With a low unemployment rate and cost of living, locals live comfortably in the community of Akron.
The Summit County seat is a successful Ohio town that offers many opportunities to singles, couples and large families alike. Between excellent business, education and entertainment, there is never a moment to spare no matter how large or small your household.
Take some time to read about the awesome area of Akron and consider whether or not you can picture you and your loved ones living in the locale. If Akron is the area is for you, contact a moving company and ask the 10 important questions that will bring you safely to your new home.
Akron Climate
January and July are the hottest and coldest months of the year, averaging 82 degrees in the summer and 19 degrees in the winter. The summers are humid with frequent thunderstorms and winters are cold with an average of 47-inches of snow a year. Spring and fall have fare temperatures, not too hot or too cold, giving locals a chance to cool off after the summer and warm up after the winter. Though both seasons are a bit overcast, December is the cloudiest month of the year with Akron seeing up to 47-inches of rain annually.
Akron Neighborhoods
Up to 24 neighborhoods make up the Akron area, with separate subdivisions creating a different feel throughout the community. While in the Oakdale Historic District there are more stately homes that families live in, Spicertown has more modern residences where students reside. Maple Valley is where the Akron-Summit County Library is located as well as a long strip of commercial properties.
West Hill, West Market and West Exchange are all clustered close together, making up a small collective community of homes, businesses and schools. Downtown Akron offers a more modern sense of living at the Icehouse Lofts, Canal Square Apartments and 22 Exchange. With many affordable areas in Akron, adults and children alike live comfortable and safe among any one of the dozens of neighborhoods. If you decide you too would like to arrange living in Akron, begin preparing your kids and pets for the relocation. It is never too early to prep for a major life change.
Registering Your Car
The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles is one of the first places you would frequent if you chose to move to the area. You must maintain a state license once you accept a job, enroll your children in school, register to vote, or buy a house. To obtain a new license you must pay a $23 fee and prove your full legal name, social security number, date of birth, U.S. residency and new Ohio address. To receive a new registration and plates, you must provide the DMV with a proof of title and have your car inspected. Fees for a new registration and license plates depend on which taxing district you live in and can range anywhere from $35 to $100.
Akron Schools
Akron Public Schools include 31 elementary, 9 middle and 10 high schools. As the fifth largest school district in the state, with a 22,000 student enrollment, the school system prides itself on its diverse student population and dedication to youth success. Akron also has notable private and specialized schools for students who wish to be educated in a religious environment. After either public or private primary schooling, students graduate their senior year and are off to the four-year University of Akron if they chose. The local college is part of the University System of Ohio that is governed by the Board of Regents.
The college, which offers more than 200 undergraduate and 100 graduate degrees, recently underwent a $300 million dollar expansion that added nine buildings and renovated 14 sites that serve almost 30,000 students. No matter what grade your child is in, pre-school or senior year, they will need a little extra attention and assistance when moving into the Akron education system. Helping your child adjust to a new school is key to both their academic and social success.
Akron Employment
Noted for being the Rubber Capital of the World since housing tire manufacturers Goodyear, Firestone, Goodrich and General Tire during the 20th century, many locals have had life-long success making the rubber substance. The other top employers in the area are Summa Health System and Akron General Health System, which together employ more than 10,000 workers.
After the healthcare industry, education rates high for area employers with the University of Akron employing more than 4,400 staff members. The Akron unemployment rate is a just a point lower than the national average, floating at 7.8 percent. The best way to find a job in the area is to check out the local classifieds, apply to any one of the area's several staffing agencies or simply drop in at any one of the businesses you believe you may enjoy working for.
Living Costs in the City
According to CNN Money, the median family income per year is$45,018 and the median home price is $54,000. Couple those figures with the lower unemployment rate compared to many other American cities, and Akron might very well be the area for you and your family. Though the cost of living average is 6.3 percent higher than the state of Ohio, it still remains 0.6 percent lower than the national average, making the area affordable in many ways.
There are so many ways to cut costs of living during the present economic downturn. Joining the local YMCA rather than becoming a member of a premier gym and renting a book from the library rather than buying it from Barnes & Noble are a couple of ways to cut down. Finding local services can really make a difference in your monthly bills no matter what municipality or state you live in.
Akron Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Akron, whether you’re moving from out of state or from another county in Ohio. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Akron Transportation
The Metro Regional Transit Authority is the best bet to get around if you choose to use public transportation. Whether you need to travel locally on your leisure time or commute to downtown Cleveland for work, you can count on the express bus service to get you there on time. If you do most of the driving yourself, you will find the Akron Innerbelt and Ohio State Route 8 are the easiest ways get from point A to point B.
Taking the train from your origin to your destination is always a choice at the Akron Northside Station. And if you prefer flying within the state or to the other side of the country, you would use the Akron-Canton Regional Airport that is conveniently located in the area.
Culture & Contemporary Life
Greatly shaped by the thousands of immigrants who migrated to the area during the booming rubber industry in the 20th century, Akron culture is a made up of a mix of many ethnicities. Different racial groups contribute to the area cuisine, music and art world that feeds and entertains thousands of locals daily.
Many points of interest in Akron entertain locals and tourists alike. From the Akron Art Museum to the E.J. Thomas Performance Hall, amazing art work and provocative productions are always enjoyed.
Annual events at the Ohio and Erie Canalway are held throughout the year, drawing thousands together for festivals and concerts. Add the hundreds of area restaurants and night clubs locals frequent and you have a constant goodtime happening in the community. Of course if you just want to sit back and enjoy the sunset settling among the forest trees like so many locals, then the Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the perfect place for a free time.
Akron Relocation Tips
- Read up on the area by visiting Akron business and education websites. Click on the mouse and navigate the pages of the local library and chamber of commerce. There is no better way to get to know an area rather than reading about it on the Internet.
- Put some money aside for entertainment so when you first move to the area you can explore area restaurants and entertainment venues. You can't have a favorite place to eat or hangout unless you find it first.
- Visit Akron, OH before you make the move. Take time to introduce yourself to business owners and local educators to get a feel for the commerce and schooling the area has to offer.