Sign In Register
Gabriella Moore living

Raising a family in Dayton -thoughts?

Curious what people think. With a population of 8,241, Dayton is a small town. Homes are going for about $471,700 on average. Crime rate is something to consider -Dayton sits at 99.6 per 100K. Average temperature is around 53--F, so expect cold winters. The suburbs are where most families end up. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. What would you do? Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The city has invested a lot in new development.
15 upvotes

8 Replies

Jacob O.
yep
40 upvotes
Chloe R.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a accountant who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 3 years ago. The main reasons were family and school.

Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Close to major attractions
- Strong sense of community

Cons that are real:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited shopping options

Financially, we've found it improving compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is decent.

Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Savannah W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Miami about 1 years ago. The main reasons were school and school.

Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good schools in most areas

Cons that are real:
- Limited shopping options
- Dating scene is rough

Financially, we've found it solid compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are growing, gas is average.

Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Happy to answer more specific questions..
27 upvotes
real_serenity46
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a HR manager, 35, moved here 3 years ago from LA. I've lived in North and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Good internet infrastructure
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Not very walkable outside downtown
2. Can feel isolated
3. The weather situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for couples. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: More affordable, family-friendly.

**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.

**Cost comparison:**
Coming from LA, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are pricey. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$150K here.

**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
26 upvotes
Jeremiah Hill
thanks for sharing
15 upvotes
Ryan Cox
glad someone said it
9 upvotes
Asher Clark
thanks for sharing
2 upvotes
Ashley O.
Moved here from Austin about 11 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to school system but Would recommend to anyone considering it..
2 upvotes
← Back to Dayton Community