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There’s this kind of constant misconception by the rest of the nation that Ohio is a boring place to live. Let’s get this out of the way right now: it’s not. There are zoos, water parks, scenery to discover, and plenty of adventure if you know where to look. Besides, most Astronauts come from Ohio, which means that state has got to have something going on that breeds the most extreme of thrill-seekers, right?
Here at the Movoto Real Estate Blog, we think so. In fact, we decided that it was time to showcase not one but 10 of the most exciting places in the great state of Ohio. After all, we’ve looked at most affordable and most dangerous, so why not mix it up with a little excitement? So, we rounded up the numbers, analyzed them, and made ourselves a list of the most thrilling, chilling, and fulfilling places in the Buckeye State. Lakewood came out on top, joined by the likes of:
1. City of Lakewood
2. City of Oxford
3. City of Cleveland Heights
4. City of Sandusky
5. City of Kent
6. City of Cleveland
7. City of Columbus
8. City of Cincinnati
9. City of Worthington
10. City of Akron
You may notice that there are big cities on that list as well as quite a few small ones. You might also be curious as to where heavy hitters like Toledo and Dayton are. We assure you they both actually did quite well, and you can see exactly where they and other cities placed on the overall list at the bottom of this article. For now, though, let’s go over how we got these results.
How We Brought Out The Best Of The Buckeyes
We didn’t go on a tour of the state, trying boiled crawfish and rocking out at local concerts. Nope, everything we did was strictly mathematical—and we still found this state interesting.
This isn’t the first time we’ve done one of these Big Deal Lists, but we did add in a little something extra to get our results. Usually we look at only six criteria, but this time we added population density so we could see how much of a hub of activity a place really was.
We collected data in all of these criteria from the U.S. Census (2010) and business listings for all places in the state with a population above 10,000. That gave us a list of 173 places and numbers for seven criteria:
- Nightlife per capita (bars, clubs, comedy, etc.)
- Live music venues per capita
- Active life options per capita (parks, outdoor activities, etc.)
- Fast Food restaurants per capita (the fewer the better)
- Percentage of restaurants that are not fast food (the higher the better)
- Percentage of young residents ages 18 to 34 (the higher the better)
- Population density (the higher the better)
After we got those numbers, we ranked each place across all the criteria from 1 to 173, with one being the best. We added those rankings together into one Big Deal Score for each place, with the lowest score going to our No. 1 place, Lakewood. Let’s look more in depth at why that and each of our top 10 places garnered their spots.
1. Lakewood
This city is home to one of the largest parks in the state, which doesn’t sound that exciting until you realize it has concert stages, a skate park, lakefront views and activities, swimming pools, sports facilities, and more.
As far as activities, Lakewood is home to some great festivals, including an art festival and community festival, and features numerous parades such as the unusual Spooky Pooch parade. If you like silly, fun, and active, this is the place for you.
Lakewood did very well in other respects, too. There are people bustling everywhere, as this city has the highest population density on our overall list. It also took the No. 4 spot as far as music venues per capita, featuring such places as The Hi-Fi Club for hard rock fans.
Along that same vein, the nightlife is thriving and also ranks fourth overall. Why all this music and nightlife? Well, people 18 to 34 make up about a third of the population, so it makes sense.
2. Oxford
Is it really any surprise that the home of Miami University is the second most exciting place in the state? It shouldn’t be. A staggering 72 percent of the population here is between the ages of 18 and 34, so the young and wild vibe is ever-flowing.
With that in mind, it also makes sense that the nightlife rank is No. 5 for that criterion. The population density ranks No. 30, so you’re bound to bump into someone exciting even just going about your daily life.
If you really want to meet some people who know how to party, you need look no further than one of this place’s many events. Even though the population here is only 21,371, these folks know how to enjoy life through food, music, and dance.If you want proof, go check out the maple syrup festival, the summer music festival (featuring free concerts), bars like The Woods, and the crayfish festival every season. There’s bound to be something there you’ll enjoy.
3. Cleveland Heights
Beating out its much larger neighbor, Cleveland Heights picks up a third place finish due to some really tasty numbers. Why tasty, you ask? Because this place is a foodies paradise.
For eclectic foods, the city holds a yearly Greek Festival, where locals can sample some traditional and new age Greek food. The rest of the year, locals can enjoy a Monte Cristo Sandwich at the Melt Bar & Grilled Restaurant. Not your thing? Don’t worry, there are so many restaurants to try that the non-fast food restaurant ranking for this city is No. 7 for that criterion.
The young population ranks No. 21 and the population density ranks No. 5 overall, which means there are young faces everywhere, all close together. There are also plenty of music venues, which ranks in the top third for that criteria. The only reason this city doesn’t rank higher is that the active life rank is only No. 139. We’re going to just guess that has to do with everyone being in a food comma from all the delicious grub.
4. Sandusky
This city is definitely for adrenalin junkies and thrill seekers, so it’s no wonder it ranked the fourth most exciting in our top 10. The biggest reason is that this place is home to Cedar Point amusement park, where some of the wildest roller coasters dwell.
Between the highest wing coaster in the world and the fastest impulse coaster in the world, you’ll be screaming in terror and excitement. If you’re just looking to stay cool, there are also numerous indoor and outdoor water parks to pick from, including Castaway Bay and Kalahari Resort.
There are still plenty of thrills that don’t involve standing in long lines, too. The active life options here rank No. 9 for that criterion and the nightlife rank is No. 8. Whether you’re looking to dance ballroom or in a club, this place has got you covered. When you’re hungry, you can also find a nice place to sit down, as this city is ranked No 15 in non-fast food restaurants.
5. Kent
Kent State University is definitely a factor in this city placing No. 5. For one, over half the population Kent is between 18 and 34, which likely has to do with the student population. For another, the nightlife and music venue rankings are both within the top 20 for those criteria, which probably caters to the college crowd.
As far as things to do, the University also offers some of the more exciting events. The Golden Flashes sports teams are a major draw, and offer the locals something to cheer about for the school year. For the rest of that time, there’s also a local ice rink for skating, hockey, and different tournaments.
The population density here ranked 31st, which indicates that this is indeed the hub of excitement in the area. The active life also fared pretty well, as did the original restaurant rank.
6. Cleveland
Though not quite the biggest place on our list, this city comes up big in a lot of areas. Cleveland boasts the No. 6 nightlife ranking, the No. 9 music venue ranking, and the No. 8 population density.
It’s no wonder that this place calls itself The Rock and Roll Capital of the World, seeing as it was home to Steven Adler, Nine Inch Nails, and even the rock and roll hall of fame itself. Rock on, Cleveland.
For those looking for excitement that doesn’t involve the wail of an electric guitar, there’s still plenty to do. There are numerous shopping districts, and the non-fast food ranking here is easily in the top third of our list. There are also festivals all year round, including the very unusual and fascinating Kurentovanje winter festival, celebrating Slovenian tradition.
7. Columbus
The capital of Ohio and the biggest place on our list at 787,033 people, Columbus shows that it knows how to have fun. Really, this place uses size to its advantage and just has it all.
It has major and minor sports teams, festivals for almost anything you can imagine, a zoo, citywide parties on holidays, and even a huge comic convention in late October. Not to mention, just about every type of food under the sun to try. Just pick something you want to do, and you’ll be able to find it here.
The numbers really back up that statement, too. The No. 7 young population ranking and the No. 19 population density ranking speak to this place’s youthful and fun vibe, as well as the constant activity. The nightlife and music venues here also both rank No. 15 for their criteria, meaning that if you want to dance, drink, or jam, this is a perfect city for you.
8. Cincinnati
If you love to dance and you love music, this is absolutely the city for you. Cincinnati has the No. 1 nightlife rank and music venue rank, meaning that if you want to listen to music live or just dance the night away, you’ve found the right place.
By day, this place is still constantly buzzing. The activities rank is No. 4 for that category, and, with a population density that ranks No. 18, you’ll probably be out and about having fun in the sun with everybody else. Will everyone be young and lively like you? Of course, since almost a third of the population here is between the ages of 18 and 34.
This place is all about festivals, parades, and culture—all the time. It’s all about Oktoberfest Zinzinnati in the autumn, the biggest of such celebrations in the U.S., and all about music festivals in the spring and summer, like the MusicNOW festival. We’d also be completely remiss if we didn’t at least mention the Reds and the Bengals, especially if sports are what make you tick.
9. Worthington
Worthington may look a little awkward sitting up here in the top 10, but we assure you this is one happening little city. It may not be the youngest place, as it ranked No. 146 for the young population criterion, but it makes up for it by having one of the better music venues per capita overall, ranking No. 14.
For those who like the bar scene, there are plenty to try out, including The Pub Out Back which has both great bartenders and an amazingly cozy vibe. For a more small-town feeling event, there’s an arts festival and and a Memorial Day parade for the kids to enjoy.
If you’re looking to fill up on decadence, however, this city can still cater to your interests with its No. 14 non-fast food restaurant ranking. Don’t believe us? Grab a bite at the Rivage Atlantique and see for yourself.
10. Akron
The City of Invention is so lively that you won’t have to be inventive to find something to do. The place has a youthful feeling, due to over 25 percent of the population being between 18 and 34. It boasts the 10th best nightlife ranking and the 17th best music venue ranking, giving music and party lovers lots to choose from.
There’s even Square, an LGBT bar with great drinks, good music, and a friendly cozy atmosphere with a dance floor for those looking to shake it. Everyone is all about cozy in this city, shown by the population density ranking of No. 28 overall. In short, Akron puts up some seriously great numbers as far as excitement goes.
If you’re looking for food, this place downright celebrates it. Taste of Akron is a festival celebrating local cuisine. Restaurants from the area put together food to sample and there’s live entertainment to keep things upbeat. The samples may cost a small fee, but admission is free if you just want to catch a whiff of everything delicious.
In Ohio, All Things Are Possible
If you’re in a place like No. 1 Lakewood, then you don’t have to look far for fun and excitement. There’s a lot to be found in the rest of the state, too. There’s excitement at college events, massive food festivals, and even screamingly good amusement parks. You just have to know where to look—and now you do.
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