Ohio

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Ohio: Historical and Cultural Brilliance

The state of Ohio is a marvel to behold. Not only is it the home of such renowned cities as Cleveland and Cincinnati, but it also offers various ways for residents to enrich and entertain themselves, whether by exploring the arts or rooting for the state’s ultra-successful sports teams. With so much to offer, there’s little reason to wonder why the Buckeye State is also known as “the Heart of It All.” But if you’re still curious, here are five reasons to consider retiring in Ohio:

1. It has an extensive history. Prior to settlement, Ohio was home to the “Mound Builders,” a tribe of ancient peoples most well-known for their burial forts and mounds, totaling over 6,000. The Miami, Delaware, Wyandot, and Shawnee people called Ohio home when settlers made their arrival.

Europeans didn’t touch down in Ohio until the latter half of the 1600s. More specifically, René-Robert Cavelier visited and explored the region in the year 1670. The state began settlement in 1763 after Great Britain took control—13 years after they sent Christopher Gist to scout the area. Marietta, the state’s first permanent settlement, took root in 1788.

2. Go on a road trip. You can think of Ohio as a bridge between the Midwest and Northeast. The state boasts the nation’s 10th largest network of highways, which links you to about 50 percent of the nation’s population within a single day’s drive. How’s that for a day trip? On a whim, you can go cruising down the road and see all kinds of sights. It’s a perfect way to spend the weekend, should you ever find yourself itching to do some exploring.

3. It’s a presidential hotbed. Eight American presidents call Ohio home, which is why the state is also called the “Modern Mother of Presidents.” The full list includes Warren Harding, William Henry Harrison, William Taft, Ulysses S. Grant, William McKinney, Rutherford B. Hayes, Benjamin Harrison, and James Garfield.

4. Indulge in your favorite sport. Ohio has a whopping nine professional sports teams to enjoy: the Columbus Blue Jackets (hockey), the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds (baseball), the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals (football), the Cleveland Cavaliers (basketball), and the FC Cincinnati and Columbus Crew SC (soccer). The state has also won nine NFL Championships, seven World Series titles, one NBA Championship, and one MLS Cup.

You can even enjoy sports on a smaller scale if you choose. Ohio has a thriving college sports scene, as well as tennis, golf, and auto racing events.

5. Become a patron of the arts. In addition to its success in the sports arena, Ohio also has a bustling art scene. The state houses 30 different art institutions for you to visit, including the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cincinnati Art Museum, and the Columbus Museum of Art. The Cincinnati Art Museum is particularly expansive, as it houses more than 100,000 pieces of artwork dating from the prehistoric period to today. There you’ll find works by such big names as Picasso, Botticelli, Monet, Peter Paul Rubens, and Pissarro.

Ohio is also home to Playhouse Square, a group of ten theaters; its size makes it the nation’s second-largest center for the performing arts. You’ll also be able to visit the American Classical Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

If you like the idea of spending your retirement years in a hotbed of culture and athletic prowess, look no further than the state of Ohio.