9 Greatest Locations to Stay in Ohio

Dayton

“Among the finest issues about Dayton is that regardless of its measurement, it nonetheless has a small-town really feel — you will be greeted with a smile and well mannered hi there regardless 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 Power bases within the nation, using over 30,000 folks. Healthcare, protection, and schooling are three of town’s most necessary industries, with an unemployment price of 4 %, simply 0.1 % increased than the nationwide common. 

Chambal defined that the comparatively low value of dwelling (about six % 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 keeping with Zillow, the median house worth in Dayton is round $143,000, over $200,000 beneath 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 fans who most likely have it greatest. With over two dozen top-notch museums and at the very least 10 efficiency venues and theaters, town is an artwork lover’s paradise. 

“Whereas many of the state may be very flat, Cincinnati is about amongst rolling, inexperienced hills overlooking the Ohio River, providing out of doors 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 reasonably priced metropolis has by no means been extra vibrant and numerous.”

As a result of 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, house values listed below are properly beneath the nationwide common — at the moment round $235,00, in accordance with Zillow.

Toledo

Nestled on the shores of Lake Erie, Toledo is the right house base for these in search of scenic waterfront views, a laid-back way of life, and countless out of doors 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 crew. However most significantly, town blends low value of dwelling — virtually 28 % beneath the nationwide common — and reasonably priced housing. Actually, Toledo’s actual property market was ranked greatest within the nation in 2024. At the moment, median house values stand at about $116,000, additionally attracting many retirees on a finances.

Youngstown

This stunning northeast Ohio metropolis just lately outperformed 150 city areas nationwide and ranked first in U.S. Information & World Report’s checklist of probably 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 dwelling (18 % decrease than the nationwide common), Youngstown is a superb 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 corporations, 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, because of our nationally acknowledged enterprise incubator,” Patrick Burgan, proprietor and dealer at Burgan Actual Property, defined.

And regardless that house costs are on the rise, they’re nonetheless way more reasonably priced 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 amenities is a precedence, then Cleveland ought to be on the prime of your checklist. The town is house to 2 of the most important 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 attraction 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, mentioned, noting that town’s year-round cultural festivals, native craft brewery scene, and avenue festivals additionally add to its attraction with newcomers. The town can be ranked one in every of the very 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 town gives a variety of architectural types.

“For example, now we have city, nation, and small-town settings. Yow will discover a bungalow on the river only a quick stroll from town heart or a 10-acre ranch property. We even have a number of very neat midcentury fashionable properties constructed across the time of the Frank Lloyd period which might be sprinkled all through Cleveland,” she added. 

Median house values in Cleveland hover round the $100,000 mark, which makes town one of the crucial reasonably priced city areas within the nation.

Columbus

To say that Columbus is booming proper now can 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 because of its reasonably priced value 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 Providers, mentioned. “Right here, you have received all the pieces from large Fortune 500 corporations to buzzing startups and an entire spectrum of industries, from tech to healthcare. Throw in top-notch faculties and a vibe that is all about household, and you have got your self greater than only a place to go to.”

10 % of town’s inhabitants is aged 65 or over, which is sweet information for individuals who wish to retire right here, as town additionally gives loads of actions for seniors.

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

Akron

Identical to just a few 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 famous person LeBron James, has loads to supply households and younger professionals. A fantastic parks system, glorious healthcare amenities, arts facilities and museums, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and a Minor League Baseball crew are simply a number of the facilities and concrete amenities that make Akron an exquisite place to stay.

“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, mentioned. “We have now a bit of all the pieces 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 town heart earlier than you discover a extra rural vibe, full with equestrians using the paths.”

And whereas actual property costs have gone up over eight % since final yr, the median house worth has remained below $130,000, in accordance with Zillow.

Newark

If bustling Columbus just 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 enticing to new residents. The town is a good place for households because of its many parks and inexperienced areas (the 775-acre Blackhand Gorge State Nature Protect is close by), good faculties, and reasonably priced house costs — the present median home worth is $217,000, up 10 % 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 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 may be very reasonably priced and filled 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 an excellent number of faculties, facilities, and residential types akin to ranches, residences, and new building residences.