Finest Locations to Dwell in Ohio

If you happen to’re excited about shifting to Ohio, you’ve in all probability heard no less than one former Buckeye complaining concerning the time they spent there. Effectively, right here’s the deal: We’re probably not positive what they’re speaking about.

Positive, Ohio has its share of points (like actually each different state), but it surely’s bought a lot to supply: sports activities groups, huge cities and smaller communities, world-class theater and music, loads of job alternatives, pleasant individuals, and a brilliant reasonably priced price of dwelling with low housing prices throughout the board. Sounds superior to us!

Earlier than you make the transfer although, it’s good to determine the place in Ohio you’re going to reside. So, let’s have a look at the ten finest locations to reside in Ohio. Simply preserve this in thoughts: The most effective place so that you can reside in Ohio (or anyplace else for that matter) will rely in your particular person state of affairs and preferences. Chances are you’ll be in search of someplace to retire, begin a household, or launch your profession.

As you undergo this checklist, take into consideration which locations are the perfect match for you.

The place Are the Finest Locations to Dwell in Ohio?

Right here’s the checklist! In no specific order, the ten finest locations to reside in Ohio are . . .

Let’s break all of them down.

Columbus

Up first is Columbus, Ohio’s capital metropolis. Columbus has quite a bit going for it—it’s the house of a professional soccer crew (the Columbus Crew), a professional hockey crew (the Columbus Blue Jackets) and a number of Fortune 500 corporations (like Nationwide and Large Heaps).

However in fact, you possibly can’t speak about Columbus with out mentioning what it’s finest identified for: The Ohio State College (OSU). With over 60,000 college students, OSU is the third-biggest faculty within the U.S. and units the tone for Columbus’ tradition and ambiance.¹

Town has a lot of youthful power, and it’s full of people that take pleasure in the place they reside. That’s by no means extra evident than on OSU soccer recreation days, when over 100,000 screaming followers fill the Horseshoe to create one of the thrilling environments in faculty soccer.

Add to all this the truth that Columbus’ price of dwelling is 8% decrease than the nationwide common, and it’s no marvel that Columbus is such a preferred shifting vacation spot.²

*Information in all tables collected in April 2024.

Powell

Wish to benefit from the power and keenness of Columbus with out really dwelling there? Powell is an effective various. A suburb of Columbus, Powell is lower than 20 miles from the large metropolis and provides its residents a a lot quieter place to go house at night time.

That doesn’t imply Powell is boring although. Its downtown space lately underwent a serious overhaul, and it’s stuffed with nice eating places (like Liberty Tavern) and different locations to hang around.

And the Olentangy River runs near town, providing lovely views and close by alternatives to hike or have a picnic. By the way in which, for those who do transfer to Powell, be sure you learn to pronounce Olentangy beforehand (it’s oh-len-tan-gee)—it’ll enable you make associates with the locals rather more simply.

Housing will be costly in Powell, but it surely’s an excellent selection for many who can afford it.

Except you completely can not stand huge cities, you’re virtually assured to get pleasure from no less than one thing about dwelling in Cincinnati. That’s as a result of it has a ton to supply.

Like most main metro areas, it’s bought skilled sports activities groups, world-class museums and theaters, and loads of job alternatives. Nevertheless it doesn’t cease there! Cincinnati additionally has loads of nice mountaineering and boating spots to maintain outside fanatics occupied (two of the perfect are Eden Park and Mount Ethereal Forest), two main universities (Xavier College and the College of Cincinnati), and an enormous amusement park close by in Mason (Kings Island).

As for Cincinnati’s tradition, town is made up of tremendous pleasant individuals who take their meals very critically. Yep, for those who transfer to Cincinnati, it received’t be lengthy earlier than you’ll have to choose a aspect within the Skyline Chili versus Goldstar Chili debate. Different basic Cincinnati meals embrace LaRosa’s pizza and Graeter’s ice cream.

Cincinnati additionally has loads of nice suburbs, like Mariemont and Blue Ash, which might be nice for elevating households. Better of all, housing in Cincinnati could be very reasonably priced—particularly when in comparison with different cities of the same dimension. Its general price of dwelling is 3% decrease than the nationwide common.¹³

Dayton

If you happen to’re looking for a vacation spot with loads of job alternatives that isn’t an enormous metropolis, Dayton is for you. (The well being care trade is very sturdy there.)

Wright-Patterson Air Power Base is Dayton’s largest employer. The bottom can also be house to the Nationwide Museum of the USA Air Power, which over 800,000 individuals go to annually.¹⁹ And if that’s not sufficient historical past for you, Dayton can also be the place the Wright brothers opened their first bike store in 1892. (That was earlier than their flying days.)

You’ll discover a tight-knit group in Dayton, in addition to reasonably priced housing prices and a usually low price of dwelling general (5% beneath the nationwide common).²⁰ And for those who ever get bored, you’re only a few hours from Columbus, Cincinnati and Indianapolis.

Mason

Now, Mason is unquestionably a dearer place to reside than the cities we’ve gone over up to now. However for those who can afford the steeper price ticket, it’s an excellent place to lift a household.

That’s as a result of youngsters who develop up in Mason (and the grown-ups!) get all some great benefits of a smaller group and an enormous metropolis. With a inhabitants of just below 35,000, Mason has a way more tight-knit really feel than Ohio’s huge cities, and its public colleges are top-notch.

However as a result of Mason is simply 33 miles from Dayton and 24 miles from Cincinnati, the oldsters dwelling there are by no means too far-off from catching a Reds recreation or visiting the Air Power museum. The truth is, a lot of individuals in Mason commute to jobs in Cincinnati or Dayton.

Don’t let all that idiot you into pondering you need to go away Mason for leisure although. Town is packed with enjoyable issues to do—like enjoying 18 holes on the Grizzly Golf and Social Lodge (co-founded by Jack Nicklaus) or buying on the Deerfield Farmer’s Market.

And naturally, Mason is house to Kings Island: a large amusement park with 16 curler coasters and counting.

Cleveland

With a inhabitants of over 360,000, there’s no denying that Cleveland is an enormous metropolis. However right here’s the factor: It doesn’t at all times really feel like an enormous metropolis. Whereas Cleveland provides all of the perks of a bigger metropolis (professional sports activities groups, large live shows, huge companies, and many others.), it’s considerably much less congested and extra reasonably priced than locations like Boston, Chicago and New York. It’s additionally stuffed with pleasant individuals and loads of out of doors park house.

Plus, you received’t want to take a seat on a bus or subway for an hour simply to get throughout city. Cleveland is a type of cities the place you possibly can drive nearly anyplace in quarter-hour (give or take). And whereas some elements of Cleveland see vital snowfall through the winter, individuals dwelling there do get to expertise all 4 seasons.

Apart from, you’ll discover loads of nice issues to do indoors when the climate will get chilly—like catching a Cavaliers basketball recreation, watching an A-list musician (we’re speaking stars like Drake and Justin Timberlake) carry out at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, and having fun with a play or musical at a theater in Playhouse Sq., the largest performing arts middle within the U.S. exterior of New York Metropolis.

The cherry on prime? Cleveland provides reasonably priced housing costs and an general price of dwelling that’s 8% decrease than the nationwide common.³¹

Dublin

One of many dearer cities on our checklist, Dublin in all probability isn’t the vacation spot for you for those who’re contemporary out of school and in search of someplace to start out your first job. However for those who’re additional alongside in your profession and in search of someplace to cool down, it’s an excellent possibility.

A suburb of Columbus (which is simply 20 minutes away), Dublin is a little bit of a enterprise hub. It’s house to the worldwide headquarters of Wendy’s and a number of other different huge corporations throughout a number of industries. Between these companies and those in Columbus, you’d by no means have a tough time discovering a job for those who moved to Dublin.

Some enjoyable native occasions within the metropolis are the Dublin Irish Competition (a hat tip to town’s namesake), the weekly Dublin Market at Bridge Park, and the annual Independence Day celebration.

Hudson

Hudson serves as a smaller, extra intimate various to the larger cities on our checklist. However we’re not speaking concerning the boonies right here—in spite of everything, Hudson is tremendous near a Costco in close by Boston Heights and a Walmart in Stow.

Town is quite a bit like Dublin in that it’s a rich group and, in flip, costly. The truth is, the housing prices in Hudson are a few of the highest on our checklist. These excessive costs are principally for good causes although.

That’s as a result of Hudson has nice colleges, a pleasant downtown space, and quick access to each Cleveland and Akron. As we’ve already mentioned about another spots on the checklist, it’s an excellent possibility for those who can afford it.

Akron

Up subsequent is Akron, the hometown of LeBron James and Steph Curry. Akron actually has quite a bit to supply anybody in search of an reasonably priced place to reside in Ohio.

First off, there’s a lot to do. Town is house to the Akron Zoo and Cuyahoga Valley Nationwide Park, and it’s a half-hour drive from the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in Canton. And in order for you extra choices, Akron is simply 45 minutes from Cleveland and round two hours from Columbus and Pittsburgh.

So far as the group goes, Akron is ethnically and culturally various. Lock 3 Park hosts a number of enjoyable occasions all year long, and the close by Hartville MarketPlace and Flea Market is an area gem.

And like we mentioned a second in the past, Akron is tremendous reasonably priced. Extra particularly, its housing prices are the bottom on our checklist.

Delaware

Rounding out our checklist is Delaware, a conventional suburban metropolis with golf programs, superior eating places (two native favorites are Amato’s Woodfired Pizza and the Hamburger Inn Diner), and tons of parks.

Town’s historic downtown space options native outlets, bars and microbreweries. Oh, and the annual Little Brown Jug harness race is a large deal in Delaware—40,000 individuals pack the observe annually.

And for those who ever need an additional dose of pleasure, Delaware is lower than two hours from Cedar Level—an amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. If you happen to’ve ever been to Cedar Level, you recognize it’s bought a few of the finest curler coasters within the nation together with an unbeatable view of Lake Erie’s shoreline. 

Delaware’s housing market is powerful and retains getting stronger, which suggests dwelling there will be dear. So, be sure town matches your price range earlier than you make the transfer.

Able to Transfer to Ohio?

Does one of many areas we’ve checked out seem to be a great match? Superior! However maintain your horses. You could double-check that you could afford the housing prices in your new metropolis earlier than hitting the highway.

Make sure that your hire or mortgage cost is not more than 25% of your take-home pay. If you happen to’re planning to purchase a house, that quantity consists of non-public mortgage insurance coverage, HOA charges and owners insurance coverage. You should utilize our free mortgage calculator to get a have a look at which house costs suit your price range.

Maintain the 25% rule in thoughts, and also you’ll be effectively in your technique to thriving in Ohio. You’ve bought this!