Even if you’re only here to learn about one of the best cities in Ohio, you’ve come to the right place, my friend. HER is here to take you on a tour of all things Dayton -- from types of houses, to the top rated restaurants. If you’re thinking about moving to the “Gem City” or you’re already a resident, you’ll be set after checking out this helpful guide!

Consult HER, REALTORS® for the best selection of homes in Dayton, Ohio >

Houses to hunt

For 25 reasons why you should move to Dayton right now, check out this article. In a nutshell, it’s green, wholesome, and a great place to raise a family. The economy is diverse with plenty of nearby cities, and affordable housing. According to Area Vibes, the median home price is $66,600. Compared to the rest of the country, Dayton’s cost of living is 25.10% lower than the U.S. average.

Right now, there are over 700 listings for houses in Dayton, Ohio including condos, townhomes, commercial properties, and single family homes. Looking to purchase a mansion for when you become rich and famous? Dayton has got those, too!

School search

In Dayton, kids get a quality education. Public schools spend an average of $18,951 per student while the U.S. average is only about $12,383. The teacher ratio is 15 to 1.

The best school districts to live in are Centerville City, Oakwood City, and Bellbrook, rated #1, #2, and #3 by Niche’s list of the 2018 Best Public High Schools in the Dayton Area.

1. Centerville City

Located in Centerville, OH, the Centerville City School District has 8,099 students enrolled in grades PK - 12 with a student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1. According to state test scores, 75% score proficient in reading and 76% score proficient in math. The average graduation rate is 95%.

2. Oakwood City

The Oakwood City School District has 2,105 attending PK - 12th grade. The student-teacher ratio is 18 to 1. According to state test scores, 92% of students are at least proficient in math and 86% are proficient in reading. The average graduation rate is 95%.

3. Bellbrook

Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Local School District is located in Bellbrook, OH. 2,696 students attend school in grades PK - 12, making the student-teacher ratio 21 to 1. At least 83% students are proficient in math and 77% are proficient in reading. The average graduation rate is 98%.

Exciting exploits

Looking to have some fun in Dayton? We’ve got 3 activities you should check out.

Carillon Historical Park

The Carillon Historical Park is a site where you can dive into the history of Dayton in terms of invention, aviation, and geology. You might wonder why you should care about Dayton’s first printing press or “The Great Flood of 1913” but TRUST US, take a single step into one of the detailed, absorbing exhibits at Carillon Historical Park and you’ll be wowed. Picturesque walking trails, print shops, outdoor villages, and even a carousel? There’s something for everyone at this park.

Young’s Jersey Dairy

Who knew a dairy was capable of such grand entertainment? When you visit Young’s Jersey Dairy, you’ll understand. This one will be especially fun for the kids, but there’s so many activities to partake in, we guarantee everyone will enjoy themselves. You can visit the Dairy Store for a homemade ice cream sandwich, explore the farm, play mini golf, or ride down the “fast and furious fun” slide. This list of options goes on, and it changes with the fall season.

Brukner Nature Center

Do you like animals? Do you like nature? Do you like free things? If you answered yes to at least one of these questions, the Brukner Nature Center is a must-visit. On Sundays admission is free and you can spend the day hiking and hanging out with adorable rescue animals. It’s a wonderful option to get you out of the city for a while.

Grub to get

What’s a great city without some great places to eat, right? In Dayton, we recommend dining at any of these restaurants (or, you know, all of them.)

The Winds

For unique eats, pit stop at the Winds Cafe. They’re a small and insanely charming restaurant that’s blazing the farm-to-table concept. The menu changes frequently and is so tasty, everyone fights to get the chance to order from it. You’ll need to make a reservation for this one!

Pine Club

This rustic steakhouse has been featured in NY Times, USA-Today, and The Food Network’s “Top 5 Restaurants.” The Pine Club is classy, cash only, and one of the best in the game of preparing traditional steaks.

Coco’s Bistro

A Dayton Original, Coco’s Bistro is a welcoming establishment where you can taste the best of the bistro fare. The dining room is spacious, comfortable, and beautifully decorated. Coco’s was bestowed 2nd place in the Fine Dining category of Dayton.com’s Best of Dayton awards.

From nature centers to quaint cafes, there’s something for every type of person in Dayton, Ohio. This city is most definitely worth a visit. Let us know in the comments where you’d like to go!