Explore the Vast Housing Options in Dayton

From city living to well-planned new developments, Dayton and Southwest Ohio have it all.

By Kim Madlom on June 21, 2023

From bustling city streets to quiet waterfront neighborhoods, there is a place for everyone seeking housing options in Dayton and Southwest Ohio.

“People are moving here for the quality of life and jobs,” says Gregory Blatt, a Realtor with more than 40 years of experience and 2023 president of the Dayton Board of Realtors. “Our challenge is a lack of inventory of homes, and that makes new developments all the more important.”

New housing developments are underway all across the region. Warren County is a hub of master-planned neighborhoods, and developments like Union Village and River’s Bend are popping up everywhere.

Union Village is a master planned community development that includes a town square, shops and parks that link neighborhoods radiating from the central town square. The 40-year buildout plan featuring homes and townhomes calls for 4,500 residential structures.

River’s Bend is another master-planned community in Warren County offering wooded homesites, hike/bike paths, golf, a lake and river views. “These are great developments, and we need more like them,” Blatt says.

While Union Village and River’s Bend are higher-end developments, median home prices throughout the 13-county Dayton region are under $200,000. That’s well below the national average, which means homebuyers get more for their money.

Affordable Housing Options in Dayton

“The overall cost of living here is attractive,” Blatt says. “It is much lower than other parts of the country, and the lifestyle and amenities are as good or better than larger cities like Chicago or states like California. Taxes are low, the schools are excellent and we don’t have the traffic. We’re a 30-minute market; people can get anywhere in 30 minutes. That doesn’t happen in Chicago.”

Downtown Dayton is attracting residents interested in the feel of city life. The downtown housing options are consistently 90% occupied, including lofts, condos, apartments and more-traditional homes.

The old Mendelson’s building and the surrounding area in Dayton are currently under development and will include retail and office space as well as housing. That project should be completed in 2024. Meanwhile, the Water Street District continues to develop with commercial and residential offerings.

Downtown Dayton offers just the right amount of city amenities yet maintains that small-town feel. But, throughout the region, residents have access to those amenities and proximity to Cincinnati to enjoy major league baseball, football, soccer and other big-city offerings.

It’s no wonder people are looking to buy homes in the region.

In Clark County, Springfield’s Bridgewater housing development continues to grow with average sale prices in the $250,000 range.

Also in Clark County, Melody Parks will bring up to 80 houses and a couple hundred apartments to the East National Road area in its first phase, with a plan for more than 1,250 units total to the project.

The Sky Crossing development in Greene County offers tree-lined streets, sparkling ponds and green space at prices beginning at $380,000. Other developments in Greene County include Cedarbrook Farm, Arden Place and Landings at Sugarcreek.

Warren County’s Soraya Farms project in Clearcreek has opened its eighth phase and plans two more this year.

Great Quality of Life

Blatt says the success of these developments and others throughout the region are tied to the allure of the region’s Midwestern values, affordability, and, in recent years, job growth.

“Companies are looking at this region to locate because of the low cost of living, affordable housing and excellent infrastructure,” Blatt says. “We are to the point where more people are coming to Ohio instead of leaving. And young people are staying. As our Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said, for the first time in his lifetime, our area has enough good-paying jobs to retain our college graduates. They don’t have to leave the state to find a good career.”

Blatt says the new housing developments are essential with more college graduates staying in the region and more people moving to the region.

“That’s our biggest challenge,” he says. “We need a large inventory of residential housing to accommodate the people who want to live in our region. Our municipalities are working to make projects more favorable to developers and builders.”

A Place for Artists to Live and Work

Artspace Hamilton Lofts offers 42 units of affordable live/workspace for artists and their families. It is part of the city of Hamilton’s commitment to emphasizing the arts for civic improvement.

David Stark, community manager and director of the on-site art gallery and gift shop, is also an artist resident and writer. Livability chatted with Stark about living in in this unique space.

What attracted you to Artspace?
I went through the selection process and moved in about five years ago. It is a cool place to live. We think of ourselves as artists in service to the city of Hamilton. We support the momentum of Hamilton.

What is the role of the Strauss Gallery?
The gift shop and gallery are run by volunteer artists in the community. The gallery allows the community to experience the artwork of our residents and outside artists. The gallery hosts art shows, workshops, concerts and more. And events are always free.

How does the community benefit?
Hamilton has long been an arts and sculpture town. Artspace is in the middle of it and solidifies the city’s commitment to the arts. Artists who move here can immediately make an impact in that scene. We’ll get calls from organizations, businesses or individuals asking for our artists’ talents. They may need a mural for an event or business, or someone may want to give a gift of art. We’re so proud that we have some lifers who will keep creating here and others who will use the experience of living here for a year or two as an arts incubator. They get plugged into Hamilton’s arts and culture scene and contribute to that scene by painting murals or holding an art show. Then, they move on.