Toledo isn’t short on amenities. It's got a world-class art museum, an award-winning library system, a zoo that could rival any across the nation, and an ambitious parks system looking to revitalize the city's riverfront.

That, coupled with the low cost of living, makes it — in theory — the perfect place for any young person to build the life they want to live. But many young people aren’t satisfied with ease and comfort and are still waiting for something more. Something that Toledo is working on, but might not have fully figured out yet.

Research has shown that young people, in part because of their adventurousness, are more likely than their older counterparts to start new businesses, donate to charitable causes and advocate for social and economic justice within their communities. If it’s a search for adventure that has led them away from Toledo, how could this city transform to provide that spark and excitement that so many bright, young minds are hungry for? Or is it enough that, one day, those very same people might find themselves looking for what Toledo already offers?

Jake Vriezelaar loved being a creative in Toledo, but after a stint in LA, realized the scale of his ambitions in the film industry would lead him elsewhere. Now, he lives in New York.

Alyssa Brutlag grew up in Toledo, and dreamed of one day being a professional dancer. School led her away and then COVID led her back home, but she ultimately felt the Glass City just didn't have a big enough appetite for dance. Now, she lives in Chicago.

To be fair, Toledo is not a New York or a Chicago. It's Toledo.

And the city has a long history of commitment to the arts — and artists. In 1941, the city hosted the first American performance of the Nutcracker and has performed it without fail every year since. In 1977, it was the first city in Ohio to adopt the One Percent for Art Program, which requires 1% of the city’s Capital Improvement Budget be set aside specifically to support public arts. In 2022, Toledo officially became home to the largest mural in the United States

Toledo is investing heavily in the arts, today, too. A newly released Ohio Creative Economy Report reveals that Northwest Ohio's creative sector supports nearly 14,000 jobs, generates $789M in worker income and adds $1.2B in value to our regional economy.

But is that investment making it easier for local artists to stay in town?

Welcome to episode four of Brain Drain, a Midstory podcast that explores the city of Toledo through the eyes of the people who’ve left it behind. In this episode, we explore Toledo’s efforts to attract the workforce of the future.

Visit www.midstory.org/braindrain/ to explore interactive data visuals and listen to bonus content.

The Toledo region is known for its affordability. The promise of having it all — a family, a house, a job — combined with the possibility of remote work makes moving to Toledo a no-brainer. Right?

Trevor and Hannah Lee, a young couple who returned to Ohio for good, are doing just that. Trevor is a boomerang to the area, and Hannah is originally from Sacramento, but both are finding the opportunity in Ohio to be able to work remotely and build up the life they envisioned.

But while folks like the Lees are thriving here, Toledo’s affordable cost of living is still not enough to stop the brain drain — even in the midst of a tech spring in the Midwest. Remote workers in America, who could live just about anywhere, would rather pay skyhigh rent to live in New York City or Chicago than move to much more affordable places like Toledo.

Welcome to episode three of Brain Drain, a Midstory podcast that explores the city of Toledo through the eyes of the people who’ve left it behind. In this episode, we explore Toledo’s efforts to attract the workforce of the future.

Visit www.midstory.org/braindrain/ to explore interactive data visuals and listen to bonus content.