* This post is in partnership with Ohio. Find It Here.
Ohio. Find It Here. asked me to tell my story of how I decided that it was time to come back to Toledo, Ohio, after living in Atlanta for 20 years. Honestly, I didn’t know it was time to come back until I came back. In 2017, I returned to Toledo to assist my parents in the care of my grandmother while my Dad recouped from major surgery. I didn’t know how long my stay would be in Toledo or how I would adjust to life in Toledo as a blogger. At the same time had every intention of returning to Atlanta. Until then, I would ultimately need to reacquaint myself with my home state as I had been away for several years.
I ultimately chose to move back to Toledo because of the amazing community support and the ease of life. There is a calmness about Toledo that I like. I love that heavy traffic is pretty much nonexistent. You can commute to almost anywhere in Toledo and surrounding suburbs in 15 minutes or less.
There was a shift happening in Toledo and it was very exciting to see. One of the first things I noticed when I returned to Ohio was the craft beer spirit, and the restaurant scene in Toledo was booming. That excited me as that was my blogging niche, my passion. I was ready to get out and connect and get to know every small business owner I could. They were the heartbeat of Toledo and I wanted to support them.
I homeschool my daughter, so finding educational activities is a daily priority. We take advantage of as many of the amazing programming at Toledo Public Library, the Toledo Museum of Art, the Toledo Zoo, The Imagination Station, and Metroparks Toledo. I found comfort in the vast amounts of educational opportunities these places in Toledo have provided.
In 2019, my brand was taking off and I was excited about the amount of growth that was happening since I had returned to Ohio. I continued to grind and build. I was enjoying supporting small businesses here in Ohio. I knew moving back to Ohio was exactly what I needed to grow in my field. Toledo was where I needed to be.
2020 came as did the unforeseen events of 2020 that made the world stop. During that time, I sat back and thought about my future. Summer came and I had an ‘aha’ moment. I had several contracts in play, making 2020 my most successful year of blogging. I was quite proud of myself. My proudest moment was being selected as an Ambassador for Ohio. Find It Here. I just love traveling around Ohio and exploring areas I’ve never been to. Even more, sharing my experiences with my followers and blog readers.
Another reason Toledo continues to impress is the year-round entertainment opportunities in the city. Toledo has an amazing Zoo that holds several events throughout the year for kids and adults alike. Programming includes concerts, wine & beer festivals, and seasonal events. Then you have the Toledo Opera and Broadway in Toledo giving opportunities to see the best shows right here in Toledo. I appreciate every opportunity Toledo has given me and I will continue to shine a bright light upon it.
6 More Reasons To Move To Ohio
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Ohio is 8% lower than the national average so living in Ohio is relatively inexpensive in comparison to other popular states. US News ranked Ohio first in the nation for affordability. Housing in Toledo and surrounding areas are ranked at least $10,000 below the national average.
Vibrant Art Community
Some of the country’s best art museums are located in Ohio, including the Toledo Museum of Art and The Cleveland Museum of Art. The Toledo Museum of Art has over 30,000 works of art, including paintings by Picasso, Matisse, and van Gogh. You can also stop and appreciate murals created by local artists in many Ohio cities. Art is all around and Ohio has it.
Great Place To Start A Business
The support for small businesses in Ohio is a beautiful thing to see. Both Cincinnati and Columbus were ranked in the top 10 for best cities for start-ups.
Ohio’s Massive Park System
Ohio has 75 state parks to explore. All of which are free and open every day. Choose your adventures from 1,000 miles of trails, unique campgrounds, beaches, and cabins. Toledo’s Metropark was recently named the number one park system in the United States.
Culinary Scene
The great thing about Ohio is the longevity of some of the restaurants and eateries in the state. In the last few years, Northwest Ohio has also seen a boom in its local culinary scene. Restaurants such as Kengo Sushi & Yakitori and Benchmark have made Northwest Ohio a destination for the culinary adventurous.
Craft Beer, Spirit & Wine
One of the first things I noticed when I returned to Ohio was the craft beer and spirit scene in Ohio was booming, particularly In Toledo. Toledo Spirits was making its mark in a historic warehouse in downtown Toledo, Ohio with its award-winning spirit. On the craft beer side, the community had recently welcomed the addition of Black Frog Brewery, Toledo’s first minority-owned brewery. Ohio craft beer has grown significantly in the last few years. As of April 2022, there are 400 breweries in the state of Ohio. Thirty-three of them are in Northwest Ohio. A few of my favorites are Patron Saints Brewery, Heavy Beer Co, Black Frog Brewery, Maumee Bay Brewing Co, and Twin Oast Brewing. Explore these breweries and many more on 419 Ale Trail, the absolute best way to experience the craft beverage scene in Northwest Ohio.
Shana Was Here 