Tell me about Akron

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fan_from_texas

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2,693 posts
Jun 4, 2012 8:14 PM
Good place to live? Decent quality of life? School systems? Nice areas for young families? Besu suburbs to live? I'm not familiar with the area and would appreciate some insight. Thanks.
Jun 4, 2012 8:14pm
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wes_mantooth

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Jun 4, 2012 8:17 PM
I always hear that the Green area is nice and has good school systems.
Jun 4, 2012 8:17pm
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Fab4Runner

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6,196 posts
Jun 4, 2012 8:25 PM
I like it here in Mogadore. Nice, friendly small town but also close to the city (and to Canton and Cleveland, as well). I honestly don't know much about the school systems since I never attended school up here but my brother and sister went to three years of HS here and seemed to enjoy it. I also drive through Tallmadge daily, work in Cuyahoga Falls and have spent some time in Fairlawn/Montrose and am a fan of all of them.
Jun 4, 2012 8:25pm
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SportsAndLady

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35,632 posts
Jun 4, 2012 8:34 PM
I've only visited, but I love Akron. That burger joint is ridic. Swansons or something like that.
Jun 4, 2012 8:34pm
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wes_mantooth

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17,977 posts
Jun 4, 2012 8:37 PM
SportsAndLady;1188564 wrote:I've only visited, but I love Akron. That burger joint is ridic. Swansons or something like that.

Swensons.

Try Mr zubs sometime....awesome latenight eat spot close to campus
Jun 4, 2012 8:37pm
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HitsRus

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Jun 4, 2012 8:41 PM
Akron has a lot of good areas...and a few areas that are not so good...just like any city

What are you looking for? rural? suburban? shopping? proximity to something? The great thing about the area is that you are not too far away from anything that you might like to do. Personally, I like living in the country and being only a short drive into the city or the suburbs.
Jun 4, 2012 8:41pm
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mucalum49

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1,639 posts
Jun 4, 2012 8:41 PM
After spending a year at Akron for grad school I grew to really like the city. I'd take a look at Hudson. Very nice suburb with good schools and a nice little downtown area.

And your quality of life, while shortened will be totally worth it to live near Swenson's.
Jun 4, 2012 8:41pm
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KR1245

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4,317 posts
Jun 4, 2012 8:42 PM
Great area to live with plenty of good school systems

I was born and raised in Hudson and I loved it, try to get home as much as I can. I have some family in the Medina/Copley area as well, really like spending time up there

Swensons is awesome, worked at the one in Stow for a little bit
Jun 4, 2012 8:42pm
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KR1245

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4,317 posts
Jun 4, 2012 8:43 PM
Stay away from Ravenna and you'll be alright
Jun 4, 2012 8:43pm
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Fab4Runner

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Jun 4, 2012 8:44 PM
wes_mantooth;1188565 wrote:Swensons.

Try Mr zubs sometime....awesome latenight eat spot close to campus
Mmmm Zub's. Was bomb dot com last week!
Jun 4, 2012 8:44pm
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wes_mantooth

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Jun 4, 2012 8:46 PM
Fab4Runner;1188577 wrote:Mmmm Zub's. Was bomb dot com last week!

Tough to screw up a grilled cheese....smh

Their mac n cheese....and bacon sandwich is the "bomb dot com"
Jun 4, 2012 8:46pm
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Fab4Runner

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6,196 posts
Jun 4, 2012 8:49 PM
wes_mantooth;1188578 wrote:Tough to screw up a grilled cheese....smh

Their mac n cheese....and bacon sandwich is the "bomb dot com"
Quit hating! And I had a bite of that sandwich, dummy. It was good but is no Lisa Simpson.
Jun 4, 2012 8:49pm
F

fan_from_texas

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2,693 posts
Jun 4, 2012 8:51 PM
HitsRus;1188569 wrote:Akron has a lot of good areas...and a few areas that are not so good...just like any city

What are you looking for? rural? suburban? shopping? proximity to something? The great thing about the area is that you are not too far away from anything that you might like to do. Personally, I like living in the country and being only a short drive into the city or the suburbs.

Was contacted by a potential employer and am generally trying to get a sense of whether the city is a good place to raise a family. We'd like to live in the suburbs--looking for a low-crime neighborhood, lots of newish 4 or 5br homes with good public schools, not too far of a commute from downtown. I'm looking for things like sports/culture/art/restaurants--something other than your chilis/applebees fare. Basically, trying to figure out if it's a good place to live/raise a family, or if the area is in decline. I'm assuming the weather is similar to where we are now. But most things online make Akron sound a bit like a crappy place that is in decline.
Jun 4, 2012 8:51pm
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wes_mantooth

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Jun 4, 2012 8:53 PM
Hudson is the place to be if you can afford it.
Jun 4, 2012 8:53pm
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THE4RINGZ

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Jun 4, 2012 8:54 PM
Solon.

/thread
Jun 4, 2012 8:54pm
J

jmog

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6,567 posts
Jun 4, 2012 8:56 PM
Hudson, Green, Mogadore, Tallmadge, Bath, are about the best areas to raise a family (schools, etc).

If you want the small town but near a big city atmosphere you can't beat Mogadore.

If you want an "upscale" area try some areas in Green, Hudson, or Bath.
Jun 4, 2012 8:56pm
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said_aouita

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Jun 4, 2012 8:56 PM
If you believe in organized religion, check out the schools on Wyoga Lake Road.
Jun 4, 2012 8:56pm
J

jmog

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6,567 posts
Jun 4, 2012 8:58 PM
fan_from_texas;1188582 wrote:Was contacted by a potential employer and am generally trying to get a sense of whether the city is a good place to raise a family. We'd like to live in the suburbs--looking for a low-crime neighborhood, lots of newish 4 or 5br homes with good public schools, not too far of a commute from downtown. I'm looking for things like sports/culture/art/restaurants--something other than your chilis/applebees fare. Basically, trying to figure out if it's a good place to live/raise a family, or if the area is in decline. I'm assuming the weather is similar to where we are now. But most things online make Akron sound a bit like a crappy place that is in decline.
5 years ago I would have told you to stay away.

However, the city is on the upswing, even downtown is a fun place to go (was NOT so when I was at Akron U 10+ years ago).

I would seriously consider it, I like the Akron area, the only area in Ohio I like as good or better is Columbus. Cleveland, Toledo, Youngstown, Dayton, Cincinnati all suck comparedly in my opinion.
Jun 4, 2012 8:58pm
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Fab4Runner

Tits McGee

6,196 posts
Jun 4, 2012 8:59 PM
fan_from_texas;1188582 wrote:Was contacted by a potential employer and am generally trying to get a sense of whether the city is a good place to raise a family. We'd like to live in the suburbs--looking for a low-crime neighborhood, lots of newish 4 or 5br homes with good public schools, not too far of a commute from downtown. I'm looking for things like sports/culture/art/restaurants--something other than your chilis/applebees fare. Basically, trying to figure out if it's a good place to live/raise a family, or if the area is in decline. I'm assuming the weather is similar to where we are now. But most things online make Akron sound a bit like a crappy place that is in decline.
I think there are plenty of areas near here that are what you are describing. We live out in the country, but there are a lot of nice suburbs from what I can tell. I also think there is a pretty decent amount to do here. Akron itself has the Aeros (Indians AA team), the Akron Zoo and an art museum. Canton has the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Depending on where you live, you're 35-45 minutes from Cleveland, which obviously has the Browns, Indians and Cavs. There is also the new casino, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Great Lakes Science Center, the zoo, a new aquarium and some really great restaurants.
Jun 4, 2012 8:59pm
J

jmog

Senior Member

6,567 posts
Jun 4, 2012 9:00 PM
Luigi's is reason enough to move to Akron ;).


Not to mention you are 30 minutes from the HS state championships if you like HS football.
Jun 4, 2012 9:00pm
F

fan_from_texas

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2,693 posts
Jun 4, 2012 9:03 PM
jmog;1188596 wrote:Luigi's is reason enough to move to Akron ;).


Not to mention you are 30 minutes from the HS state championships if you like HS football.

That's a serious plus. On the downside, we'd be closer to my big extended family. They're nice, but they're kind of . . . Interesting.
Jun 4, 2012 9:03pm
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wes_mantooth

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Jun 4, 2012 9:04 PM
North canton is also another option....very nice.
Jun 4, 2012 9:04pm
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HitsRus

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9,206 posts
Jun 4, 2012 9:22 PM
FFT....Bath sounds like a good place to start...maybe 15 minutes to downtown Akron....25 minutes into Cleveland. Good schools..either Revere or Fairlawn/Copley. A lot of the other areas mentioned are nice too, but Bath is on the north side of Akron and is a quick hop onto the freeway to Cleveland.
Jun 4, 2012 9:22pm
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fiction

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347 posts
Jun 4, 2012 9:25 PM
it sounds as though you would like hudson -- great schools, low crime, walkable downtown, affluent area, outdoor activities. plus it's north of akron so you're 30 miles to the cultural offerings of cleveland (severance hall, museum of art, little italy, sports, fine dining, lake erie, etc.). akron is okay and getting better, but cleveland has much more to offer so i would position myself that way.
Jun 4, 2012 9:25pm
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gerb131

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9,932 posts
Jun 4, 2012 9:26 PM
LeBron James hails from that area.
Jun 4, 2012 9:26pm