What Is Great About Living In The Cleveland Area

I was living in Lexington, KY in 1986 when a coal company headquartered there was acquired by BP and they wanted to transfer their executive and management personnel to Cleveland. Most of those affected that I met were taking the outplacement services rather than accept a transfer to Cleveland. Their impression of Cleveland was very negative.

I grew up in Parma. However, I have lived away from Cleveland for twenty years before moving back here in 1987. During that period I have lived in many different locations as well as visited other cities. Living in other cities and other states gives one a unique perspective on life here in Cleveland.

If I had to relocate anywhere else, there is a lot I would miss about Cleveland. #1 on the things I would miss list is the Metroparks. I love to ride my bicycle in the parks and on the towpath trail. In addition to that, there are many great hiking trails throughout the Metroparks. The zoo is first rate. Right up there is the Holden Arboretum. It is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon or a day and their trails are some of the most scenic I have ever hiked. In addition, they have the best cross country skiing trails I have ever skied.

Perhaps #2 of what I would miss is the Cleveland Indians, Browns, and Cavs. No other sports experience beats a seat at Progressive Field that Sports Illustrated rated as THE best bargain in major league sports (the NFL, NBA, and MLB). Watching a Browns game from the Dawg Pound is an experience not to be forgotten. I have seen many memorable Browns games. I have also seen a no hitter by an Indians pitcher (in 1974) as well as a World Series game where it snowed during the game (1997).

Number 3 of what I would miss from Cleveland is the Cleveland Orchestra. Where else can you see the "best orchestra in the world" according to Time magazine in a fantastic concert hall such as Severance Hall? Is there a better way to spend a summer's evening than at a Cleveland Orchestra concert at Blossom Music Center on the lawn with a picnic and a bottle of wine?

Number 4 would be the fabulous recreational opportunities here year round. There are a lot of quality public golf courses here where you can play a round of golf for less than $20.00. I could play a different course each week throughout the season. Sailing on Lake Erie is the closest thing to sailing on the ocean. I know skippers that have sailed on the ocean and the Caribbean and they say Lake Erie is just like the ocean. The Lake Erie islands are terrific places to get away from it all in the summer.

In winter, there are plenty of excellent places for cross country skiing when there is enough snow. Also, where else could one go downhill skiing after work during the week? Granted the local ski areas can't compare with Aspen or Vail, but for convenience they are tops. Also, there are several excellent ice skating venues all over the area so there is no excuse to be a couch potato in the winter.

Number 5 would be the cultural events here. I have seen many world class productions at Playhouse Square and I am still awed by the magnificence of the restored theatres there. The local community theatres also offer excellent productions throughout the year. The many museums in the area not only are educational, but a great place to spend a Sunday afternoon when the weather makes any outdoor activities difficult.

You could also cite the affordable housing costs in the Cleveland area as another thing I would miss. My daughter lives in Chicago and what she pays in rent there could buy a penthouse suite here. If you have ever tried to navigate Chicago traffic (or even Houston traffic), rush hour on the inner belt during a snow storm is nothing.

No place is perfect. San Diego has perfect year round weather and excellent recreational opportunities, but it costs an arm and a leg to live there. Austin, Texas is booming, but you have to endure 100 degree heat just about every day in July and August and if you think there is a lot of construction in Cleveland, you haven't seen anything like Austin.

Sure our weather is lousy about half the year, but there are far worse things than bad weather. We can't do anything about the weather, but we don't get hurricanes, killer earthquakes, and wildfires.

Lee Kamps

Lee has been working with Medicare, Medicaid and private health insurance since he began working at the Erie County Welfare Department in January 1973 where a major part of his job was determining eligibility for Medicaid. He went into the private insurance business in 1977 with Prudential Insurance Company and within a short time had become one of the company’s top sales agents. In 1982, he was promoted into management where he managed two field offices and as many as thirteen sales agents. After leaving Prudential in 1986, Lee decided to become more focused on health insurance and employee benefits. He has advised many local employers on how to have a more cost effective employee benefit program as well as conducted employee benefit meetings and enrollments for many area employers. The companies Lee has worked with ranged from small “mom and pop” businesses to local operations of large national companies. Lee received his B.S. degree from Kent State University where he has been active in the local alumni association. He has completed seven of the ten courses toward the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist designation. He has taught courses in employee benefits and insurance at Cleveland State University and local community colleges. In addition, Lee is an experienced and accomplished public speaker. He has been a member of Toastmasters International where he achieved the designation of “Able Toastmaster – Silver” in 1994. He has also served as a club president, Area Governor and District Public Relations Officer in Toastmasters as well as winning local speech contests. Lee has also been a member of the Greater Cleveland Growth Association’s Speaker’s Bureau where he was designated as one of the “official spokespeople for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” prior to the hall’s opening in 1995. He has given talks and presentations before many audiences including civic organizations, AARP chapters and many other community groups. With the implementation of the Medicare Modernization Act (Medicare drug bill) in 2006, Lee has shifted his focus to Medicare and helping Medicare beneficiaries navigate the often confusing array of choices and plans available. As an independent representative, Lee is not bound to any one specific company or plan, but he can offer a plan that suits an individual person’s needs and budget. In addition, Lee is well versed in the requirements and availability of various programs for assistance with Medicare part D as well as Medicaid. While he cannot make one eligible, he can assist in the process and steer one to where they may be able to receive assistance.

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Volume 7, Issue 7, Posted 12:35 AM, 07.01.2015