Dayton - moving & need help - identifying areas (Kettering: apartment complex, for rent)

[graffen]

Hello -

I'm moving to Dayton in about 45 days for a new job. I just got the job today so I don't know a lot about the area. I'm interested to receive some recommendations (or advice, or warnings) about two possible living situations:
1) lofts or apartments near the downtown area
2) areas outside of downtown, but still "inner" suburbs

For number 2 above, I have gathered that Kettering-Oakwood-Petersen Park-north Oakwood is nice and safe. What I am looking for is older "grid" neighborhoods with brick housing and 4-family apartment buildings. Also lots of sidewalks, some parks, tree-lined avenues, etc. While I am certainly not limited to the specific geographic area above, can you recommend for me specific streets or neighborhoods where I could begin such a search?

For number 1, I am interested in this because I'm a single professional and the lifestyle appeals to me. I just have no idea how Dayton has (or hasn't) developed in this kind of way. I don't know whether lofts have come in there to the downtown area, and whether they are popular or fading fast, etc.

I really appreciate your help!

[malachai23]

Yes, Kettering, Oakwood, and Patterson Park are all VERY safe areas. Patterson Park and portions of Oakwood both have the older tree-lined "grid" streets with sidewalks, parks, a lot of brick houses, etc. Kettering doesn't quite have the same overall "look"... more ranch style housing and WWII era housing... but there are pockets here and there. You might even want to take a look at Belmont, South Park, and Oregon District. These neighborhoods are within the city of Dayton but are still relatively safe (albeit not as ritzy as Oakwood).

Yes, there are a few lofts downtown, for rent/lease/sale, and they have all been turned into lofts fairly recently and one or two are still in the process of being rehabbed. However, there's not much going on in downtown Dayton, especially at night. It's kind of ghost-townish. Depending on where you've lived previously, you may or may not feel that it is safe. But it is most definitely not a happenin' place. Your best bet for what passes as "nightlife" would be the Oregon District or, unfortunately, the 'burbs.

Hope that helps!

[wrightflyer]

I'll start with number 1)

Living in downtown Dayton isn't as bad as some people make it sound. The biggest problem is a lack of a local grocery, shopping, and general activity after 6pm. The weekends can be ok with shows at the Victoria and Schuster theaters. There's also the Dayton Dragons baseball games which are fun and the Second Street Market. The closest area of activity is the Oregon District east of downtown on East Fifth, but I don't believe there are many apartments back in its residential area. Some recommended apartmetns would be The Landing, and Cooper Lofts. There are others but they're slipping my mind.

Number 2)

Kettering, while an older inner ring suburb, was for the most part built post-WWII so it's very centered around the auto. Still, if you stick close to Oakwood near the intersection of Dorothy and Shroyer, then south on Shroyer to about Lincoln Park, you will find what you are looking for in spots. Then there's Oakwood. This is the money suburb so expect rent to possibly be a little higher here for what you get then in Kettering or Dayton. But it offers the best of what you want. A "downtown" with local and national shops, brick four family units, and grid streets that are walkable. There are about a dozen or more multifamily units scattered between Far Hills and it's shops on the west to about Shroyer in the east. Note, once you cross Shroyer going east, you are officially in Kettering and Shroyer is sometimes difficult to cross except at the light at Dorothy. You can find most of the multifamilies on Shafor from Dorothy north to Corona. Then jump a block west to Far Hills and you can find a few more scattered going north towards Dayton.

Also, check out Patterson Road between Far Hills and Wilmington. This is where a moderate sized apartment complex lies just outside of Oakwood in Dayton, so it will be cheaper. North of Oakwood from Patterson up to the University of Dayton between Shafor and Far Hills are single family homes that slowly turn into student houses for the university. The further north you are, the more college life abounds, especially when you cross the city limits into Dayton.

While I'll be the first to admit Dayton isn't the most exciting place, there are things to do (especially when the weathers warmer). Congrats on the job and I hope you find what you are looking for in a home.

[graffen]

malachai23 , and, wrightflyer -
Thank you so much for this information. You cannot imagine how useful it is to me to have such specific areas/streets mentioned to begin my search. Or actually, you probably can imagine, and so that is why you are so helpful! Thank you again.

[malachai23]

LOL - yah, when I got my job here I had two days to find an apartment. So I like to help out whenever I can! Congrats on your job by the way and let me know if you have any other questions about Dayton. I'd be happy to help.