Vickery has country living in Sandusky County
Vickery is a rural swath of Sandusky County surrounded by fields of grain and abundant nature. Aside from a waterfront wildlife area and inland nature reserves, the area is predominantly agrarian, though most residents are still within a 30-minute drive of jobs and entertainment in Sandusky. "Ag has a greater effect on day-to-day life by being a major employer in the county," says Al Gahler, an agriculture and natural resources educator with the Ohio State University extension office in Sandusky County. " We have one of the largest sauerkraut factories in the country in the county, along with one of Heinz's major production facilities and several farmer-owned co-ops." The area has low turnover and limited housing stock, so buyers may be hard-pressed to find homes for sale. Many families have been there for generations. "Probably 99% of the farms in the county are family-owned and operated," Gahler says. "Even the larger-scale and specialty operations are still family-run."
Abundant nature nearby and family-friendly fun in Sandusky
Dozens of nature preserves and protected habitats surround the area. Hunters catch in-season game at public hunting grounds like White Star Park and Ringneck Ridge Wildlife Area, both within a half-hour drive. On the north side, Sandusky Bay connects to Lake Erie, offering plenty of fishing, boating and water sports. Families head to Sandusky for amusement parks like Cedar Point, Kalahari Resort and Great Wolf Lodge. Daytrippers can hop on a ferry to Kelleys Island and Put-In-Bay.
Homes hardly hit the market
The area has a variety of housing types and prices, ranging from mobile homes and cottages to multiacre farmhouses and waterfront properties on the shores of Sandusky Bay. The median cost of a single-family home is $175,000, but homes in the area rarely come on the market.
Hitting the books at Fremont City School District
Kids may attend Fremont City School District, which earns a C-plus from Niche. The district has an enrollment of about 3,300 students between four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Its impressive agricultural department offers six full-year courses, and many students participate in groups like 4-H and Future Farmers of America. "4-H does many things to prepare students for the future through hands-on learning activities, like real-world scenarios of raising livestock and keeping financial records," Gahler says.
Vickery is car-dependent
Fremont is about 11 miles away, while downtown Sandusky is about 15. It's a 13-mile drive to Interstate 90, a major thoroughfare that connects to Cincinnati, 80 miles east, and Toledo, 50 miles west. Rural living means drivers must contend with tractors and farm equipment during the planting and harvesting seasons. "A majority of county residents are used to ag equipment on the road," Gahler says. The closest medical facility is Bellevue Hospital, about 10 miles away.
Locals leave the area for shops and restaurants
Residents drive to Fremont or Clyde to run errands, get groceries and grab a bite to eat. Watering holes like Vickery Pub and Grub dot the area and feature Midwestern menu staples like tavern-style pizza, sandwiches and wings. Boaters dock at waterfront restaurants along Lake Erie for seafood platters and outdoor dining. Downtown Sandusky offers more shopping and dining. "There are several farmers markets in different towns around the county, and also several on-farm produce stands and markets where consumers can buy direct from the farmer," Gahler says. Many buyers find local goods through local advertising, social media groups and Ohio Proud, an online directory of markets, farms and orchards in the state.
Written By
Leslie Klosterman
