The Dayton Difference: Why the Region is A Great Place for Families

Dayton Dragons Professional Baseball

When mapping out a move for your family, the ultimate goal is simple: finding a place where your paycheck goes further and your free time actually belongs to you. In the Dayton region, that balance comes naturally. When evaluating the family lifestyle in Dayton, OH, that ideal work-life balance comes naturally.

Housing across the Miami Valley is remarkably accessible, with a median home price around $255,000 – a staggering 46% lower than the national average. Everyday essentials follow suit, with regional prices for groceries and gasoline also trending below the national norm.

Beyond the wallet, time is its own daily luxury. Short commutes averaging just 15 to 20 minutes significantly boost the overall daily quality of life.

Here is a closer look at the many ways the Miami Valley delivers a premier quality of life for families without the premier price tag.

©Journal Communications/Justin Sicking

Museums Kids Will Actually Love

Chief among these local perks is a wealth of local learning and educational discovery right in your backyard. STEM-centric spaces designed to engage, educate and entertain are all within an easy drive from just about anywhere in the region. ​

One of the biggest attractions, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, also offers completely free admission. Located next door to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the museum features the world’s largest collection of military aviation displays.

Nearby, the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park chronicles the dawn of human-powered flight through the Wright brothers’ eyes. At the same time, the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery packs two floors with natural history, hands-on science exhibits and an accredited indoor zoo.

Jeff Adkins

Miles and Miles of Outdoor Play

Outdoor enthusiasts also have access to amazing amenities. In the Dayton region, cyclists are keen to explore the nation’s largest off-street, paved trail network. With more than 330 miles to ride, the extensive bikeway network is a great way to check out beautiful natural spaces and quaint downtowns dotted along the trail.

For those who prefer water sports, the Great Miami River Watershed Water Trail system offers 265 miles of navigable waterway perfect for paddlesports, fishing and observing local wildlife.

But the real crown jewel – according to residents – is the Five Rivers MetroParks system, featuring 18 distinct parks spanning more than 16,000 acres of protected wilderness and green space.

Courtesy of Dayton Children’s Hospital

World-Class Healthcare on Your Horizon

Families living in the Dayton region can rest easy knowing that if a loved one is sick or injured, world-class medical facilities are always a short drive away.

Kettering Health and Premier Health serve as the area’s two largest healthcare organizations, offering convenient access to hospitals and regional medical campuses throughout the Miami Valley.

Specialized medical facilities include the Dayton VA Medical Center, one of the nation’s oldest veterans’ health centers, founded in 1867 to care for Civil War veterans. Dayton Children’s Hospital has also earned a reputation as the leading destination for families seeking comprehensive pediatric care.

Dayton Dragons Professional Baseball

From Broadway to Baseball  

The Dayton region offers all the cultural richness and exciting amenities of a major metropolis. Lovers of arts and culture can catch touring Broadway performances, explore fine art galleries, take in a philharmonic concert or watch the country’s second-oldest ballet company.

Venues range from the decorated Benjamin & Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center and its historic sister venue, the Victoria Theatre, down to community-minded spaces like Levitt Pavilion Dayton, which hosts dozens of free outdoor concerts each summer.

Another favorite summertime destination is Day Air Ballpark, where families can catch the Dayton Dragons minor league baseball team in action.

University of Dayton School of Engineering

Degrees of Excellence

Regardless of whether you attain postsecondary education right after high school or return to the classroom for a career change or new opportunities, the Dayton region is dense with colleges and universities.

Affordable higher education options include Sinclair Community College, Clark State College and Edison State Community College. These institutions work with local employers to upskill and retrain the existing regional workforce while engaging high school students in College Credit Plus. This program gives high schoolers a major head start by allowing them to earn credits toward a certificate or degree program.

The region also offers universities with long-standing academic legacies. Miami University, the University of Dayton, Wright State University, Central State University and Wilberforce University provide endless options for those seeking undergraduate, graduate and specialized professional degrees.