Potential Moves - NE Ohio and New Orleans

So, like half the world, it seems, I'm looking for a new job. One of the motivators is the potential to be nearer to family. Now, I've got family primarily in two places:

1. The swath from Cleveland to Pittsburgh (inclusive). Most of the positions I've seen would have me between Cleveland and Akron.
2. The greater New Orleans area.

So, what autocross/motorsports activities are there around those places? I never really got into autocross until I moved to Michigan, so I really don't know the scene there. My wife's family is from Akron, and I barely know my way around there.

Akron drops you between Pittsburgh (two active autocross clubs, a race track, rallycross scene, PVGP, not too far to hillclimbs) and Hocking Hills (epic road trip roads) and Cleveland (i'm sure they have an active autocrossing scene) and Mid Ohio and Nelson Ledges.

New Orleans is probably quieter for car related stuff, but you have food, the French Quarter, Music and outdoor activities year round.

As much as I love NOLA, I live in Pittsburgh and only visit the Big Easy.

pinchvalve wrote: New Orleans is probably quieter for car related stuff, but you have food, the French Quarter, Music and outdoor activities year round.

I knew a few people who were part of the Alfa groups, and they were heavily involved with racing near New Orleans.

There's a lot going on in warm areas.

There used to be two thriving autocross series in Akron, but unfortunately not anymore. NORA used to run at Geauga Lake, and NeOhio SCCA now runs in Mentor. Both are looking for new pavement for next year. Steel Cities SCCA runs some of their events at PittRace, which is about 1.5 hours from Akron, and the rest south of Pittsburgh.
Like was already mentioned, Nelson ledges is close, Mid-Ohio and PittRace are about the same distance from Akron in different directions. Summit Racing is on the east side of Akron, so the car culture is pretty good. I've lived in NE Ohio all but one year of my 53 years, so PM me if you need any other information.

Summit Racing makes me want a Camaro. It's about 20 minutes from my in-laws.

In reply to scardeal:

Where do your inlaws live? I live about 1.5 miles from SR on the same road.

They live in North Jackson.

They recently built the NOLA Motorsports Park just outside of New Orleans, so access to motorsports has become much easier. they have a large autocross pad along with kart and car tracks.

In reply to scardeal:

My wife is from North Canton. What line of work are you in?

I used to live in Slidell LA which is just across the lake from NO. I visited a LOT. Slidell is cheap living, usually gets spared the worst of hurricanes, and its at least above sea level. Mind you, its 6 feet above sea level, but usually enough to keep things from getting submerged.

New Orleans and Slidell smell bad. Its that sewer-y salt marsh smell. Other than that, it is a wonderful area full of happy, loving people. I still visit about once a year. I now live in Pittsburgh and I don't think I would be happy living in Ohio. I visit a lot - mostly Akron and Cleveland but I've been all over the state. None of it ever tripped my trigger.

bravenrace wrote: In reply to scardeal: My wife is from North Canton. What line of work are you in?

IT/Programming. Ideally looking for a (MS SQL Server) Database Developer position. I've done some .NET, some PHP and a good bit of VB6. But mostly SQL programming. Plus, I've got about a year of DBA experience in the mix.

scardeal wrote:

bravenrace wrote: In reply to scardeal: My wife is from North Canton. What line of work are you in?

IT/Programming. Ideally looking for a (MS SQL Server) Database Developer position. I've done some .NET, some PHP and a good bit of VB6. But mostly SQL programming. Plus, I've got about a year of DBA experience in the mix.

I have no idea what language you are speaking, but I do know that I don't speak it.

bravenrace wrote: I have no idea what language you are speaking, but I do know that I don't speak it.

That's totally fine.

In reply to scardeal:

Do you have job offers in the area, or are you looking? My BIL is an IT guy at a large local company. He may know of positions in the area if you are interested.

bravenrace wrote: In reply to scardeal: Do you have job offers in the area, or are you looking? My BIL is an IT guy at a large local company. He may know of positions in the area if you are interested.

I'm looking. I've currently got a lead in NOLA and a lead in Cleveland.

There are four or five rallycross regions within a reasonable driving distance of NE Ohio. - WOR, OVR, Detroit, Ft. Wayne, and soon NEO.

and Ohio has an active GRM group

And in the winter time, the world is your margarita! What with all the salt anyway.

Wait, is that a plus or a minus?