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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.