Dayton is a great place to call home, which is what earned it the nickname Gem City. With quaint neighborhoods, historic homes, numerous employers, and plenty of cultural events, Dayton has a lot to offer residents. However, as the sixth-most-populous city in Ohio, Dayton is home to more than 135,000 people, and many more people live in the greater metropolitan area.  

Learning more about some of the bigger and more popular towns in the Dayton metro area can help you make informed choices about where you live, work, and socialize. While a trip into Dayton to visit the Dayton Art Institute or catch a game at the Day Air Ballpark is always fun, sometimes you want to explore places that are calmer and more off the beaten track. That is especially true when deciding where you live! We’ve put together a short list of some of the best towns near Dayton, Ohio.  

Feel the Air Force Influence on Fairborn 

Fairborn, Ohio, is a large Dayton suburb famous for being home to both Wright State University and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. There is a strong military influence on the local culture in Fairborn, as the Air Force Base is one of the biggest area employers. The Miami Valley Military History Museum and the National Museum of the United States Air Force are in town or nearby.  

However, Fairborn is more than just a military town! It has a walkable downtown area with charming shops and plenty of exciting restaurants. From The Secret Chamber House of Oddities and Artwork to  

Oakes Quarry Park, where people from all over come to hunt for fossils, there are many attractions that make Fairborn worth a visit! It’s also close enough to downtown Dayton to make it a reasonable home base for commuters.  

Huber Heights Is a Business Hub 

Slightly northwest of Fairborn on the other side of U.S. 40, Huber Heights is a rapidly-growing Dayton suburb with plenty of economic opportunities! The area is known for its high concentration of businesses, with more than 1,400 companies calling this suburban city home. The industries with the most representation in Huber Heights include distribution, logistics, and high-tech manufacturing.  

The area is also rich in culture! People come from all over to see concerts and other live shows at the Rose Music Center at the Heights, which is an outdoor amphitheater. Huber Heights has also expanded very conscientiously and has preserved more than 200 acres of local land for parks. It is also the home of the very first Buc-ee’s to open in Ohio, which is a tourist attraction in its own right. Some people live in other suburbs of Dayton and drive to Huber Heights for work.  

Shop Your Heart Out in Beavercreek 

Beavercreek is second only to Kettering when it comes to the population of major Dayton suburbs. It is home to over 47,000 people and is slightly east of Dayton proper. Despite being a suburb, it is the largest city in all of Greene County. Like many other suburbs, Beavercreek has numerous parks and walking trails. Creekside Trail connects to several small paths and offer 15 miles of paved trail for cycling, running, and more.  

Many people who live in Dayton or other suburbs specifically visit Beavercreek for its shopping options! The Mall at Fairfield Commons is a two-level mall with more than 50 businesses, which include a movie theater and an arcade with bowling, as well as numerous shops and restaurants. The Greene Town Center is another popular shopping destination. It’s an open-air shopping center with an anchor department store, and it also serves as a civic center. You can catch concerts or attend local holiday events here, too.

Kettering Is Full of Residential Neighborhoods 

While some suburbs develop around major employers, significant infrastructure, or other features, Kettering has long been a residential area. It is home to more than 57,000 people, which means it is the most populous suburb of Dayton. It has a handful of parks, many of which draw people from other suburbs.  

Skate Park, also known as the Rob Durdek/DC Shoes Foundation Outdoor Skate Plaza, is one of the largest skate parks in the Midwest! It replicates real street settings and offers benches, rails, and ledges for skaters to use for practicing skills instead of just having ramps. There is also an arts center that offers classes, exhibitions, and an annual art festival. With plenty of shopping, restaurants, and walking trails, Kettering is a popular neighborhood for those who work in Dayton but want to live somewhere slower and more walkable. 

Find Balance in West Carrollton 

With just over 13,000 people, West Carrollton, OH isn’t the largest suburb of Dayton. However, it enjoys a convenient location, just eight miles south of the downtown area. I-75 runs through the middle of the city, making it easy to hop on the highway and head to any of the other nearby suburbs (or Dayton proper). West Carrollton also has plenty of Great Miami River frontage, which features prominently in local parks.  

There is a massive project underway to build a new park, called Whitewater Park, on the edge of the river. After its completion, it will be the destination for kayaking, canoeing, and river surfing. For now, many locals visit Miami Bend Park to access the river. It’s also a dog-friendly park!  

There are many other attractions in West Carrollton, including a YMCA, the Wilson Park Pool, and the historic Wright Seaplane Base, which played a critical role in the development of seaplanes. West Carrollton is also home to numerous top-notch restaurants, such as Legacy Pancake House & Restaurant and El Mason, which serve Latin-inspired tapas. 

Find Home Close to Dayton 

There are 21 distinct suburbs of Dayton and other nearby communities close enough for people to commute to the city for work or school. However, we’re partial to West Carrollton, which is home to our community, Centerville Park.  

When Centerville Park is home, you’re close to Dayton but nestled between downtown and South Dayton in West Carrollton. Easy access to I-75 ensures a quick and easy commute to Dayton and the nearby towns. You’ll also enjoy all of the unique amenities our pet-friendly community has to offer.  

Our 1, 2, and 3-bedroom homes and 2 and 3-bedroom townhomes have thoughtful open floor plans with plenty of closet space.  Many homes have washers and dryers or connections to install your own. You’ll also enjoy access to our pool, dog park, and sports facilities. The embrace of home awaits you at Centerville Park. Contact us to schedule a tour today to discover how convenient living in West Carrollton can be!