2023 Best Places to Live in the Dayton Area

• Suburb of Dayton, OH

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  Rating 4.46 out of 5  26 reviews

Current Resident: I moved to Oakwood because it seemed like a safe, caring, and compassionate community. The houses are very close to one another, and you must be a people person to appreciate that. I like people, my neighbors are very nice, and I like feeling like I'm part of a community. It also supports a healthy lifestyle. I've never seen so many people walking in my life! Everyone is walking, running, or out with their children even when it's raining. I like that I can walk to the grocery store, a local restaurant, or a clothing store and feel safe. One of the best things about my community is that the houses are historic and unique. Every house in Oakwood is old and has character.... Read 26 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 9,470

• Suburb of Dayton, OH

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  Rating 4.16 out of 5  25 reviews

Current Resident: This has been a very unified but safe community! I am happy that my children can go outside an not have to worry about anything. The neighbors are so nice, and welcoming. The area is quiet. The community is always clean. There is hardly ever any trash or litter anywhere. The communities often have festivals or get togethers and they are public. I really like this city. We don't have to pay city taxes. Its truly a great place. Plenty of places to live and raise your family. the surrounding school systems are great as well.... Read 25 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Population 7,266

• Suburb of Dayton, OH

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  Rating 4.39 out of 5  77 reviews

Current Resident: Centerville Ohio is the place I am proud to call home because it has allowed me to grow. I remember moving here when I was five years old and the fear of becoming at outcast. This was not the case- I was immediately welcomed. As a senior in high school, I experienced growing up with my peers and watching all of their personal growth. The "Elk pride" in Centerville is just that- pride. Here in Centerville we have a saying: "Elk Pride Never Dies" and that couldn't be more true.... Read 77 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Population 24,281

• Suburb of Dayton, OH

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  Rating 4.12 out of 5  102 reviews

Current Resident: I love living in Springboro! I have lived here my entire life. The schools are great and the people are friendly. I love the atmosphere in the town and it is nicely placed where different cities are not far away. While politics can get a little heated sometimes, nothing very serious comes of it. It is a great place to live!... Read 102 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A minus

• Population 18,831

• Suburb of Dayton, OH

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  Rating 4.08 out of 5  171 reviews

Current Resident: Beavercreek is a pretty nice area in that it's a calm, fairly small town, but big enough that there's a lot of diversity and plenty of things to do. It's also very close to a lot of other interesting towns/cities; for example, it's about a 15 minute drive to Dayton, only about an hour and a half to Columbus, about 20 minutes to Yellow Springs, etc. Most of the people are also nice, although there are some divisive issues (especially when it comes to taxes and levies). Standard of living around here is pretty high, most residents are middle class to upper middle class, but there are also resources for lower income families. For entry-level jobs there's a good amount of available jobs, although I'm not as sure for more professional jobs. The schools are okay, nothing special but they're definitely not bad. The arts programs at the high school(especially the band and show choir) are particularly good, as is the cross country team. There are also some good community events.... Read 171 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Population 46,320

• Town in Ohio

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  Rating 3.94 out of 5  33 reviews

Current Resident: " residents tend to lean conservative" ?! Obviously you've never visited YS. Once labeled the "Berkley of the Midwest," conservatives are far outnumbered in our quirky little community by liberals, progressives, socialists, probably a communist or two. Diversity shows in the many "BLM" signs and rainbow flags around town and the regular BLM marches/gatherings, the weekly peace vigil at the edge of downtown, and in how the town rallied around a long-time resident facing INS issues. Come see us, but don't expect anything like you'll find elsewhere in Ohio...an oasis of blue in a growing sea of red.... Read 33 reviews

• grade A

• grade B+

• Population 3,750

• Suburb of Dayton, OH

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  Rating 3.94 out of 5  175 reviews

Current Resident: It's a quiet place to live, great amenities. The city of Kettering feels safe and has a lot of opportunities for employment and is thriving in business. I feel like the city needs to be more connected amongst people some people are anti-social and keep to themselves. I would like to see people interact more with others and see more community engagement. I think more building activities within the community should be incorporated and more advertisement of events going on in the community. I love the city due to there not being a lot of crime and this allows me to feel safe at night before going to bed .... Read 175 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Population 57,503

• Neighborhood in Dayton, OH

• grade A

• grade D+

• Population 1,565

• Suburb of Dayton, OH

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  Rating 4.24 out of 5  41 reviews

Current Resident: Tipp City schools definitely need help; for example, Bethel looks like it's one hundred years old and I constantly hear negative things about it from my friends. I'm so glad I'm homeschooled! As far as the overall area, it's fairly modern and surrounded by several stores, restaurants, and various places of recreation and entertainment, both unique and generic.... Read 41 reviews

• grade A

• grade A minus

• Population 10,202

• Suburb of Dayton, OH

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  Rating 3.46 out of 5  37 reviews

Current Resident: Clayton is a beautiful area with lots of greenery. I love that I am able to run, bike, fish, and take walks in our metroparks. It is a great community with a safe and family-friendly environment. I wish there were more sidewalks on residential streets, though.... Read 37 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B+

• Population 13,246

• Suburb of Dayton, OH

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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  54 reviews

Current Resident: I like that Englewood has various local, private businesses that unite the community. While I wish there were more coffee shops, the town provides other small businesses that provide different types of food and entertainment. Englewood also has the feature of the Englewood Dam, providing opportunities to hike, enjoy nature, and exercise. The Englewood wildlife services are actively preserving the area, and provide centers such as Aullwood for educational services.... Read 54 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A minus

• Population 13,441

• Neighborhood in Dayton, OH

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  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: Patterson Park is like a gated community without the gates. Its features and attractions make it one of Dayton's most attractive neighborhoods. The streets are quiet with well-maintained lawns and houses. A variety of house styles mingle together here successfully. People spend a lot of time outside, walking on the curving streets, or visiting neighbors. This is a dog-friendly neighborhood, with most canines quiet, calm, and well-behaved. There are many small businesses such as bars, restaurants, a shopping center, hardware, pharmacies, banks, doctors and legal services., Public transit is close. Adjacent is a bike/walking trail that connects to over 340 miles of similar paved off-street trails, the largest network of paved bikeways in the United States. A small neighborhood park includes a 1/3 mile running track, tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts playground equipment and a baseball field. Patterson park is closed in on three sides, so there is little thru traffic.... Read 2 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade C minus

• Population 4,206

• Suburb of Dayton, OH

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  Rating 3.85 out of 5  73 reviews

Current Resident: Troy is an amazing, growing city. There are so many places to eat and shop. The schools are good and people are friendly.... Read 73 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade B

• Population 26,093

• Suburb of Dayton, OH

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  Rating 3.87 out of 5  47 reviews

Current Resident: I grew up here and in general, it’s a great place! Lots of activities and destinations that are family friendly. Great schools!... Read 47 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B+

• Population 15,155

• Neighborhood in Dayton, OH

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  Rating 2.88 out of 5  17 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in South Park for over than a decade. I have a hard time seeing myself live any where else. The neighborhood has a ton of event from neighborhood party’s to paradise, to kid events. We are close to downtown to walk or ride free bus we visit festivals, bars, restaurants, concerts. There can be crime but where isn’t there? Most of our crime is petty. The neighbors look out for each other.... Read 17 reviews

• grade B+

• grade D+

• Population 1,703

• Suburb of Dayton, OH

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  Rating 4 out of 5  72 reviews

Current Resident: Miamisburg is a great town with a good school system and an array of athletic and intellectual programs for children of all ages. It is located between two major highways so having access to other suburbs, hospitals, shopping, dining, employment, parks, and entertainment is about 30 min in all directions. If you would like to venture out a little further, being able to take a long weekend in Indiana or Kentucky is only about 1-2.5 hours away. What I would like to see changed in the Miamisburg school system (public) would be for the schools to enforce the use of uniforms. Having all the children dress in uniforms, I believe, will cut down on the “clothing distractions”. This will also provide the students with the opportunity to be viewed and judged on their personality not by their clothing choices. Uniforms also provide opportunity for the school systems to take back their authority and enforce a dress code (let’s just say the “fingertip length” rule doesn’t exist).... Read 72 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B

• Population 19,878

• Neighborhood in Dayton, OH

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  Rating 4 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: Most people are very kind and nice, always willing to help. Most of the neighborhood is also fairly quiet. There are sometimes neighborhood stray cats and dogs wandering around, and although there have been kids found stealing packages before, the majority of the neighborhood is very nice.... Read 2 reviews

• grade B+

• grade C+

• Population 7,015

• Suburb of Dayton, OH

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  Rating 3.55 out of 5  130 reviews

Current Resident: It's on the rise! Larger industries are building facilities here (most recently a computer chip manufacturing plant) and helping out the job market. In recent years I've seen more small businesses pop up in the historic downtown and they seem to be going strong. We also have a local nonprofit organization (Inclusive Fairborn) making waves with community outreach programs.... Read 130 reviews

• grade B+

• grade C+

• Population 34,398

• Suburb of Dayton, OH

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  Rating 3.85 out of 5  13 reviews

Current Resident: Carlisle Ohio, is a tribe. It is a family. Everyone is in everyones bees wax but we all love each other with this support like no other. We are a village who brings the tribe together. Go Carlisle Indians.... Read 13 reviews

• grade B+

• grade B minus

• Population 5,436

• Suburb of Dayton, OH

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  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Niche User: I think the city I live in has great safety, and not only because of the police force but also the community. We all seem to come together when something tragic happens and are very supportive.... Read 2 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A minus

• Population 1,443

• Neighborhood in Dayton, OH

• grade B

• grade C minus

• Population 4,704

• Suburb of Dayton, OH

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  Rating 4.09 out of 5  22 reviews

Current Resident: Absolutely love Brookville. It is a great place to live and even start a family. There are a few things that could be better but overall it is a great community. We got hit by a tornado last year, and instead of everybody being depressed for a week and then trying to get back to normal if they personally weren't affected, it was like everybody got hit by it. The community came together and worked hard like nothing I had ever seen before, and that is just one example.... Read 22 reviews

• grade B

• grade A minus

• Population 5,970

• Suburb of Dayton, OH

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  Rating 3 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: Waynesville is an old-fashioned small town located just off of State Route 42. It's quaint and quiet and has a good family-friendly vibe. It is known for being the antique capitol of the midwest, the home of The Sauerkraut Festival and, if you believe in the paranormal, one of the most haunted towns in Ohio.... Read 5 reviews

• grade B

• grade A minus

• Population 2,704

• Suburb of Dayton, OH

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  Rating 4.08 out of 5  25 reviews

Current Resident: Germantown is a very small town but very close with the community. Because it is so small, everyone is very close and everyone knows each other. Everyone goes to the Friday football games, pep rallies, and marches throughout towns.... Read 25 reviews

• grade B

• grade B

• Population 5,748

• Neighborhood in Dayton, OH

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  Rating 3.71 out of 5  7 reviews

Current Resident: Fire department and cop station right around corner neibor s look out of each other and the businesses around here are mostly family owned... Read 7 reviews

• grade B

• grade C minus

• Population 5,643