour.... or to see a professional sports team play.... or to visit the RRHOF, than there are people who are willing to do the same to visit a rubber museam.

 

So, to be clear, I am not saying that Cleveland has superior parks, grocery stores, or chain restaraunts.  It just has more and better stuff that you WON'T find in the other City.  JMO of course, since this is all subjective ;)

I think it does have to do with marketing.  Aside from sly disses about a "rubber museum," Cleveland marketed that "music museum" pretty well, nationally.  It also marketed that "museum with old European paintings and a blown up Rodin" pretty well.  And of course Cleveland has more attractions for folks in "the other City" to go to (that's common sense) but what the underlying trade/divide isn't simple "reality," it's perspective on why Akron has a divide with Cleveland (if it does at all).  Are there ample amounts of Clevelanders that partake in Akron's attractions at all?  Using caps here: I'M NOT SAYING AS MANY CLEVELANDERS SHOULD VISIT AS MANY ATTRACTIONS IN AKRON AS AKRONITES VISITING CLEVELAND.  That's statistically preposterous.  Just saying/seeing how many Clevelanders would take advantage of Akron's attractions or is there some sort of superiority complex (which is what I'm generally getting at).  Judging by this thread, perhaps.

 

Sure, we can sit here and say "Well Cleveland's got it, why do I need to visit Akron?"  That's like a Parisian asking why they should visit Lille.  Answer?  Because Lille isn't Paris.  It's got its own flavor, vibe, culture, and cuisine.

 

But we all know the Paris of Ohio is Toledo, according to Betty White :D

... I feel the reasons are: 1) distance- each city has a lot to offer, so residents are less likely to make the trek from one to the other. and 2) Akron and Cleveland are culturally very different despite their proximity. Akron has a strong West Virginia influence, while Cleveland has a stronger Eastern European influence and has a much larger African American population. I feel that this cultural divide is significant, especially for metros that are right next to each other.

In the 1970s, the University of Akron had a better image than Cleveland State. 

 

From a Cleveland perspective, Akron seems like "just another town out there", like Toledo or Ashtabula.  Cleveland should envy Akron's government.  I think Mayor Plusquellic has accomplished a lot.

 

Good point about the different ethnic make up.  Appalachian music even has a strong presence on WKSU-Kent.  Cleveland has the jazz station, WCPN.

Another perspective:

 

I've always considered Cleveland & Akron close neighbors, each with their own economic center.  Northeast Ohio is Cleveland-centric (which makes sense, obviously).  But there is overlap in the general area; and it appears to be spreading (becoming more regionalized).  For instance, I've noticed that Cleveland's University Hospital has facilities/doctors from Sandusky to Youngstown.  Akron Children's Hospital's facilities/doctors reach from Norwalk & Mansfield to Youngstown.  Even the ClevNET library system overlaps from Fremont (not far from Toledo) to Barberton & Hudson, to Geauga County.

 

To me, it seems like the "divide" is not very prevalent.  And whatever divide there may be is dissolving.

Though I think a continuing question is do Clevelanders really really feel connected to Akron?

 

Here's why there may be resentment.  Because of people like me, whose gut reaction to this question is: "Well, I don't feel connected to Akron, but I think Akron should feel connected to Cleveland."

 

For that basketball player's whole career, I suspected he resented Cleveland - because he went out of his way to say "Akron."  Clevelanders saw him as NEO's, he saw himself as Akron's.  I was very intrigued when a co-worker of mine from Stow would say things like, "So I guess we'll find out soon whether or not Lebron is leaving Akron."

 

I'm 30 years old and have been to Akron about 5 times, and never for anything unrelated to sports.  I consider it a pretty separate city that just happens to be kind of near to Cleveland.  I feel virtually no connection to it, but then again I gravitate north to the lake and east up the coast.  I'm the guy who once asked a guy, because he lived south of I-80, "You're from the south, do you know anything about (something or other)?"

 

People have mentioned that there are plenty of folks who live in Akron but work in a Cleveland (or a suburb) or vice-versa, citing this as evidence of a lack of divide.  Couldn't you argue the other way and say, "Well if you work in one city, why not just move there?"  If it was really one big happy family I actually think there would be less commuting from one to the other, not more.  In a sense, commuting shows a lack of a willingness to really be a part of the city you work in. 

Though I think a continuing question is do Clevelanders really really feel connected to Akron?

 

Here's why there may be resentment. Because of people like me, whose gut reaction to this question is: "Well, I don't feel connected to Akron, but I think Akron should feel connected to Cleveland."

 

For that basketball player's whole career, I suspected he resented Cleveland - because he went out of his way to say "Akron." Clevelanders saw him as NEO's, he saw himself as Akron's. I was very intrigued when a co-worker of mine from Stow would say things like, "So I guess we'll find out soon whether or not Lebron is leaving Akron."

 

I'm 30 years old and have been to Akron about 5 times, and never for anything unrelated to sports. I consider it a pretty separate city that just happens to be kind of near to Cleveland. I feel virtually no connection to it, but then again I gravitate north to the lake and east up the coast. I'm the guy who once asked a guy, because he lived south of I-80, "You're from the south, do you know anything about (something or other)?"

 

People have mentioned that there are plenty of folks who live in Akron but work in a Cleveland (or a suburb) or vice-versa, citing this as evidence of a lack of divide. Couldn't you argue the other way and say, "Well if you work in one city, why not just move there?" If it was really one big happy family I actually think there would be less commuting from one to the other, not more. In a sense, commuting shows a lack of a willingness to really be a part of the city you work in.

 

Good post.

 

In regards to your final point, that may make sense, but if you have a job and own a home near Cleveland, but find a better employment opportunity near Akron, it may not be entirely feasible to simply move closer to your new job.  Especially if you have a significant other and/or children with their own ties to your near-Cleveland community.

Shock, Akron doesn't have big city attractions.  OK, no reason to go visit there then.  Akronites, I believe are totally ok with that.  Cleveland doesn't have the Louvre either.  Pretty sure Clevelanders are ok with that.  I guess it comes down to what would Clevelanders expect to get out of a mid-sized Ohio city experience. 

 

  To me what can be experienced is more in the soft attractions, the livability. Chill, friendly environment, ease of access, low threat of making a wrong turn down an unknown road, close to the CVNP to the north and the Portage Lakes to the south, a variety of scenes- zip strip, highland square, the valley, downtown, portage lakes, and a few others.  Like others have said there are the basics with museums, zoo, and a large arts community.  The towpath goes right through downtown.  The CVSR does as well.  We have lower taxes than Cuyahoga county.  Probably most prices are lower..  I have a friend that goes to Miami frequently and loves coming back to the bars in Akron because he's spending 1/3 the prices on drinks he was paying in Miami.  I'm not saying its a reason to visit Akron because of $3 long island ice tea nights..  Maybe it would be the $3 steak nights...

 

I think people are relatively underwhelmed when they visit downtown because Akron is so spread out with Goodyear way to the east and Firestone/Bridgestone way to the south.  Many people I've talked to that have visited Akron from Cleveland have only been to the west side or Montrose area. 

 

So in all actuality the great divide is right through the middle of Akron.  All the water on the north side flows north through the St. Lawrence to the Atlantic and from the Portage Lakes south flows to the Tuscarawas and the Gulf of Mexico. 

 

 

I hope this isn't off topic, but given all this discussion about Cleveland and Akron, I had a thought.  Wouldn't it be great if we used some the the money set aside to build the rail system connecting the three Cs (and Dayton) to build a commuter rail system connecting the two downtowns of Akron and Cleveland?  Think how this would unite the region. :clap:

I hope this isn't off topic, but given all this discussion about Cleveland and Akron, I had a thought. Wouldn't it be great if we used some the the money set aside to build the rail system connecting the three Cs (and Dayton) to build a commuter rail system connecting the two downtowns of Akron and Cleveland? Think how this would unite the region. :clap:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,11978.0.html

I just now have found time to get back to this thread and see that it swerved way off course.  So now, in order for two areas that are close in proximity (~30 miles from city limit to city limit), and are connected by a a series of suburbs or urbanity to be considered as one larger area, people in each area has to frequently travel to the other area for non-sports related events?

 

A more objective way to look at this is that what's good for the Cleveland mini-area, is good for the Akron mini-area, and what's good for Akron is good for Cleveland, and more importantly, it's all good for NEO, and Ohio (all personal and corporate taxes paid to the state, unlike another metro area discussed)..  An example would be if a company relocates its HQ to Hudson; someone from Cleveland could drive 20-30 minutes for work, and someone from Akron could drive 15-20 minutes to work.  It is a win-win-win for everyone in Cleveland and Akron and NEO.

 

There are THOUSANDS of people that live in Cleveland, but work in Akron, and vice-versa.  Maybe one spouse has a job in Akron, the other has one in Cleveland, should the one that sacrifices for the other (and has to drive farther) be chastised because of it??

 

Any Clevelander or Akronite that hates or dislikes the other is just childish, and is not considering the positive or negative effects that they have on one another.  These "cities" are not 70-80 miles apart, they are not in two or three different states with different sets of ideals that poach of off one another (an airport in SW Ohio comes to mind); they are 30 freaking miles apart with counties border one another and have blurred suburbs.

I can't speak for Akronites, but I don't think that Clevelanders (in general) hate or despise any of our fellow NEO cities.  Well.... maybe there is a little hate for Y-town only because of the divide caused by the Steelers-Browns rivalry.  I think Akron's (or any other NEO city's) achievements and successes are celebrated in Cleveland.  Generally speaking, I would like to think that we view NEO as one unified region.  What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

  Cleveland doesn't have the Louvre either. 

This is funny, but the Cleveland Art Museum is still one of the finest in the nation, as close to a Louvre experience as you'll get in Ohio.

I can't speak for Akronites, but I don't think that Clevelanders (in general) hate or despise any of our fellow NEO cities. Well.... maybe there is a little hate for Y-town only because of the divide caused by the Steelers-Browns rivalry. I think Akron's (or any other NEO city's) achievements and successes are celebrated in Cleveland. Generally speaking, I would like to think that we view NEO as one unified region. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

 

The hatred (competition or rivalry) usually comes from the smaller city.  They are the ones who are jealous and want to prove they are equal to the big kids.  This is the reason for Lebrons comments.  Akron isn't even on the radar for someone from Cleveland, its just a local small town.

 

I've experienced this living in Cincinnati for 40 years.  They so want to be Cleveland!

I hope this isn't off topic, but given all this discussion about Cleveland and Akron, I had a thought. Wouldn't it be great if we used some the the money set aside to build the rail system connecting the three Cs (and Dayton) to build a commuter rail system connecting the two downtowns of Akron and Cleveland? Think how this would unite the region. :clap:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,11978.0.html

 

I will answer your question here:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18328.msg508418.html#msg508418

I grew-up in the Akron area and went to college at KSU, then CSU and worked for 5+ yrs in the Cleveland area.  I think there is a divide, but not an apparent dislike between the two.  I feel the reasons are: 1) distance- each city has a lot to offer, so residents are less likely to make the trek from one to the other.  and 2) Akron and Cleveland are culturally very different despite their proximity.  Akron has a strong West Virginia influence, while Cleveland has a stronger Eastern European influence and has a much larger African American population.  I feel that this cultural divide is significant, especially for metros that are right next to each other.

 

 

Very perceptive, and correct. 

Please stay on topic.

 

 

Thanks!

Clevelander17's post about 3C was moved to the appropriate thread at:

Discuss 3C at:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,18328.0.html

I'll tell you, I never even knew there was the remotest issue between Akron and Cleveland until the Lebron interview.  Or maybe it's like the Steelers/Browns alleged rivalry, where Browns' fans hate the Steelers while the Steelers' fans couldn't care less about the Browns.  Then again, the Steelers don't seem to mind having a violent criminal for a quarterback, so I guess they're just laid back out their in the Pits.

Some people just can't take a hint. DanB has been given some time off for not heeding the mods. Others who are tempted to engage in trollish behavior should take note.

 

I was talking to a co-worker yesterday about Akron and Cleveland. He didnt know why Akron seems to have a ton of construction going on. He asked me if Akron was building to get back the personal identity the city once had back when it was "rubber capitol." He said He goes up to Cleveland 2X/mth to go places but He's bored with it and started asking me if I'd been to pittsburgh.

 

On what he said, I do believe Akron is trying to regroup on a new identity and I think the University is going to have a major play in it.