Three Ohio Cities Recognized by Forbes as 'America's Most Affordable Cities'

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the perceived benefits of living in a big city versus a small one is the ability to enjoy a much wider range of cultural, educational and entertainment options when you are not working. But, for many, reality doesn't match perception. In many cities the cost of commuting, housing and food leaves little money in the bank to afford the rising cost of such opportunities. What good is having a professional sports team, globally recognized museum, five-star restaurant or outstanding orchestra when you don't have enough of your paycheck left to take advantage?

Forbes recently recognized three Ohio cities on their list of 15 metros offering residents the most affordable combinations of home prices, living costs and salaries for college graduates; Cincinnati ranked number 5, Cleveland ranked number 8 and Columbus ranked number 12.

Forbes looked at data with the current median asking price of homes and salaries of workers with bachelor's degrees or higher in the 50 largest U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), compared to a cost-of-living index calculating in the latest unemployment rates for their 2011 list of America's Most Affordable Cities.

These Ohio cities offer executives, their families and the employees they lead low-cost, low stress communities, providing the resources and time to make any ambition achievable.

"Ohio's friendly business climate, combined with low cost of living, short commutes and abundant recreational resources, creates a unique opportunity to achieve work-life balance," said Ed Burghard, executive director of the Ohio Business Development Coalition, the nonprofit organization the markets the state for capital investment. "That's why Ohio has become known as the State of Perfect Balance, where you can achieve both professional and personal success without sacrificing one for the other."

Because the population is distributed throughout the state, commutes to work are shorter and less intense than in most major U.S. cities, he added, leaving ample time for achieving personal aspirations.

Yet, many believe you can't have a successful career without sacrificing your personal life. Leading Ohio executives have proved this wrong and have found their perfect balance in Ohio.

The state offers businesses many unique qualities that contribute to personal balance and, ultimately, optimal business performance. Company executives invest here because Ohio offers a perfect balance between work and life unlike anywhere else. Employees and their families can achieve both their professional and personal aspirations without having to sacrifice one for the other. The low cost of living and short commute time provides the flexibility to afford the life you want you and your family to enjoy.

Dr. Mark Laskovics, president and chief operating officer of Girindus America Inc. in Cincinnati, ranked 5th by Forbes, knows it takes the right combination of people, education and environment to build a successful business – but that's not all. Dr. Laskovics relishes the relaxed pace and focus on family in Ohio.

"The convenience of living in Ohio – where entertainment, professional sports and your home are accessible and affordable – makes it easy for me to waste no time and live life to its fullest," he shared.

For Linda Abraham-Silver, president and CEO of the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland, ranked 8th, Ohio provides access to life. "In L.A. you live to work. In Ohio, you work...and still have time to live."

Tom Feeney, president and CEO of Safelite® Group in Columbus, ranked 12th, believes Ohio has attributed to his personal and professional success. "Midwest values really are Ohio's strength – this is a perfect match for Safelite and for me," said Feeney. "So much of where you live is made up of the people you meet and the people you work for. Living in Ohio has allowed me the time to achieve both professional and personal aspirations."

Ohio offers a work-life balance for executives, their employees and their families available nowhere else.

"In Ohio, work-life balance is more than a buzzword; it's the way we do business," said Burghard. "Low-cost, low-stress communities and short commutes create the State of Perfect Balance, where you can achieve both professional and personal success without sacrificing one for the other."

About the Ohio Business Development Coalition

The Ohio Business Development Coalition is a nonprofit organization that provides marketing strategy and implementation to support Ohio's economic development efforts. For more information, visit www.ohiomeansbusiness.com. PWA-OBDC-01-27-11.

SOURCE Ohio Business Development Coalition