Columbus Ohio

[koonja]

I live and work in Madison, WI. Great city in case you've never been!

But really out of the blue, I got a call for a job in Columbus, and they want to know asap if I would accept. I've never stopped in Ohio (drove through is all), so really know nothing about it other than the population is ~800,000 and the cost of living is comparable to slightly less than Madison, WI.

Offer is for more money with a Fortune top 20 company, so if that's my only decision it's a no brainier, but it's tough to pull the trigger without any idea of what Columbus is like.

Family status: Girlfriend, no kids, and an awesome mini-Australian shepherd dog, lol.

ANY advice would be awesome!

 

[NDBoiler]

Is your girlfriend willing to go with you? If so, I say go for it.

 

[GATTACA!]

If you can put up with OSU fans ohio is a great place to live.

 

[IrishLion]

I have an uncle who lives in Columbus just ten minutes from Ohio Stadium. All of the locals I've met and talked to on my few visits were nice, and the few areas downtown I went to were pretty awesome. The only downside is all the Buckeye fans, but even they tend to be nice people as long as you aren't arguing football lol.

 

[Emcee77]

Ooh, really? Congrats on the job lead, bro!

My wife is from Columbus, and I've spent a lot of time there with her. I'm not from the Midwest myself, but my outsider's opinion has always been that it's a pretty cool town, definitely a much cooler city for people in their 20s (you, I assume?) than most cities that size would be. You've got OSU there, which gives the area a lot of vitality, with all the young people around and what not. There's a decent bar scene, a decent culture scene, no traffic, and property values are reasonable. In addition to OSU sports, you've got the Columbus Blue Jackets, if you are a hockey fan. One disadvantage is that there's not a lot of outdoorsy stuff to do, which you may miss if you are from Wisconsin. Columbus is kind of in the middle of a plain in south central Ohio, a fair drive from any natural wonders, although parts of it are pretty.

Basically, all things considered, if the job offer is good, I would encourage you to take it. Columbus is pretty cool for a mid-size city.

The OSU fans are OBNOXIOUS, it's true, lol, but I guess that's not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.

 

[GBdomer]

I would never leave Madison for Columbus. But congrats on everything Kue! Sounds like a great opportunity but Madison is one of the top cities in the nation IMO.

 

[tko]

Sounds like a no brainer bro.

 

[koonja]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

Madison is REALLY tough to leave. I'm not a Badger fan, but there fans are amazing. Great fun city to live in when you're younger and even older I'm sure. And I really don't like OSU, lol.

Appreciate any and all input.

 

[gkIrish]

I lived there for 3 years up until this August. I'll PM you

 

[GBdomer]

My cousin actually really wants to move to Madison. He could go anywhere in the world but he really wants to move to Madison with his gf. He goes to White Water now.

 

[palinurus]

I was born and grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, 2+ hours NE of Columbus. Been there for the day a number of times, and agree with the comments of the Ohio posters above, ESP. about Buckeye fans. They are really shameless, irrational homers, sort of like Penn State fans, but apart from football tend to be like most Ohioans, which is to say, a pretty decent sort. I'd think the weather would be a bit more temperate than Madison, but there's no Chicago nearby, if you like to go to a really big town sometimes.

 

[Cackalacky]

Dump the girlfriend (she seems to leave you looking at Greg Bryant pics too much anyway). I dont care if you move or take the job.
JK

Dublin is a nice place.

 

[GBdomer]

can we get pics of the girlfriend?

 

[gkIrish]

If you can get past the ignorant sports fans I think Columbus is one of the best places to live, especially as a young professional. And there are plenty of ND alums/fans too.

Personally I wouldn't base a decision like this off of what kind of sports fans the population is anyway, but that's my opinion.

 

[koonja]

Dump the girlfriend (she seems to leave you looking at Greg Bryant pics too much anyway). I dont care if you move or take the job.
JK

Dublin is a nice place.

can we get pics of the girlfriend?

Lol, in the 'post your pic' thread.

 

[Emcee77]

Dump the girlfriend (she seems to leave you looking at Greg Bryant pics too much anyway). I dont care if you move or take the job.
JK

Dublin is a nice place.

Meaning Dublin, OH, an affluent Columbus suburb? ;0)

 

[Classic Irish]

I lived in Columbus for 7 years and really liked it---though dealing with Ohio State fans can be rather unpleasant.

 

[Cackalacky]

Meaning Dublin, OH, an affluent Columbus suburb? ;0)

Right and with the new money you can get a girl who wont leave you hanging.

 

[MNIrishman]

Ooh, really? Congrats on the job lead, bro!

My wife is from Columbus, and I've spent a lot of time there with her. I'm not from the Midwest myself, but my outsider's opinion has always been that it's a pretty cool town, definitely a much cooler city for people in their 20s (you, I assume?) than most cities that size would be. You've got OSU there, which gives the area a lot of vitality, with all the young people around and what not. There's a decent bar scene, a decent culture scene, no traffic, and property values are reasonable. In addition to OSU sports, you've got the Columbus Blue Jackets, if you are a hockey fan. One disadvantage is that there's not a lot of outdoorsy stuff to do, which you may miss if you are from Wisconsin. Columbus is kind of in the middle of a plain in south central Ohio, a fair drive from any natural wonders, although parts of it are pretty.

Basically, all things considered, if the job offer is good, I would encourage you to take it. Columbus is pretty cool for a mid-size city.

The OSU fans are OBNOXIOUS, it's true, lol, but I guess that's not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.

Agree to disagree on the outdoorsy stuff. I grew up in Columbus and after spending the last three years in Minnesota, I'd have to say Ohio kicks the upper Midwest squarely in the balls as far as outdoor activities go. Wayne national forest is less than an hour from the city. Cuyahuga valley national park is less than two hours away. The weather is so much better in the fall and spring it's not even worth discussing. Seriously, I was outside in Dayton this last weekend for long stretches of time in a T-shirt. The only complaint I have about Columbus is the lack of public transit and bike lanes.

 

[Emcee77]

Agree to disagree on the outdoorsy stuff. I grew up in Columbus and after spending the last three years in Minnesota, I'd have to say Ohio kicks the upper Midwest squarely in the balls as far as outdoor activities go. Wayne national forest is less than an hour from the city. Cuyahuga valley national park is less than two hours away. The weather is so much better in the fall and spring it's not even worth discussing. Seriously, I was outside in Dayton this last weekend for long stretches of time in a T-shirt. The only complaint I have about Columbus is the lack of public transit and bike lanes.

Fair enough. I guess it depends how you look at it ... some of my wife's friends do have lovely lake houses within an hour of Columbus.

It's definitely true that the climate is much warmer than in Wisconsin; like, you will be surprised by the difference.

 

[NDohio]

Great city awesome place to live and grow a family. Lots to do for a young single guy. OSU fans are obnoxious but really great people and good midwest values.

Good luck. Sounds like a great opportunity.

 

[koonja]

Great city awesome place to live and grow a family. Lots to do for a young single guy. OSU fans are obnoxious but really great people and good midwest values.

Good luck. Sounds like a great opportunity.

Nice name. Do you have room at the inn? Lol.

 

[rtrn2glory]

cbus is a college town that loves their buckeyes...it's a big city, but not difficult to get around.

you are right smack in the middle of the state roughly two hours from cincy and cleveland and detroit.

i'm not a big city person personally, but if i had to choose a place to live with the "big city" term it would be cbus. fun town with plenty of suburb around to be safe

 

[Irish Insanity]

Take the job. Your young and may not get an opportunity in the future.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

What are the prospects for growth in your current job? Sure a pay raise is always nice but if you are lost in the masses with hundreds of other twenty something's it might not be worth it long term.

 

[ACamp1900]

If you can put up with OSU fans ohio is a great place to live.

Eh, kuehnja is kind of a douchebag anyway, so he'd fit in well....

 

[Irish4Life09]

I live an hour and a half south of Columbus. It's a real cool city, and has a lot of stuff to do other than football. Ex.German village is amazing, #1 zoo in the country, etc.

 

[koonja]

What are the prospects for growth in your current job? Sure a pay raise is always nice but if you are lost in the masses with hundreds of other twenty something's it might not be worth it long term.

It would be the same role (IT - BA) with marginally better pay, but it's a move to a massive company rather than one with ~ 225 employees. I'm planning on accepting because such a large corporation has so many opportunities, but I really, really like Madison. That's really the only thing.

Thanks again everyone. Columbus sounds really awesome.

 

[NDohio]

Nice name. Do you have room at the inn? Lol.

LOL. I moved - but kept the name.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

What questions do you have? Lived within 20mins of downtown my whole life haha. You are in for a shock if you do come down here, you have never experienced anything like Columbus during football season. Nothing like it. Words cant describe it.