Hocking Hills, Ohio Relocation Guide

Live where you love to visit. The Hocking Hills relocation guide offers insight, tips and resources for visitors who have fallen in love with the area and are planning of moving or purchasing a second home. The region boasts multiple state parks and the extremely popular, Hocking Hills State Park. The small city of Logan, Ohio is most often associated with the Hocking Hills, but is only a part of the geographical area which comprises the Appalachian hill region of southern Ohio. Communities within a 25 minute drive of the Hocking Hills State Park offer the same beauty with a smaller price tag.

Why Move to the Hocking Hills

Not only does the beauty of the area turn visitors into residents, but the welcome small town atmosphere and the three "lows" attract scores of families each year. The low crime rate, low property taxes and low price tags on quality homes. Many residents in the Hocking Hills region don't even bother to lock their doors and rarely have to worry about violent crime. You can purchase a nice family size home for less than $150,000. The solitude and serenity of the area draws out the pioneer spirit in visitors, prompting purchases of multiple acreage with Amish built log cabins.

Culture

The area is a mixture of simple country pleasure and cultural events for residents of all ages. You can join a belly dancing troupe, perform in community theater or take outdoor yoga classes in the shadow of the hills. A host of cultural attractions offer year around enjoyment for both residents and visitors. Stuart's Opera House and the Hocking Valley Railroad in Nelsonville offer live musical performances and rides through the countryside. Themed train rides include wine and cheese tours, visits to the period village at Robbins Crossing at Hocking College and a Polar Express ride at Christmas. The Great Train Robbery has become one of the most anticipated events each year. Western bandits ride up to the train and "take over" the passenger cars, making the riders feel as if they are in a John Wayne film. Art galleries and classes exist in Chillicothe, Logan, Nelsonville and Athens.

Outdoor Recreation

You could explore 25 acres of pristine trails and waterways for an entire year without touring all of the public lands in the Hocking Hills region. The area is home to more than six state parks. Lake Hope State Park has been a frequent haunt for past Ohio governors and attracts international during the fall leaf peeping season each year. Moonville Rail Trail transports visitors to a place where time stood still. Walk through an old brick train tunnel and across bridges which once transported good and passengers across the country. Canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking and geo-caching are popular outdoor activites year around in the Hocking Hills.

Education

You will be surprised and impressed with the state-of-the-art public schools in the Hocking Hills region. New school buildings complete with a plethora of science, music, drama, sports and advanced college prep courses dot the landscape in the hills of southern Ohio. High school students can participate in PSO courses and get a jump start on their college education at no charge. The Post-Secondary Options courses are available through Rio Grande Community College, Hocking College, Ohio University and Ohio Universtiy at Chillicothe. Adults can register for college level workshops or finish their two or four year degrees through the four regional college campuses. School districts in the region include Vinton County Local School District, Nelsonville-York City Schools, Logan-Hocking School District, and the Ross County School District.

Jobs

Artists and freelance writers who work from home have found a secluded utopia in the Hocking Hills. While the rural communities do not offer as many employment opportunities as urban areas, the trade off of a 30 to 45 minute commute does not seem to bother most residents. The low cost of housing and taxes have made the Hocking Hills region very attractive to retirees and adults who can work remotely at least part of the time. The growing allure of eco-tourism has prompted new job growth. More than 200 residents make a living providing cabins or services related to the outdoor tourism business.

Real Estate

Whilereal estate prices fluctuate as frequently as the weather, the average price of an acre of land near Logan was approximately $4,000 per acre. The proximity to the Hocking Hills State Park and the geographic characteristics of the land are also a variable in listing price. Nearby Vinton County, which is close to Ash Cave and includes Lake Hope State Park typically offers land at prices over 50% less than in the Logan area. When choosing an area of the Hocking Hills for a new home, take into consideration the modern amenities offered any designated address. If cell phone service and high-speed Internet access are a concern, you may need to stay closer to McArthur or Logan than you originally anticipated. Make sure to factor in the cost of digging a well or placing electric poles to service your property into the overall price tag. Vinton County does not have a zoning board or building permit office. The only restrictions to what style of home you can build would relate to your budget and a rare deed restriction.