Uncle Rando, if what I said constitutes a cheap shot, you are one extremely sensitive individual. Believe me, I don't give out subtle cheap shots and I haven't to this point. By the way, developing a thick skin to criticism is another thing that's learned by building a career, and it will be one of your most valued assets ;-)

 

No one gave you any disrespect - we may have tried to explain that you have a less-than-realistic concept of how developing a career works. We may have expressed disagreement to your claim that creative people have little hope in Ohio. But no one here has made any kind of personal insults or taken cheap shots at you. Hell, no one has suggested that you're wrong and that we DON'T need serious change in our State so why you're taking offense is beyond me.

 

I simply get a chuckle any time someone suggests that creative (and graphic design is about as artsy creative as it gets) careers can't be had here. In fact, I have quite a few anecdotes about other designers my age who have gone to places like NYC, Chicago, Portland, etc. (all considered greener pastures by many) and they're either moving back or going into a field that they don't like just so they can pay their bills. I'm the only one of us who has thus far stayed in the field, obtaining progressively more rewarding positions over the past 13 years. So when someone comes along with a claim that the creative class jobs aren't here, I take exception and I explain why. How that becomes an out-of-context cheap shot at you is something I don't understand.

....Loyalty to my hometown (born off of W. 25th St. back in '84)....

 

After reading this if feel sooooooooooooooooooooo old! :-(  I graduated from High School in '84

Agree with Vulpster.  Ohio needs to "advertise" what it does do well.  Ohio will never again have an  industrial/manufacturing sector like it once did, but it currently is perhaps the premier states when it comes to health care.  With the Cleveland Clinic, Case/University Hospitals, OSU medical center, University Hosp./Christ in Cincinnati Ohio has quite a powerhouse of well respected highly ranked teaching hospitals in the I-71 corridor alone.  Dayton, Akron, and Toledo also have respected health care facilities.  In fact with Children's Hospital Cincinnati and Rainbow Baby and Childrens in Cleveland, Ohio has 2 of the top 5 pediatric hospitals in the whole damn country (this point can be argued, 2 of the top 10 for sure). 

 

Why isn't this being marketed.  New/existing medical/health care companies should be scratching at the door to get into OH, where patients are plentiful and the facilities and staff are 2nd to none.  The hopsitals I previously mentioned are huge research institutions. Is there any concerted effort by OH to try and recruit/market specifically to these companies?  Any specific tax breaks?  I know Taft was pushing some type of "2nd frontier" inititiative at some point. As the population of the US ages, gets sicker, these are the industries that will take off.  These are also the industries that pay very well.  New medical students, residents, doctors, nurses, technicians, are all training in OH because degrees and training at these institutions are prestigious and help to label you as at the "top of your field", and in order to keep these people in OH new businesses/research/industries should be heavily supported by the state.  California is the IT state, Texas is the oil state, there is no reason OH should not be the f--king "Medical State", how easy would it be to market OH as the "Heart (and kidney, and brain, and liver, etc.) of it all".  This would also go a long way from changing the image of OH as the dilapidated rust-belt poster child.  Hell, maybe it would even become "trendy" to live in the OH.  I think sometimes that OH's population/politicians lament the way things were, try to scrap to keep the industry jobs from leaving, and don't realize the potential for things that are right under their nose.  What would be a better expenditure, spending $100 million to keep 1,000 industry jobs or spending $100 million to gain/create 10,000 new medical/medicoengineering/bio jobs. 

 

PS:  I have a degree in Marketing geniousship.  ;)

 

*I agree with Vulpster from the last post on the 1st page, that is.

If the image doesn't reflect reality, though, there's a big credibility problem.

 

Image alone sustains many other cities. Other cities aren't all cracked up to be what they are, but people have a postive image/perception of these places before they visit, and they see what they want to. Much like the situation in Ohio where people have a negative image/perception and see what they want to. For instance, how does the fact that bums and parking go without much notice or given much importance by visitors in other cities, but people rant about the situation in Ohio cities?

 

For example, many 20 and 30 somethings want to live somewhere they don't need a car.

 

I know what you are saying, but I don't personally buy it. I don't think for MANY people this is PRIORITY; even younger people. A preference perhaps, but not a priority. There are a lot of people in this age group attracted to Floridia, Carolinas, Texas, Arizona, Georgia, California, etc. that aren't very public transit oriented. 

 

How realistic is it for them to move to a city in Ohio?  Urban retail, especially mainstream consumer goods, is virtually nonexistent in Ohio cities compared to other places.  What good is it to live in town in a funky neighborhood if you still have to drive (or take the bus) 10 miles to buy towels or underwear?

 

True, retail has not rebounded in the city like the restaurants and bars have. But, I think we can all agree that the situation is likely to change very soon with some promising big developments on the horizon. Even with the lack of retail downtown, it takes virtually not a single Greater Clevelander more than fifteen minutes to reach what the arguably "need" by car. Steelyard Commons will help the situation I guess, but you were very depressed with this development on the forum. Also, it takes virtually not a single Greater Clevelander more than forty minutes to reach what they may arguably "want" at Saks, Nordstroms, Brooks Brothers, J.Crew, Banana Republic, Bose, Apple, Coach, H&M, Crate and Barrel, Urban Outfitters, Guess, etc. All of our flagship shopping centers and neighborhoods like downtown, Larchmere, Ohio City, Coventry, Shaker Square, Cedar Fairmount, Cedar Lee, Tremont, Little Italy, etc. contain some unique shops with higher quality goods. Next to Chicago, I think Cleveland could be the best in the midwest when it comes to more exclusive brands/goods.

 

True, in Cleveland, there are a few truly liveable urban neighborhoods.  They are very few, and far between, though, compared to the cities that are truly thriving right now.

 

Cleveland might have the highest "downtown" population growth rate in the midwest and the fourth highest in the country. The Warehouse District, E.4th, and the Flats are thriving with new people and new restaurants/bars/neighborhood amenities are openning up all the time. In addition to downtown, University Circle, Ohio City, Tremont, Detroit-Shoreway, Fairfax, and St.Clair Superior are thriving and up-and-coming. Edgewater, Shaker Square, Coventry, Cedar-Fairmount, Little Italy, Cedar-Lee, Kamm's Corners, Madison Village, Detroit-Warren, and West End continue to remain good/stable neighborhoods.  Several others like Glenville and others - most notably in Midtown - are excellent speculative neighborhoods at this point considering future tangible developments. This list is not insignificant.

 

I will say, though, that every time I come back home, my first reaction is, "Where are all the people at?".  Even when I'm downtown or in the WHD or Lakewood, it always feels dead. That's a strong impression to overcome, and speaks louder than any PR campaign could.

 

We aren't a "touristy" city, although tourism is growing in Cleveland, particularly international and medical. Take the tourists and visitors out of D.C., NYC, LA, Miami and Chicago and you won't be left with a whole lot of vibrancy. Honestly, considering the relatively small fraction of our own population that supports our numerous attractive urban neighborhoods/districts, I think Cleveland has done a fantastic job. Only promotion will bring a greater segment of the populaiton and out-of-town visitors to add to the vibrancy of our attractive urban neighborhoods/districts. But on the other hand tourism is kind of bad, which makes me have a problem with all of these vibrant urban places, because the chains still infilitrate. In Cleveland you still have authentic and unique places dominating the coolest urban neighborhoods.

 

As I've stated time and again, the State of Ohio only recognizes one way of life, and that is Suburban Nuclear Family.  What about those of us who aren't part of, or don't want to be part of, that culture?

 

You have to KNOW where to look and it isn't hard!!! Sure there are suburban/rural families, but there are also plenty of places where families, young professionals, artists, gays, foreigners, students, musicians and writers live too! AND in URBAN Ohio! - That's what this site is about if you didn't catch that already. Politically Ohio is very diverse also. The whole red state thing is really a fabrication of the media. When comparing state by state, no state is really that far off from the other in terms of political tendancies and opinions on a wide range of topics - my flaming liberal professor in my Public Opinion and Behavior poli sci class says so and I saw good extensive data first hand.

 

I can say first-hand that I didn't move to DC because of a billboard or a commercial on TV or an ad in a magazine. 

 

You can't keep doing the same things and expect life to improve just because you promote it differently. 

 

We already have so much to offer in Ohio, but people don't know it. I'm not just talking about magazine adds or billboards. "Believe in Cleveland" is/was kind of a superfulous campagin. When I say things like marketing, promotion, or getting the message across, I'm talking about developing a thorough and comprehensive strategy to target Ohio corporations and college graduates, and out-of-state corporations and graduates to seriously consider Ohio and show them they should and can make it work here.

 

What do you want me to know that I'm not understanding? 

 

I think part of the problem, as aptly illustrated on this thread, is that everyone who doesn't think the same way as everyone else in Cleveland--something is wrong with that person.  They're stupid.  They're elitist.  They don't get it. 

 

Enlighten me.  And remember--it's people like me you're trying to retain and attract.  Knocking people with different perspectives doesn't make you, or your city, endearing.  So let's hear what ya got to say....

 

First of all, it is apparent that not everyone on this forum or even this thread thinks the same way. The problem with your perspective is indeed exactly and unashamedly what we need to change. Your perspective is one of Cleveland with little opportunity. That is certainly a dangerous perspective, and it is that perspective- your perspective - that is the most common and typical perception of Ohioans. This thread was started by article that says 32,000 people leave Ohio per year, and we can speculate how many more people would like to leave too. Your perspective can't possibly be more mainstream. Not just Ohio, but the country's. It is like you are waiting to hop on the bandwagon until you can follow other people who are moving to Cleveland, telling you its cool. 

I don't understand how marketing is the answer. Whats the point in marketing a shitty product? Cincinnati was ranked number 1 by Forbes in night life but look at the liquor license situation wtih fountain square right now because of our population loss. It's embarassing. Im a firm believer in the trickle-up effect. I think word of mouth and a strong economy are way more influencial.

 

Sure Ohio cities have a lot to offer...but frankly...so does just about every other city of the same size. Young and creative people tend to go to much bigger cities.

No one gave you any disrespect - we may have tried to explain that you have a less-than-realistic concept of how developing a career works. We may have expressed disagreement to your claim that creative people have little hope in Ohio. But no one here has made any kind of personal insults or taken cheap shots at you. Hell, no one has suggested that you're wrong and that we DON'T need serious change in our State so why you're taking offense is beyond me.

 

I'm taking offense because I was immediately bashed by numerous forumers for even suggesting the notion that Ohio isn't very welcoming to the young/creative type.  My comment about possibly being forced out of Ohio, against my will, obviously upset quite a few people.  I WANT to stay here and its not that the young creative type aren't welcome, but rather not embraced as they are other places.  I see it on a regular basis when looking around at available planning jobs.

 

As for your guys' comments:

I don't know how you don't constitute it as a cheap shot...you both immediately insinuated that I said that young people, creative people, and black people are not/not supposed to be in Ohio...in no way shape or form did anything like that come from me, but it does come across as a cheap shot.

 

I'm not at my computer whimpering away at the comments some person is going to type, however I would just like to avoid the ridiculous claims and colorful statements that often come along with a person's disagreement with someone else.

 

I'm not upset, I just get irritated when the first negative Ohio thing I have said in a long time is immediately pounced on and misconstrued to a point where it just gets simply...ridiculous.

I don't understand how marketing is the answer. Whats the point in marketing a shitty product? Cincinnati was ranked number 1 by Forbes in night life but look at the liquor license situation wtih fountain square right now because of our population loss. It's embarassing. Im a firm believer in the trickle-up effect. I think word of mouth and a strong economy are way more influencial.

 

Sure Ohio cities have a lot to offer...but frankly...so does just about every other city of the same size. Young and creative people tend to go to much bigger cities.

 

 

People will not buy what they don't know exist.

If they think cities in Ohio are backwaters then they'll continue to think that until they are enlightened.

That's where marketing comes in.

Market all of Ohio's assests to the world to let people know what is really going on in Ohio.

 

People will not buy what they don't know exist.

 

 

 

^ thank you. that is also my mantra on this topic.

 

on that note i have been seeing some cleveland clinic commercials on cable tv out here in nyc lately. yay!

 

 

Thoughtful response, Vulpster.  I don't have the time to address your points right now, but I will do so later. 

I think word of mouth and a strong economy are way more influencial.

 

Along with a good marketing campaign!

Young and creative people tend to go to much bigger cities.

 

David - this kind of universal statement is way off base.  It drives me crazy when people make over-generalized statements like this - where is the proof?  Is Austin, Texas a much bigger city?  Is Portland, Oregon a much bigger city?  Is the Raleigh/Durham area a much bigger city?  No - and yet all of these places have become hubs of creative job growth.  In my opinion, your unsubstantiated claim clearly illustrates a huge problem of perception versus reality.

 

I think we can all agree that there is a portion of the population (creative or not) that will be attracted to life in a big city.  But there is also a big population of creative thinkers who want to live in small- to mid-sized cities.  These are the markets I believe serve as good comparisons  - especially to columbus or cincy.

I know I'm trying to stop a tidal wave but the word "creative" is being way-overused here and elsewhere in an elitist manner.  The Wright Brothers were pretty damn creative, for example, as were and are millions of other tinkerers working non-"creative" day jobs.  Any one of these people could at any time have a breakthrough and found a company that grows into something big.  Microsoft is in Seattle, for example, because Bill Gates moved back into his parents' house after coming back from Harvard.  It had absolutely nothing to do with the city of Seattle itself, he could have easily started that company down the street from Warren Buffet in Omaha if that was where he had grown up.   

I know I'm trying to stop a tidal wave but the word "creative" is being way-overused here and elsewhere in an elitist manner.  The Wright Brothers were pretty damn creative, for example, as were and are millions of other tinkerers working non-"creative" day jobs.  Any one of these people could at any time have a breakthrough and found a company that grows into something big.  Microsoft is in Seattle, for example, because Bill Gates moved back into his parents' house after coming back from Harvard.  It had absolutely nothing to do with the city of Seattle itself, he could have easily started that company down the street from Warren Buffet in Omaha if that was where he had grown up.   

 

Thats the point.  There are plenty of opportunities, whether they are with an established company or you want to be an Entrepreneur, the problem is....It seems like NOBODY BUT US KNOWS THAT!

You guys sure are passionate about this!

Or consider John D. Rockefeller. His mercantile business was here in Cleveland, and started buying small oil companies. Granted, the big oil fields at the time were in Western Pennsylvania, so Cleveland was close by. But what if Rockefeller happened to live in Youngstown or Rochester? Cleveland could have stayed a small to medium-sized city.

I'm not acting like there isn't a larger talent pool and it's easier to attract talent for specific activities elsewhere, just that people need to understand there's an element of dumb luck that goes into a lot of this.  For example, somehow none of Cincinnati's dozens of breweries grew into a national brand, despite having a brewing tradition equal to St. Louis or Milwaukee. 

^  I didn't understand that either as brewing isn't just a Cincinnati thing.  A good book called "Brewing Beer in the Buckeye State, Volume I"  basically describes that the State of Ohio taxation laws killed all the breweries in the 50s and 60s.  This volume is devoted to only the Eastern part of Ohio.  To give an idea of how big the breweries were, the top 10 list has Schmidt/Carling brewery at 3mil bbl peak. 3 other Cleve breweries at over a half mil barrels peak and several other Akron and Cleveland breweries rounding out the 10 with around 200-300k barrels at peak.

 

"The state's tax structure made it much more difficult to make a profit on any beer brewed in Ohio.  This tax gave another advantage to out of state brewers leaving only 8 breweries in the state when Burkhardt brewing shut down in Akron."  So state policy sucked this industry dry, literally. 

 

On to more the point of why people don't stick around.  Ohio is a big confusing state.  Everything happens here.  Biggest rollercoasters, some of the best fishing and golfing, some of the best hospitals, some of the best football teams, museums, orchestras,etc..  Almost all bands on national tour will stop in Ohio.  Then there's touring Amish country vs. potential debauchery or solitude of the Ohio islands.  Pretty stark contrast there.    Basically if you're bored with Ohio, then you need either a mountain, an ocean, or a really big city to go to.

 

Why do people go to Cali and Florida and other high growth places?  Because they are growing faster than Ohio is.  Success breeds success.  Its also pretty cool being able to go across the nation to a place that wants to employ you and pay you pretty good money.  The governments have a lot to do with what states are growing as much as people's attitudes.  As Ohio slows in pop growth, the feds stop spending money here assuming we are going to have less population.  If the attitude in Ohio is that Ohio's growing faster and things are looking up, then people will absolutely come here as will more Fed money.  The bright side of all this is in Ohio's cities there's plenty of growth potential available. 

 

 

 

If Ohio would lose two of the three C's, or two of them never existed, would the city that was left over be more of a rallying point for the state?  Would people be more drawn to that city?  It would almost certainly be larger, and may be draw the more "creative" "urban type"?

 

>Ohio is a big confusing state.  Everything happens here.  Biggest rollercoasters, some of the best fishing and golfing, some of the best hospitals, some of the best football teams, museums, orchestras,etc..  Almost all bands on national tour will stop in Ohio.  Then there's touring Amish country vs. potential debauchery or solitude of the Ohio islands. 

 

It's interesting to bring up the Amish, because if there was something like the Amish in some other country, American tourists would flock to go see them.  But since they are here, they are not exotic.  The obsession with beaches and tropical climates was inherited from the English, the difference being that here you can drive to those places and still be in the same country.  I remember as a kid the beach was always the goal for so many people's vacations, we only went once.  Personally, I don't get the fascination with beaches or the ocean.  I worked on a boat for half a year, I have seen tons of water and I still don't get it.  At some point in England tropical climates started being associated with paradise and utopias, and that idea has stuck.  Aside from the fact that white people tan (and that's a whole other perplexing cultural matter in itself), it explains why other races of Americans don't go to beaches almost at all.  The tropical colonies were objects of fascination for those stuck in grey England, a place where someone could get a fresh start, and so too are Florida and California in the white American psyche.  And when Castro kicks the bucket, there's no telling what's going to happen, along with the Mexican coasts if that place ever gets its act together.  There will likely be a mad land rush in Cuba in the next five years, with tens of thousands of retirees moving down there in the next ten years.  I scanned the entire Cuban coast on Google Earth a few months ago, it's almost entirely undeveloped.  With the US population growing by 100 million in the next 40 years, there's no way a million won't end up moving down there.

 

 

>Pretty stark contrast there.    Basically if you're bored with Ohio, then you need either a mountain, an ocean, or a really big city to go to.

 

It's like, all these people move to Florida for the beach and year-round golf and all that, but how come so many people down there are so fat?  It's the damn fanny pack capital of the US.  Gainesville?  Pensacola? Jacksonville?  These cities are hideous, University of Florida has a hideous campus.  Gainesville is like Kent with shaggy palm trees.  How many people in LA have both surfed and skied in the same day, as is the cliche?  The fact is only a narrow percentage of people actually take advantage of whatever's nearby on a regular basis.  I lived in Knoxville for four years, the closest city to the Smokies.  People loved the idea that they lived "right by" the mountains, when in fact few went for a hike there more than once a year.  And you couldn't even see the mountains from almost anywhere in the city, there are a few points where you can briefly glimpse them on a clear day, yet the mountains loomed large in people's minds. 

 

I know some guy who bartended for a summer up on Middle Bass Island, he said it was the wildest thing ever.  I love how those islands are still completely unknown outside of Ohio.  And we definitely need a marketing campaign for the Blue Hole.  It doesn't even have a website!     

 

 

 

WTF. What's with you people bashing Kent? God damn that pisses me off.

Kent is my alma mater. It has some incredible programs, some of those being ranked in the top ten nationally in their fields. I spent several wonderful years there and am a better person for it.

 

But even I have to admit that compared to a lot of campuses - as Bette Davis once said, "whatta dump!".

Kent is my alma mater. It has some incredible programs, some of those being ranked in the top ten nationally in their fields. I spent several wonderful years there and am a better person for it.

 

But even I have to admit that compared to a lot of campuses - as Bette Davis once said, "whatta dump!".

 

The Fashion School is amazing.  I took some Fashion-omics courses there back in the day.

I will be graduating from college with a degree in Information Systems in a couple years, and I really would prefer to remain in Ohio. Yet, I know that after I graduate, I will have a very difficult time finding an IS job in northern Ohio. My dad has even said on occasion that he wants to move to the South where he can make a better living. I really wish our state government would do more to try and keep people in the state, so that they aren't forced to move elsewere.

 

Nevertheless, I will likely remain in Ohio. I really do think that we should begin to move away from industry (though not completely), and more towards high tech jobs. It just doesn't seem like creating more industry related jobs is plausible.

Kent is my alma mater. It has some incredible programs, some of those being ranked in the top ten nationally in their fields. I spent several wonderful years there and am a better person for it.

 

But even I have to admit that compared to a lot of campuses - as Bette Davis once said, "whatta dump!".

 

I think the campus has seen better days, but it still isn't to be had for the price of a cheap cocktail, like a salted peanut.

Oh good lord, heteros quoting Bette?!? I'm sure there are rules against such a thing!

Didn't mean to rag too much on Kent, my point is people are much less picky when the mere idea that they're in Florida or California is dancing in their heads.     

Oh good lord, heteros quoting Bette?!? I'm sure there are rules against such a thing!

 

Don't make assumptions.

If Ohio would lose two of the three C's, or two of them never existed, would the city that was left over be more of a rallying point for the state?  Would people be more drawn to that city?  It would almost certainly be larger, and may be draw the more "creative" "urban type"?

 

 

What is the point of this question?  Bait?

If Ohio would lose two of the three C's, or two of them never existed, would the city that was left over be more of a rallying point for the state?  Would people be more drawn to that city?  It would almost certainly be larger, and may be draw the more "creative" "urban type"?

 

 

What is the point of this question?  Bait?

 

I'll take the bait. I don't think it'd make a lick of difference. OK! =)

If Ohio would lose two of the three C's, or two of them never existed, would the city that was left over be more of a rallying point for the state?  Would people be more drawn to that city?  It would almost certainly be larger, and may be draw the more "creative" "urban type"?

 

 

What is the point of this question?  Bait?

 

I'll take the bait. I don't think it'd make a lick of difference. OK! =)

 

actually I do.  Say Cleveland was the only large city in Ohio, similar to GA, WA, OR, LA, UT, CO, AZ, MA, IL, MI are all states with only ONE large city/metropolitan area.  I think there would be a more concentrated effort to make Ohio's one LARGE city that much more attractive.

 

In addition, some cities are also state capitals which help their city

It was not meant as bait, just a question.  Using Cleveland as an example, would the Innnerblet bridge be more apt to have a real chance at becoming an "iconic" structure if Cleveland was Ohio's main city.  I mean it would be hard to justify to a Cincinnatian spending his/her tax money on a "fancy" bridge in a city 250 miles away.  On the other hand, if Cleveland was OH's "main" city a person living in-state 250 miles away may be more likely to look at the city as a subject of Buckeye pride (for no better term).  By the way I've lived in all 3-C metros, and have enjoyed everyone of them.  And I think OH is better off for them.

I will be graduating from college with a degree in Information Systems in a couple years, and I really would prefer to remain in Ohio. Yet, I know that after I graduate, I will have a very difficult time finding an IS job in northern Ohio. My dad has even said on occasion that he wants to move to the South where he can make a better living. I really wish our state government would do more to try and keep people in the state, so that they aren't forced to move elsewere.

 

Nevertheless, I will likely remain in Ohio. I really do think that we should begin to move away from industry (though not completely), and more towards high tech jobs. It just doesn't seem like creating more industry related jobs is plausible.

 

Southerners were always taught that in order to make a better living, you would have to move "up North."  It just seems so odd to me that someone would move "down South" to make a better living.  If what I am experiencing in Ohio is the worst that Ohio can offer, I can only imagine how good it was when the getting was good.  Ohio must have offered a heckuva lot in the first place for it to "have fallen in the shitter" yet still be able to offer so much :wtf:.  I have now been here a little over a year and I have had some very unique experiences and some trying experiences (trying experiences due most in part to the negativity coming from others unable/unwilling to enjoy their home state's amenities/uniqueness).  I would love for Ohio to have an intense and  bustling inner-city culture whereas people were actually regular partakers in Ohio's cultural amenities.  I have expressed my frustration in the past with how people take Ohio and its valuable assets for granted.  Once more, I express the fact that topics such as this makes me puke.  Unfortunately, some Ohioans have come to rely solely on the media to shape their psyche about a truly wonderful state.  Some have done so to the point of absurdity.  The various media outlets have driven this intense skewing of reality.  It's too bad that the same media outlets are unwilling to shift their focus towards balanced and unbiased coverage of Ohio.  The periodic "feel good editorials" are simply not enough.  Ohio's image is tarnished thanks in part to a relentless media and people who are unable/unwilling to make up their own minds.   

actually I do.  Say Cleveland was the only large city in Ohio, similar to GA, WA, OR, LA, UT, CO, AZ, MA, IL, MI are all states with only ONE large city/metropolitan area.  I think there would be a more concentrated effort to make Ohio's one LARGE city that much more attractive.

 

I don't necessarily buy that line of logic.  Have you BEEN to Detroit? 

 

On the other hand, New York State has both the greatest city in the world in New York City, and a classic Rust Belt town in Buffalo.  California's cities vary wildly, from the cartoonish suburban cesspool of Los Angeles to beautiful and thriving San Francisco. 

 

 

I have now been here a little over a year and I have had some very unique experiences and some trying experiences (trying experiences due most in part to the negativity coming from others unable/unwilling to enjoy their home state's amenities/uniqueness). 

 

Nail on the head for me. As a transplant, I can say that the only thing that would drive me (kicking and screaming) from Cleveland is the pervasive attitude that the city is somewhere to escape, rather than somewhere to embrace. It is emotionally exhausting to be constantly having to convince people that are already here of what they have. And everywhere I've been statewide, there seems to be a similar vibe. It's hard to recruit new people to Ohio, when many Ohioans sh*t all over their communities.

 

My suggestion when it comes to marketing? Drag people out of their homes, away from their TVs, and remind them of what they have. Give them a sense of hope and possibility. Expect more of them. I'm a little politically bias, but I sincerely hope that electing a Democratic governor may be a first step in changing the political and economic tone in our state.

 

And when it comes to marketing outside of Ohio, instead of investing tens of millions of dollars on bland blanket campaigns meant to capture huge markets by showing a nuclear family camping, niche market! Sure, there are people who are going to be drawn to New York, LA and even Las Vegas. But people have also been drawn to Minneapolis. Or Anchorage. Or Nashville. Or, in my case, Cleveland. For the previous decade, I had been dead set on moving to DC, but after I got here for grad school, the amenities in Cleveland easily trumped the ones I found in DC ... just in my personal case - don't mean to spark a Cleveland v. DC fight.

 

What we need to do is to talk to the people who move to Ohio, find out why they do, determine the niche they represent (e.g. artists who are being priced out in higher-cost metros and are drawn to the rawness of industrial cities) and then design campaigns that appeal to those niches (and distinct campaigns for each of the major metro areas and even one for rural Ohio). This kind of marketing will require more work and investment but will have substantially higher returns than equating a nuclear white family stargazing with the entire array of amenities that Ohio has to offer.

 

I seriously hope that some of you who have expressed desires to leave after graduation will consider how gratifying it would be to stay and invest in the cities you believe in ... and recognize just how much Ohio has to offer. But if amenities or job markets in other states are more appealing, I for one wish you the best of luck and hope you find a community that feels right for you.

actually I do.  Say Cleveland was the only large city in Ohio, similar to GA, WA, OR, LA, UT, CO, AZ, MA, IL, MI are all states with only ONE large city/metropolitan area.  I think there would be a more concentrated effort to make Ohio's one LARGE city that much more attractive.

 

I don't necessarily buy that line of logic.  Have you BEEN to Detroit? 

 

On the other hand, New York State has both the greatest city in the world in New York City, and a classic Rust Belt town in Buffalo.  California's cities vary wildly, from the cartoonish suburban cesspool of Los Angeles to beautiful and thriving San Francisco. 

 

 

 

Yes, unfortunately, I have been to Detroit, I go twice a month as a matter of fact.  How often do you travel to Detroit? 

 

I left out NY State, TX and California on purpose.  Although TX could be split since North (Dallas) and South (Houston) act as two different states.

Haven't been to the D in a little over a year.  I know it's changing rapidly, but the fact that it is the only major metropolis in the state doesn't stop the city from getting the shaft.

 

Purposely leaving states out of your claim?  Isn't that called "selective manipulation of data"?

Haven't been to the D in a little over a year.  I know it's changing rapidly, but the fact that it is the only major metropolis in the state doesn't stop the city from getting the shaft.

 

Purposely leaving states out of your claim?  Isn't that called "selective manipulation of data"?

 

I included States with ONE large metro city.  I didn't leave anyone out except NY. Not selective, since, NYC & Chicago are cities I try not use in comparisons.  NYC cannot be compared to any city in North America.  I do not like use Chicago as it is too often use as a benchmark here in the midwest and quite frankly I'm sick of everyone trying to say their city should be more like Chicago! 

 

I wasn't sayin Detroit was a good city.  I think its a piece of shit (sorry Pope ), however, I like the fact that many of their residents (on some level) look to Cleveland as a model of improvement that Detroit should emulate.

 

 

While I don't intend to stop anyone's ability to say, "I don't like City X", I do intend to stop the immature language and characterization of cities not becoming of any individuals that are members of UrbanOhio.

 

Example 1: "I don't like Pittsburgh because blah blah blah" (This is Okay)

 

Example 2: "Pittsburgh is a festering shithole full of, insert inflammatory immature language here" (This is not okay)

^ welwellweeeel. interesting you used pittsburgh in your example pontif. hmm, looks like living in clevo has shook some of the detroit out of ya. ha. sorry to interrupt your serious point w/ my not serious observation. carry on.

actually I do.  Say Cleveland was the only large city in Ohio, similar to GA, WA, OR, LA, UT, CO, AZ, MA, IL, MI are all states with only ONE large city/metropolitan area.  I think there would be a more concentrated effort to make Ohio's one LARGE city that much more attractive.

 

I don't necessarily buy that line of logic.  Have you BEEN to Detroit? 

 

On the other hand, New York State has both the greatest city in the world in New York City, and a classic Rust Belt town in Buffalo.  California's cities vary wildly, from the cartoonish suburban cesspool of Los Angeles to beautiful and thriving San Francisco.

 

I was thinking something similar, might we just have had Detroit #2?

I agree with what jmecklenborg and 8ShadesofGray had to say. We have a lot of variety in this state. It's not just a lot of farms, which people are quick to picture when you say "Ohio" even though New York also has large swathes of rural areas. We have everything from the 3 C's to numerous open-minded small college towns, from Amish country to the Lake Erie islands to several quality state parks. There's plenty here to see and do, but you have to drag your ass out of the house and DO something, it's not the state's fault if you don't know how to entertain yourself.

^^ Don't forget a National Park! The only one located in an urban area!

I say Ohio should just be upfront and demand a ransom of $50 billion from canadate X in the 2008 election. Either they pay up federal dollars or we swing the state for the other person. We spread it across five metros..10 billion each..Then we start pickin off corporations from other states, lock them deals that keep them the state for no less than 20 years...problem solved..

 

In all honesty I like Ohio, but if I havent found nothing by time Im outta grad school Im outta here....I sent about 25 resumes in my field throughout Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo..Got called for one interview in Columbus...In contrast I sent 3 resumes to Chicago and got called back for 3 interviews.. It seems like Ohio dosent really want me to stay here.

^^ Don't forget a National Park! The only one located in an urban area!

 

Yes, and yet I've yet to make it there. Such a dull 2 hr drive. If only I could make myself get up early enough to make it worth the effort.

I say Ohio should just be upfront and demand a ransom of $50 billion from canadate X in the 2008 election. Either they pay up federal dollars or we swing the state for the other person. We spread it across five metros..10 billion each..Then we start pickin off corporations from other states, lock them deals that keep them the state for no less than 20 years...problem solved..

 

In all honesty I like Ohio, but if I havent found nothing by time Im outta grad school Im outta here....I sent about 25 resumes in my field throughout Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo..Got called for one interview in Columbus...In contrast I sent 3 resumes to Chicago and got called back for 3 interviews.. It seems like Ohio dosent really want me to stay here.

 

If you can't find a job for whatever field you're in despite trying, it does make it a bit harder to stay, to say the least.

What field are you in? The thing I've noticed in Ohio (and everywhere else) is it helps if you know someone who can give you a heads up. I moved back to NE Ohio last November, and I was getting interviews but no jobs, and I was SUPER frustrated. In March, I got a job coach and he got me started networking, and I was speaking to professionals in Cleveland, Columbus, Washington DC and NYC. I was actually getting called for interviews on jobs I never heard of! Turns out, I got a job in Cleveland that was the very best fit, and it helped that I networked.

 

I just can't believe that there isn't ONE job for you in one of the three C's. Don't give up, just change tactics!

Don't forget a National Park! The only one located in an urban area!

 

I would argue that.  :-)

^^C'mon Dan....I live in the DC area too. We have nothing like Cuyahoga Valley. Shenendoah is the closest thing to it at it's an 1 or 1-1/2 hour drive there on a good day. ;)

While I don't intend to stop anyone's ability to say, "I don't like City X", I do intend to stop the immature language and characterization of cities not becoming of any individuals that are members of UrbanOhio.

 

Example 1: "I don't like Pittsburgh because blah blah blah" (This is Okay)

 

Example 2: "Pittsburgh is a festering shithole full of, insert inflammatory immature language here" (This is not okay)

 

Why is Example 2 not okay to say? We can't speak the truth anymore? ;)

What field are you in? The thing I've noticed in Ohio (and everywhere else) is it helps if you know someone who can give you a heads up. I moved back to NE Ohio last November, and I was getting interviews but no jobs, and I was SUPER frustrated. In March, I got a job coach and he got me started networking, and I was speaking to professionals in Cleveland, Columbus, Washington DC and NYC. I was actually getting called for interviews on jobs I never heard of! Turns out, I got a job in Cleveland that was the very best fit, and it helped that I networked.

 

I just can't believe that there isn't ONE job for you in one of the three C's. Don't give up, just change tactics!

 

My field is in Human Resources/Org. Development, I'm very adament in getting into a job with the city or state..Perferably a city, so I can focus on the development of the cities human capital. Im flexible on where I would live as long it is at least a midsized city with some diversity..The problem with HR is that its hard to get into, let alone getting into government. I just recently got turned down for a low pay HR clerk position in Toledo where the qualifications were a high school dipolma and a pulse. It was posted on a website which I know no one goes to, I find it hard to believe someone with better qualifications knew of this job outside of me. I mean Im no genius but I find it hard for any college grad to not be qualified to email, fax, print, and act as everybodys do-boy.

 

Even though I hate networking, Ive done a little of that and it actually got me my current job...Although the whole concept of networking rubs me the wrong way. Im like listen, just give me a job; I dont want to know about you, your kids, or your hobbies b/c Ive got goals to reach..But I have to act like I care what thier saying outside of getting me a job. I know that sounds harsh but its true..

 

Of the 3'c Ive only tried two so far, Cleveland and Columbus as Im starting from the North and working my way down. Im looking into Dayton and Cincy at the moment. I will say the City of Columbus who did respond was very gracious, even though I wasnt the finalist picked for the HR position. I was told if openings come up in the next two years they would likely give me a call. The people were nice too.