I don't even know how to respond to that rose-colored diatribe, but one thing you said really sticks out like a sore thumb:

 

When it comes to surrounding states, there's only one I would consider moving to, and actually plan to some day, and that's Pennsylvania.

 

If you love Ohio and Cleveland so much, why on earth are you moving to Pennsylvania? :roll: Actions speak louder than words. I suspect you deep down hate Ohio or at least feel it falls short (BTW, I criticize Ohio's shortcomings, but don't hate it- it's a part of who I am). If you loved Ohio, I don't think you'd leave. You'd figure out a way to make it work. Don't feel guilty about your plans and sing the praises of Ohio on your way out. Do what makes the most sense for your career and quality of life. If Pennsylvania is this place, then by all means move there as fast as you can! Take the risk. I suspect PA is one of the easier transitions for ex-Ohioans.

 

*And I think I have consistently made it pretty clear that Ohio has better urbanism than anything in the south outside small, historic parts of Savannah and New Orleans. And Nebraska is terrible. Lincoln has an OK downtown with wide streets, but that's about it. Cleveland/Cincinnati/Toledo/Columbus all trump it handily (they trump anything in the Great Plains). Charlotte is arguably one of the worst cities in America. Pittsburgh is on a completely different level. My only beef is that Ohio used to have coastal-level urbanity and lost it (and Ohio still has areas of better architecture- I've seen them in Toledo). The south never was on Ohio's level, thus bad competition to be looking at. Ohio cities should be comparing to Portland, Seattle, Baltimore, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Providence, etc., not Charlotte or Atlanta.

 

**And of course the Free Press is going to write about the auto industry since the auto industry is the major wealth creator in that part of the country. To keep attacking a recovering industry is pointless (and Michigan is much bigger than autos- you forgot tourism, cereal, shipping, tech, engineering, furniture, appliances, etc.). Detroit is adding auto jobs now, not losing them. Ditto with Toledo. And since when did Cleveland not compete with Columbus and Cincinnati? They're the same competition as Pittsburgh. Don't crap on the other two C's by leaving them on the sidelines...they're plenty of competition. The biggest competition Ohio cities have is with other Ohio cities, Chicago, and places far away like Denver, Florida, New York, Texas, etc. (Chicago and Denver are the two cities that pulled the most from my high school). The Ohio diaspora is massive and far-reaching. I recommend you read a book called "Someplace Like America." At the very least, it might give you a different perspective...though I suspect you'll get one if you achieve your goal of moving to Pennsylvania.

 

Have a beer and quit being so defensive! :-D

No one said anything bad about Michigan, or gives it the time of day on here, except you.

 

I love Michigan and try to bring it up fairly regularly. I'm a huge supporter of Detroit and hope it succeeds, though it does have more problems than any other urban area in the Untited States right now. The Upper Peninsula has the most beautiful scenery I have ever witnessed. I think it is more important to look at what some cities/states did wrong than it is to look at what others did right. You shouldn't just write off Michigan, though.

^Thank you! :wink:

This part sticks out to me the most... This can't be serious

 

The petition says the city was "wrongfully taken" and asks Obama to issue an executive order that would also require Ohio to pay Michigan $10 trillion in compensatory and punitive damages "for the illegal occupation that has caused the citizens of the State of Michigan to suffer extreme emotional distress in knowing that their brethren were subjugated by the City of Toledo government."

 

Read more: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,28064.0.html#ixzz2H3izcQD4

 

This part sticks out to me the most... This can't be serious

 

The petition says the city was "wrongfully taken" and asks Obama to issue an executive order that would also require Ohio to pay Michigan $10 trillion in compensatory and punitive damages "for the illegal occupation that has caused the citizens of the State of Michigan to suffer extreme emotional distress in knowing that their brethren were subjugated by the City of Toledo government."

 

Read more: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,28064.0.html#ixzz2H3izcQD4

 

 

Honey, I'm going to give you some advice.  You can't argue with crazy - you'll never win.