Seeking advice from OS'ers: Where to relocate - Atlanta, Cincinnati, Erie

[GBrushTWood]

So I just graduated from my undergraduate program and accepted a job with General Electric with the position being located in Oshkosh, WI. Yeah, yeah, Oshkoshbigosh, the jeans, the winnebago's all that. I was going to do it because it was only 6 months, and it's a new adventure, and who doesn't like to try out something new? The job is for something called Information Management Leadership Program, where you rotate around different sites across the country for 2 years. GE has this for IT stuff (which I am headed to) and a ton of other disciplines (finance, marketing, engineering, et al).

But today, after pestering about details of my relocation, I got a call from this HR dude. Some other big boss dude (who I have never met) just decided that it is not in my best interests to start off in Oshkosh, because are no other leadership program dudes at that site. Instead, they want to send me to one of the larger corporate offices for my first rotation.

So now, I am faced with the decision of choosing where I want my first site to be. I do not have any knowledge of differences in job responsibilities between the cities, so my choice is purely based on personal preference. The cities are:

Erie, PA
Cincinnati, OH
Atlanta, GA

So let's throw out Erie. Who the hell wants to live there if not forced to?

Right now, I am heavily leaning towards the Atlanta site (which really isn't in Atlanta, but rather 20-30 minutes north in Marietta). I just went on a traveling group to the Middle East with 7 people from the Atlanta area. So I know them (kinda). I know this one chick who goes to Emory. There's some family friends within a few hours drive away. There's OS's own Brad Garrett. Never met him, but he's a cool dude, and I've posted on internet message boards with him for a while, so he probably won't violently molest me and roll me up into a carpet if we hang out. That counts for something, right?
The weather is the warmest of the 3 choices.

My question for you guys is: what would you choose, and also, is there anything to like about Cincinnati? So far, everybody I know has said Atlanta. I want to hear some things about Cincinnati. Is the crime there as bad as it seems?

One minor mitigating factor for the Atlanta site: One of the dudes I interviewed with also got the job in Atlanta. This guy (he went to the Ohio State) = gigantor douche bigelow. He's totally lacking in social skills, hardly talked to any of the dudes at the interview, and acts like a total nerd. No problem right?
Wrong. This numbnuts was laughing at the Virginia Tech shootings as they unfolded on that day. I wanted to knee this clown in the junk, but I probably wouldn't have gotten the job if that were the case. Anyways, I would have to work in closer proximity to this guy if I head to Atlanta. I could just avoid him, because there are so many other positives about the Atlanta area.

Anyways, yeah, really long post (also cocks). I need an official answer by end of this week. Any OS'ers willing to share wisdom?

[ehh]

Re: Seeking advice from OS'ers: Where to relocate - Atlanta, Cincinnati, Erie

So I just graduated from my undergraduate program and accepted a job with General Electric with the position being located in Oshkosh, WI. Yeah, yeah, Oshkoshbigosh, the jeans, the winnebago's all that. I was going to do it because it was only 6 months, and it's a new adventure, and who doesn't like to try out something new? The job is for something called Information Management Leadership Program, where you rotate around different sites across the country for 2 years. GE has this for IT stuff (which I am headed to) and a ton of other disciplines (finance, marketing, engineering, et al).

I can't offer you much help, but it sounds like you took the exact same job with GE that one of my boys I grew up with took. It was with GE and he was out in WI for six months and then every now and then he headed back there. He had some weird job in Maine for a while after that but then went back to grad school. Sucks because he was making good money and they gave him a pretty dope company car.

[Coach Bryant]

Re: Seeking advice from OS'ers: Where to relocate - Atlanta, Cincinnati, Erie

I'd say Atlanta. The deep south is a wonderful place to live!

[ExtremeGamer]

Re: Seeking advice from OS'ers: Where to relocate - Atlanta, Cincinnati, Erie

So I just graduated from my undergraduate program and accepted a job with General Electric with the position being located in Oshkosh, WI. Yeah, yeah, Oshkoshbigosh, the jeans, the winnebago's all that. I was going to do it because it was only 6 months, and it's a new adventure, and who doesn't like to try out something new? The job is for something called Information Management Leadership Program, where you rotate around different sites across the country for 2 years. GE has this for IT stuff (which I am headed to) and a ton of other disciplines (finance, marketing, engineering, et al).

But today, after pestering about details of my relocation, I got a call from this HR dude. Some other big boss dude (who I have never met) just decided that it is not in my best interests to start off in Oshkosh, because are no other leadership program dudes at that site. Instead, they want to send me to one of the larger corporate offices for my first rotation.

So now, I am faced with the decision of choosing where I want my first site to be. I do not have any knowledge of differences in job responsibilities between the cities, so my choice is purely based on personal preference. The cities are:

Erie, PA
Cincinnati, OH
Atlanta, GA

So let's throw out Erie. Who the hell wants to live there if not forced to?

Right now, I am heavily leaning towards the Atlanta site (which really isn't in Atlanta, but rather 20-30 minutes north in Marietta). I just went on a traveling group to the Middle East with 7 people from the Atlanta area. So I know them (kinda). I know this one chick who goes to Emory. There's some family friends within a few hours drive away. There's OS's own Brad Garrett. Never met him, but he's a cool dude, and I've posted on internet message boards with him for a while, so he probably won't violently molest me and roll me up into a carpet if we hang out. That counts for something, right?
The weather is the warmest of the 3 choices.

My question for you guys is: what would you choose, and also, is there anything to like about Cincinnati? So far, everybody I know has said Atlanta. I want to hear some things about Cincinnati. Is the crime there as bad as it seems?

One minor mitigating factor for the Atlanta site: One of the dudes I interviewed with also got the job in Atlanta. This guy (he went to the Ohio State) = gigantor douche bigelow. He's totally lacking in social skills, hardly talked to any of the dudes at the interview, and acts like a total nerd. No problem right?
Wrong. This numbnuts was laughing at the Virginia Tech shootings as they unfolded on that day. I wanted to knee this clown in the junk, but I probably wouldn't have gotten the job if that were the case. Anyways, I would have to work in closer proximity to this guy if I head to Atlanta. I could just avoid him, because there are so many other positives about the Atlanta area.

Anyways, yeah, really long post (also cocks). I need an official answer by end of this week. Any OS'ers willing to share wisdom?

Erie's actually a nice area, and no state tax. I live about an hour from there.

[dkgojackets]

Re: Seeking advice from OS'ers: Where to relocate - Atlanta, Cincinnati, Erie

Atlanta is awesome.

[SlimKibbles]

Re: Seeking advice from OS'ers: Where to relocate - Atlanta, Cincinnati, Erie

So let's throw out Erie. Who the hell wants to live there if not forced to?

Erie isn't that bad of an area. There just isn't much to do. Got to go to Pittsburgh, Cleveland, or Buffalo for a lot of that. My bro-in-law is from Erie and I've been up there several times visiting his family. My family introduced the popular Cincinnati game of Cornhole/Baggo/Bean Bag, whatever you want to call it, to his folks in Erie. They will have their 3rd annual tournament this year in Erie and the number of people participating has grown from a dozen or so to three times that.

My question for you guys is: what would you choose, and also, is there anything to like about Cincinnati? So far, everybody I know has said Atlanta. I want to hear some things about Cincinnati. Is the crime there as bad as it seems?

Well, I've lived in Cincinnati my whole life. There are a lot of good things and some bad things about the area. If you want to know about areas to live, where a lot of young people go out and everything, there are a few of us on OS that can help you out there. Where you live will determine a lot. The GE plant is a decent ways north of downtown. Not too bad though.

- People mostly live in the suburbs around here.
- The crime is bad in certain areas of downtown. That's mostly Over-the-Rhine, which is where all of the downtown bars used to be. After the riots, those places lost a ton of business and have either closed or moved elsewhere. The police are doing a better job of keeping things under control than in the past but their is still a problem with folks in that area not helping them out (i.e. snitching). I don't know how the people that live around there expect the drugs and guns to disappear if they don't help the authorities out.
- They're really trying to revitalize downtown near Fountain Square. I haven't personally checked out some of the newer spots down there but heard they are nice.
- There are some great hang out spots in Mt. Adams, Mt. Lookout, and Hyde Park. I tend to hang out more on my side of the river in Kentucky. Lots to do at Newport-on-the-Levee or Main Strasse in Covington.
- Ohio just passed a smoking ban so if you like to smoke at a bar or restaurant, you'll have to do it in KY. Funny thing is the Ohio smokers come over to KY all of the time to hang out and the KY non-smokers have begun hanging out more downtown or up in Mt. Adams. I don't smoke but it does bother me. Have a lot of friends that do it so I just put up with it.
- Traffic is bad at certain times of the day, but it's better than Atlanta.
- There's plenty to do here. We have pro sports, college basketball is big, and high school football is huge around here as well.
- There are a lot of great restaurants.

Anyway, I think the people around here are great. It's a fairly laid-back, conservative town. You have to decide how big you want to go. Atlanta is much, much bigger than Cincinnati. If you're more comfortable in a smaller town, Cincy is a great choice. If you want to be in the middle of the hustle-and-bustle, then the ATL might be more your speed. The athletes that play for the Reds or Bengals, or even guys in other sports with ties here, love living in Cincy because nobody really bothers them here and, like I said, it's a pretty laid-back area. Talk to me, ESPNDeportes, or a few other Cincy folks on here (hopefully the others will chime in), if you need some more info.

[bluengold34_OS]

Re: Seeking advice from OS'ers: Where to relocate - Atlanta, Cincinnati, Erie

Well, I have lived close to Cincy and spent 6 months in Atlanta. As far as sports go, in Cincy you have the Reds, Bengals, and of course Indy is only an Hour away with the Colts, Pacers, Brickyard 400 and Indy 500.

This is how I choose where to live, by what kind of sports town it is. I have lived in Chicago, Indy, Baton Rouge, Manhattan, Des Moines and Now St Louis. By far Indy and St Louis have been the best areas because of the sports. I love Atlanta and there are alot of great sports teams and of course some awesome golf.

I say live in Cincy from April until September and Atlanta from October until March.

Ehhh....what the hell, I am no help

[Double Eights]

Re: Seeking advice from OS'ers: Where to relocate - Atlanta, Cincinnati, Erie

Seeing as Pennsylvania is about as hick as you can get(for the north at least), and take into affect I hate the State of Ohio in every form, I'd have to say Atlanta.

I went to Atlanta two weeks ago for a trip to see my brother get awarded the Army Aviator of the Year award. I spent a couple of days there and wandered around the city. It was a nice city, kind of hilly, but nice none the less. The weather was nice, the people were extremely nice where I was at, and overall a good experience.

However I will say one thing, traffic is unbearable inside and outside of Atlanta. If you are someone who hates to wait in traffic, avoid Atlanta. Then again, you can say this about any city.

[Holic]

Re: Seeking advice from OS'ers: Where to relocate - Atlanta, Cincinnati, Erie

I'd go with Atlanta, seems like the logical choice minus the jerk who got the job down there. Good luck!

[GBrushTWood]

Re: Seeking advice from OS'ers: Where to relocate - Atlanta, Cincinnati, Erie

Thanks for the advice guys, it's appreciated.

I agree about the Atlanta traffic. I was down there for the interview for this job, and the rush hour traffic on the main north/south highway (can't remember its number, it is the one next to Turner Field) was utterly brutal.

I may want to live in a more laid back, friendly type of town, which the Cincinnati area seems to be. What else do the pro-Atlanta people have to say?

How does the cost of living compare in both towns?

[Flightwhite24]

Re: Seeking advice from OS'ers: Where to relocate - Atlanta, Cincinnati, Erie

Erie isn't that bad of an area. There just isn't much to do. Got to go to Pittsburgh, Cleveland, or Buffalo for a lot of that. My bro-in-law is from Erie and I've been up there several times visiting his family. My family introduced the popular Cincinnati game of Cornhole/Baggo/Bean Bag, whatever you want to call it, to his folks in Erie. They will have their 3rd annual tournament this year in Erie and the number of people participating has grown from a dozen or so to three times that.



Well, I've lived in Cincinnati my whole life. There are a lot of good things and some bad things about the area. If you want to know about areas to live, where a lot of young people go out and everything, there are a few of us on OS that can help you out there. Where you live will determine a lot. The GE plant is a decent ways north of downtown. Not too bad though.

- People mostly live in the suburbs around here.
- The crime is bad in certain areas of downtown. That's mostly Over-the-Rhine, which is where all of the downtown bars used to be. After the riots, those places lost a ton of business and have either closed or moved elsewhere. The police are doing a better job of keeping things under control than in the past but their is still a problem with folks in that area not helping them out (i.e. snitching). I don't know how the people that live around there expect the drugs and guns to disappear if they don't help the authorities out.
- They're really trying to revitalize downtown near Fountain Square. I haven't personally checked out some of the newer spots down there but heard they are nice.
- There are some great hang out spots in Mt. Adams, Mt. Lookout, and Hyde Park. I tend to hang out more on my side of the river in Kentucky. Lots to do at Newport-on-the-Levee or Main Strasse in Covington.
- Ohio just passed a smoking ban so if you like to smoke at a bar or restaurant, you'll have to do it in KY. Funny thing is the Ohio smokers come over to KY all of the time to hang out and the KY non-smokers have begun hanging out more downtown or up in Mt. Adams. I don't smoke but it does bother me. Have a lot of friends that do it so I just put up with it.
- Traffic is bad at certain times of the day, but it's better than Atlanta.
- There's plenty to do here. We have pro sports, college basketball is big, and high school football is huge around here as well.
- There are a lot of great restaurants.

Anyway, I think the people around here are great. It's a fairly laid-back, conservative town. You have to decide how big you want to go. Atlanta is much, much bigger than Cincinnati. If you're more comfortable in a smaller town, Cincy is a great choice. If you want to be in the middle of the hustle-and-bustle, then the ATL might be more your speed. The athletes that play for the Reds or Bengals, or even guys in other sports with ties here, love living in Cincy because nobody really bothers them here and, like I said, it's a pretty laid-back area. Talk to me, ESPNDeportes, or a few other Cincy folks on here (hopefully the others will chime in), if you need some more info.

This post is fairly accurate. Cincy is a wonderful place to live. My advice is to move to the outskirts of town. GE is about 15 minutes south of where I live which is West Chester. A wonderful area I might add. Been to the ATL a few times, it's just to jam-packed for me. Reminds me of Los Angeles. I moved from Cali 8 years ago here for a job transfer and have never left. Cost of living is very reasonable compared to LA/ATL. Keep doing what you are doing by asking ?????? I'm sure you will make the best choice for yourself. Peace!!!!

[ESPNdeportes]

Re: Seeking advice from OS'ers: Where to relocate - Atlanta, Cincinnati, Erie

I can speak about Cincy. I've lived here since 2004.

I've actually been pleasantly surprised about how much there is to do here. Obviously, its a smaller town than Atlanta, but still plenty to do. Tons of festivals, concerts, and other events around town.

Big things that go on every year here: Labor Day Fireworks are really fun, its downtown on the river, good social scene, but a bit crowded. Octoberfest (in September, though, LOL) is the biggest in the midwest. Taste of Cincinnati every memorial day, where restaurants set up stands downtown and you sample the best food in town- its awesome. If music is your thing, I actually think Cincy is a hidden gem. Every year there the Midpoint Music Festival, which is now considered the SXSW of the midwest, I had a blast last year. There is also the annual Cincinnati Fringe Festival, which features a lot of off-beat bands, but is a lot of fun. I believe every three of four years, there is a music festival on the River called Tall Stacks, with a good lineup of shows and dozens of riverboats come downtown and you can go on cruises that have different themes (food sampling, music, gambling, etc.). Had a blast this year. Another cool thing is called Party in the Park, where every Wednesday night in the summer there is a free concert at a park on the river downtown with cheap beer =) There is also Kings Island which is a pretty good amusement park, and 2 fairly large water parks.

Its also a good sports market, considering Columbus, Lexington, Louisville, and Indianapolis are all within 1.5-2 hrs away. Obviously, Reds and Bengals are here. For college football, you're close to Ohio State and Louisville, and you can always see an SEC game if you like at Kentucky. Its also a GREAT college b-ball market- you've got fans of UC, Xavier, Kentucky, Ohio State, Louisville, Indiana, even a smattering of Dayton and Wright St. fans here. You're also close enough to be able to easily go to the Kentucky Derby and Indianapolis 500, if you're into that.

There are a few really trendy areas of town, with nice bars and restaurants, that are actually affordable to live in. Hyde Park, Oakley, Mt. Lookout, Mt. Adams are probably the best places for a young person to live in the area, although Mt. Adams can be really pricey (but you can routinely find Bronson Arroyo hanging out in the bars there). There are decent shopping malls, and like SlimKibbles mentioned, Newport-on-the-levee is a fun place to go, with shopping, a movie theatre, bars and restaurants.

I think one of the major differences in a place like Atlanta and Cincy is that you have to do more searching for fun things to do in a smaller city, it may not fall in your lap as easily as a larger city. The sad thing is so many young people here think its boring, when most of them don't even know what kind of things there are offered, all they think there is are sports and movies, LOL. Honestly, you can be happy either place you go, but most of it is going to be determined by the friends you make wherever you live.

[Quick6]

Re: Seeking advice from OS'ers: Where to relocate - Atlanta, Cincinnati, Erie

Move to Mexico, you can live like a king!

[RockyTop1]

Re: Seeking advice from OS'ers: Where to relocate - Atlanta, Cincinnati, Erie

That's 400 North and 400 South. It's brutal on a daily basis. Learn to love it.

[SlimKibbles]

Re: Seeking advice from OS'ers: Where to relocate - Atlanta, Cincinnati, Erie

BTW, GBrush, if you do decide to move to our town, I think the Cincinnati Chapter of OS would be willing to help you get acclimated. I haven't met up with anyone yet, but am willing to. Maybe we all could take in a ballgame or something.