If you’ve been around here for some time, you know that even though I’ve officially been a DC-area resident for 12 years now, I am a Clevelander through and through. My first few years in DC, I tried to embrace the Washingtonian life perhaps a bit too much and quickly realized that it’s not my jam. I am and will always be an Ohio person.
Today I thought I would change up the pace of my posts a bit and talk about something that I long deeply for–home. Now that work is remote for so many people, perhaps my move back is closer than I think and hope! To fuel my nostalgia even more, come along with me on my “Cleveland Rocks” post.
The cost of living
My Botox doctor is my favorite largely because she and I totally bonded over our affinity for checking out Cleveland real estate versus Bethesda (which is the rather swanky DC suburb we both live). Her husband grew up in Cleveland so the temptation to move is present with her too.
What $300,000 will get you in Bethesda:
That’s a 2BR/1BA condo with a $300/month condo fee. It’s in a good area with plenty of walkable things, but still…. It’s a condo.
What $268,000 will get you in Cleveland…
This is a 4BD/2.5BR house with a front porch (swoon!) in an amazing suburb with tons of great shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment within walking distance.
The food and beer
While DC certainly has some fantastic restaurants, nothing compares to the Cleveland scene in my book. I always joke that moving away from Cleveland has been the best decision for my waistline and I’m starting to realize that might be a lot truer than I had realized. Give me Italian pastries that has been in the same family for generations, decedent sandwiches, pierogies and amazing Italian food any day. Yum.
Friendly people
I was in line for ice cream a few days ago in Cleveland and struck a conversation with a very friendly couple. Turns out he went to the same (tiny) high school as my dad! You just don’t typically have those kinds of connections when you’re not in the area you grew up in and I miss that. DC people often say to me in a condescending way, “You’re not from here, are you?” meaning I’m friendlier than they’re used to and I’m annoying them. I miss being around nice people all the time.
Sports
When it comes to DC sports, don’t even get me started on how much I can’t stand them. I abhor when people are bandwagon fans and Nationals fans, for example, are the epitome of that to me.
Many of us who are Indians and Browns fans have baby photos of us in the home team swag. Our fandom goes back multiple generations. Memories of 1995, 1997 and fall 2016 can make us cry, and not in a good way. Summer 2016? A different story. It’s a beautiful thing.
We’re all Cavs fans too. They’ve done a ton for our city spirit especially when they finally broke the curse.. But I’d say that the fandom doesn’t run as deep for most of us.
Lake Erie
Ah, the greatest of the Lakes. I absolutely love it and think it’s just the most gorgeous place to go. I’ve never had a bad time at Put-In-Bay, have SUCH an affinity for staring at the water, and think the Lake Erie “Vacationland” is just the best.
I just read this and can relate. I didn’t even grow up in Cleveland (though I did live near Lake Erie, closer to Buffalo) but I lived in Cleveland for many years before moving to Annapolis in 2014. Cleveland always felt like home to me. People here are definitely not as friendly as they are back there. I watch Browns games with a group of other local Clevelanders and feel fortunate to have those connections, at least. I’d move back in a heartbeat if I thought I could still handle the winters.