Dayton is one of those "best kept secrets"
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1/16/2007
Although I've lived in the Dayton area most of my life, I've traveled to many parts of the globe. There aren't many cities that have the excellent quality of life we have here (I've been stuck on the 405 in Los Angeles for hours--that would never happen in Dayton!). We have one of the best art museums in the United States--highly-rated on all accounts, open 365 days a year, and it's FREE! We have the United States Air Force Museum--again, a wonderful place to visit, and it's free. You could spend a week in there, it's so extensive. Carillon Park, run by Dayton History, is a mini Greenfield Village. It has a Wright B Flyer exhibit that was actually designed by Orville Wright himself, not to mention all the many diverse exhibits that are laid out in a beautiful setting, not far from downtown. Huffman Prairie, where the Wright Brothers perfected powered flight, is a fascinating place to visit, as is the Wright-Dunbar National Park site. Our healthcare facilities are second to none. We have Sinclair College; Wright State University, with an up-to-date medical school; and University of Dayton, with an excellent law school. We have the largest Air Force base in the world, and we're bringing new high-tech jobs to Dayton. Speaking of technology, Dayton has always been a hotbed of invention--the electric starter, the electronic cash register, even the poptop can was invented here. We hold more patents per capita than any city in the USA. We have our own Opera company, our own Philharmonic, Ballet, the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (known worldwide), and many other theatre and performing arts organizations. More condos and lofts are being built/rehabbed downtown, and there are plans in place to build many more. We have a new ballpark, and our very own Dayton Dragons team. It's easy to get around, there's plenty of public transportation, and you can find a place to park at a reasonable price. You can be almost anywhere, even in the suburbs, within 30 minutes. We have churches, schools, nice neighborhoods, good shopping and very friendly people. I know Air Force retirees who have actually chosen to retire in the Dayton area after having been stationed here for a short time during their career. You can spend $1 million plus for a home, if that's your desire, but there is affordable housing for everyone. Our cost of living is reasonable. Dayton, Ohio and the Miami Valley really is a wonderful place to live. Check it out!
Toni | Dayton, OH