College graduate with job in Dayton where to live? (Green: for sale, apartments)

[Ohio2112]

Hey I just recently graduated college am 22 male single looking for somewhere to live in Dayton. I am looking for a location that is safe and walkable to groceries dining bar and entertainment if that is possible. I have been recommended to look into The Greene shopping area and apartments and the historical areas of Oregon and South Park. I have no preference of house or apartment and want to rent should be able to afford most prices in the area the main thing I want is to feel safe and be able to walk to places that have people around the same age as me. Thanks for your help

[dayton_ohio]

What type of place makes you feel safe?

There are any number of places that fit your description, because most of the older "first ring" suburbs have residential areas close to dining, bars, and (in some cases) grocery stores.

There are some apartments near the Greene that could be a good choice, but I don't think there is a grocery nearby. You might find the Greene to be a little cheesy after a while.

The Oregon district might be a good choice, but you may not feel entirely safe there (although it is basically safe). Same is true with other city living.

You could live close to the University of Dayton: plenty of bars and places to eat, but no grocery (except a UDF). Safety is pretty good to very good, but it borders a dicey area on one side and has a couple bad incidents each year.

Yellow Springs might be perfect if you would like a funkier locale and work on that side of Dayton: bars, organic food, etc.

[Ohio2112]

Thanks Dayton I don't necessarily need a grocery but something like a UDF or a quick stop within walking distance is always nice. Safety wise I don't need the place to be perfect but want to feel like I can walk from a bar to my place at night with good lighting decent police around and not be too worried. The Greene does kind of feel like I would be living in a mall I liked visiting the Oregon districts bars at night one time felt pretty safe but was just one night and don't know much about living there

[prfcttimeofday]

I'd check out the cannery and the landing both downtown. ..both have a great sense of community with lots of young people. You'd be safe at either and be able to walk to lots of the things you're looking for.

Also, Yellow Springs is a good reccomendation too. . .but you'd be about 25 minutes from Dayton. . but everything you'd want you'd basically have in YS. . . .it's is a very liberal and open place. if you're not a progressive you might feel out of place

The Oregon District is also a good place. . .it's pretty safe and you shouldn't have any problems. ..and close to everything you want. ..minus groceries. But you do get the Neon Theatre. .which is a nice tradeoff

You could also live on the north edge of Oakwood and walk across the street to everything UD offers. . .bars, clubs and then you could walk up to Dorothy Lane Market for groceries. Everything in Oakwood is walkable and uber safe

[JefferyT]

I liked visiting the Oregon districts bars at night one time felt pretty safe but was just one night and don't know much about living there

You'd be safe. I dont think ive heard of any street crime in the Oregon.


The recommendations for the Cannery, Landing (I'd add St Clair Lofts) is good, too, for walkable to nightlife. There is a little downtown market that could be good for convenience things but its not open at night or on Sundays.

[JefferyT]

Everything is Oakwood is walkable and uber safe

Realistically, the southern part of Oakwood is walkable to shopping. For renting there are those streets between Far Hills and Shroyer, north of Dorthoy Lane, that have four plex apartments.

[Ohio2112]

Hey guys thanks for all the help. I heard mostly bad things about The Cannery and St Clair Lofts. I have been researching The Landing and Dayton Towers but both are hard to find information on actual availability seems like they get pretty booked. Don't know much about Oakwood but have heard good things so any help on finding a youthful area around there would be nice. Also, any help on finding good rent/housing in the Oregon district that is close to everything would also be helpful. One thing I would like to avoid is relying on UD bars for my nightlife

[dayton_ohio]

Oakwood is a great place to live, but it's a lot of older people and families.

Near downtown Oakwood is in walking distance to drug stores, a great grocery stores, a couple coffee shops, a wine shop, banks, a barber shop. You could always drive 3 minutes to the UD bars or 6 minutes to the Oregon district.

[LMS7689]

Oregon District is probably going to give you the most nightlife with people around your age within walking distance to bars.

The Greene might be a good bet if you want something other than bars for night life - there is a big lifestyle fitness center there as well as several options for bar type scenes, coffee shops, bookstores, and a movie theater. Somewhere nearby might be a good bet for you.

Oakwood is probably the best area for safety, amenities, and ease of commute - you'll have an urban feel with great shopping nearby. But other posters are probably right - its probably not a great scene for a 22 year old.

Yellow Springs is an interesting and fun area - very funky place. I think Antioch College, which probably drew young singles to the area, is not around any more, at least not in the tradition college form. I'm not sure that Yellow Springs would meet your needs for younger people - maybe other posters can help out on that one though.

My vote is probably for the area around the Greene or Oakwood. I know the Greene is kind of a mall, but there is a lot to do there other than just go to bars at night.

[tgasper]

South Park is a very active and social neighborhood, and it has the South Park Tavern which serves Pizza Factory pizza and has 18 beers on tap. For info on the neighborhood, check out www.historicsouthpark.org. I've only got one house left for sale or rent at the moment, and it would be too big for a single person, but you can check out www.fullcircleayton.com.

O/D is great as well and since they've increased the parking, I think it's much easier on the neighbors. Plus it has some of the best local restaurants in town - Coco's, Pacchia, Thai Nine to name a few. The neighborhoods are close, separated by SR35.