Downtown Dayton - The Urban Alternative to the Suburbs (Oregon: fit in, for sale)

[Billy from Dayton]

This past Friday was another Urban Nights when thousands of people (30k?) come downtown and enjoy the twice-a-year party thrown by the Downtown Dayton Partnership. The streets are alive with activity and more than a few people question outloud why it can't be like that every weekend. My answer to that is - it can, we just need some more of those people to actually come downtown and visit the many restaurants, bars, theaters and art studios/galleries that are in fact open every night - not just the two nights a year that many people limit themselves to.

Of course, we won't really see a noticeable change until we get more people actually living downtown - and we are making progress. 40 new "green" townhomes are going up at First & Patterson, the Schwind Building has been converted into student housing that is a far cry from that which I remember my student housing looking like (no, I don't think we had granite countertops!). And there are many other buildings seriously being looked at by developers - some for market rate housing and others for more student housing to serve Sinclair.

We have a long way to go before downtown looks like it did this past Friday ALL the time, but that is definitely the direction we are headed. Those who would like to see our downtown thrive can help by simply supporting those downtown businesses that you may have enjoyed in the past, but more often.

Thanks to all that did come downtown for Urban Nights.

[Daytonnatian]

^Thanks for the thanks

Anyways, yeah, Urban Nights was AWESOME, as always. As someone who spends a fair time amount in the central city, I always love how it comes to life, and yes, I am among the many who wonder why every weekend can't be like this one. Still, having two extremely vibrant wekkends a year is far better than having none, and I would like to say thanks to the Downtown Dayton Partnership for putting on such a spectacular weekend as always

I'm really looking forward to six months from now .

[JefferyT]

Does anyone here remember Affairs on the Square? Those were a lot of fun.

[mafitz70]

I am coming into this topic late. I will post and then read through the other posts on this thread. But I am hopeful that someone can break it down for me. We are a white middle class family and have pretty much lived all over the country. Hubby is working on a contract at Miami Valley Hospital and is thinking about taking a job offer there. We would like to buy a house that is close to his workplace (NO MORE SUBURBS). But education is very important to us and our daughters, while not able to get straight As do get As and Bs in a succeeding school system out here in Harrison Arkansas.

We are not religously affiliated, not politically affiliated, and are looking to live in downtown Dayton in one of your older houses in a neighborhood of family oriented people. We do not want to be around drugs, ghetto mentality, or bad schools. Our daughters are in the fifth grade currently. We have a traditional viewpoint on family matters, and are more liberal on social matters.

I looked at Miami Valley School and found that it would cost us about $33,000 a year for our daughters to go there, and while we would be hard pressed to make that kind of tuition payment every year, we also doubt our above average but not gifted kids would be accepted.

We also wondered about animal ordinances. We have a male boxer, and a chihuahua and will likely be getting a second boxer before moving there. We also have a cat.

We are looking for a place with a good balance for us. Outdoors activities, date nights, activities for the kids (one daughter plays soccer and is into martial arts), the other plays flute and is into theater.

Any suggestions on areas of the city to not househunt? Your real estate prices are insanely low and we have already found a number of homes we are interested in. We would like to get a place that we do not carry a note on as it seems to be possible there. But we also want good schools for the girls while keeping hubby close enough to the hospital to do away with the infamous commute.

We are ex-surbanites and are completely against returning to that so-called lifestyle. Thank you very very much in advance for any suggestions and wisdom you all can share.

Oh and a couple more things. What are your gun laws? Hubby has a Mosberg 500 and a Styer 9mm handgun.

And lastly what is your rental market like? We are thinking about buying some houses there and using them for rental properties but not for HUD rentals.

[Daytonnatian]

Rental market is large, and we got concealed carry, if that's any insight into our lenient gun laws. Get a permit and all will be good.

Anyways, the Dayton Early College Academy or Chaminade-Julienne may be good options for your children, along with Stivers if you children plan to pursue arts careers or some other paths or the new STEM school that opened up this year out by the base.

For neighborhoods, it seems to me like the CBD/Webster Station, the Oregon District, South Park, St. Anne's Hill, and McPherson Town definitely fit your description. There's also some amazing stuff for WAY cheap (6-bedroom mansion on Harvard Ave. for 120k) in Dayton View/University Heights/Five Oaks/Grafton Hill as well, but it does get seedier. Overall, though, there are still many good areas I didn't mention, so just take a look and see what you find, and talk to the residents in the area. You might end up with a wonderful home in a great neighborhood that is overlooked by most.

[dayton_ohio]

The shotgun, 9mm, and two big dogs would come in handy on Harvard Avenue! You'll fit right in.

[prfcttimeofday]

If you want to stay in Dayton proper look in the historic districts: Oregon District, St. Anne's Hill, South Park, Patterson Park. I think Oregon would probably be the best place to start. As for schooling, the best route would probably be a private or parochial school if living in Dayton proper.

However, I just have to say. . .based on everything you have described in your list, you should really check out Oakwood. It hits everything on your list. . .but it's kinda a suburb, but kinda not either... it has a more urban feel to its environment. It sits right next to the University of Dayton and is about 5 minutes from Miami Valley Hospital. You can make it to the center of downtown from oakwood in under 10 minutes ..and Oakwood is one of the best, if not the best school district in Ohio. As for homes. . .most were built in the early 1900's, with every architectual style you can think and most of the homes sit on tree lined streets.

Best of luck on your search! ;-)

Originally Posted by mafitz70

I am coming into this topic late. I will post and then read through the other posts on this thread. But I am hopeful that someone can break it down for me. We are a white middle class family and have pretty much lived all over the country. Hubby is working on a contract at Miami Valley Hospital and is thinking about taking a job offer there. We would like to buy a house that is close to his workplace (NO MORE SUBURBS). But education is very important to us and our daughters, while not able to get straight As do get As and Bs in a succeeding school system out here in Harrison Arkansas.

We are not religously affiliated, not politically affiliated, and are looking to live in downtown Dayton in one of your older houses in a neighborhood of family oriented people. We do not want to be around drugs, ghetto mentality, or bad schools. Our daughters are in the fifth grade currently. We have a traditional viewpoint on family matters, and are more liberal on social matters.

I looked at Miami Valley School and found that it would cost us about $33,000 a year for our daughters to go there, and while we would be hard pressed to make that kind of tuition payment every year, we also doubt our above average but not gifted kids would be accepted.

We also wondered about animal ordinances. We have a male boxer, and a chihuahua and will likely be getting a second boxer before moving there. We also have a cat.

We are looking for a place with a good balance for us. Outdoors activities, date nights, activities for the kids (one daughter plays soccer and is into martial arts), the other plays flute and is into theater.

Any suggestions on areas of the city to not househunt? Your real estate prices are insanely low and we have already found a number of homes we are interested in. We would like to get a place that we do not carry a note on as it seems to be possible there. But we also want good schools for the girls while keeping hubby close enough to the hospital to do away with the infamous commute.

We are ex-surbanites and are completely against returning to that so-called lifestyle. Thank you very very much in advance for any suggestions and wisdom you all can share.

Oh and a couple more things. What are your gun laws? Hubby has a Mosberg 500 and a Styer 9mm handgun.

And lastly what is your rental market like? We are thinking about buying some houses there and using them for rental properties but not for HUD rentals.

[mafitz70]

Originally Posted by Daytonnatian

Rental market is large, and we got concealed carry, if that's any insight into our lenient gun laws. Get a permit and all will be good.

Anyways, the Dayton Early College Academy or Chaminade-Julienne may be good options for your children, along with Stivers if you children plan to pursue arts careers or some other paths or the new STEM school that opened up this year out by the base.

For neighborhoods, it seems to me like the CBD/Webster Station, the Oregon District, South Park, St. Anne's Hill, and McPherson Town definitely fit your description. There's also some amazing stuff for WAY cheap (6-bedroom mansion on Harvard Ave. for 120k) in Dayton View/University Heights/Five Oaks/Grafton Hill as well, but it does get seedier. Overall, though, there are still many good areas I didn't mention, so just take a look and see what you find, and talk to the residents in the area. You might end up with a wonderful home in a great neighborhood that is overlooked by most.

Thank you very much Daytonnation. I am finding a lot online and my hubby is going to go to some addresses to look beforehand and then I am going to spend a couple days up there househunting with him.

We don't need concealed carry permit he keeps them in the house but its always a good idea to make sure they are legal.

My hubby has found Dayton to be very mild in comparison with Charleston SC which was mild compared to areas we had lived in before however Charleston was exceptionally bad for middle classers. It is something when an outsider feels the city is tame compared to others. And we have been all over the country.

It would be really nice to live in an area that has cultural events and a mix of entertainment for both families and adults.

Your school suggestions are also exceptionally helpful for us. Thank you again for your suggestions and insight.

[Billy from Dayton]

Oakwood is certainly a good suggestion in terms of quality schools and distance from the hospital. But it is very much a suburb - not so much in the housing stock (much of which is historic AND high quality) but more with the attitude. I have absolutely nothing against Oakwood as I have many friends that live there, but even they'll tell you that there is definitely an Oakwood bubble. Adjacent to downtown, but you'd be surprised at how many never venture downtown despite downtown being the cultural hub of the region. Still, I'd say Oakwood is a fine choice.

If you want something a little more down to earth with houses every bit as amazing, and actually WALKING distance to the hospital then I'd suggest South Park. It is Ohio's largest historic district and has come a long way in coming back from the brink, but because of its size and diversity of housing stock (mansions next to 900 sq foot cottages and everything in between) there are still some challenges there in terms of rentals, absentee landlords and questionable tenants. However, the people who choose to live in SP and are active in the community are absolutely amazing. Many are from other cities, and there is definitely an urban attitude there. They just put on a Shakespeare play last night in the park (tonight and tomorrow too) and had probably close to 200 people come out. The play was a mix of experienced actors and amateurs (many of who live in SP) and it was amazing. And next week they have their big jazz festival.

Many would say that the downside to SP would be the city schools, though there are options (as mentioned above). In the end, the school question might have you ultimately end up in Oakwood but I'd still encourage you to check out South Park.

[dayton_ohio]

Oakwood might not be a good cultural fit. Oakwood really isn't a "guns and big dogs" community, unless that big dog is a giant manicured poodle. But, Oakwood is not suburban either. It's more of a small town next to an urban center. If you like small town life, then Oakwood might be a good fit.

If you are willing to send your kids to private schools, I second South Park and the Oregon District as good choices.