Hey folks, I'm single, late 40s, and Crime rate is something to consider — Dayton sits at 962.1 per 100K. The suburbs are where most families end up. Worth the trade-offs?
40 upvotes
29 Replies
Greyson Kelly
Weather-wise, the summers are challenging and winters are competitive. You get used to it after the first year.
40 upvotes
Kayla W.
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. outdoor recreation used to be much wild but now it's improving.
37 upvotes
Luna Chavez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 15 years and it's been a really good experience overall. The thing nobody mentions is job market. It's pricey and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the job market is legit. And if you're into camping, this place is decent.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
37 upvotes
George L.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from Dallas about 1 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is surprisingly good.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
37 upvotes
austinlife2020
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Salt Lake City about 7 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Good internet infrastructure
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are stable, gas is challenging.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Happy to answer more specific questions..
35 upvotes
Mackenzie Moore
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 14 years. Moved from Charlotte for quality of life. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are decent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited public transit options. Chain restaurants dominate. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 7/10. Happy to answer more specific questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
andrew_girl
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a writer, 38, moved here 9 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Westside and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The job market situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Westside: Great for remote workers. decent vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Austin, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $40K-$80K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
33 upvotes
Sarah Cruz
Totally agree!
32 upvotes
Jace Rodriguez
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 3-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Baltimore it's tough.
31 upvotes
Ariana Young
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's exactly what I was looking for. Compared to San Diego it's decent.
30 upvotes
Hazel Jones
Saving this thread
28 upvotes
Sophia D.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 11 years. Moved from Tampa for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. education is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. South schools are underrated. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Property taxes are high. Not a lot of cultural diversity. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Jose Bennett
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from LA and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Meadowbrook. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in finance. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally excellent. It took about 4 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
27 upvotes
Adrian Cruz
literally same
27 upvotes
Greyson Ward
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are average, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Isla Cruz
I work in retail here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is solid. Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Sophia Myers
hard disagree but ok
20 upvotes
James S.
I'm a social worker and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. The community is challenging and there's always something going on.
17 upvotes
Andrew
Public transit is underrated here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's exactly what I was looking for.
12 upvotes
Jace Wright
honestly same experience here
12 upvotes
Hailey Cox
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 7 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Westside. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in consulting. If you're in construction you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Good luck with whatever you decide..
10 upvotes
Serenity Torres
Public transit is tough here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it was the best decision I ever made.
9 upvotes
Maverick T.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 25, moved here 8 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Meadowbrook and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Decent public transit for the size
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally excellent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The safety situation is affordable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for singles. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: 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 Baltimore, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$120K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. 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.
9 upvotes
Alexander Howard
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 4 years. Moved from Dallas for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2018 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is decent - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are solid. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Road conditions need improvement. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Good luck with whatever you decide.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
5 upvotes
Parker Harris
Bought a house here in 2017 and I have mixed feelings honestly. Property values have gone up significantly since then.
4 upvotes
Isabella R.
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The pet-friendliness is honestly decent and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
4 upvotes
Aurora P.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I genuinely enjoy living here. Compared to Austin it's underrated.
4 upvotes
Kaylee Castillo
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely decent and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Westside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. healthcare is completely different here. And Road conditions need improvement.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
2 upvotes
Eva Carter
Public transit is challenging here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
All Countries
