9 Greatest Locations to Dwell in Ohio

Dayton

“Probably the greatest issues about Dayton is that regardless of its dimension, it nonetheless has a small-town really feel — you may be greeted with a smile and well mannered whats up regardless of the place you go,” Dayton-based president of Irongate Inc., Realtors Rhonda Chambal stated of this metropolis of over 137,000 residents. Dayton is residence to one of many largest Air Drive bases within the nation, using over 30,000 folks. Healthcare, protection, and schooling are three of the town’s most vital industries, with an unemployment fee of 4 p.c, simply 0.1 p.c increased than the nationwide common. 

Chambal defined that the comparatively low value of residing (about six p.c beneath the nationwide common), proximity to bigger cities (Cincinnati and Columbus are about an hour away), good-rated faculty districts, numerous eating choices, and a wealthy cultural scene appeal to folks to the realm.

One other main draw? In response to Zillow, the median residence worth in Dayton is round $143,000, over $200,000 beneath the nationwide common.

Cincinnati

With 10 p.c of Cincinnati coated in parks, the third-largest metropolis in Ohio can be one of many nation’s greenest. Sports activities followers right here have three skilled groups to help, however it’s artwork fanatics who in all probability have it greatest. With over two dozen top-notch museums and at the least 10 efficiency venues and theaters, the town is an artwork lover’s paradise. 

“Whereas a lot of the state could be very flat, Cincinnati is ready amongst rolling, inexperienced hills overlooking the Ohio River, providing outside recreation year-round and a milder local weather than our northern neighbors,” Steve Early, a realtor at Sibcy Cline Realtors/Luxurious Portfolio Worldwide, added. “From suburbs with giant yards to city residing on the streetcar line with award-winning eating solely steps away, this reasonably priced metropolis has by no means been extra vibrant and numerous.”

As a result of the town is rooted in historical past, newcomers can discover all varieties of properties — from historic Victorian and craftsman homes to fashionable residences and concrete lofts. However better of all, residence values listed below are properly beneath the nationwide common — presently round $235,00, in accordance with Zillow.

Toledo

Nestled on the shores of Lake Erie, Toledo is the right residence base for these looking for scenic waterfront views, a laid-back way of life, and countless outside recreation. The town’s bustling artwork scene contains the world-class Toledo Museum of Artwork. And sports activities followers will thrive right here — Toledo has many sports activities venues and a Minor League Baseball staff. However most significantly, the town blends low value of residing — virtually 28 p.c beneath the nationwide common — and reasonably priced housing. In truth, Toledo’s actual property market was ranked greatest within the nation in 2024. At present, median residence values stand at about $116,000, additionally attracting many retirees on a finances.

Youngstown

This lovely northeast Ohio metropolis lately outperformed 150 city areas nationwide and ranked first in U.S. Information & World Report’s record of essentially the most reasonably priced locations to retire. Because of its bustling arts scene, glorious healthcare amenities, proximity to bigger cities, and reasonably priced value of residing (18 p.c decrease than the nationwide common), Youngstown is a superb place to name residence, whether or not you are a younger skilled or a senior.

“On the enterprise spectrum, Youngstown is residence to a number of corporations, together with the DeBartolo Company, Steelite Worldwide, and Gasser Chair. Youngstown has efficiently modified the narrative from ‘Rust’ to ‘Tech Belt,’ main the way in which in 3D printing and additive manufacturing, due to our nationally acknowledged enterprise incubator,” Patrick Burgan, proprietor and dealer at Burgan Actual Property, defined.

And despite the fact that residence costs are on the rise, they’re nonetheless far more reasonably priced than in different areas of the nation; the median residence worth within the Mahoning Valley is $178,000.

Cleveland

If entry to world-class healthcare amenities is a precedence, then Cleveland must be on the prime of your record. The town is residence to 2 of the biggest multi-branch medical facilities within the nation, The Cleveland Clinic and College Hospitals, in addition to a number of kids’s hospitals. 

“Including to Cleveland’s enchantment is that we’re recognized for range and tradition. College Circle is a hub for world arts, increased schooling, tradition, and science,” Janis McCormick, regional vice chairman of Ohio East at Howard Hanna Actual Property Providers/Luxurious Portfolio Worldwide, stated, noting that the town’s year-round cultural festivals, native craft brewery scene, and avenue gala’s additionally add to its enchantment with newcomers. The town can be ranked one among one of the best locations to retire within the nation, the place month-to-month bills do not exceed $1,700.

When it comes to actual property, McCormick defined that the town presents a variety of architectural types.

“As an illustration, now we have city, nation, and small-town settings. You’ll find a bungalow on the river only a quick stroll from the town middle or a 10-acre ranch property. We even have numerous very neat midcentury fashionable properties constructed across the time of the Frank Lloyd period which might be sprinkled all through Cleveland,” she added. 

Median residence values in Cleveland hover round the $100,000 mark, which makes the town probably the most reasonably priced city areas within the nation.

Columbus

To say that Columbus is booming proper now could be an understatement. The town’s inhabitants grew sooner than every other metropolitan space within the U.S. within the second half of 2023, primarily due to its reasonably priced value of residing and housing. 

“It’s a goldmine for anybody seeking to transfer their profession up a notch,” Julie Wills, an actual property agent at Howard Hanna Actual Property Providers, stated. “Right here, you have received every thing from huge Fortune 500 corporations to buzzing startups and a complete spectrum of industries, from tech to healthcare. Throw in top-notch colleges and a vibe that is all about household, and you have your self greater than only a place to go to.”

10 p.c of the town’s inhabitants is aged 65 or over, which is sweet information for individuals who need to retire right here, as the town additionally presents loads of actions for seniors.

House costs in Columbus have been on a gradual upward trajectory for the previous eight years, with no signal of slowing down. Nevertheless, they’re nonetheless reasonably priced for first-time patrons. The median residence worth is round $240,000, and Wills defined that as values maintain climbing, those that put money into property proper now are a “candy return down the road.”

Akron

Similar to a number of different locations in Ohio, Akron was additionally lately spotlighted as a sought-after vacation spot for retirees, however the metropolis, which can be the birthplace of NBA celebrity LeBron James, has quite a bit to supply households and younger professionals. A ravishing parks system, glorious healthcare amenities, arts facilities and museums, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and a Minor League Baseball staff are simply a few of the facilities and concrete amenities that make Akron an exquisite place to reside.

“Akron has grown a lot over time. Companies are booming and individuals are excited to maneuver right here,” Ann Kyner, vice chairman and regional supervisor at Howard Hanna Actual Property Providers, stated. “We’ve a little bit of every thing right here — from charming historic properties to colonial and ranch-style residences. Simply outdoors our downtown space, there are communities with horses and stables. It does not take a lot of a drive past the town middle earlier than you discover a extra rural vibe, full with equestrians using the paths.”

And whereas actual property costs have gone up over eight p.c since final yr, the median residence worth has remained beneath $130,000, in accordance with Zillow.

Newark

If bustling Columbus just isn’t your cup of tea, contemplate this mid-size city of about 50,000 simply 40 miles east of Ohio’s capital. Newark is present process a significant downtown restoration, making the city much more engaging to new residents. The town is a superb place for households due to its many parks and inexperienced areas (the 775-acre Blackhand Gorge State Nature Protect is close by), good colleges, and reasonably priced residence costs — the present median home worth is $217,000, up 10 p.c since final yr.

Canton

Highlighted because the third-best rising housing market within the nation in a latest report by The Wall Road Journal and Realtor.com, Canton is an under-the-radar city an hour south of Cleveland. One in every of its most well-known landmarks is the Soccer Corridor of Fame, however Canton is chock-full of galleries, museums, parks, and top-notch eating spots.

“Canton could be very reasonably priced and stuffed with locations for journey and new experiences,” Dominic Fonte, an actual property agent at Cutler Actual Property/Luxurious Portfolio Worldwide, defined, noting that the city’s neighborhoods supply a terrific number of colleges, facilities, and residential types akin to ranches, residences, and new building residences.