Columbus: More like Cleveland or Cincinnati? (Louisville, Lexington: insurance, homes, neighborhood)

[U146]

As the title says. Which one do you pick and why?

[motorman]

An easy response to this is that Columbus isn't like either of the other two cities, except in very generalized aspects. By now the "3-Cs" have all evolved into metros so distinctly their own that many of their similarities might be considered only superficial.

For example: (a) Cbus and Cincy are encompassed by "circle freeways"; (b) Cbus and Cincy are home to very large universities; (c) Cbus and Cincy are retail hubs; (d) Cbus and Cincy are logistics hubs; (e) Cbus and Cincy are growing economically; (f) Cbus and Cincy are increasing in population; (g) Cbus and Cincy are centrally located; (h) Cbus and Cincy are gay-friendly... (etc, etc, etc)

Sounds pretty good, huh? Even appears that Cbus and Cincy are really similar, eh? Well yes and no. I think everyone here can see the problem in allying these two cities like this, while excluding Cleveland. The fact is (except for "a" and "b"), many of these assertions can be challenged and turned into debates all their own.

Let's go a step farther and add some other "similarities," but mix them up just a bit (some really good stuff here, homers, so stay alert!): (a) Cbus and Cincy share in better weather than Cleveland; (b) Cbus and Cincy share in less culture than Cleveland; (c) Cbus and Cincy share in better zoos than Cleveland; (d) Cbus and Cincy share in worse public transportation than Cleveland; (e) Cbus and Cincy share in less ML professional sports than Cleveland; (f) Cbus and Cincy don't share in a big lake... (blah, blah, blah)

Undoubtedly, this thread may end up extending into infinity as these "hot issues" are debated ad nauseam, but then again, why? Despite its similarities to either of the other two cities, Columbus stands out as uniquely its own city and metro - and who would wish it to be otherwise?

[WRnative]

In addition to differences already mentioned, Cleveland is an international port on a Great Lake with a significantly related economy. It has many marinas with relatively large pleasure craft and many persons with a commitment to sailing as opposed to motorized craft. Cleveland has tall ship festivals and visits from U.S. Navy ships.

Cincinnati is on a major navigable river.

Both of these geographical realities define Cleveland and Cincinnati in ways that never will affect Columbus.

Columbus is the state capital and draws much of its economic vitality, both directly and indirectly, from that privilege.

As for zoos, Ohio has four very good zoos. There are some attributes of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo that are exceptional -- African Elephant Crossing and the Rainforest.

Cincinnati is acknowledged to have excellent local, neighborhood parks.

Greater Cleveland is exceptional with its commitment to its national heritage, with the likes of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Cleveland Metroparks' "Emerald Necklace" and even Holden Arboretum.

A key distinction, political in nature, is that both Cincinnati and Columbus, benefit from relatively free interstate systems. Cleveland's major east/west interstate artery is burdened by eviscerating tolls, that have greatly diminished northern Ohio's once significant trucking industry and marginalized its once exceptional manufacturing heritage and potential.

Cleveland's ethnic heritage is more celebrated (such as with its unique cultural gardens) and even recognizable than in either Columbus or Cincinnati. Cleveland's celebrated culinary scene even emphasizes a "mod ethnic" cuisine.

[Ivory Lee Spurlock]

I think Columbus is more like Cincinnati than it is Cleveland.

Cleveland has always felt more like the East or NE than the Midwest. I think Cleveland feels more like Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Baltimore than it does Cincy and Columbus.

Whereas both Cincy and Columbus feel like the Lower Midwest/Upper South, in terms of the accents, attitudes and vibe. Both feel more like Indianapolis, Louisville, and Lexington than they do Cleveland, in my opinion, that is.

[313 TUxedo]

I've never been to Boston, but have been to all three Cs. I'm getting the feeling that Cbus, with its state capitol, expensive universities, and insurance companies (High Street is to insurance was the Las Vegas Strip is to casino resorts) is more like Boston then either Cleveland or Cincinnati.

Since manufacturing has declined in the US while financial services have soared, this bodes well for Cbus, at least for those who already bought their homes when they were affordable.

[Ivory Lee Spurlock]

Originally Posted by 313 TUxedo

I've never been to Boston, but have been to all three Cs. I'm getting the feeling that Cbus, with its state capitol, expensive universities, and insurance companies (High Street is to insurance was the Las Vegas Strip is to casino resorts) is more like Boston then either Cleveland or Cincinnati.

Since manufacturing has declined in the US while financial services have soared, this bodes well for Cbus, at least for those who already bought their homes when they were affordable.

Now that I think about it, Columbus has more in common with Austin than it does Cleveland or Cincinnati. Both are state capitals in 2 million metro area with HUGE Ivy League quality, football crazed state universities.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by 313 TUxedo

I've never been to Boston, but have been to all three Cs. I'm getting the feeling that Cbus, with its state capitol, expensive universities, and insurance companies (High Street is to insurance was the Las Vegas Strip is to casino resorts) is more like Boston then either Cleveland or Cincinnati.

Since manufacturing has declined in the US while financial services have soared, this bodes well for Cbus, at least for those who already bought their homes when they were affordable.

Lived in Columbus for 4 years, been living in boston for 3 plus. Boston and columbus are similar because they are capitals and have students. That's it, the end. Same can be said for madison, austin, etc. I find nothing similar about boston and columbus really.

Cleveland and Columbus are similar in that Clevelanders like ohio state, buthe cincinnatians resent it. A lot of Columbus folk cheer for the browns and indians. That's pretty much it though. Columbus isn't very similar to cleveland.

[U146]

Originally Posted by Ivory Lee Spurlock

I think Columbus is more like Cincinnati than it is Cleveland.

Cleveland has always felt more like the East or NE than the Midwest. I think Cleveland feels more like Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Baltimore than it does Cincy and Columbus.

Whereas both Cincy and Columbus feel like the Lower Midwest/Upper South, in terms of the accents, attitudes and vibe. Both feel more like Indianapolis, Louisville, and Lexington than they do Cleveland, in my opinion, that is.

I disagree. Cleveland feels Midwest to me with Northeast influences.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by U146

I disagree. Cleveland feels Midwest to me with Northeast influences.

I'll never understand how Pittsburgh is routinely qualified as northeast but cleveland is absolutely midwest. I find it hard to believe that anyone who's been to cleveland and buffalo and Pittsburgh would think that Cleveland is somehow more like Indianapolis. Doesn't make sense in history, industry, architecture, culture, accents, ethnicities, etc. Cleveland is labeled Midwestern because it's slightly further west, but I really don't see much that connects cleveland to columbus, Indianapolis, etc.

[1watertiger]

Columbus looks and feels more like Indianapolis than either Cincinnati or Cleveland.