1. First steps before moving to Ohio
Find a reliable moving company, truck rental or moving container
For your move to Ohio, you will need to hire a reliable moving company or take on the move yourself. To find the best moving company in Ohio, look for good reviews, a professional-looking website, and years of experience.
Planning a move to Ohio? Take a look at our selection of:
The 5 best moving companies in Cincinnati.
The 5 best moving companies in Columbus.
Finding a job
Since May 2023, Ohio has consistently maintained an unemployment rate below the national average, with a rate of 3.6% compared to the country’s 3.7%. It has now achieved its lowest unemployment rate since 1976, at 3.3%, marking a historic low since the start of unemployment reporting.
Jobs that are often in high demand are nurses, caregiver, physical therapist, and customer service representative.
Finding a job in Ohio is easier if you search online for job openings. Popular websites for this include LinkedIn, Indeed, and SimplyHired.
Getting there
Below are some travel options to get to Ohio from different parts of the country include:
Flying: Flying is the most convenient way to move to Ohio. Book a flight from your departure city to one of Ohio’s major airports, such as Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, John Glenn Columbus International Airport, or Dayton International Airport, depending on your destination within Ohio.
Train: You can also take the train with Amtrak as an alternative.
Bus: If you want another way to travel, Ohio cities have bus services like Greyhound, and Flixbus, that can get you there.
If you are flying and require assistance with moving your belongings, you can explore options provided by reputable moving companies.
Must dos before your arrival
Moving to Ohio may be exciting and will challenge you in many ways. By knowing these things beforehand, you will be better prepared for your new life in the city.
- If you’re moving to Ohio permanently and expect significant mail (excluding packages), consider USPS’s mail forwarding service. It redirects your mail to your new address for a specified time. The initial fee for regular mail forwarding is slightly over a dollar for six months, extendable for about $20 for an additional six months. Start the process by signing up on USPS’s website or at your local Post Office.
- When moving to Ohio, sell or donate what you won’t need to simplify your move. Sell or donate household items and personal belongings that won’t be useful. Decide if you want to sell them on sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, or donate to a non-profit organization
2. Upon your arrival in Ohio
Must dos right upon your arrival
- Get familiar with your neighborhood, and make sure to take note of the important emergency numbers.
- If you roam around the city for work or just simply checking on it, it would be great to purchase a daily pass to save money.
- Locate the essential facilities like the nearest hospital, police station, and fire department for your safety and in case of emergency.
You can easily get around in Ohio. There are several options available.
Exchanging your driver’s license
Once you move to Ohio and establish residency, you must transfer your out-of-state driver’s license within 30 days. In order to transfer your out-of-state driver’s license, you’ll need to visit your local Deputy Registrar Agency in person and submit proof of your name date of birth, social security number (SSN), legal presence in the U.S. and Ohio residency. If your out-of-state driving license is valid, your driving exam will be waived.
Register your vehicle
If you have just moved to Ohio, you’ll have to register your out-of-state vehicle within 30 days of establishing residency. Failure to do so might result in penalties and additional charges. To get your car registered in Ohio:
- Apply for an Ohio vehicle title. This must be done at a county clerk’s title office, not the BMV.
- Submit your vehicle identification number (VIN) and emission inspection.
- Once you have the title, go to the local deputy registrar’s agency and present proof of ownership and some other documents. Your license plates will be mailed to the address on your registration.
Change your address
Along with mail forwarding, you will also have to update your new address with the concerned authorities in Ohio like the DMV. To exercise your right to vote in Ohio, you can register to vote online, by mail and in person.
To register by mail or in person, you need to submit a completed Voter Registration and Information Update Form to your local County Board of Elections Office. You will be provided with a complete list of locations to obtain a copy of the OH Voter Registration Form. In addition to this, you can also download the form and submit it to a Board of Elections office or to an Ohio BMV Deputy Registrar Office.
Changing your address with your employer, bank, doctor, insurer, and service providers so that you can avoid any complications further down the road.
Setting up a bank account
Obtaining a bank account in Ohio is a straightforward process. You only need to present a copy of your valid state or government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, military ID, or passport. The two banks with the most branches are Ohio-based: Huntington Bank in Columbus and Fifth Third Bank in Cincinnati.
Getting health insurance
Getting health insurance is an excellent way to get peace of mind when it comes to your health. With health insurance, you will not have to worry about spending a ton of money in case of a health-related emergency. The state of Ohio proposes a website to help you with your health insurance search. Simply choose Ohio as your state and create an account.
|
Type of healthcare |
Cost |
|
Employer-sponsored health insurance |
$146.25 |
|
Non-employer-sponsored health insurance |
$560.33 |
|
Gym |
$53.05 |
Numbeo (Oct 2023) & EHealthInsurance (Oct 2023)
3. Best places to live in Ohio
If you are a couple, you might want to consider living in Dayton. It offers both a downtown area and a suburban area, a thriving nightlife, a diverse culture, and a lot of amenities.
If you are a family, you might want to consider Cincinnati. Cincinnati offers good public and private schools, great job opportunities, safe parks for kids, and it’s a great place to raise a family.
If you are single, you should consider moving to Columbus. Columbus is home to the ‘Ohio State University’ and several other educational institutes. That’s why a lot of young professionals live here. In addition to this, it also provides a lot of amenities.
Setting up home services
Setting up essential home services like electricity, water, and internet in Ohio is a straightforward process.
- Public Utilities Commission of Ohio is responsible for regulating electricity, natural gas, water, and telecommunication services in Ohio. Visit their website and search for electricity, water, and gas providers and even reach out to them if you have any inquiry.
- The best internet providers in Ohio will have bundling options, various speeds, and multiple package options at reasonable prices.
When setting up these services, ask about setup fees, installation timelines, and contract terms to avoid any unwanted charges. Additionally, look for special offers or bundles that could save you money by combining internet, cable TV, and phone services.
Should you rent or buy?
The average Ohio home value is $239,781, increased by 3.1% from 2022. Ohio’s price per square foot to buy an apartment outside the center is $367.50.
Finding an apartment for rent in Ohio is easy, utilize websites like Zillow, Apartmentguide, and Apartments.com. When seeking a house, these websites—Zillow, Realtor, and Century21—will assist you in your search for a home in Ohio.
Cost of rent in Columbus, Ohio
|
Area/Neighborhood |
1-bed apartment |
3-bed apartment |
|
Columbus (Outside of Center) |
$1,145.00 |
$2,095.00 |
Cost of buying a property in Columbus, Ohio
|
Area/Neighborhood |
Average home price |
|
Columbus |
$239,781 |
Numbeo (Oct 2023) & Zillow (Oct 2023)
Consider getting home insurance
Getting home insurance is essential, whichever state you are residing in. It is a kind of financial protection that will cover for your expenses if a natural disaster damages your home. Residents in Ohio are at a high risk of severe storms, floods, tornadoes, winter storms, landslides, and wildfires. Therefore, getting home insurance will prove to be valuable.
4. Cost of living in Ohio
|
Category |
Monthly cost |
|
1 bed apt rent outside city center |
$1,145.00 |
|
Groceries Numbeo’s grocery list ($57.46 multiplied by 4) |
$229.84 |
|
Utilities Electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage |
$238.96 |
|
Internet with 60 Mbps |
$70.56 |
|
Transit pass |
$31.00 |
|
Entertainment Meal, taxi, movie |
$77.00 |
|
Gym membership |
$53.05 |
|
Total |
$1,845.41 |
5. The weather in Ohio
On average, there are 173 sunny days per year in Ohio. The highest temperature in summer is 84° and the winter low is 20 degrees. Ohio averages 28 inches of snow per year and 40 inches of rain. Summers in Ohio are humid and hot with storms and rainfalls, whereas winters are quite cold with a lot of snowfall. Fall season brings a blend of orange, red and golden colors.
6. What to do as a local in Ohio
After you are done settling into your new home in Ohio, you will probably want to familiarize yourself with the state and all its attractions. Some of the most popular activities and locations in Ohio include:
King’s Island – An ideal place to visit with your family. A lot of fun activities including roller coasters rides, games, a water park and much more.
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden – It’s a great place to spend the day with your kids.
Cedar Point – If you love adventure, this is a must-visit place for you. Get to enjoy 17 different roller coasters at Cedar Point.
Common grocery stores in Ohio include Whole Foods Market, Giant Eagle Supermarket, and Trader Joe’s.
The two most popular big chain stores are Jungle Jim’s and Costco.
Must-visit food places in Ohio are The Pearl and Marcella’s.
Visit the popular cities in Ohio: Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Dayton.
7. Fun facts about Ohio
- Fun Fact #1: Ohio is commonly known as the Buckeye State because of the buckeye trees which are spread throughout the Ohio River Valley.
- Fun Fact #2: Ohio is considered as “The Birthplace of Aviation.” The Wright Brothers, inventors of the first airplane, were from Dayton, Ohio.
- Fun Fact #3: The first ambulance service was established in Cincinnati in 1865.
Conclusion
Ohio has a mix of urban and rural areas, providing multiple lifestyle options. You can enjoy vibrant city life in places like Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, or explore the state’s natural beauty in places like the Hocking Hills and the Lake Erie islands.
While moving to Ohio has its pros and cons, checking the cost of living is essential to make sure you will live comfortably in this city and call it your home. It’s a good idea to research specific neighborhoods within the state and consider your priorities to determine if Ohio is the right fit for you and your family.
Need a trusted moving company for the area? Discover the 5 best movers in Ohio.
