Centerville (place to live, place, children)

[HIgirl]

Thank you to all of you who have given me info. It is very useful and makes our move a little easier. It sounds like the Dayton suburbs have a lot to offer. We are really excited!!

[chrisa]

HIgirl --- we are also moving to Wright Patt (coming from Germany). we just purchased a house in Washington Twp (centerville area). I should be arriving the end of the month. good luck in your search...our list was Beavercreek or Centerville (school districts)

Wrightflyer --- how do you like the Washington Twp area?

[Crew Chief]

Chrisa, we love Washigton Twp! We like not paying city taxes (property taxes are a little higher but we feel that the services we get make up for the difference) Our trustees are fiscally conservative but spend money when it is needed for the right things; we're very satisfied with our local government (unlike state and federal...) We share some services with the City of Centerville (fire, schools and recreation) and Washington Twp contracts with Montgomery Co. for police protection while Centerville has their own P.D. (watch out for "revenue enancement" operations by both agencies, as well as the Ohio State Highway Patrol, on our end of I-675!) Our trash is by one of three contractors (Waste Management, Rumpke and a thrid one, who's name I can't remember and can't find in the phone book...) We're not thrilled with their service but we use Waste Management because our pickup day is Monday. (nice after weekend yard work) Centerville has their own city refuse removal and we LOVED that when we first moved here...sigh. There has been some discussion about meging Centerville and Washington Twp's governments. There are a LOT of isues to be resolved before that might happen. Wouldn't have a problem with that IF it was done fairly...
Our corner of the world is blessed with great shopping (Dayton Mall, The Greene and Fairfield Commons) There are many nice restaurants, mostly chain but some good local ones as well (Meadowlark, in nearby Miami Twp is one of our favorite local places)

Welcome to Washington Twp, Chrisa!

[wrightflyer]

I actually don't live in Washington Twp. I live in Beavercreek. But I can say that I do enjoy the Washington Twp. area and what it offers. But again, I live in Beavercreek so many of the stores and restaurants (w/ exception to the locals) can be found in Beavercreek around Fairfield Commons/The Greene. The schools are also similar no matter how hot the rivalries get. However, Centerville/Washington Twp, seems to spend more then most districts.

Basically, the township has a wide variety of housing from apartments to large estates. Many of the northern suburbs are large homes from the late '60s/70's period with winding streets and no sidewalks. Much of the development in Washington Twp. is now south of I-675/St Rt. 725 and ranges from 1980's to present. In terms of similar suburbs (Springboro, Bellbrook, Beavercreek, Vandalia, Tipp City), the housing stock is for the most part the same. The one thing Wahington Twp. (and Kettering) has that some of the others don't is an amazing rec center with indoor pool. That would be a nice addition to Beavercreek (which has an indoor pool at the YMCA, but not as nice).

[Crew Chief]

Wrightflyer, actually Centerville City Schools is near the bottom of the list when it comes to spending for administration. Our per-student expenditures are also below all of the large city school districts. Centerville/Washington Twp voters always approve levies because they know that the money will be well-spent. Despite major modifications to Watts Middle School and Centerville High School and renovations to almost all of the other school buildings, our administration building is a rather crowded, unassuming facility that one would never guess runs one of the most successful school districts in Ohio.

[wrightflyer]

Obviously my lack of living in the community shows. Sorry if I put something out of perspective. I guess what I should have said is that Centerville Schools spend their tax dollars wisely. Crew Cheif, is it just me or does it seem that Centerville/Washington Twp. are basically the same in every aspect minus an actual "city center"?

[Crew Chief]

Originally Posted by wrightflyer

Obviously my lack of living in the community shows. Sorry if I put something out of perspective. I guess what I should have said is that Centerville Schools spend their tax dollars wisely. Crew Cheif, is it just me or does it seem that Centerville/Washington Twp. are basically the same in every aspect minus an actual "city center"?

Wrightfler, my humble apologies; You're one of the best & most knowledgeable posters on the Dayton area; I hope I didn't come off as snooty! No, it's not just you; even though we've lived here since '00, I STILL can't seperate the actual boundaries of Centerville and the township. And, as much as I like C/WT, I still think that the intersection of Franklin/Main is one to avoid at all costs! The "city centers" of Tipp City, Springboro and many other towns are far more appealing, IMHO. The City BBQ, Graeters, and Panera Bread have livened up the intersection a lot. But it's STILL a royal pain to get into any of the businesses if you're coming from the wrong way...

[Bjoy]

there are fences. some people like the open feeling, but there are also a lot of fences. Centerville seems to have a lot of split rail. Kettering, privacy or chain link. I think Centerville thinks they are a little more well to do and like the expansive feeling of split rail. Beavercreek may have fewer fences. Kettering also has good schools. Perhaps not quite as highly rated as the other 2. cities. that is because kettering has more of a mixture of people. More older people, more med. priced homes, also higher priced and very high priced, but they average out to a lower med. income than Centerville would.

[dyt937]

A Lot Of Centerville People Are Cocky And Stuck Up

[wrightflyer]

Not always. I know plenty of people from Centerville that are wonderful people. The same goes for places like Kettering and Dayton. What's sad is that people tend to see the rotten apples in the bunch and automatically asume everyone there is snooty or trash.

As for Main and Franklin, I made the mistake of going down 48 towards Springboro at rush hour. Let me say I won't ever do that again. Also had a friend end up in an accident from someone turing left around there. It's crazy!