Greater Dayton

Communities

Tipp City Downtown

No matter where you land in the Miami Valley, you’re sure to find a wide variety of places to live that suit just about any lifestyle. Let’s take a closer look at three communities in the Greater Dayton region and grab a snapshot at what each has to offer.

– Val Hunt Beerbower

Downtown Dayton

The heart of the Gem City has experienced quite the resurgence over the past couple of years. Since the launch of the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan in 2010, there has been more than $2 billion in development projects completed and in the pipeline. Among those projects are thousands of new residential units, both rental and owner-occupied.

One of the projects getting the most buzz downtown is the iconic Dayton Arcade. Built in 1902 and opened in 1904, the Arcade has been shuttered for about 30 years. Now the nine-building complex that spans a whopping half-million square feet is reborn. Affordable units are part of the development, with units priced below market rate for artists and other makers. The Contemporary Dayton art gallery welcomes guests to browse exhibits that spark conversation and to shop the gift gallery featuring merchandise made by local artisans The latest new commercial tenant to sign is Ghostlight Coffee; Gather by Ghostlight will include coffees, teas, pastries, brunch and lunch items, plus beer, wine and spirits as well as a large selection of non-alcoholic items.

The Hub at the Arcade Powered by PNC is the 100,000-square-foot joint lease between The University of Dayton, and the Entrepreneurs’ Center and Miami Valley Small Business Development Center. Not only do UD students roam the historic hallways en route to classes, this bustling hub is the nucleus of downtown Dayton’s innovation ecosystem. Programs, workshops, special events and one-on-one counseling offer entrepreneurs access to the tools they need to build and grow their business in Dayton.

Downtown’s bustling nightlife keeps things lively for all these new residents. Dayton Live manages four performing arts venues—the Schuster Center, Victoria Theatre, PNC Arts Annex and the Loft Theatre at the Metropolitan Arts Center. More than 100 local restaurants, brewpubs and bars welcome visitors with hand-crafted menu items. RiverScape MetroPark sits at the banks where the Mad, Stillwater and Great Miami rivers meet, offering an urban oasis where summer festivals take place. Bike rentals are available in the summer, and the new River Run feature challenges adventure-seekers with engineered Class IV whitewater drops.

Miamisburg

South of downtown Dayton, the “Star City” has a star power all its own. Suburban neighborhoods boast a mix of historic homes as well as new neighborhood developments. Victorian houses line the streets leading into and out of downtown.

History enthusiasts will have plenty to see and do in this town, including climbing the Miamisburg Mound, one of the two largest conical mounds in eastern North America. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the mound is 65 feet tall and 800 feet in circumference and contains 54,000 cubic yards of earth. Other places of note include Baum Opera House, Market Square Building, Gebhart Tavern and Kercher Cabin.

Fans of the outdoors are sure to gravitate toward the river trails and bike paths connecting Miamisburg to other villages and cities around the region. Greater Dayton boasts more than 350 miles of paved, connected bike trails—one of the largest in the country! Liveries in and around the area offer guided trips or self-guided paddles. Stop in at Great Miami Outfitters in downtown Miamisburg to stock up on outdoor gear, as well as sign up for workshops and trips to help hone recreational skills.

Trail connectors will bring tourists and residents right past Riverfront Park, home of the Star City concert series. Miamisburg’s parks and recreation department puts on festivals, parades, concerts and other family-friendly offerings throughout the year. No summer break would be complete without a trip to the Sycamore Trails Aquatic Center. The 174-foot tube slide, 133-foot body slide and sand volleyball courts put this waterpark at the top of every kid’s to-do list (and probably a few teachers, too).

Troy

Located in Miami County, Troy is one of the most northern communities in the Greater Dayton region. This city is regarded for its educational facilities. There are 41 public schools and seven private schools in Miami County. Edison Community College has a branch in Troy for those seeking higher ed options, or looking for a career change.

Troy has a rich history of innovation. It’s the home of Hobart’s campus. Famous for its stand mixers and restaurant supply equipment, the former headquarters is now the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology, training students in one of today’s most in-demand skilled trades. Another industrial powerhouse, The WACO Aircraft Company of Troy, was the leading aircraft manufacturer of civilian aircraft in the U. S. from 1928-1935. The company began as the Weaver Aircraft Company in 1921, producing over 80 models from 1919-1946, including the large troop-carrying gliders used in all the major invasions during World War II.

Tipp City Troy River

Manufacturing represents a large portion of jobs in Troy today, including international companies like F&P America and Clopay. Health care also employs a substantial number of workers, between Upper Valley Medical Center by Premier Health and Kettering Health’s Troy Health Center.

Downtown Troy is bustling, particularly in the summertime when free concerts, art walks and other public activities encourage shoppers, diners and strollers to engage with the local business community. Check out the Sculptures on the Square rotating public art displays in the warmer months or stop in and discover new small businesses during themed First Fridays in downtown Troy.

The large fountain at the center of downtown’s roundabout is also the central point of the community’s biggest annual event—the Troy Strawberry Festival. What began as a small event celebrating the harvest for Fulton Farms (one of the largest strawberry fields in the Midwest) in 1977 has boomed into a weekend-long event packed with live music, vendors, artisan merchants, races and food featuring the eponymous berry prepared just about every way imaginable.