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Friday, January 27, 2023

7 Best Places to Live in Dayton, Ohio

Dayton, Ohio

7 Best Places to Live in Dayton, Ohio

When you think of the best places to live in Ohio, your thoughts might first bring up the big cities of Cleveland or Cincinnati. Think again! Dayton, Ohio, was ranked number one in the US News and World Report as the best place to live in Ohio and almost cracked the top 50 places in the US.

Dayton’s attractiveness is rising because it features an excellent public school system and affordable housing options in the suburbs and the city. The culture has deep roots in aviation history, but it has a growing craft beer scene and plenty of parks for recreation.

If all that sounds good to you, why not try Dayton on for size? Explore why people are moving here and where a few of the top neighborhoods are to call home.

Why Live in Dayton?

National Museum US Airforce Dayton OH

The city’s ties in aviation go all the way back to the beginning, as it was the hometown of Orville and Wilber Wright. Besides their museum, Dayton’s best-known in Ohio for its National Museum of the US Air Force and Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. These two stellar exhibitions with hundreds of aircraft will impress the whole family.

But if you prefer to be on the ground, don’t worry. The Dayton metro system includes 350 miles of biking trails, ample parklands, and recreation fields. It even has a bike-share program for getting around the historic district. The Great Miami River runs through Dayton. The Island Metro Park is one of the city’s most popular places to access the meandering waters that continue down to Cincinnati, where they meet the Ohio River. The Island Metro Park, and nearby Riverscape Metro, have water play and fountain features.

In the past, Dayton has been named a top place to live for recent graduates, starting a career, for mid-career professionals, and one of the happiest places to work. The top industries are aerospace research and development, manufacturing, information technology, and health care. The concentration of aerospace-related industries shouldn’t be a surprise, as nearby is the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Dayton ranks highly for its overall affordability. It has a cost of living 29% below the national average. Of Ohio’s major four cities, it’s the cheapest. The median list price for a home in January 2023 was $135,000, and that’s with 947 homes on the market.

Even though Dayton classifies as a city, it’s considered midsize. That brings fewer traffic problems. In fact, the ease of getting around is one of the things locals love about living in Dayton. The commute averages 10-24 minutes, and that’s to get to downtown attractions. It never feels too crowded, even when you’re at a busy summer festival.

If you like beer, then living in Dayton will appeal to you. The annual BEER! A Celebration of Dayton Brewing is one of the most popular events in the city. There are 17 and growing craft brewers in the Dayton area.

Around the city, you’ll find charming suburbs and urban living. To help narrow down your home search, we’ve picked a few of the top neighborhoods to live in Dayton. Our list includes surrounding suburbs.

Oregon Historic District

Oregon Historic District

As Dayton’s oldest part of town, the Oregon Historic District is full of beautiful 19th-century architecture and tree-lined streets packed into 12 city blocks. It runs from Fifth Street to the Route 35 Expressway, between Patterson and Wayne Avenue. Settled by mostly German-speaking immigrants into the 1830s, it became a place for high-society Daytonians to build their homes.

Events and festivals happen with regular occurrence along Fifth Street. Visitors come to check out the food, nightlife, and entertainment. During Out on 5th, the street shuts down to vehicles, creating a bustling street festival between the unique, independent shops. For residents, Newcom Park is a focal point of the neighborhood where the locals host welcoming picnics.

This neighborhood offers a unique blend of history, culture, nature, and modern living all in one place. It had two homes for sale in January 2023 at a median list price of $279,000.

Webster Station

Webster Station is the perfect locale for a relaxed atmosphere with easy access to downtown Dayton. Situated next to the Miami River, downtown, and Oregon Historic District, it’s another historic part of town with old architecture. The city and developers have been investing in redeveloping the community, so you’ll find new urban lofts and construction.

Dayton OH Miami River

RiverScape Metro Park runs along the river and the canal, perfect for a leisurely walk along the waterfront or to let the kids cool off in summer. Locals also have a collection of breweries and bars opening in the historic warehouses. Inside the neighborhood is Fifth Third Field, the home of the minor league baseball Dayton Dragons.

Oakwood

Oakwood is an independent, tight-knit city of around 9,000 people near the downtown area and University Park. The city prides itself on its high walkability, with interlocking neighborhoods surrounded by schools, parks, and community services.

Residents like the community feel and low crime rates. The high safety marks and tight layout means the kids can walk and bike to school. Amenities include the Oakwood Community Center, which has a popular swimming pool on hot summer days. It sits beside the Hills & Dales Metro Park, popular for its walking trails meandering through the dense forests and around creeks.

The aim is to create a community feeling, so the town hosts new resident breakfasts, ice cream socials, holiday season Lighting Up, and other fun events. Events like these helped give Oakwood its no. 1 Best Place to Live in Ohio ranking on Niche.com.

Oakwood had 25 homes for sale in January 2023, with a median list price of $315,000.

Kettering

Kettering is another independent suburban city. Situated south of Dayton and Oakwood, it spans from near I-75 across to I-675, so commuting into Dayton or around Ohio is easy.

Kettering Medical Center is a significant employer and healthcare provider for the Dayton region. The flagship hospital is at the center of own. Others move to Kettering to work with GE Money, Reynolds and Reynolds, or Berry Company. Some are stationed at the nearby Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, so the convenient commute makes Kettering a natural choice.

Kettering has parks and attractions to kick back and relax when done with work. Features include an outdoor pavilion for concerts, a children’s theater, and an arts center with classes and exhibitions. The Kettering Ice Arena hosts hockey and ice skating groups. If you enjoy a round of golf, the NCR Country Club and Moraine Country Club are in town.

Housing here is diverse, with apartments up to single-family homes. As of January 2023, it had 115 homes for sale at a median price of $199,000.

Beavercreek

The rolling farmlands of the Beavercreek area have long attracted people to settle and call home. The town is part of the Dayton metro and Miami Valley region. Among its 23 parks and nature preserves, the city has a public golf course that achieved 4.5 stars on Golf Digest.

Locals have name-brand shopping and dining options at the Mall at Fairfield Commons and Greene Town Center. North of town is Wright State University, which attracts over 7,000 students each year to the area, including Beavercreek.

Beaver Creek is the second-largest suburb of Dayton, with over 45,000 residents. It had 150 homes for sale in January 2023, with a median list price of $275,000.

Patterson Park

This suburb in southeast Dayton is about 10 minutes from downtown but with a more laid-back feel. While primarily residential, daily needs are served by the nearby community services with doctors’ offices, dining, grocers, and more.

The civic association that runs events like the annual Garden Tour, home decorating contests, and picnics nurtured the small-town feeling. Jane Newcom Park borders the southern end of the community.

Housing here was primarily developed in the 1930s and 1940s with around 1,200 square feet. Expect to see Tudors and brick homes along curving, landscaped streets. January 2023 had one home listed at $191,500.

Shroyer Park

Finally, Shroyer Park offers a beautiful setting about ten minutes from downtown. It attracts residents with lush green spaces and plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities. Nestled beside Oakwood and the University of Dayton, the community isn’t as naturally walkable as other areas of Dayton. However, you can still hoof it around to the restaurants along Shroyer Road. An elementary school is inside the community, so it’s convenient for families with younger kids to walk to school.

Homes here predominantly mix Cape Cod and Craftsman architectural styles, with an average of 1,372 sq ft. January 2023 had two homes for sale at a median list price of $180,000.

Living in Dayton, OH

The Witches Tower Dayton OH

No matter what your lifestyle preferences are, Dayton has the neighborhoods to meet your needs. Its affordable housing options are paired with a laidback culture, growing dining options, lots of outdoor recreation, and a strong public school system. With amenities like these, it’s easy to see why people choose Dayton as their home!

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Preston Guyton

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