Looking Around Dayton (Columbus, Cincinnati, Kettering: crime, hotel, new home)

[connorg]

There is a strong possibility my wife and I will be relocating to the Dayton area for me to take a job at the University of Dayton. We're moving from Lexington, SC (a suburb of Columbia, SC) and we've only been to Ohio once. That was for a wedding in Columbus, so not much help on the Dayton aspect. We're looking for a town outside of Dayton, preferably towards Cincinnati where the commute isn't going to be horrible, anything within 30-40 minutes to UD. At home we eat organically and want to be within 20-30 minute drive to the Whole Foods in Mason. The commute to UD trumps the one to Mason though seeing my wife will probably only make the trip once every week to two weeks as opposed to everyday. We also want an area where there are shops/restaurants within a 10-15 min. drive( ie, Target, Panera Bread, decent malls, Chilies and other family type restaurants). We are also like local restaurants, so an area with a good mix would be great. We have a daughter who is under a year so schools are not necessarily important, but we're not sure how long we are going to be there so it will likely come into play in the future. We were thinking about sending her to a Montesorri school so if there are any in the area that would also be great. So right now we are looking something kinda close to a Gymboree Play and Music/Little Gym so my wife can take her and meet new friends. We have two dogs that we love taking for walks at parks. Crime is also an issue for us. We are coming from an area where 4-5 nights a week our cars are unlocked in our driveway and it isn't uncommon for us to leave our house door unlocked at night. While that habit probably needs changing, we are looking for a similar area around Dayton. We really don't want to hear gunshots/sirens all night or live with the prospect of being robbed while walking down the street. We also want to be involved in a church that isn't too far. We're coming from a Methodist church and we're not sure about how many congregations there are in the area. We're in our 20s and enjoy getting out and doing stuff but we don't need the nightlife that some younger people are looking for. We also want to be able to take a trip down to see the sites of Cincy or catch a game or two without feeling like we have to make a weekend trip out of it. We were thinking Middletown, Franklin, Springboro, and Lebanon areas but not sure about Lebanon because of its proximity to 75. Price isn't really an issue, but we're thinking under 200-250k. Any advice?

[wrightflyer]

I would go with Springboro hands down. It's a nice, safe community with Middle-American values (i.e. very conservative so if that's not your thing). In fact, much of Warren and Butler counties are fairly conservative now that I think about it. But Springboro is also a very safe and family oriented place to live. Agreed on the changing of habits with door locks and such. No where is 100% safe in this day and age sadly. I know there is a Montesorri school in Kettering, but that's a little far from Springboro. Not sure if there is a closer one. Well, according to Google Maps there is one in Centerville and possibly one in Springboro or neighboring Franklin. Dayton Mall and the 741/725 corridors will answer your cravings for both national and local restaurants. The mall also has plenty of stores in and around it. Hope that helps reveal some of the unknown to this move. UD is a wonderful school (a little too close to home for me though) so congrats on landing a job there. Good luck with the house hunting!

[cjmeck]

I also agree, Springboro no doubt. Centerville borders Springboro so you may want to check out that area too. Both of those cities are VERY safe. Lots of shopping, restaurants in both of those cities. Both are filled with young families with young kids--very community oriented! Its the perfect place to raise kids. People don't need to lock their doors really. I wouldn't live in Franklin or Middletown, just my opinion. Also, there is a Trader Joe's in Kettering so you might want to check that out. I don't know if you have one down south but its also an organic market.

[Ohiogirl81]

Dayton isn't exactly a wasteland when it comes to finding organic foods, so I wouldn't base my residence of choice solely on how close it is to a Whole Paycheck ... erm, Whole Foods ... market. You'll be going to work every day; you'll be going to the market once or twice a week.

That being said, I'd recommend Centerville. Anything you could ever want is within a few minutes' drive.

Lebanon areas but not sure about Lebanon because of its proximity to 75

Lebanon is about five miles from I-75; do you mean you're not sure about Lebanon because it's not close to I-75? You'd be better off taking the back roads up to UD anyway. It's not more than a half-hour drive up Ohio 48.

[connorg]

Sounds great. We'll definitely take a look at Springboro and Centerville. I actually didn't even think of Trader Joe's, we had one in NC before we moved to SC and there are none in our area now so it was completely out of my mind.

[malachai23]

There is also Health Foods Unlimited - a **HUGE** health food store with organic food (produce included) and household items... set up like a regular supermarket. I mean, they have EVERYTHING - frozen foods, canned foods, pet foods, vitamins, baked goods, fresh fruits & veggies, bagged nuts and seeds... It is by the Dayton Mall on 725. Also there is a much smaller but quaintly wonderful health food store in Kettering on Stroop Rd. behind the Town & Country shopping center (where Trader Joe's is located). They have a lot of specialty items that I'd dare you to find at Whole Foods! Good luck with your move, wherever you end up!!

[Beavercreek33]

Heres the two towns websites just to help you out a little bit...

Springboro:
City of Springboro, Ohio, U.S.A.

Centerville:
The City of Centerville, Ohio

Don't forget about Miamisburg either:

The City of Miamisburg

[PerkyandPunctual]

Dorothy Lane Market also has three stores in the area and they carry a large selection of organic items.

[irish_eyes]

Oakwood is also very nice. There might be some nice homes close to the price range you're looking at. I know that some areas of Dayton are a little depressed right now with the GM Delco plant in Moraine closing, so you might get a better price in that area.

I love Dayton! We have many family members who have graduated from UD and we actually go back quite often. It's a great school with the most unique housing for the students. Some of my best memories are parent's weekends at house parties. The basketball games are so much fun as well. Good luck with the move, I envy you!

[dayton_ohio]

I'd start at UD and work my way south through the neighborhoods. You might find something you like closer to work.

In Oakwood, you could walk to Dorothy Lane Market, and drive five minutes to the downtown market, which has organic food. There is almost no crime.

In Kettering, there is Trader Joe's and another Dorothy Lane Market. Similar to Oakwood, but lower taxes and lower ranked schools.

In Centerville, you're a bit closer to Cincinnati, and close to a lot of shopping. Great schools.

In Springboro, you have yet another DLM, and are closer again to Cincinnati. New homes.

I live about 1 mile from UD. It takes about an hour to get to downtown Cincinnati -- garage to garage. You won't exactly need to get a hotel room if you go down to a game one weekend. (In fact, it can take almost an hour to get from one side of Cincinnati to the other....) It's 30 minutes from UD to West Chester and maybe 40 minutes to Mason.