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Judy C. best-worst

What surprised you most about Dayton?

OK so Median household income is $43,454, which feels on the lower side for the area. Am I wrong here?
58 upvotes

7 Replies

isla_living
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Atlanta and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Eastside. It's tough for what you get.

Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in finance. If you're in retail you might struggle.

People: Generally improving. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Italian.

It's not for everyone but it works for us..
33 upvotes
Emmett T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from New York and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Midtown. It's better than expected for what you get.

Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in government. If you're in retail you might struggle.

People: Generally tough. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: hit or miss. Tons of options if you like Mexican.

Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Piper E.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is housing market. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
19 upvotes
Serenity Peterson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in Eastside for 7 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.

**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. education 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 better than expected - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Eastside schools are tough. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Dating scene is rough. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
15 upvotes
William A.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value traffic, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely tough and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (South) is wild and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from New York, be prepared for the culture shock. weather is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.

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.
14 upvotes
columbuswalker2024
facts
11 upvotes
Eva Sanchez
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
1 upvotes
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