What to Know Before Moving to Ohio

The state of Ohio — the “Buckeye State” — offers a lot more than meets the eye. Named for the prevalence of Ohio Buckeye trees within the state’s borders, it’s home to Sandusky, the “Roller Coaster Capital” of the world, where Cedar Point resides. It’s also where Neil Armstrong — the first man to walk on the moon — was born.

Ohio keeps things interesting. Filled with oddies, you may come across Hillsboro’s “Crabby,” a 68-foot-long horseshoe crab that’s straight-up bizarre.

Like the great outdoors? You’ll find your match in Ohio, starting with the colorful Ohio Caverns. Located on State Route 245 in West Liberty, they’re a subterranean surprise beneath farmland. Not to be overlooked are the caves at Hocking Hills State Park, nestled amid hemlock forests, waterfalls, ravines and gorges. Then there’s the 1,348-foot-long, three-foot-high prehistoric effigy Serpent Mound. Constructed approximately in 321 BCE based on radiocarbon analysis, it came to be just one year after the death of Aristotle in Greece.

Advantages of Moving to Ohio 

Ohio cities reflect different parts of the country, based on proximity. Cleveland recollects an eastern seaboard city, while Toledo leans Upper Midwest, being it’s connected to Michigan. Columbus, on the other hand, is solidly Midwest; Youngstown feels Pittsburgh-esque; and Cincinnati — which is closer to Kentucky — delivers a dose of Southern hospitality.

In short, there’s no other state like Ohio and there’s so much waiting to be explored. There are plenty of perks to living here, too.

Among other benefits, the cost of living in Ohio* is lower than the national average. On a national index of 100, Ohio scores a 90.8, with housing, utilities and transportation costs also falling below average.

The job market is strong as well. Ohio is home to many jobs in the healthcare, retail and insurance spaces. Some of the most in-demand jobs include laborers and material movers, as well as home health aides, registered nurses and customer service representatives.

Companies headquartered in the Buckeye State include Kroger, Procter & Gamble and Cintas in Cincinnati. Additionally, Cleveland is home to Sherwin-Williams, while Discover and Nationwide are located in Columbus. 

Other large employers include Ohio State University, consistently ranked in the top 50 public universities in the nation, with nearly 50,000 employees, and Wright Patterson Air Force Base, with over 30,000 employees.

Speaking of educational institutions, OSU offers more than 200 undergraduate majors and has highly ranked schools including its College of Education, Business and Medicine. The university has also received high praise for its First Year Experience program.

Things You Can Only Do and See in Ohio

Ohio is a singular kind of place, one with unique attractions, iconic oddities and outdoor experiences that reveal unexpected beauty in the heart of the Midwest.

For one thing, there’s the Field of Corn — a.k.a. Cornhenge — in Dublin, created by the inventor of a number of hybrid corn species. Marvel at the 109 six-foot, white concrete ears of corn that weigh 1,500 pounds apiece and rise from the ground, just off of the highway. 

Fascinated by signs? How about the history and evolution of signs? Then you have to see Cincinnati’s American Sign Museum, which showcases its namesake throughout the years. Inside, you’ll also find a neon workshop, offering a chance to see tube benders at work.

Whether you’re a rock or wine enthusiast, there’s something for you at Crystal Cave in Put-in-Bay. Here, Heineman’s Winery features the world’s largest geode and it offers tours daily, seasonally, from May through September.

Built from concrete, glass, stone, metal and wood, the Hartman Rock Garden is the site of various structures and figurines, built by Ben Hartman from 1932 to 1944. Maintained to this day by the Friends of the Hartman Rock Garden, it’s a downright cool way to pass some time.

While no one would anticipate a safari experience in Ohio, that’s exactly what you get at The Wilds at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Cumberland. It is a non-profit safari park and conservation center that spans 9,150 acres and is filled with exotic and endangered species, along with hiking and mountain biking trails.

A feast for the eyes, Columbus’ Topiary Park features 50 people, eight boats and animals shaped from plants and flowers that recreate the scene of Georges Seurat’s A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.

Meanwhile, Cleveland is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the popular Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Fans of the classic movie “A Christmas Story” will find the actual house featured in the film here — and can even stay overnight. 

Needless to say, Cleveland is home to several major sports teams, including the Guardians (MLB), Browns (NFL), and Cavaliers (NBA). Another big draw? Ohio State University’s Buckeyes are a championship-caliber football team. 

When it comes to thrill-seeking, Cedar Point isn’t the only game in town. Ohio boasts Kings Island amusement park. Located outside of Cincinnati in Mason, Ohio, it’s ranked number three on the list of best amusement parks in the country.  But if roller coasters aren’t your thing, go for a ride on the Midway Carousel, one of the only operating D.C. Muller carousels left in existence. The Carousel was built in 1912 and has been operating at the park since 1948. 

Where the Locals Eat in Ohio

Cincinnati chili is something you either love or hate — do you know which camp you are in? Typically thinner than other styles, it contains chocolate or cocoa, along with allspice. Try it at a standby, like Skyline Chili, or go for the gold at a place like The Chili Hut in Madeira, where a cheesy Coney dog made with spicy mettwurst nods to the city’s German heritage and is topped with Cincy-style chili.

If offbeat is what you seek, head to the town of Kent, where Mike’s Place is equal parts quirky restaurant, hangout and destination, complete with a giant Star Wars X-Wing replica out front. Welded together in mishmash fashion, the spot is constructed of everything from a castle to a boat and buses.

Originally a 1933 tea room built at the Cincinnati Union Terminal, the historic Rookwood Ice Cream Parlor is covered in vintage pastel train tiles, from the time-honored Cincinnati ceramic company, Rookwood, which also tiled New York’s subway stations. Its scoops are pretty sweet, too.

For those who enjoy a good grocery store experience, there’s a 200,000-square-foot — that’s not a typo! — Jungle Jim’s International Market in Fairfield, where food from over 70 countries is  represented.

Did you know the Midwest was once the epicenter of American wine production? Or that early American vintners, many European, considered the Ohio Valley an excellent place to grow grapes, given its similarity to the wine-producing regions of the Rhine Valley? Witness some of this history, and more, at the Kelleys Island Winery Ruins, which are reached by ferry. Rent a golf cart and explore the island’s north side, observing glacial grooves carved into the rock over 18,000 years ago by the great ice sheet that covered this part of North America. Among the world’s most easily accessible and largest glacial grooves, there is a walkway with stairs that affords an up-close view. Be sure to look for marine fossils, which are hundreds of millions of years old.

Weather in Ohio

Set in the Great Lakes region of North America, the weather and climate of Ohio is naturally impacted by — and varies by — location. The northern part of the state borders Lake Erie and has 300 miles of coastline. The Ohio River forms the state’s southern border.

The weather is quick to change in Ohio, with polar air coming out of the north and warm air pushing up from the south. Winters are cold and at times frigid, with plenty of snow, ice and wind due to the lake effect that occurs on the shores of Lake Erie. 

While it’s not in tornado alley, springtime in Ohio brings warm temperatures and, sometimes, tornadoes and thunderstorms. 

The best time to move to and spend time in Ohio is in the fall, when the temperatures are pleasant and the rainfall is light.

Ready to Move to Ohio? Let Mayflower Get You There

Moving across state lines can be a hassle. Let a professional moving company make your long-distance move as simple and efficient as possible. 

Moving with Mayflower lets you enjoy everything that the Buckeye state has to offer without the headache and frustration of moving yourself. 

Mayflower offers a variety of moving plans that you can tailor to your needs. Check out our services and get an online quote to get started. 

MyMayflower Move Portal

Mayflower makes it easy to coordinate your move to Ohio and stay organized along the way. The MyMayflower Move Portal can be personalized and is designed to streamline your moving experience. Use customized tools to keep track of all major moving milestones, organize contacts and book your move online.

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