Moving to Dayton, Ohio. Need help with Areas!! (Kettering, Beavercreek: houses, neighborhoods)

[SLCBakeaholic]

Husband and I are relocating to Dayton, Ohio from SLC, Utah. Going house hunting the first weekend of June. We were planning on looking in Oakwood, Bellbrook and Centerville. Also heard Beavercreek is nice?? DH will be working in Centerville, but commute isn't an issue if we can find a nice neighborhood. We have two kids (2, 5), so family friendly and good schools are important. Price range $250,000 - $325,000.

Any specific streets, places, areas we should visit on our weekend trip?

Are these good areas in relation to where he will be working??

Thanks in advance!

[wrightflyer]

You really could not go wrong with any of those choices. While Beavercreek is a nice area, I'd focus on Centerville itself (over all the choices) because that is where your spouse will be working. But, as you said, if you do find a home you like in Beavercreek, Oakwood, Bellbrook, or (add this locale too) Springboro, that is a possibility to live there and have a somewhat further commute.

Quick rundown in no particular order:

Oakwood - Older, inner-ring suburb that is well-off. Taxes are some of the areas highest, but services and schools are amazing. Almost all homes are pre-1940, with few exceptions. For the price range you want, look at areas East of Far Hills. The west side is uber $$$ and has a reputation (deserved or not) of snootiness. This is probably the only school in the area to not have a hard time with Kasich's new state budget cuts for schools. Easy commute would probably be reverse the normal flow down OH-48 (Far Hills Ave).

Bellbrook/Sugarcreek Township - Smaller ranch and two-story colonials in Bellbrook with larger estate and newer tract homes in the township. Taxes are relatively higher here too. Services and schools still top-notch, but may have some funding problems(?). For your price range, it would be best to look in Kable's Mills near the high school, or in Bellbrook itself, which is a little more toned down than the township. Easy commute would be west on OH-725 or jumping onto I-675 south (which really goes southwest).

Springboro/Clearcreek Township - This area is pretty much all new development in the last 10-20 years or newer. Again, relatively speaking taxes are high, but there are growing pains in funding the school district (we fund through unconstitutional property tax levies on top of state funding). Schools are still excellent though. I'm not as familiar with neighborhoods this far south, but I can say there are plenty that fit your criteria. Relatively easy commute up either OH-741 or OH-48.

Beavercreek/Beavercreek Township - Here are the homes built anywhere between 1950 and now. Most are on 1/2 acre or more with newer homes being anywhere from 1/4 to large 2+ acre tracts in the township. I'd focus on the south side of Beavercreek (south of US35) for commute times. Excellent schools, again, possible funding issues mostly due to growing pains (there are two new schools being built now). Some neighborhoods I'd look at are Bexley Hills, Windermere (both a little far to the east but surrounded by nice Country Club of the North), Stonegate II, and Kingswood Forest. Commute would be Indian Ripple Road (exit #10) to south on I-675 to Centerville.

Centerville/Washington Township - I'd concentrate your search here, because this is where your DH will be working. All the above are in easy to moderate commuting distance for the Dayton area. Still, nothing beats living where you work, espeically if it is as nice as Centerville. Again, as with Springboro, there are too many neighborhoods (1940's to today) in your price range to list. I'd contact a realtor for the best help, especially a relocation specialist. Taxes are high, but schools and services are excellent. Centerville is older with ranches, colonials, and tri-levels galore. Washington Township is newer with more modern homes from the 200's into the 900+ range.

While in town, check out Dorothy Lane Market. They are the favored local gourmet grocer (when Kroger's doesn't cut it ). They are located in Springboro near Settler's Walk on OH-741, Washington Township at Far Hills and Whipp, and Oakwood on Far Hills north of Dorothy.

The Greene, in Beavercreek, is a local outdoor mall. It has a civic plaza with live entertainment most nights. There are a number of nice restaurants to cater to any taste (singles to families to romantic night out) and shops.

All the places mentioned will be good for commuting to Centerville. All have numerous families, good schools, and a high quality of life. Just don't forget the property taxes (and local income taxes in some cases) when looking at where to buy. Good luck on the move, and safe travels out here!

P.S. There is a city called Kettering between Centerville and Oakwood that is also pretty nice with good schools and parks, but I'll give someone else a chance to fill in that information.

[SLCBakeaholic]

WOW! Thank you so much!! It's nice to get a locals prospective when moving to a completely new city! I think we'll start in Centerville as per your recommendation!! Dayton sounds lovely, we're getting excited for the move.

[wrightflyer]

There's also other things to do, from 2nd Street Public Market near downtown (open Thur, Fri, Sat), the numerous dedicated rail trails (bike trails) in pretty much every community, and The National Museum of the US Air Force. If you want to see what is going on out and about in the community, I'd look at The City Paper Dayton and ActiveDayton.com websites. There are also numerous festivals in the area from June through October, but not sure which one (if any) are during the first week of June.

While I don't know if I would call Dayton lovely (I've been here for most of my life and have seen its good and bad sides), the metro itself is quite nice. The suburbs are certainly good places to raise a family.

[joe from dayton]

Oakwood, Bellbrook and C'ville all have great public schools and their houses tend to retain their value. They are all good choices, so you need to like at other things that may or may not be important to you such as taxes, parks and rec, access to highways, etc. Wrightflyer gave you a very good overview of the area.

[Ohiogirl81]

Centerville would be the first place I'd look, just in the interest of an easier commute. Oakwood would be #2; it has more of a connected town feel, as opposed to a random grouping of subdivisions feel.

Don't rule out Kettering, either; most of the homes are a little more modest, but it's still a good area. My college roommate's kids are products of the school system; they seem reasonably intelligent and educated.

Springboro is basically a tiny crossroads town that has morphed into an annexation-happy suburb with disconnected subdivisions. The old part of town is quite charming, but very small. Centerville also has an older part of town, if you're interested in that sort of neighborhood.

Good luck!

[moved_enough]

I've lived here almost a year now, and I agree it's lovely. Like any region, you have your "ugly" places, of course. I tend to stay in the very pretty small towns, the parks and reserves, and the scenic bike trails. Plenty of shopping, too, and the region has a sense of history.

I live in Bellbrook, and while I love it, I wouldn't recommend it because there's just a lot less housing to choose from. I chose to stay because my children had already started school here and I didn't want them to switch again (they didn't want to eaither). If I could do it over again, though, I'd have gone with either Centerville or Beavercreek. The school systems are rated basically the same, parents I've met from both cities are equally happy, and there are A LOT more houses to choose from in your price range. I feel like all the houses in Bellbrook are either in Kable Mills or Green Meadow ranch, and that's about it.

I've also noticed I could've gotten more square footage and a more updated home (granite, hardwood, etc) in Centerville and Beavercreek for the same price. Just somehting to think about...

[SLCBakeaholic]

We'll definitely focus our home search in Centerville as everyone on this board has highly recommended it. I've been combing through multiple listings in Centerville, Bellbrook, Oakwood, Beavercreek and Springboro. A bit overwhelming.

Thanks for all the info. and tips!!

Any good dessert bakeries in Dayton?? I'm a big foodie. I love all food and cook and bake all the time. But, I'm always in a search of a good bakery!

[BuckeyezRule]

Hi SLC, came looking for where you were headed to in Ohio. I'm sorry I'm not very familiar w/ the area. What I can tell you, having done the other move is, Ohio is not as dry (ie, it's green =) , waaaaaayyyyy better food, IMO. lol No tax on groceries!!!!!! This is a biggie! As in the grocery store, or taking food to go at fast food places. Houses are alot lower in Ohio. Property taxes are more. Plates & renewal fees are also alot lower in Ohio than Utah (unless this has all changed since I moved 12/26/06) .

Just a few small things to help you out $$$ wise in your journey from Utah to Ohio. Best of luck! We did it the day after Christmas w/ a newly potty trained 3yo & a 2yo in diapers, & 2 cats. lol

[joe from dayton]

Belmont Bakery makes some good stuff. There is also a bakery in Oakwood. I think it's called Ashley's. They are both locally owned and operated. Dorothy Lane Market (the one near Centerville)also has a nice bakery.