Youngstown is quite possibly the worst city in Ohio. It ties neck and neck with Cincinnati, OH. What more can I say about "that" city. I use the word "that" because I moved away two years ago and am reflecting on my experiences when I did live there. First off, I have no regrets on moving away. If you are young, vibrant and have any major goals or aspirations in life..you will need to consider some other place other than Youngstown. Once a thriving city during the age of steel(well before I was born by the way), it is now nothing more than a waste land. The school systems are TERRIBLE and prepare the children for nothing more than utter failure. Parochial schools in the area are no better. Some students quickly realize how far behind, underprepared and outclassed they are when they start to take the proper steps to furthur their education and release themselves from the clutches of "that" city. The roads are horrible and Youngstown's idea of road repairs involve multiple patchwork jobs. Potholes are everywhere throughout the city. The "Northside Pool" may have once been a pothole itself. They filled it with H20 and it attracts the local hoodlums, unruly children and their nonchalant parents. Amongst the blight of Youngstown exists one bright spot....Youngstown State University. I thought YSU was a great school and it prepared me to move on from Youngstown and experience what the rest of the U.S. has to offer.
The attitudes of some of the people in Youngstown are downright sickening and discouraging. Entirely, the place is a VERY discouraging area especially for inner city minorities. It's like a prison with alot of smoke, fire and no lights. You cannot clearly see your way to the exit and not many will help you see it either. The suburbs aren't any better either. From a relative standpoint, maybe they are. If you are living in the suburbs, you are just living next door to the raging flames that are burning that city, just as Rome burned during it's decline. Everyone knows that fire spreads and it IS spreading. Violence is increasing in the suburban areas. Section 8 housing has now spread to ALL suburban areas. The violence in the inner city is just senseless and abundant. The inner city is just one large warzone with unguided, underprivledged youth killing each other over anything that they can think of. I grew up as a minority on the east side of the city, so, I can definately attest to all of this. The urban decay can be likened to that of a minature version of Detroit, MI. Joblessness in all areas, both urban and suburban is widespread. Some might read this and say, "oh, you're exaggerating...this happens in all cities." Indeed it does, but, not to the degree that you see in Youngstown. Youngstown is not a conducive environment to raise a child who will be diciplined and competitive enough to deal with the rest of the U.S. or the world. I'm not saying that it can't be done, but, I am saying that you and your child's life will be VERY difficult. Not to mention, there is nothing there for young people to do which is why many of them resort to finding ways of getting into trouble.
If you are considering moving "there" for ANY reason (job, general relocation, etc.), you may want to strongly reconsider. Sure, you may be unemployed and in need of a job but location is everything. Besides, the only jobs in Youngstown are retail and telemarking. I noticed someone stating that the cost of living and housing is cheap. Well, don't be fooled as there is a valid reason for that. When property values go down and the cost of living is down it usually tells you something about the overall performance of the city. You will find, in Youngstown, that there aren't many "livable wage" jobs and in general..the upkeep of the city is very poor. It's not an attractive looking place by any standard. Property values are going down in the suburbs because low income housing has now infiltrated those areas. There's no need for me to explain why property values are so low in the city. They are so low that most decent housing insurance companies will not insure you if you own a home in the city.
People can have all the hope that they want for the city but it will never be what it once was. That is just an honest perspective. If you live there, GET OUT! If you are thinking of moving there, DON'T! Once you move, move as FAR away from there as possible as the city's vortex of negativity will try to suck you back in. There is a cloud of negativity, a demon if you will, that has a grip on that city that only God and prayer can remove. Until then, don't bother with this city. It is heading down the toilet faster than toilet tissue.
