Anyone from Dayton? (Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo: apartment complex, new home, private school)

[JefferyT]

To be honest, no one is going to burn crosses here, anymore.

My experience is more in real estate people and co-workers doing "steering", which is sort of a soft racism.

[Pure Romance Gal]

I have lived in Dayton my whole life. While I am dying to get out of here, it's nothing personal. I grew up in Oakwood and I can say, if you have kids, it is an excellent place to raise them. People still sit on their front porch; they walk everywhere (it is only 2 square miles); and you know most everyone on your block. If I had the money, I'd live there and probably stay. However, the property taxes are out of this world! You really can't beat the uniqueness of the homes; no two are alike. I agree with the other posts on here, I wouldn't live downtown...too nasty. But there are great areas around like Beavercreek, Centerville, Kettering, Tipp City, Englewood. Those are my favorite cities, based on appearance and friendliness. Regarding things to do-Dayton is trying really hard to put sports (Dayton Dragons Minor League Baseball), theater (The Schuster Center), and shopping (The Greene) in the area. There are also several Metro Parks in the area and a beautiful State Park, John Bryant, to the north in Yellow Springs. All in all, not a bad place to live. Good luck!

[smile42]

RedeNTired:

Though I grew up in Dayton, I lived in San Diego for two years and recently returned to the Miami Valley. I think you'll find the cost of living well-worth the move. You'll have extra money to fly to the beaches when you need them (ha). I've noticed that the Dayton area is far more community minded than what I found in the San Diego area. I lived in Carlsbad and felt zero sense of "belonging." I suppose that's partly due to the fact that so many people in Southern California are transplants without long-standing roots.

Anyway, to your question about racism in this area . . . it will depend entirely on what specific spot you choose.

You could move to Yellow Springs where you'll find a very warm welcome from a highly-educated, racially and culturally diverse community. Doubt you'd have a single issue there.

I would NOT consider anywhere within the Dayton city limits safe. I'd also caution against the far outlying small towns. (i.e. the tiny farming communities) Although I'm sure the majority of their residents would be warm, these rural areas have far-reaching roots in overt racism, and you might find an unwelcoming neighbor or two.

As for the rest of our suburban belt (Oakwood, Kettering, Centerville, Beavercreek, Vandalia, etc.), in my humble opinion, if you are a retiring couple who settles in a nice subdivision, you won't have any issues whatsoever. The Miami Valley is notoriously friendly. The sad, honest truth, though, is that if you were a young couple with kids of school age and moved into any lower-rent area, you'd encounter tremendous problems. There is no question that with education comes both economic stability AND openness to diversity.

I'll give you a specific example. I moved to Tipp City twenty years ago and heard rumors of an active KKK. There had, in fact, been a cross burning a few years before we moved in. We aren't even on a bus line, so the exposure to diversity was virtually non-existent at the time. Several black families have moved here over the years, and the response has been mixed. The keys seemed to be what neighborhood they chose, whether they had kids of school-age, and whether they sent the children to Tipp schools. I know of one particular family who lived in a nice subdivision and sent their kids to a private school in Dayton. As far as I know, they never had a single problem. Families who moved here and sent their kids to Tipp, on the other hand, tended to stay a year or two and then move on. Probably due to the "soft" racism another poster mentioned. On the far extreme, black or mixed-race families who have moved into our apartment complexes have experienced significant problems. The reason is that the old-guard Tipp residents blame any/all increased crime on the apartment population. Add race to the mix, right or wrong, and you've got potential fireworks.

So, my advice would just be to visit the area, tour some neighborhoods with an informed realtor, and spend some time in those neighborhoods' shopping centers, restaurants, etc. See which places makes you feel most "at home," and then settle in and enjoy the friendly Midwestern values (and the changing seasons!).

[RedeNTired]

Thanks 42 and JeffreyT,

You both helped put our minds at ease a little.

We love the Yellow Springs area, my husband lived there right after college and I've visited several times.

A couple of years ago as we visited family in Columbus and Cincinnati we drove through Beavercreek and we both really like that area too.

A few months before our move we're planning on visiting for more than a "drive through." I like the idea of spending time at the Malls, restaurants etc to see what feels like home.

After being in San Diego for the last 10 years I'm eager to get back to the mid-west warmth. My husband has been here over 20 years and may need a little deprogramming but I'm sure he'll adjust. It'll be worth it to have a little extra spending money and be around family.

Thank you both for your honest response to my question.

[JefferyT]

I would NOT consider anywhere within the Dayton city limits safe.

I am sorry but this is just baloney.

[mobiletom]

I have lived in Dayton for three years. I came from a rural area in New York State and have learned much about the city.

Pros: Colleges- three major schools to choose from, all stellar- Sinclair Community College (In the top 12 community colleges in the country) Wright State University, and the University of Dayton. Plus many career and technical schools.

Affordability: For a region of this size (1 million plus) the cost of living is decent. I live in the city limits of Dayton and my rent is extremely affordable. Obviously the suburbs add cost but it is still not unreasonable. Those who need to work and earn at least a Bachelor's degree will find Dayton a viable option. Also, aside from the cost of groceries which are much higher here than in other places I have lived, the costs of most other goods and services are very reasonable for a city of this size.

Shopping/Dining/Convenience: This is the land of the restaurant and gas station. Every chain restaurant is here not to mention specialty eateries and other outlets that are usually only available in larger cities. The two major malls are both great and the whole city, from Englewood in the north to Miamisburg in the south, is full of shopping centers and plazas with every service one could need. There are many 24 hour destinations and even when there is nothing to do it's better than being out in the sticks.

Cons:

Crime/Litter: Dayton, including the suburbs, is dirty. It's that simple. Even in posh Oakwood its not unusual to see litter in the streets and garbage blowing in the wind. Simply put, it's a busy, large area and it shows. And people just don't care - they throw their lunch trash out their car windows in front of anyone. People spit their used toothpicks on the floor of whatever store they are at, even in Beavercreek! And there definitely is crime, especially on the northern and western sides of the city, but if you don't smoke/deal/or owe money for crack you are probably ok. On the East side where I live theft is rampant, people will steal ANYTHING so keep your patio furniture chained down, no joke. But can you walk down the street in Dayton? I think you can. In fact, you may want to walk downtown since the really good places to go are in Dayton proper: the Oregon District (nighlife) and the Schuster and Victoria theatres and many other small local attractions. I guess since I am not from here I don't have snob complex about hanging out downtown. Those who enjoy city living will like the energy and atmosphere of downtown and for those who prefer to do the soccer mom thing there are many suburbs to choose from which are only 20 minutes from each other and downtown. And special mention has to be made of the Dayton Art Institute which is just too awesome - a collection that rivals other world class galleries.

So if you are researching Dayton as a place to live consider it a small city with a big city feel but be ready to accept things that come with an urban setting including crime and pollution, but not on a huge scale like bigger metropolitan areas. Definitley consider the higher education options.

[mobiletom]

Why is everyone so quick to separate the suburbs from Dayton proper? There would be no Beavercreek or Kettering or Oakwood without Dayton. The only reason it's "Beavercreek" growth is because Beavercreek still has land that can be developed. It may be in another county and it may seem like a whole other city, but Beavercreek is suburb of Dayton, like it or not. And no matter what gets built or where, the banks and developers have all the money and they share the same zip code: 45401.

[the_pines]

This thread makes me want to move back. The east and west sides are in really bad shape. They're in need of a ton of help. But the city is small enough that it seems like it could rebound in a very short time. If those inner city areas of the east and west sides become a quality place to live again all of Dayton will thrive again. Its a small city with a very big heart. You wouldnt think such a small city could offer some of the things Dayton has. Its seen a lot of stagnation that has lowered the moral, and a lot of things havent changed much over the years. Dayton Ohio is the heart and soul of Ohio in my mind. There's no doubt in my mind that historic little city in every way possible will rebound someday. Its small enough and managable enough to accomplish it. No other city on Earth its size has the history behind it like Dayton i'll tell you that. The nickname "Gem City" couldnt be more true if ideas and people are Gems. It has hosted a number of people and ideas that have went on to become very successull in many areas. I couldnt be more happier than hearing some New Yorkers and others are moving there. The city can offer a very high quality of life. It wouldnt take much new growth to turn it around.

Trotwood(oldest suburb of Dayton, very historic and beautiful but in poor shape overall, my second favorite suburb)-Predominantly middle class black with pockets of white.not many apartments, but if fixed up would be a great place)

Englewood(very little growth but my favorite suburb, the large park in the area and ammneties are close by with the highway, stores are mainly local places, they just now built a wal mart after all these yeras but its on the outskirts of town, most people shop at meijers grocery store which is a huge chain in Ohio, not many apartments)

Vandalia(hosts the airport and airshow, some hilly areas, middle to upper class, with lots of smaller starter homes, well maintaned overall, shopping nearby in Huber Heights, as most of Daytons suburbs is quiant and quiet usually, quite a few aprtments with security features)

Huber Heights(hectic growth, tons of shopping, to much traffic and litter everywhere, tons of middle class housing and once the largest brick plat in the US, its just a plat of brick homes for many, many square miles, lots of apartments)

Downtown Dayton-Riverscape walking riding parks, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, soccer fields, many new lofts, new fresh produce market downtown, newer apartments with security features, fireworks show, festivals, the usual, awesome museums for such a small city, one of the best community colleges in the US Sinclair is awesome for being a community college, U of D very good little college, there are many career schools in the area also. Some higher profile jobs for places like Lexus Nexus and NCR as well as some other cutting edge coprorations, great Miami Valley Hospital.

South Dayton-fastest growing, more diverse, lots of shopping, very affordable housing, much cleaner, the best schools Centerville(kind of stuck up people though), Beavercreek(getting huge lower to upper class diversity), Centerville, very upscale, Miamisburg trying to compete with the others but being closer to inner Dayton hasnt done as well.

Overall houses are as affordable as any place for what you will have around you. Many of the suburbs schools are good. Nothing special, but good. The public inner city schools need fixed and need diversity in them though. Winters can be snowy or they might not be, it just depends. It can be 60 degrees in December or 20. Spring and summer blossom into a jungle. There is green everywhere. The grass is very soft and natural. It smells great after its cut. Its kind of like leave it to Beaver world in todays world. Overall its a great little place barring, litter, inner city schools crime, and the diversity has withered. Outside of Dayton there is also Piqua, Troy, Middletown, Springboro(more like the southern most Dayton suburb and growing). The huge maple trees have very good maple syrup sap if someone wanted to make a local product. I did it when I was young and the stuff was delicious. I spent my days being very active riding bikes, four wheelers, and at the same time being downtown and commnensing in city life. A lot of Ohio offers that feel of small cities with a big city feel. Winters can be cloudy, as well as late fall and early spring sometimes. Not all the time.

[middyDJ]

Originally Posted by JefferyT

I am sorry but this is just baloney.

I agree. While not perfect. I would never say it is so unsafe to go within the city. From 1985- 1999 I spent a great deal of time going in and out and around Dayton. Never once was I at risk.

Look it is as simple as this, In any city if you are looking for trouble IT WILL FIND YOU. If you are a law abiding person then you will be ok.

STOP looking at the local news and get out there and mingle with people.. The news is so misleading.

[JefferyT]

^
What i was thinking of is the blanket statement that everywhere inside the city limits is unsafe....I think Belmont, Hearthstone, Linden Heights, Ohmer Park, and especially Patterson Park are probably pretty safe neighborhoods to live in.

As far as inner areas, Oregon and Downtown, for walking around and checking out the nightlife and going to peforming arts things and restaurants are also safe. I've been going downtown and the Oregon for years now and have yet to have a problem, knock on wood.

The huge maple trees have very good maple syrup sap if someone wanted to make a local product. I did it when I was young and the stuff was delicious.

There is a guy doing that. He sells the syrup at that market in Webster Station.