9 Greatest Locations to Dwell in Ohio

Dayton

“Top-of-the-line issues about Dayton is that regardless of its dimension, it nonetheless has a small-town really feel — you will be greeted with a smile and well mannered howdy irrespective of the place you go,” Dayton-based president of Irongate Inc., Realtors Rhonda Chambal mentioned of this metropolis of over 137,000 residents. Dayton is house to one of many largest Air Pressure bases within the nation, using over 30,000 individuals. Healthcare, protection, and schooling are three of town’s most vital industries, with an unemployment fee of 4 %, simply 0.1 % greater than the nationwide common. 

Chambal defined that the comparatively low price of dwelling (about six % under the nationwide common), proximity to bigger cities (Cincinnati and Columbus are about an hour away), good-rated college districts, various eating choices, and a wealthy cultural scene appeal to individuals to the realm.

One other main draw? In line with Zillow, the median house worth in Dayton is round $143,000, over $200,000 under the nationwide common.

Cincinnati

With 10 % of Cincinnati lined 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 lovers who most likely have it greatest. With over two dozen top-notch museums and not less than 10 efficiency venues and theaters, town is an artwork lover’s paradise. 

“Whereas a lot of the state could be very flat, Cincinnati is about 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 massive yards to city dwelling on the streetcar line with award-winning eating solely steps away, this inexpensive metropolis has by no means been extra vibrant and various.”

As a result of town is rooted in historical past, newcomers can discover all sorts of houses — from historic Victorian and craftsman homes to trendy residences and concrete lofts. However better of all, house values listed here are effectively under the nationwide common — presently round $235,00, in keeping with Zillow.

Toledo

Nestled on the shores of Lake Erie, Toledo is the proper house base for these looking for scenic waterfront views, a laid-back life-style, and countless outside recreation. Town’s bustling artwork scene consists of 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 group. However most significantly, town blends low price of dwelling — virtually 28 % under the nationwide common — and inexpensive housing. In reality, Toledo’s actual property market was ranked greatest within the nation in 2024. Presently, median house values stand at about $116,000, additionally attracting many retirees on a finances.

Youngstown

This lovely northeast Ohio metropolis just lately outperformed 150 city areas nationwide and ranked first in U.S. Information & World Report’s listing of probably the most inexpensive locations to retire. Due to its bustling arts scene, wonderful healthcare services, proximity to bigger cities, and inexpensive price of dwelling (18 % decrease than the nationwide common), Youngstown is a wonderful place to name house, whether or not you are a younger skilled or a senior.

“On the enterprise spectrum, Youngstown is house to a number of firms, together with the DeBartolo Company, Steelite Worldwide, and Gasser Chair. Youngstown has efficiently modified the narrative from ‘Rust’ to ‘Tech Belt,’ main the best way 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 house costs are on the rise, they’re nonetheless rather more inexpensive than in different areas of the nation; the median house value within the Mahoning Valley is $178,000.

Cleveland

If entry to world-class healthcare services is a precedence, then Cleveland ought to be on the prime of your listing. Town is house to 2 of the biggest multi-branch medical facilities within the nation, The Cleveland Clinic and College Hospitals, in addition to a number of youngsters’s hospitals. 

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

By way of actual property, McCormick defined that town gives 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 town middle or a 10-acre ranch property. We even have plenty of very neat midcentury trendy houses constructed across the time of the Frank Lloyd period which are sprinkled all through Cleveland,” she added. 

Median house values in Cleveland hover round the $100,000 mark, which makes town some of the inexpensive city areas within the nation.

Columbus

To say that Columbus is booming proper now could be an understatement. Town’s inhabitants grew sooner than another metropolitan space within the U.S. within the second half of 2023, primarily due to its inexpensive price of dwelling and housing. 

“It’s a goldmine for anybody trying to transfer their profession up a notch,” Julie Wills, an actual property agent at Howard Hanna Actual Property Companies, mentioned. “Right here, you have bought all the things from massive Fortune 500 firms to buzzing startups and an entire 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 % of town’s inhabitants is aged 65 or over, which is nice information for many who need to retire right here, as town additionally gives loads of actions for seniors.

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

Akron

Similar to a couple of different locations in Ohio, Akron was additionally just lately spotlighted as a sought-after vacation spot for retirees, however the metropolis, which can be the birthplace of NBA celebrity LeBron James, has so much to supply households and younger professionals. A phenomenal parks system, wonderful healthcare services, arts facilities and museums, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and a Minor League Baseball group are simply among the facilities and concrete services that make Akron an exquisite place to dwell.

“Akron has grown a lot through the years. Companies are booming and persons are excited to maneuver right here,” Ann Kyner, vp and regional supervisor at Howard Hanna Actual Property Companies, mentioned. “We’ve got slightly of all the things right here — from charming historic houses to colonial and ranch-style residences. Simply exterior our downtown space, there are communities with horses and stables. It does not take a lot of a drive past town middle earlier than you discover a extra rural vibe, full with equestrians driving the paths.”

And whereas actual property costs have gone up over eight % since final 12 months, the median house worth has remained beneath $130,000, in keeping with Zillow.

Newark

If bustling Columbus isn’t your cup of tea, take into account this mid-size city of about 50,000 simply 40 miles east of Ohio’s capital. Newark is present process a serious downtown restoration, making the city much more engaging to new residents. 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 inexpensive house costs — the present median home worth is $217,000, up 10 % since final 12 months.

Canton

Highlighted because the third-best rising housing market within the nation in a current report by The Wall Road Journal and Realtor.com, Canton is an under-the-radar city an hour south of Cleveland. One in all 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 inexpensive 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 provide an incredible number of colleges, facilities, and residential types resembling ranches, residences, and new development residences.