Dayton is the fourth largest city in Ohio, located north of Cincinnati, near the beautiful Miami Valley area of the state. Dayton has long been known as a city that shines in the fields of technology and research science. It is nicknamed the “City of Aviation” because it is the home of the National Museum of the United States Air Force and is also the hometown of the Wright Brothers, Orville and Wilbur, who invented flight. Even better, Dayton has a smaller, yet thriving LGBTQ community where all can feel celebrated and welcomed. If you’re thinking of making a move to Dayton, chances are, you’ll find plenty about it to love!
A Look at Dayton's History
Dayton was originally named after Captain Jonathan Dayton, who served in the Revolutionary War and was the youngest person to sign the United States Constitution, and who owned land in the Miami Valley area. The city was officially founded on April 1, 1796, by a dozen people known as “The Thompson Party,” who had traveled up the Great Miami River from Cincinnati. When Ohio officially became a state in 1803, Dayton became the seat of Montgomery County. Dayton remained relatively small at first, but then began to grow quickly, particularly with the completion of the Miami and Erie Canal in 1829, Dayton was linked to nearby Cincinnati and the town continued to grow. As it continued to grow, Dayton became an important center of aviation, innovation, and industry, and it remains so to this day.
A Few Fun Facts About Dayton
Read more fun facts about Dayton here.
Dayton’s LGBTQ Community
Dayton is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community with a variety of resources, including:
PFLAG Dayton is the Dayton area’s local chapter of the national PFLAG organization, which is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the country. PFLAG is well-known for its mission of supporting LGBTQ people, friends, family, and allies across the country in a wide variety of ways. With 500 chapters and more than 200,000 members in the United States, PFLAG plays a critical role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community.
The mission of the Greater Dayton LGBTQ Center is to provide a safe and welcoming space for the LGBTQ community in Dayton and to provide events, resources, advocacy, and opportunities for connection to the LGBTQ community living in the greater Dayton area.
What's the Weather Like in Dayton?
Those who live in Dayton can expect to experience all four distinct seasons each year. Summers tend to be warm and humid, while winters can be cold, and occasionally snowy. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 22°F to 85°F. Spring and fall are typically the most pleasant times to enjoy the outdoors, with fall bringing the beautiful colors of changing leaves and spring promising beautiful blooming flowers.
Can’t-Miss Events in Dayton
The Dayton Pride Festival is Dayton’s annual LGBTQ pride celebration, and it’s one event that you won’t want to miss. This annual celebration includes family-friendly entertainment, plenty of vendors, speakers, excellent performances, delicious food, and plenty of opportunities to meet friends and have fun!
The Best Neighborhoods in Dayton
Unlike some larger cities that tend to have one specific “gayborhood,” the LGBTQ community in Dayton is sprinkled throughout the city, although the Oregon District is perhaps the most popular within the city. Oregon features many different historical homes and buildings—in fact, the entire neighborhood listed on the National Register of Historic Districts.
Oregon is located about a block from Dayton’s main business district, and many people commute to work from the community. There are many different restaurants, upscale coffee shops, and entertainment venues located in the area, making it ideal for families who want to be centrally located but still want to live in a neighborhood that's not incredibly busy. The median list price of homes currently for sale in the Oregon neighborhood is around $392,000.
Aside from the Oregon neighborhood, some other areas of town you may want to consider include Wright Dunbar, Dayton View, Grafton Hill, McPherson Town, Webster Station, Huffman Kenilworth, St. Anne's Hill, and South Park. The size of the city and number of different neighborhoods also means that there is an incredible diversity of architectural styles available in these areas as well.
Arts and Entertainment
The Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center
The Schuster Performing Arts Center is Dayton's largest performing arts center and is known for showing a wide variety of performances throughout the year, from concerts, off-Broadway shows, stand-up comedies, and more. Truly, there is something here to fit everyone’s tastes. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy a show for yourself!
The Dayton Art Institute is a beautiful museum of fine arts showcasing a wide variety of art from many genres, countries, and periods. The Dayton Art Institute has also been rated one of the top 10 best art museums in the United States for children. It’s a great place to spend the day with your family, friends, or on your own enjoying beautiful art, feeling inspired, and having fun.
Parks and Recreation
Carillon Historical Park is a beautiful, 65-acre open-air history museum that is filled with historic buildings and artifacts telling the story of Dayton from the 1700s through the present. It's a perfect place to spend the day feeling educated and inspired and having fun.
Ohio's Miami Valley region is stunningly beautiful and provides more than 340 miles of paved, multi-use recreational trails. These trails stretch across county lines, and through parks, historic landmarks, and many other attractions. Whether you’re a hiker, walker, runner, or biker, you’re sure to enjoy the beauty of the Miami Valley by making use of this amazing trail system.
Dayton Nightlife
Right Corner Bar is an unpretentious dive bar and grill with a welcoming vibe and a friendly crowd. It offers strong drinks and a cozy atmosphere, and it’s a great spot to enjoy a night out with old friends – or make some new ones.
The Stage Door is one of the oldest gay bars in Ohio, and one of the most popular. This music bar is known for its lively tunes, plenty of dancing, friendly people, and strong drinks. It’s definitely a must-stop spot during a night out in Dayton.
Contact a Dayton Gay Realtor Today
If you're ready to make a move to Dayton, at www.gayrealestate.com, we're here to help you take the first step toward finding an agent who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find a home and a neighborhood you'll love. We're proud to have a network of excellent realtors in Dayton, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact a Dayton gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!
