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Oh-hi-Oh
updated: Aug 08, 2012, 4:09 PM

By Pam Boehr

I recently returned from spending 10 days in Ohio. We began in Cincinnati and finished in Columbus. The purpose of our visit was two-fold. . . to visit ancestral sites and to attend a convention.

We tore up the territory.

I noticed very little graffiti and not much litter. The airport for Cincinnati, which is located in Kentucky, is elegant and clean. We spent time seeing some exquisite shopping centers which were beautifully landscaped and impeccably clean. Stores were well-stocked with staff on hand if called upon. People across the board were civil. Few drivers were impolite. I saw one small protest encampment by the Statehouse in Columbus and no panhandlers or down on their luck types in small areas or large ones. Historic homes seem to be cherished.

Do I want to leave Santa Barbara where my part of the family has resided for five generations? Absolutely not. But I enjoyed seeing where generations of my family lived and except for the weather there's a lot I admire about Ohio.

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 305994	2012-08-08 04:29 PM
Two of my sisters live in Cincinnati and I've visited them several times- always during the summer. One brother-in-law managed the clean up crew at the old Riverfront Stadium after football and baseball games and his mostly inner city staff had all of the problems you can imagine from poverty stricken individuals. I remember going on a canoe trip with them and paddling down a river filled with suds and effluent from farms and septic tanks. I refused to swim in the water as it looked nothing like the crystal clear water I am used to from my trips to the Sierras and Oregon Mountains. But my nephews lived in a nice suburb and were able to go to excellent schools and get scholarships to Ohio State and the University of Cincy. Both good and bad, I guess.
COMMENT 306001	2012-08-08 04:40 PM
I lived in Ohio as a youth. The only thing I can say is...."snow". No, thank you.
COMMENT 306010	2012-08-08 04:52 PM
Everything in life is a trade-off. Perhaps having to deal w/ snow but having the opportunity to purchase cheap housing would appeal to some people. Living in Santa Barbara is very expensive, but hey, if it rocks your boat then good luck to you.
COMMENT 306076P	2012-08-08 07:53 PM
I lived in a suburb of Cleveland for 13 years. I did not mind the snow as I am originally from the east coast. I did mind the heat and humidity in the summer and the fact that the sun set in the middle of October and did not come out again until the middle of May. Seven months of gray was depressing. When we moved here, my friends said I was taking 3 really nice kids and ruining their lives. Well, that was 38 years ago and their lives are just fine thanks.
COMMENT 306153	2012-08-09 07:28 AM
I prefer Midwest folks and their friendliness and values, but SB weather is just too seductive. I feel trapped in Paradise.
COMMENT 306189	2012-08-09 08:29 AM
To Oldilocks - It seems there are plenty of Midwesterners here on this post with whom you could strike up a friendship and not feel so trapped in Paradise!
CORKY	2012-08-09 08:42 AM
The weather! Ah, there's the rub.
COMMENT 306259	2012-08-09 10:06 AM
I wish a whole chunk of people would leave Santa Barbara and move to Ohio... or anywhere else. Too many people have moved here. From a native.
COMMENT 306289	2012-08-09 10:47 AM
I grew up here, but moved to Jersey and worked in NYC. I loved Jersey because of the people, they were normal (except for their driving which is worse than Rome). I did not want to return to SB but here is family, both sides. My maternal grandmother was from the region you speak of, and she was glorious! People speak of tropics, we are an Arid land and the colors of the East Coast, and Midwest are native and breathtaking!
EARO65	2012-08-09 11:59 AM
My brother-in-law works at the Cleveland Clinic, and communtes from the suburbs. He buys a new car every year because he does not want to have car problems once he gets off the freeway and has to drive on city streets. He has told us about fellow employees that have not survived after their cars broke-down on the city streets. Perhaps emerald glasses are more commonly sold there, I have never been afraid to drive anywhere in SB, at any time of the day or night.

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