j/c:
I'm a born and raised Clevelander. I'll most likely die here. I love the fabric of this town....it's diversity in many different forms, it's people, culture, history, neighborhoods, lake and river fronts, all eight of its seasons, and the fact it's underrated by so many who have never been here.
I grew up on the east side in Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights before heading off to school in Cincinnati, then Memphis for work (thus the reference in my profile name), back to Cincinnati, then home to Cleveland a decade ago --living in Tremont before settling in a neighborhood in Cleveland proper.
For a former employer, I travelled around the country 2 weeks out of every month to most major cities in the US, but Cleveland always called back to me and knew I'd eventually make my way home. Sports is, arguably, the first-ever reality TV show and I tend to mirror the city in the sense that the Browns are my favorite Cleveland team, although follow all the big three rather aggressively. But the NFL does an amazing job promoting the idea that there is never really an offseason and always something to discuss and see, and I think that's really where my growing investment of the Browns came from. My family will get together most Sundays at 1PM to watch the games and the Browns have served as a connector in a way to keep family engagement ever present and expected at the start of each season. As family members leave us, hopefully that tradition of Sunday get-togethers doesn't.
My experience is very similar to Memphis'. I went to Ohio State for school, however.
I still travel all over the country for work and it was always in my and my wife's plans to move once our kids graduate college (assuming they stay in state). I have re-thought that recently and come to realize I/we are very happy here for many of the reasons Memphis stated, people, culture, diversity, neighborhoods (Ohio City, Tremont, Gordon Square, University Heights, Hingetown) Metroparks, Lake Erie, events at Cain Park in Cleveland Heights, three major sports teams etc...
Cleveland has an incredible dining scene and that is something my wife and I very much enjoy.
Cleveland's Playhouse Square is unlike anything in this country outside of NYC. The Cleveland Museum of Art and the Cleveland Symphony at Severance Hall are incredible. Access to world class hospitals.
On the weekends, I thoroughly enjoy going to places like the West Side Market, On the Rise Bakery to pick up french baguettes to make sandwiches, Juneberry Table or Lucky's Cafe with family for brunch etc..
It would be tough to replicate all of this, though I do love the east coast and Boston in particular, however the cost of living is 5x higher when considering a move.
Anymore, the Cleveland winters are near non-existent. Sure it gets cold, but any significant snowfall is few and far between. It's tough to complain about the weather like I used to.
Maybe we still move someday, but the thought is not the definitive plan I once believed it to be. I can hop on a plane and be anywhere I want when we want to get away
