Moving to Dayton.. Help? (Columbus, Youngstown: for sale, to rent, house)

[loosechange]

It was great to read this post. A company in Dayton that we've worked with a long time is interested in making us a job offer, which would move us to Ohio from North Carolina. I am nervous about this move, as I've never been to Dayton, but I do like Cincinnati and I know it's not too far. Thanks to everyone for the good information, sounds like we wouldn't have any trouble with finding good housing.

I am curious, are there any nice areas in the country with acreage within 30 minutes of major ammenities? Our price range would be around $250-$350K. Currently we have 10 acres and a nice house and I'd like to have that again if we move.

Thank you!

[wrightflyer]

Loosechange, glad you found the previous posts helpful. As far as your criteria for a community, it can describe a large portion of the Dayton metro. Since Dayton isn't a top 50 metro (like Cincinnati or Charlotte), we don't have as much traffic, thus putting places much closer to you then elsewhere. Trust me, it's nice living in a more open, rural area, yet still be able to reach places like the Oregon District and The Schuster Center downtown without feeling like its a daytrip. Plus, many of the area suburbs in between have an endless array of shopping and parks (see Smile42's post).

Basically, here's my personal opinion on places that probably can satisfy your needs in housing and a community. These will be brief and won't cover every aspect. Starting from the south on the east side of I-75 outside Springboro and continuing counter-clockwise:

Clearcreek Twp
More rural than incorporated Springboro. Benefits from Springboro's shopping on OH73 and Oh741. Dayton Mall about 10-15 minutes. Roughly inbetween Dayton and Cincinnati. Homes tend to be on larger 1acre+ lots. Don't know if you'll get 10acres for the price, but at least a few. Growing along with the rest of Warren County. Excellent schools. Traffic can be bad in some spots. The new "place to be" suburb. Higher property taxes. No city tax in townships.

Waynesville and Wayne Twp
Historic, small antique shop community. Some growth, but not as wild as other parts of Warren County. Pretty country side. Probably more house and land for dollar. Rolling hills and valley with Little Miami River. Wonderful, multi-county trail system. Excellent schools. A little removed from shopping and entertainment. Roughly between Dayton and Cincinnati.

Washington Twp
Just north of Springboro/Clearcreek Twp. Mostly suburban developments. Best bet to find more affordable acerage is in SE corner. Higher property taxes. No city taxes in townships. Benefits from shopping on OH725 and Dayton Mall. Excellent schools. Amazing parks and rec center. Housing and land can be expensive. Don't know if you'll find 10 acres that's still cheap.

Sugarcreek Twp
Just north of Waynesville/Wayne Twp outside Bellbrook Expensive, but many large homes on large lots. 10 acres and nice house probably $400K+. Couple acres and nice house $250/300K+. Most housing is on large tracts. Fewer suburban developments (most are large, expensive estate neighborhoods). Plenty of shopping on Wilmington Pk. Near The Greene (about 10min). Beautiful countryside and scenic drives. Growth starting to appear more on west side, near I-675. Excellent schools. Higher property taxes.

Beavercreek Twp
North of Sugarcreek Twp mostly east of Beavercreek. Hosuing and land can be expensive. Can probably find nice house on a few acres for about $350K, especially the further east you go. Growth spreading to township as city comes close to being built-out. Still some large 100+acres farms to the east. Wonderful multi-county trail system. Excellent schools and decent parks. Shopping at The Greene and along North Fairfield at Mall at Fairfield Commons. Maybe a little cheaper then most of above. Higher property taxes.

Yellow Springs and Miami Twp
North and East of Beavercreek. Small, liberal minded alternative town. Going through some strife as local University is having funding problems. Excellent schools. Rolling hills around Little Miami. Cross-county trail system. Local shops in town, national retailers at Fairfield Rd about 20 minutes. Young's Dairy farms and food. Township pretty rural. Hosuing can be a little expensive for being so far out from Dayton.

Both Bethel Twps east and west of New Carlisle
Much more rural then those above (North Dayton suburbs haven't had as much sprawl). Decent schools. Some call New Carlisle hickish. Nearest shopping on OH202 in Huber Heights or in Springfield. Not as much in terms of hosuing stock, but probably get more for your money up here. Few suburban development outside New Carlisle proper.

Tipp City and surrounding townships up to Troy
Small community with historic town center. Most northern growth has been around here on I-75. Still plenty of rural areas in surrounding townships. I don't know as much about shopping, but I think Smile42 covered it prior. Excellent schools. For the price, a decent home on at least a few acres quite possible.

West Milton/Clayton/Brookeville
I really shoudln't put all these together, but I don't know as much about these communities besides that they are mostly rural outside the small towns, have decent to excellent schools, and Clayton is the most suburban of these. Shopping probably the furthest being all the way over in Huber Heights, Tipp City, or Restaurant Row (chains on I-75 at first exit south of I-70, think its Butler Twp.).

Note: I'm skipping areas immediatly west of Dayton as there is little developmet/shopping on that side. The closest is Trotwood, and that area has a hard time keeping businesses. Areas also extremly rural with no suburban buffer between famrs and older parts of Dayton (west side of city typically more rundown and crime ridden) with little investment in growth or redevelopment.

Germantown
Germantown is more associated with the southern suburbs being west of Miamisburg. Outside the town, its mostly rural farms along with some large tracts with homes or mini-farms. Also, most shopping outside town will be in Miamisburg or near the Dayton Mall. Excellent schools. Has seen some growth but not as much as places like Springboro.

Well, there it is. With such choices already on top of the current national hosuing market, you should be able to have the pick of the litter. In terms of property taxes, take it into account when buying, but don't let it frighten you. Usually, the more you pay, the better your services.

Obviously, these are just a basic outline of what I can remember at the moment about each of these communites. If you think I missed something or someplace important, feel free to correct or add to the list

[smile42]

Loosechange,

Definitely look at my post regarding Tipp & Troy earlier in this same thread. It describes schools, shopping, convenience, etc.

Also, for more detail regarding homes with acreage . . .

Tipp proper is located along I-75 and has a historic center with plenty of subdivisions. The two townships you'd want to look at for the real estate you've described are Monroe Township and Elizabeth Township.

Monroe Township is to the west of Tipp. It shares the Tipp zip code and schools. This is the area between West Milton and Tipp, and there are some nice plots of land there. I'm a little picky, though, and I don't like the fact that it's so near the airport. Too many planes!

Elizabeth Township is to the east of Tipp and is, to my knowledge, the only full township on the National Register of Historic Places. Absolutely gorgeous land -- lots of horse farms -- and beautiful old farm houses. It's very convienient to I-75 (via Tipp or Troy), I-70 (via country roads), and I-675 (via country roads). So commutes to WPAFB, Wright State University, and Dayton are all very doable.

Another neat area, though even more rural, is the land around Christiansburg. Christiansburg is a tiny, tiny little town surrounded by beautiful, well-kept farms. Lots of Mennonite / German Baptist families live in this area. It's a little less convenient to shopping, though.

If someone handed me $300K, I'd buy a house on 10 acres in Elizabeth Township. But, that's just my preference!

Best of luck finding your home.

[smile42]

P.S. For Realtor.com and other MLS searches, use these zip codes:

Tipp City, Elizabeth Township, and Monroe Township: 45371

Christiansburg: 45389

Troy: 45373

I'd just pick one of those and do a radius of about 25 miles so you incorporate all the rural areas nearby.

[loosechange]

Hey Smile42, thank you for all the great information, it sounds like what we'd be looking for, is in that area. I agree though, I wouldn't want to be too near the airport. We are still in the "holding pattern" on the job and relocation as the company hasn't decided the best way to proceed yet. It could be a while.

[missyjo30]

As far as Dayton City schools go.......run far far away!! Quite possibly the worst school's in the nation!! Seriously. There are nice smaller towns outside of Datyon which are great...many of which have been listed..I as a parent can only recommend the city's with the absolute best schools and those would be........Centerville, Beavercreek, Vandalia, Englewood, Oakwood (but Oakwood is too close to the crime in Dayton for my taste). It's worth a bit of a commute to raise your children in a safe town with great schools. The school's I mentioned are at the top of the the Ohio school's ratings...all of which were rated as Excellent. I was born and raised in Vandalia and now that I have lived all over the country, I can say that nothing even comes close as far as a family centered community with extreme school spirit and support for the kids in the town. For crying out loud the tire store is painted in the school colors, etc. Really a great place....has really grown too, but will never lose it's small town charm. Good luck in your move...I miss it!!!

[missyjo30]

I would not recommend Huber Heights schools......
As mentioned earlier I attended Vandalia Butler schools for 12 yrs, and knew of a lot of violence, low academic's, racial issues, and just not the type of atmosphere I would want my kids in...... Seem's to have a lot of fights, etc.

[YoMikey617]

in terms of the 3 year old...

Centerville,
Oakwood,
Bellbrook

[esnead]

You must check out Oakwood. Many homes from early 1900's. Beautiful architecture. Visit the schools on line. Oakwood City Schools Dayton Ohio. Excellent rating from the state. Next to the University of Dayton. Old established... tree lined streets. VERY safe and awesome place for kids!
Good luck!

[penelopelp]

Originally Posted by missyjo30

As far as Dayton City schools go.......run far far away!! Quite possibly the worst school's in the nation!!

I would not send my kids to most of the Dayton Public Schools. However, I am positive that they are not the worst in the country. I know Dayton teachers who have taught in much worse schools--inner-city Chicago, Memphis, New York--for starters. Stivers School for the Arts has a great program. They just re-opened in their renovated building. It looks very nice! There are some good K-8 schools in the better neighborhoods. If you have money, and live in Dayton, the Catholic schools are an excellent option. Chaminade-Julienne Catholic High School is top-rated.