Why this Blog?

I’m a Cleveland girl, born and raised.  And I’ve lived other places, but I always come back home – by choice, not by chance.  The people I know who make a life here genuinely love it, but often hear the same question, “Why Cleveland?”  This is usually accompanied by some eye-rolling, nose-scrunching face.  The worst part is when people who actually live in Cleveland ask, “Why Cleveland?”  I get convincing the outsiders.  I’m on board with the need to sell them on our scrappy (not crappy) town.  But when Clevelanders themselves ask, “Why Cleveland?”  Well, that’s a problem…

                                                                                                 

This blog will attempt to answer two questions – “Why Cleveland?” and “Why Cleveland?”  The first question is the good stuff – the amazing, noteworthy people and places that make Cleveland, well, Cleveland.  Not just touristy spots, not just the things all of us could list sitting here, but the real heart and soul of the city - the stuff that makes us want to live here, raise our families here, and defend the city to those who would knock it.

The second question looks at what could be better – the stuff that makes us shake our heads at the fact that our town can sometimes be its own worst enemy.  Because I think we can all admit that Cleveland has its share of that stuff, too.

My hope is that, through this adventure, you’ll find a better answer next time someone asks you, “Why Cleveland?”  Or maybe it’ll stop you from asking the question of someone else…