Need help with school systems in the Vandalia area (Columbus: houses, neighborhoods)

[gjs]

Hi all! I am thinking of relocating to somewhere around the Vandalia area around Feb. or March. I was there about a month ago when I interviewed for a job, I drove around a little to check out some nearby towns. I don't want to live in Dayton,my job will be in Vandalia. I checked out the town of Troy and it seemed to be a nice little town, I wish I could have checked out a few more places but diden't have the time. I am looking for a town that has a nice small town feel with shopping,food store,mall,etc... that will be close by (10 min.) I don't want to be more than about 20 min. drive to my work in Vandalia. But probably most important I want my daughter to be in a good school system,she is 9 yo. And also things for her to do in spare time as with having a community center with activities for younger children. I also checked out Huber Heights while I was there and found it to be to congested for my liking. I appriciate any help on this matter.

[wrightflyer]

The best bet for you would probably be Tipp City. Good schools, small, safe community. I believe they have a new YMCA facility, shopping nearby, and right between Vandalia and Troy off I-75.

[OH Deb]

Tipp City is probably your best bet. Great schools with a small town feel. Huber schools are good but yes, the northern part can be very conjested at times. Englewood is about the same as Huber. Good Luck

[1+1=5]

We've lived in Tipp City for 13 years now and love it; the schools are excellent. Not very ethnically diverse, but otherwise great.

[LancasterNative]

Ok...not trying to be rude or poke fun at your screenname, but...

I had to look twice when I saw a thread entitled "Need help with school systems..." where the last post was from "1+1=5" !!!

[smile42]

GJS, I agree with the others. Tipp is the way to go! Five minute commute to Vandalia (and the airport) on back roads. Small, historic downtown with lots of shops, great restaurants at different price ranges, etc. Very close-knit community type feel with an involved Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Partnership, Merchant's Group, Community Services office, etc. Stellar library for a town of its size. Many recreation options (nice parks, new YMCA, Charleston Falls Preserve). Lower taxes than Vandalia. And, best of all for re-sale value, Excellent-rated schools. A new high school was recently opened, and the schools and community are really in-tune with each other.

Another great selling point is the proximity to everywhere else. You're right on I-75, so you have easy access to downtown Dayton. But, you're also on I-70 which makes trips to Columbus and Indianapolis easy. I lived in Kettering (south Dayton suburb) for a few years and hated that it took me 20 minutes just to get to the interstate. Tipp doesn't suffer from that problem .

You didn't mention your budget, but neighborhoods are available in all price ranges. The historic homes in town tend to sell for $100K-$200K. Suburb-ish developments are available in the $150K-$1M range. And, there are also plenty of "country" ranches/houses with acreage.

Please come back and let us know what you decided! We'd love to welcome you as a new neighbor.

[penelopelp]

Both Vandalia and Tipp City have excellent school systems. Tipp City has the small town feel. The Ohio Department of Education rates school districts on their website. Both Vandalia and Tipp City are rated, "Excellent." Huber Heights is rated, "Effective."
Ohio Department of Education Home Page

[faithwlkr]

Hello, I was searching for info on Vandalia and ran across this thread. I noticed that you all are trying to push away from Vandalia...any reasons for this? We found a house we love in Vandalia, but to be quite honest the main street left little to be desired for us. The house is near the corner of National Rd. and Dixie. Does anyone know much about this area by any chance? And is there any more to Vandalia that I was missing? We couldn't even find a grocery store when we drove around. I hear the schools are great which is one thing we are looking for.

Any info would be great...thanks!

[OH Deb]

Originally Posted by faithwlkr

Hello, I was searching for info on Vandalia and ran across this thread. I noticed that you all are trying to push away from Vandalia...any reasons for this? We found a house we love in Vandalia, but to be quite honest the main street left little to be desired for us. The house is near the corner of National Rd. and Dixie. Does anyone know much about this area by any chance? And is there any more to Vandalia that I was missing? We couldn't even find a grocery store when we drove around. I hear the schools are great which is one thing we are looking for.

Any info would be great...thanks!

There is quite a variety of homes & prices in Vandalia. That main street is not your typical home town main street. Grocery store to the far east (over the interstate and north). It is a nice Krogers but on the out skirts. Also I think there is a smaller store near that corner of Dixie & National.

I think you will have to go several miles out of Vandalia to do some other shopping. There is no discount stores (wal-mart ect.) or dept. stores in Vandalia. Also, not a Lowes or HOme Depot anywhere in Vandalia.

Guess it is considered to be a bedroom community.

[TammyM]

Just wanted to reply to OH Deb's post. There is a super Wal-Mart just off N. Dixie, at Miller Lane/York Commons. Lots of restaurants too!