WELCOME TO GREATER DAYTON!
Few places in the nation combine a more appealing and diverse environment than Southwest Ohio and the Miami Valley, where major urban centers like Dayton and Cincinnati harmonize with vibrant small towns and sleepy rural villages. Scientific and technical research and innovation are at their height in this region, elevating the status of both healthcare and education. Dayton is probably best known as the birthplace of the miracle of powered flight, although this region also celebrates a pivotal role in the Underground Railroad that offered escaped slaves from the South a ticket to freedom. Fine museums range from history and art to discovery and science, each one offering a world of activities and events for all ages. Cincinnati’s Museum Center at Union Terminal is home to a medley of remarkable museums and historic sites, including a popular children’s museum. Family-friend communities are one of the Midwest’s most enduring traits, and even the larger urban areas retain the warmth of a close-knit spirit. Especially in many of the smaller towns and villages, strong volunteerism and participation in clubs and organizations creates a genuine family feeling in the community.
Services
Healthcare facilities and services are state-of-the-art in this region, encompassing teaching hospitals, research institutes, centers of excellence, regional medical centers, and support services of every type. Progressive healthcare systems ensure well-managed hospitals that excel in innovation, including first-rate fitness and wellness centers. Dayton is home to sprawling urban hospitals like The Children’s Medical Center of Dayton, Good Samaritan Hospital, Grandview Medical Center, Kettering Medical Center, Miami Valley Hospital, and Southview Hospital. Other full-service hospitals and medical centers are strategically located throughout the region to ensure access to quality care close to home.
Two dozen colleges and universities crown the exceptional array of educational opportunities in Greater Dayton, including the Airforce Institute of Technology, Miami University, the University of Dayton Xavier University, the University of Cincinnati, and Great Oaks Institute of Technology. Dayton and Cincinnati both have medical and law schools, which underlines the region’s long-standing reputation as a leader in patient care, research, and innovation. The public school districts are some of Ohio’s finest and consistent winners of state and national recognition for excellence. Private schools are available for those who are interested in alternative learning environments, more specialized attention, or religiously affiliated education.
Lifestyle
Newcomers to this picturesque and diverse region will discover a pleasing blend of urban neighborhoods, vibrant suburbs, master-planned and golf communities, and friendly small towns. Appealing to a wide cross-section of budgets and lifestyle choices, home styles range from historic Victorians and stately Tudors to cozy bungalows, traditionals, quaint farmhouses, multi-acre properties, contemporaries, and majestic country estates. Transportation efficiencies are outstanding at the “Crossroads of America,” where the national Interstates 70 and 75 intersect and anchor a network of federal and state highways. Regardless of where you choose to live, quick and easy commutes are the rule whether the destination is work or leisure.
While Cincinnati is ranked among the nation’s top cities for the arts, Dayton draws throngs of visitors to its own famous attractions. Venues like the Dayton Art Institute, the National Museum of the US Air Force, the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park, and the SunWatch Indian Village & Archaeological Park have made Dayton a “must-see” for visitors and vacationers. Wonderful performance spaces like the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center including Victoria Theatre and the Loft combine with exceptional talent like the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, the Dayton Opera, and Dayton Ballet. South of Dayton in Kettering, the Fraze Pavilion hosts nationally and internationally known musicians in concert. Sports fans will clamor to cheer on their favorite team at the Nutter Center in Dayton or catch professional sports thrills in Cincinnati.
Families can look forward to a world of kid-friendly attractions in this enriching environment, where even the performing arts groups excel in family and youth education and events. On the whimsical side, this region features one of the nation’s most beloved amusement parks: King’s Island with its adjacent spectacular waterpark. One of the nation’s finest, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanic Garden welcomes more than 1.2 million visitors annually and is internationally known for research and the preservation of endangered animals and plants. The entire area is a shopper’s delight, brimming over with antique districts in quaint communities, riverfront attractions, flea markets, farmers markets, outlet centers, neighborhood retail plazas, and stunning regional malls. Sports enthusiasts can hike, bike, camp, water ski, canoe and kayak, boat, fish, hunt on acres of preserved recreational land. Closer to home, developed recreation programs and local parks ensure quality activity for leisure hours. Golf courses, tennis courts, yacht clubs and other private sports clubs, fitness centers, and other recreational attractions are scattered throughout the region. From the natural beauty of its picturesque landscapes to the unparalleled quality of life, Greater Dayton is the ideal place to live, play, and work.
