Anybody know anything about...

Anyone know anything about Dayton, OH? We are going there for and interview and just wondering what to expect? I grew up in IL outside of Chicago so have been in the midwest before. Kelly, do I remember that you a from small town somehere in OH? What to expect? :{

I was thinking how great it would be for those of us who are interviewing all of the stinkin country if we could keep this thread going with ?'s of what to expect in those places. I'm here to help if you have ?'s about PHX/Tucson or IL!

[houseelf]

Hi Jessica,

Yup, I grew up in Kettering (large suburban community to the south) and DH grew up in Brookville (small rural community to the far West, near Indiana).

If I'm honest with you, Dayton can be somewhat of an armpit, but this all depends on where you're coming from. Cost of Living, Weather, commute time, and neighborhood choice will be much nicer than Chi- town, but the job market ain't so great. Since the bedrock of Dayton's economy are 1) Delphi (GM subsidiary); 2) small machine shops; and 3) the AF base, the local economy has really taken a hit lately.

Fortunately, it has a lot of nice amenities without being either the boondocks or too big city. I can hook you up if you end up there.

Best of luck.

Kelly

[DCJenn]

I've got the DC/Baltimore area covered, along with some info on Pittsburgh and San Antonio.

Jenn

I grew up in Cleveland, and can answer questions on Pittsburgh, too. I'm in KC now, but SueC is by far a better resource for the area.

As far as Dayton - it has come a good distance towards being a good place. Kelly is right that the cost of living rocks, and there are some very nice, very pretty neighborhoods. It's been built up a lot (the last time I was there was 2.5 years ago). AND they have a Trader Joe's (I think that should count in our rating system somehow).

[samssugarmomma]

My parents live in Cincy and we fly into the Dayton airport all of the time. I don't know much about the city, but the airport isn't too bad.

[houseelf]

Annie,

I fantasize about ending up in Cinci, which of course means that it won't happen. I like it because it is its own city. Not one of these bland megatropolis cities which could be anywhere. When you are in Cincinnati, you know it. Paddleboats, hilled neighborhoods with unique architecture, and a spectacular view of the river looking into KY.

The cost of living ROCKS and it is a big enough city to have most big city amenities without all of the PITA issues of a big city. (Does this make sense?) However, violent crime is high and the NAACP calls it "ground zero for race relations".

Almost all of my girlfriends from college live there or in N. Ky. I love, love, love Cinci.

Kelly

Cincinnati

Greetings Folks,

I wish I could say something about Dayton (which I have never been to), but I noticed that you guys started to talk about Cincinnati. My wife had an interview there and I spent a bit of time in that area. I quite honestly was VERY dissapointed with it. The town is extremely conservative and is focused more on family values and basically growing up old. Outside of a few weekend activities such as the local football team, local baseball team, or a local walk in some park, I didnt really see a hell of a lot happening. Furthermore, sad to say this but Ohio has a serious economic problem and it isn't going to get any better in a short term since a lot of its economy is based on auto manufacturing support and agriculture.

If however you like the quiet life and are a religious peep then this might be the town for you. I personally was born in eastern Europe and grew up in NY. I went to Cornell there, travelled often to NYC, Boston, DC, Chicago and so forth therefore I might have a more liberal lifestyle.

Just my two cents.

Incidentally my wife is doing her residency right now in Pittsburgh and we have been here for almost four years. Fantastic city. Its a hidden gem of America.

Even though I'm from Ohio, I've not spent lots of time in Cinci. I've heard that it IS very conservative and I know there are lots of racial tensions. DH's cousin went to med school there and HATED it.

On the other hand, my mom loved Cinci when I was a kid (early '80's). She used to say that God lived there with his wife, Kate.

Don't ask me why. Mom had some funny sayings (and thoughts).

[DCJenn]

Cinnci is only being batted around as a location for the iMSN meeting!

As for Dayton, if that's where Wright-Patt is, I have a friend who said that if they Air Force sends her back, she'll volunteer for Iraq. How's THAT for a statement.

Jenn

[mommax3]

I have a friend who said that if they Air Force sends her back, she'll volunteer for Iraq.

I wonder what she would volunteer for if the AF sent her to Wichita Falls? Hell? I know it all depends on what you are used to, but Dayton is WAAAAY better than Wichita Falls any day.

DH did some rotations at Wright-Patt during med school, and has two good friends doing OB payback there right now. Back when we were scheming to get away from Wichita Falls, one of DH's options was to be an attending/staff in the military residency program there, so I checked it out pretty well, and would have been more than happy to go there. It's not Chicago or even Indianapolis, but it was a nice area and seemed like a great place for families, with plenty of other interesting places in driving distance.

Sally

Ok- got a couple of more for you. Anyone have any thoughts on Danville or York, PA? Temple, TX? Omaha, NE? Just wondering before dh interviews at some of these places. I hope to be able to go to a few. Thanks in advance!

[Rapunzel]

Temple Texas? Middle-of-nowhere, Texas, is more like it! We pass through Temple when we drive between Dallas and San Antonio. Austin is to the south, Waco is to the north and College Station is to the east. Austin? Big city - cool place to visit and wonderful place to live. Waco? Well, we always call it Whacko. It's medium-small and very, very rural with various "interesting" individuals abounding. And, then there is the cult of A&M found in College Station. That is a mentality all it's own, let me tell you. PM me for specific information.

I'd say visit Temple for a few days before you decided to move there. I think you'd either hate it or love it. (I'd hate it - but that's just me ).

Jennifer

Thank you Jennifer ( I pm'ed you) and Annie, and no, you were not too brutal. I want the TRUTH people! Ok, who knows more.......

[DCJenn]

Oh, God-

Anyone who is sent to Ft. Hood whilst doing a rotation with the Army or Air Force in San Antonio will HATE Temple, TX. At least 100% of the people that we knew did.

The civilians are stupid, the military has no control, the patients are dumber than several boxes of rocks, combined.

It was at the Temple, TX. hospital that several pediatric interns experienced the hideous circumstances that occur when it apparently makes sense to let your kid drive the tractor.

Jenn

Ok, scared to go to Temple. Yikes! :! How about Iowa City? Anyone? Something good???