Welcome to Dayton!
We are confident you are going to fall in love with the Gem City just like we have. We do, however, also know that moving to an unfamiliar area can be just as overwhelming as it is exciting. Where do you go to ask all the important questions about potential new neighborhoods such as:
- Where should we look for a home?
- What can expect from the school districts?
- What do the locals have to say about where they live?
- Where will my family’s lifestyle needs be met?
- Or maybe you already live in the area, but are looking to move, and wondering what makes each neighborhood and area unique!
Information on the different areas of town is locally sourced from people who actually live there. (If we are missing your neighborhood and you feel like it deserves a shout-out as a great place to live, we would love to hear from you! You can fill out this form HERE.)
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Dayton & Surrounding Suburbs
School District: Beavercreek School System
Amenities: Large city amenities with a small town feel. Close to The Greene with plenty of shopping, family-friendly events, and dining options. Excellent library and park system. Easy access to highways and close to WPAFB. Excellent schools for students with special needs.
Lifestyle: Plenty of green space with mature trees, biking, and hiking trails to keep your family active.
Distance to Wright Patterson AF Base: 17 minutes
Learn More: Beavercreek, Ohio
“We like living in Beavercreek because we get large city amenities with a small town feel. We have a plethora of shopping, dining, and entertainment options, as well as ample green space with plenty of parks and hiking and biking trails. We are frequent visitors of our Beavercreek branch of the Greene County library, and we’ve enjoyed enrolling our toddler in programs through our Parks & Rec department.” – Mallory, Beavercreek Mom
School District: Centerville School System
Amenities: Beautiful metro area with parks, quaint downtown area, green space, and community.
Lifestyle: Lives up to its nickname “warm and cheerful Centerville”
Distance to Wright Patterson AF Base: 23 minutes
Learn More: Centerville, Ohio
“I love the community and kids activities in Centerville. Between the parks programs, the library, and the quaint downtown area, there is always somewhere to walk to and friendly smiles along the way.” – Sasha, Centerville Mom
School District: Dayton School System
Amenities: Close to the Cox Arboretum, Dayton Library, Beavercreek Library, The Dayton Art Institute, Young’s Farms, and the Air Force Museum.
Lifestyle: Developing urban area with plenty of close-by amenities. Many free events and festivals, plus Dayton is wonderful because everything is accessible and within a short drive. Low taxes.
Distance to Wright Patterson AF Base: 18 minutes
Learn More: Dayton, Ohio
“Our home is close to my workplace in Downtown Dayton, the library, the park, and stores we frequent. There is even a new public library being constructed a few blocks from our home. We are excited!” – Brittney, Dayton Mom
School District: Northmont School System
Amenities: Beautiful metro area with parks, green space, kayaking and more.
Lifestyle: Great blend of urban living and rural charm.
Distance to Wright Patterson AF Base: 32 minutes
Learn More: Englewood, Ohio
“Englewood is the perfect mix of city living and rural charm. We have all the conveniences of a larger town without the traffic and overall busy feel. We have a beautiful metro park full of trails, playgrounds and kayaking. We’re just minutes away from Aullwood Farm and a short 20 min drive to Downtown Dayton. As former city of Dayton residents we love the perfect mix that is Englewood and have happily grown to love this little community.” – Samara, Englewood Mom
School District: Fairborn School System
Amenities: Close to base, building a new elementary and intermediate school. Close to WPAFB, downtown Fairborn, and has a great library and YMCA
Lifestyle: Friendly, safe, community feel with lower taxes.
Distance to Wright Patterson AF Base: 3 minutes
Learn More: Fairborn, Ohio
“We love the location, the price, the lower taxes, the sidewalks, the two-car garages, and the close proximity to everything. ” – Becky, Fairborn Mom
School District: Huber Heights School System
Amenities: Numerous parks and newer amenities including the Y at The Heights, Aquatic Center and the Rose Music Center.
Lifestyle: A variety of events and local businesses encourage community engagement.
Distance to Wright Patterson AF Base: 18 minutes
Learn More: Huber Heights, Ohio
““Huber Heights is a growing community perfect for growing families! Its location at the 70/75 interchange makes it ideal for those who travel near and far.” – Kary Ellen, Huber Heights Mom
School District & Rating: Kettering School System
Amenities: Excellent public library system and park district (Play Kettering), plus close to The Fraze Fraze for concerts, festivals, and events. Centrally located near 3 major shopping centers. Elementary schools are great!
Lifestyle: Offers a variety of family-friendly activities, dining options, and community events. The town has a strong close-knit community feel. One of the best combinations of housing prices and school districts!
Distance to Wright Patterson AF Base: 25 minutes
Learn More: Kettering, Ohio
“Living in Kettering has been a great experience for our family. We frequent the Play Kettering programs through the Rec Center and Rosewood Arts Center. With great dining (Christopher’s a family fave), shopping (Town and Country) and activities (Spark Art), we don’t have to go far.” – Kathryn, Kettering Mom
School District: Lebanon School System
Amenities: 15 minutes from King’s Island amusement park, a mix of old and new homes, the option to live in the city but still have a decent yard, or live just out of town in a more rural setting, considered a Tree City USA, home to the famous LM&N Railroad, the country’s largest YMCA, is accessible and close to many local farms but also access to bigger name amenities like a local Kroger.
Lifestyle: This community boasts a small-town feel, while still being very accessible to the big city, and both I-75 & I-71. It has a thriving historic district that is being revitalized, and nearly monthly there are festivals and events for the whole family to enjoy year-round. It also has a growing arts presence.
Distance to Wright Patterson AF Base: 45 minutes
Learn More: Lebanon, Ohio
“I love the small town charm of Lebanon. With all its cute shops, annual festivals and family-friendly town and outer, more rural activities, I’d really rather live nowhere else. It’s also just a hop, skip and a jump from both Dayton and Cincinnati!” – Dusty, Lebanon Mom
School District: Oakwood School System
Amenities: Excellent public safety department, great playgrounds, close to downtown, shopping, and major employers (hospitals, WPAFB). Cute, locally owned shops, and hiking trails. Home to Hills and Dales Metro Park, great community library, and close to the University of Dayton.
Lifestyle: Great schools, active MOM’s group, walkable, great playgrounds, an active community center, very safe, with well-kept homes and sidewalks. Oakwood has great holiday events, lots of ways for families to get involved and get to know one another. It’s a city, but it feels like a neighborhood. There is a high degree of walkability.
Distance to Wright Patterson AF Base: 29 minutes
Learn More: Oakwood, Ohio
“Oakwood is a place for people who want to live in a community where people truly care about their neighbors. ” – Meghan, Oakwood Mom
School District: Springboro School System
Amenities: Great park system, lots of community events, great school system. Awesome downtown/Main Street with small businesses and housing with more bang for your buck.
Lifestyle: Close proximity to enjoy both Cincinnati and Dayton areas. Low taxes.
Distance to Wright Patterson AF Base: 33 minutes
Learn More: Springboro, Ohio
“Springboro’s historic downtown, beautiful parks, and fun community events have such a nostalgic charm. I love that I get to raise my kids in a Mayberry-like town that offers so much to ensure quality family time while maintaining close proximity to the bigger cities!” – Emma Jo, Springboro Mom
School District: Troy School System
Amenities: Excellent downtown area with lots of community engagement and events, plus the annual Strawberry Festival!
Lifestyle: A hometown rich with history and a family focus.
Distance to Wright Patterson AF Base: 33 minutes
Learn More: Troy, Ohio
“Troy wasn’t named the “Best Hometown in Ohio” by Ohio Magazine for no reason. Troy is the perfect mix of a small town feel yet boasts the luxuries of boutique shopping and fine dining of a big city. The famous strawberry festival and main street parades combined with easy access to 75 and great schools are just a few reasons why we love calling Troy home” – Kirstie, Troy mom.
School District: Wilmington School System
Amenities: Affordable living, low taxes, close to Dayton, Cincinnati & Columbus metro areas.
Lifestyle: Close to Caesar Creek State Park for those who love an outdoor lifestyle.
Distance to Wright Patterson AF Base: 45 minutes
Learn More: Wilmington, Ohio
“Wilmington is a quaint small town. Nestled in the heart of Clinton County you can be sure to pass, corn or bean fields on your way to many of the activities this town has to offer. From Caesar’s creak to Cowan Lake, adventures await.” – Cheryl, Wilmington Mom
