Job market aside its a great place to live
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6/30/2006
Aside from the job market Toledo is really an easy and affordable place to live. We've got great metroparks,a fantastic zoo and a world class museum with FREE admision. There are many cultural opportunities;The Peristyle, Toledo Opera,Toledo Museum(FREE!!)At least a dozen local theater companies and almost as many local choral and orchestral groups. There is a kids Science museum downtown(COSI) We have the University of Toledo, Medical University of Ohio and Bowling Green State U just 20 minutes away and we're less than an hour from Ann Arbor(really cool place),There is always something to do in Toledo.The people here are the most friendly,polite and easy going folks i've met anywhere. Rents are affordable, the housing is a little soft right now so it's a buyers market. Toledo is an oasis of diversity and tolerance in an otherwise increasingly conservative state. Now the down side...the job market here SUCKS!!!!! The unemployment here is the highest of any region in Ohio(7%).The only real job opportunities are for medical professionals, low wage retail or if you're lucky enough to be in the UAW and have a job at the new Jeep plant. Maybe you're lucky enough to get a job in Ann Arbor. (45 minute commute)The second drawback is Toledo Public Schools. They were doing better for a while but now are going back to the dogs. The surrounding suburbs have much better schools and part of Toledo is in Washington Local S.D.(very good). I've been here for 8 years after living in Va.,NC and NY(Long Island..TOXIC) and I am comfortable here but if the job market doesn't improve I'm going to have to look for greener pastures.
Stephen | Toledo, OH