I think that's overstating it a LITTLE.
Ohio has a lot going for it.
- we get all 4 seasons, which I think makes us appreciate nice weather a bit more
- low cost of living. Even in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and other "down town" areas
- with that said, there is also a good mix of suburban and 'country' living options if you want acreage, or more Trump/Pence signs in your life. I believe this is why Ohio accurately predicts presidential elections. We're like a miniature Untied States.
- lots of professional and college sports teams
- Mid-Ohio, Nelson Ledges, PIRC, Indanapolis Motor Speedway are all within realistic driving distance.
- did I mention cost of living? Friends of ours in Virginia (DC area) are about to pay more than double what we paid for a smaller house and a nothing yard. My house is 20 years older, so theirs is more up-to-date inside, but even if I factor in $50k worth of remodeling on my house, we're still making out by $150,000 or more. Yes, they make more money than my wife and I do in Ohio, but they don't make DOUBLE what we do. The property costs increase disproportionately to income.
- we're relatively insulated from natural disasters. Yes, we get a crazy blizzard every 15 years or so, but tell me the last time Ohio was decimated by a hurricane or an earthquake. Tornadoes are certainly possible, but not like they are in the plains states.
- Few poisonous spiders, etc.