Areas in Kettering (Dayton, Beavercreek, Centerville: apartment, foreclosures, rental)

[macata]

We've decided we're going to expand our rental search to Kettering. Are there any areas we should stay away from? Areas we should focus on?

[wrightflyer]

Considering your last post (having 3 kids), I'm assuming you are looking for a house to rent, right?

Housing wise, I think the areas of West Kettering, with maybe the exception of areas right along the Moraine/Kettering border, are the best. Of course, this is the wealthiest area with some big houses, but there are some more affordable places scattered in there as well. I personally like the older housing stock and winding streets. Southdale may be a good, cheaper alternative to the areas around Ridgeway Rd. The housing along (both sides) Far Hills, which is the east west divider, is the best bet because if your budget is tighter or you want a smaller home you can usually find something here. This area has held up pretty well.

The only parts of East Kettering that I would be shy of would be areas around Wilmington, Woodman, and Dorothy, as well as the neighborhood north of Dorothy, west of Wilmington, and east of Shroyer. In fact, much of the areas north of Dorothy between Woodman and Wilmington are more depressed, in part because of the border with Belmont (City of Dayton) and it being a mostly older, rundown commercial strip with older, out-dated housing stock. Also, areas around Whipp and Bigger Roads seem to get a bad rep from the older apartment units and complexes, which don't attract the best people sometimes. East Kettering in itself is fine, but there are a few pockets I'd be wary of when renting. Foreclosures after GM and Delphi left hit this side of Kettering a little harder than others. It's not decimated from them, just a little depressed.

Hopefully this has been a decent insight into Kettering. Good luck on finding a rental. Kettering is not a bad city, it just gets pushed down a little in light of Oakwood, Centerville, and Beavercreek.

[Transitory]

I agree with a lot of wrightflyer said. I don't think there are any particularly 'bad' or unsafe parts of Kettering where you won't want to walk at night. Some parts of the eastern border with Dayton are a little shabby and the commercial strip near Wilmington and Stroop isn't particularly inviting, but that is just along the main roads - a few blocks in and it's much better.

The best part of Kettering to me is the pocket of houses to the east and south of Community Golf course. Kettering owns a small strip of land along Patterson Blvd there and you get the older housing feel of Oakwood with not nearly paying the Oakwood property taxes. Just to the south of this area in the square bounded by Dorothy, Southern, and Far Hills are similarly wonderful older homes.

The parts of Kettering along Mad River Road, in addition, are also lovely, verdent pieces of land with many old growth trees with a 60s and 70s built homes.

I might also suggest the swath of land bounded by Shroyer, Dorothy, and Acorn Drive - again the feel of Oakwood without being so expensive.