A Local’s Guide to Everything You Need to Know Before Moving to Ohio

If you’re thinking of moving to Ohio, you’re not alone — it’s the seventh-most populous state in the country, thanks in part to its low cost of living and affordable real estate. The “Buckeye State” also offers the best of both big-city living and more rural recreation, making it a great place to be no matter your preferences. Do you think this jewel of the Midwest could be the state for you? Read on for everything you need to know about moving here.

Five great things about moving to Ohio
Top nine places to live in Ohio
A guide to Ohio’s three major cities
Where to work when you move to Ohio
Experience what puts Ohio on the map!
Three tips for moving to Ohio
Relocating to Ohio FAQs
Welcome to Ohio!

Five great things about moving to Ohio

If you’re on the fence about your move to Ohio, that’s okay! Deciding where to live is a big decision. As with any move, it’s important to choose a destination where the benefits of living align with your wants and needs. Here’s why we think Ohio is a great place to live:

1. The cost of living is lower than the national average.
2. The real estate market is considered one of the most economical for home purchases.
3. It has the sixth-largest school system in the country, with math and reading proficiencies above the national average.
4. Ohio has a growing job market that’s consistently ranked among the top 10 of US states.
5. This state has three major cities with great culture, food, attractions, and events.

Top nine places to live in Ohio

Need help narrowing down places to live? These are some of Ohio’s top communities:

Akron
Akron is Ohio’s fifth-largest city and home to a wealth of interesting and off-the-beaten-path attractions — the city hosts both the All-American Soap Box Derby and National Hamburger Festival, for example. Living here also provides plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation thanks to 6,600 park acres and extensive biking and hiking trails.

Shaker Heights
This Cleveland suburb is one of Ohio’s top communities and consistently earns high marks on best places to live lists. It was also voted the Best Place to Raise a Family as part of the 2022 Parent Choice Awards from Northeast Ohio Magazine. And if you’re looking for opportunities to get out of the house, Horseshoe Lake Park and the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes both offer walking trails and ample opportunities for spotting wildlife.

Oakwood
Only a short ride on public transit away from the Dayton city center, this bustling residential community is a great place to live if you prefer a car-free lifestyle. The city offers a well-connected bus system as well as everything you need — schools, shops, parks, etc. — all within walking distance.

Madeira
This largely residential community is less than a 20-minute drive (depending on traffic) away from downtown Cincinnati. In recent years, the city has earned top-10 spots on lists of Best Suburbs to Buy a House in Ohio as well as Best Places to Raise a Family in Ohio. Popular activities to do nearby include browsing the Madeira Farmers Market (between May and December), looking skyward at the Cincinnati Observatory, and playing tennis at the Camargo Racquet Club.

Blue Ash
A stone’s throw from Madeira, neighboring Blue Ash offers many of the same benefits and was recently named the second-best place to live in the Cincinnati area. Some of its draws include a summer concert series and a robust community events calendar.

Ottawa Hills
If small-town living is more suited to your style, Ottawa Hills is a place to check out. This residential suburb of Toledo is home to just under 4,800 residents and “Village Life” — a community program, with offices located in the Ottawa Hills Elementary School, that offers activities and classes for residents of all ages.

Mariemont
With a population under 3,600, a charming Tudor-style downtown area, and tree-lined streets, Mariemont is another spot to look into if you prefer smaller towns. The village was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2007. Here, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to get up close to nature, with Mariemont Gardens Park and Rowe Arboretum both nearby.

Pepper Pike
If you like the idea of country living but enjoy trips into the city every now and then, Pepper Pike may be the place for you. Properties here have a more open feel, with many located in green spaces or wooded areas. And for those times when you want a night out on the town, Cleveland is only 12 miles away.

Solon
Solon scores high marks for its public schools and quality of life. This, combined with low crime rates make the Cleveland suburb one of Ohio’s top places to live. Solon is also home to offices for many multinational companies, including Nestlé, Pentair, and Arrow Electronics.

A guide to Ohio’s three major cities

Looking for the fast pace of city life? You’ll find it in Ohio’s three major metropolitan areas: Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland. Each has its own personality, attractions, and claims to fame. See what each has to offer below when it comes to food, fun, and things to do.

Cincinnati
Located on the state’s southwestern border, the “Queen City” sits across the Ohio River from Kentucky. It’s also home to 306,000 residents, making it the third-largest city in the state.

For sports fans
With three major league teams, Cincinnati is a great place to be if you enjoy sports. Baseball fans can head to Great American Ball Park for a Reds game, football lovers will want to make their way to Paycor Stadium to see the Bengals play, while soccer aficionados can watch FC Cincinnati take the field at TQL Stadium.

For culture seekers
If you’re a theater-goer, Cincinnati is full of options for taking in a show. Catch a play at the Cincinnati Playhouse, a contemporary show at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati or a traveling Broadway performance at the Aronoff Center. The city is home to many excellent museums as well: The Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati Art Museum, and Taft Museum of Art to name a few.

For food lovers
Hungry? Cincinnati is home to a wealth of tasty options for grabbing a bite to eat — especially if you’re looking to try the city’s signature dish: Cincinnati chili. In addition to Camp Washington Chili (a must for sampling Cincinnati’s culinary claim to fame), these top spots are all worth a visit: Cafe Mochiko, Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey, and Tortilleria Garcia.

Columbus
As Ohio’s capital, Columbus is the state’s most inhabited city (and the second-most populated in the Midwest after Chicago) with 907,000 people who call it home.

For sports fans
Columbus is home to professional hockey and soccer teams, so no matter the time of year, there’s always a game to catch. Head to Nationwide arena to take in a Columbus Blue Jackets hockey game, or if you’re a soccer fan, watch the Columbus Crew (winners of the 2020 MLS Cup) battle it out at Lower.com Field.

For culture seekers
Columbus is home to many museums, theaters, and concert venues. Some worthwhile stops include Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Garden, Columbus Museum of Art, Ohio Theatre, and the Lincoln Theatre.

For food lovers
No matter what you love to eat, you can find something to satisfy your cravings in Columbus. The city is home to countless opportunities to sample cuisines from all around the world, including Columbus-style pizza — a hometown favorite with a thin crispy crust. Some of the city’s top spots to grab a bite include Buckeye Donuts, Terita’s Pizza, and Ray Ray’s Hog Pit.

Cleveland
This waterfront city borders Lake Erie and is the second-largest metropolitan area in the state with a population of 360,000 people.

For sports fans
If you love baseball, basketball, or football, you’re in luck. Cleveland is home to pro teams for all three sports — The Cleveland Guardians, Cavaliers, and Browns. Here, chances are good that you’ll be able to root for your new home team come playoff time, with both the Guardians and Cavaliers consistently winning division titles in recent years.

For culture seekers
For a fun night out, take in a touring Broadway show or other performance at Playhouse Square. Or if an afternoon spent in a gallery is more to your taste, the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland History Center, and Cleveland Museum of Natural History are all worth a visit.

For food lovers
Don’t leave city limits until you’ve checked out Cleveland’s diverse food scene. Need a recommendation? These are some of the top dining spots to try: Il Rione, Porco Lounge & Tiki Room, and Superior Pho. If you’re looking for the city’s tried and true staple, look no further than the Polish boy, a kielbasa sausage topped with coleslaw, french fries, and barbecue sauce. Head to Seti’s Polish Boys for a taste.

Where to work when you move to Ohio

Ohio is home to a wide variety of industries, providing employment opportunities in the following sectors:

• For manufacturing, top employers include Honda, Whirlpool, and Procter & Gamble
• For healthcare, top employers include Cleveland Clinic Foundation, University Hospitals Health System, and Bon Secours Mercy Health
• For retail, top employers include Wal-Mart, Amazon, and Kroger
• For education, top employers include Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati, and Kent State University
• For finance, top employers include JPMorgan, Progressive, and Nationwide
• For government, top employers include Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and NASA Glenn Research Center

While Ohio offers jobs across multiple fields, the state’s top industries include manufacturing, real estate, and finance. Additionally, 2022 saw a 12.9% increase in the agricultural sector (based on percentage of Ohio’s GDP), making it an up-and-coming source of employment.

Experience what puts Ohio on the map!

If you thought Ohio was only famous for its agriculture, think again. There’s much more to the state than corn fields as far as the eye can see. Come for the:

• Natural beauty of Lake Erie and the Appalachian Mountains
• Sports teams that call Ohio home — from college squads to the big leagues
• Thrills at theme parks such as Kings Island and Cedar Point
• Attractions like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the National Museum of the US Air Force
• Regional cuisine, including Buckeye candies and Cincinnati chili

Whether you love exploring the outdoors, visiting cultural hubs, rooting for your home team, or trying new dishes, Ohio offers countless opportunities to follow your interests. And the best part is that it’s all right in your new backyard.

Three tips for moving to Ohio

Before any move, it’s important to have a plan in place, and your relocation to Ohio should be no different. If that seems like a tall order, don’t worry! These three tips will have you ready to pack up and go in no time.

1. Stay awhile
   Think you found the perfect city or town to put down new roots? Go for a visit before you make your move official. The best way to be sure that the location of your dreams lives up to your expectations is to spend some time getting to know it firsthand.
2. Get your utilities set up early
   The last thing you want to do after unloading the moving truck is wait for the lights and heat to get turned on. That’s why it’s a good idea to select your energy and gas company before you move in. At Santanna Energy Services, we have better energy and gas solutions for your new home including fixed-rate and unlimited plans, as well as earth-friendly electricity and gas.
3. Make a list
   There’s a lot to think about before you move, so you’ll need as much help as you can get when it comes to keeping track of everything you need to do to prepare. Making a checklist of all the tasks you need to complete — hiring movers, submitting a change of address form with the post office, donating unwanted items — will not only help your move go smoothly but give you peace of mind as well.

Relocating to Ohio FAQs

How does the cost of living in Ohio compare to the rest of the country?
The cost of living in Ohio is 11% lower than the national average. This includes housing (28% lower), utilities (7% lower), food (2% lower), healthcare (8% lower), transportation (1% lower), and goods and services (4% lower). However, this will fluctuate depending on where in the state you live. For example, Cincinnati’s cost of living is only 4% lower than the national average, with Cleveland and Columbus coming in at 6% lower and 10% lower, respectively.

How’s the job market in Ohio?
Like the rest of the country, the Ohio job market took a hit in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the outlook has improved significantly: The state recently recovered all jobs lost during that time and currently has an unemployment rate that falls below pre-pandemic numbers.

What are the best schools in Ohio?
The top 10 school districts in Ohio are:

1. Solon City (serving the Cleveland suburbs of Solon and Glenwillow)
2. Chagrin Falls Exempted Village (serving the Cleveland suburb of Chagrin Falls)
3. Sycamore Community (serving the Cincinnati suburbs of Blue Ash, Montgomery, Symmes Township, and parts of Sycamore Township)
4. Indian Hill Exempted Village (serving the Cincinnati suburbs of Kenwood, Camp Dennison, Indian Hill, Madeira, and parts of Symmes and Sycamore townships)
5. Oakwood City (serving Oakwood and Montgomery County)
6. Brecksville-Broadview Heights (serving the towns of Broadview Heights, Brecksville, and parts of North Royalton)
7. New Albany-Plain Local (serving New Albany, Plain Township, and parts of Columbus)
8. Rocky River (serving the Cleveland suburb of Rocky River)
9. Minster Local Schools (serving the town of Minster)
10. Olentangy (serving Lewis Center; the cities of Columbus, Delaware, Powell and Westerville; as well as Berkshire, Berlin, Concord, Genoa, Liberty, and Orange townships)

Ohio is also home to top colleges and universities, including Case Western Reserve University and The Ohio State University.

How’s the weather in Ohio?
The climate remains fairly consistent across the state, with cold snowy winters (the average snowfall here is 28 inches per year) and temperatures averaging in the mid 80s during the summer months.

Is crime a problem in Ohio?
Today, Ohio’s crime rate falls below the national average for many different types of crime, most notably violent crime and motor vehicle theft. As with any state, rates differ between cities and can even be vastly different depending on the neighborhood.

Is it called “soda” or “pop” in Ohio?
While most Ohioans will ask for a “pop,” you may be able to find a few team “soda” (or even “coke”) representatives scattered throughout the state.

Welcome to Ohio!

Finding a location for your next home is an important decision, and so is choosing your next energy provider. At Santanna Energy Services, we have multiple energy plans tailored to your lifestyle. Check a box off your moving checklist today: View plans in your new neighborhood.