Bellbrook thoughts

[Giesela]

I don't know that Tipp is that much closer or farther than Bellbrook. Just different sorts of drives. I can't honesty say I have explored either thoroughly but since I moved here 3 months ago to work at the base I have done a little driving around. Vague impression - Bellbrook was a little village overtaken by large lot sprawl and development. Plaza's etc. Windy roads, lots of sprawl. Tipp is more of a contained small town. It does seem to be more flat farmland around Tipp and between Tipp and the base. More of a couple direct shot drives though.
Bellbrook is probably more "ritzy" with Centerville and Bellbrook having more fancy shops and services. Since its closer to Cinncinnati more likely to hold resale value should the base get BRAC'ed (WP probably won't ever be closed but it sure could be downsized). Tipp more of a middle class small town. Charming downtown though.
Not sure any of that helps.

[Bellbrock]

I live in Bellbrook! It is a little town but I love it! Downtown has some historical landmarks so it would be extraordinary if you moved here! Also if you love horses there are some riding centers! I attend school at Bellcreek Intermediate school and it is very well kept! In Fact we are rated #1 in our district!
GO BELLBROOK GOLDEN EAGLES!

[FARMGIRL5631]

My ancestry helped in the platting out of Bellbrook long time ago, so I have accurate information. First off if you wanted a quaint little charming town you missed it by about 20 years. Bellbrook was a community of farmers, and some of it's residents worked at places like GM, Delco, NCR, Mead, etc., we were a melting pot of the good, the bad, and the ugly, however, regardless of social status, i.e. poor, middle class, wealthy, we all had respect for one another.

Then, (all about the money) prime farmland and trustees approval of custom homes, plat development came along with the construction of I675. Which as planned, made sure Wilmington Pike had an exit to reach all these new custom homes, not to mention Centerville and Kettering area.

And the best part about Bellbrook changing is the wonderful arrival of low income housing, which as any Sugarcreek Twp. officer will attest is their most busiest crime scenes. Ask any retailer along Wilmington Pike how their Loss Prevention sheets look each week.

And other than the above, you better have lots and lots of money, the best clothes and live in one the new developments because now the town is mostly made up of snobs who seem to think Bellbrook is the new Oakwood of Greene County.

Not to mention the countless custom home yuppies who go to Dot's Market in town and try to treat them like they are Dorothy Lane Market.

As far as purchasing land, forget it, there is none left, the Tate Farm on Feedwire hasn't cracked yet from the developers who offer them lots of money if they could get their hands on that remaining land.

Oh, I forgot, can't wait for the Dille land to get the Mongomery Co. version of the Greene. Just what we all need is another new mall in an economic recession. Oh boy, just think what the traffic at Whipp, Wilmington, and Feedwire will be like.

So, in conclusion, if you wanna live in Bellbrook or surrounding Sugarcreek Twp., make sure you have lots and lots of money for your home and property taxes, have patience at Kroger while some female in a high quality leather NBA jacket, gold jewelry, custom tips and overlay nails argues with the cashier about what she is allowed to buy with her WIC card, and all the idiots along Wilmington Pike chatting on their cell phones in a rush to go nowhere and pretend their in upscale Bellbrook.

Welcome to the neighborhood!

[wingwilson]

I have been living in Bellbrook since 1968 and worked in Bellbrook since 1973. I remember when My Aunt and Uncle first visited us in the late sixties; they said living in Bellbrook was like living in a park. I understood exactly what they meant. Now 40 years has gone by and many things have changed. The most important thing that did not change was the downtown area. The Bellbrook council has been very determined for many years to try to keep the downtown area small and quaint. They have done just that. Bellbrook has always been and will always be a bedroom community. Those of us who live here like it that way. People do complain about the taxes. Bellbrook is one of nine Ohio cities that does not have an income tax thanks to the long sitting city manager and Bellbrook Council. Of every tax dollar, the city only collects $.24 while the schools collect over $.60 per dollar. I will say that Bellbrook schools are excellent! Crime is very low. There is an area of low income housing that some think is in Bellbrook but is actually in Sugarcreek Township. Most the commercial development that many people assume is Bellbrook is Sugarcreek Township. Bellbrook government is much better at what is built within the city limits to help keep the hometown atmosphere.
The Bellbrook Fire, Service and Police Departments are very well trained and are looked up to in the area. I have been in contact with all three department and they all take the extra step in the service they provide.

[FARMGIRL5631]

Originally Posted by FARMGIRL5631

My ancestry helped in the platting out of Bellbrook long time ago, so I have accurate information. First off if you wanted a quaint little charming town you missed it by about 20 years. Bellbrook was a community of farmers, and some of it's residents worked at places like GM, Delco, NCR, Mead, etc., we were a melting pot of the good, the bad, and the ugly, however, regardless of social status, i.e. poor, middle class, wealthy, we all had respect for one another.

Then, (all about the money) prime farmland and trustees approval of custom homes, plat development came along with the construction of I675. Which as planned, made sure Wilmington Pike had an exit to reach all these new custom homes, not to mention Centerville and Kettering area.

And the best part about Bellbrook changing is the wonderful arrival of low income housing, which as any Sugarcreek Twp. officer will attest is their most busiest crime scenes. Ask any retailer along Wilmington Pike how their Loss Prevention sheets look each week.

And other than the above, you better have lots and lots of money, the best clothes and live in one the new developments because now the town is mostly made up of snobs who seem to think Bellbrook is the new Oakwood of Greene County.

Not to mention the countless custom home yuppies who go to Dot's Market in town and try to treat them like they are Dorothy Lane Market.

As far as purchasing land, forget it, there is none left, the Tate Farm on Feedwire hasn't cracked yet from the developers who offer them lots of money if they could get their hands on that remaining land.

Oh, I forgot, can't wait for the Dille land to get the Mongomery Co. version of the Greene. Just what we all need is another new mall in an economic recession. Oh boy, just think what the traffic at Whipp, Wilmington, and Feedwire will be like.

So, in conclusion, if you wanna live in Bellbrook or surrounding Sugarcreek Twp., make sure you have lots and lots of money for your home and property taxes, have patience at Kroger while some female in a high quality leather NBA jacket, gold jewelry, custom tips and overlay nails argues with the cashier about what she is allowed to buy with her WIC card, and all the idiots along Wilmington Pike chatting on their cell phones in a rush to go nowhere and pretend their in upscale Bellbrook.

Welcome to the neighborhood!

P.S. Most development has occurred in Sugarcreek Twp., however, I do not recall Sugarcreek Twp. having their own school system, so this would mean all custom home kids, low income housing kids, and city of Bellbrook kids are all part of the same community whether it be City of Bellbrook, or Sugarcreek Twp. and I do recall talks of a merger with Bellbrook Police and Sugarcreek Twp so hold on to your britches, maybe we will be one big happy snobby community in the very near future.

[Teri L]

I would echo Gisela's thoughts exactly about the drive to the base from both Tipp or Bellbrook, but would add that you might also consider Yellow Springs: Small town, walkable, community feel with a unique vibe.

Tipp has more historic homes as well as newer subdivisions and it's downtown is thriving.

[JefferyT]

Yellow Springs is actually a very reasonable commute from WPAFB.

(and Bellbrook has low income housing? News to me!...where is it at?)

[wrightflyer]

Originally Posted by JefferyT

(and Bellbrook has low income housing? News to me!...where is it at?)

I believe it is either the Bayberry Cove Apartments or some complex near that. It's off 725 near Wilmington Pike behind the Kroger supermarket. On a side note, there are also some older 1950-1960 ranch homes on large 1/2 acre lots near there off 725. Reminds me of Woodhaven here in Beavercreek. So Bellbrook/Sugarcreek Twp isn't just large McMansions, but still a majority of it is.