Bounded by the Mad River to the east, and the Stillwater River to the west, the northeastern quadrant of Dayton is a mixture of stable, working-class neighborhoods, industrial complexes, green space and in the far north new, residential developments catering to upscale professionals.

Old North Dayton, for example, is an enduring reflection of the Eastern European origins
of its first inhabitants. In the DeWeese neighborhood, beautiful residential housing lines the banks of the Stillwater River. Further to the northeast, bordering the suburb of Huber Heights, new urban residential construction continues in Dayton through the creation of the Forest Ridge, Quail Hollow and Pleasant Hill residential developments.

From the trendy, recently renovated working class clapboards of McPherson Town, through the mansions of Grafton and College Hills, the middle class area of North Riverdale and the Santa Clara Arts District, and beyond to the smaller homes in Greenwich Village, the most diverse neighborhoods in Dayton are found in the northwest corner of the city. Between the Stillwater River and Wolf Creek, the northwest remains home both to United Theological Seminary and many of the city’s oldest synagogues.

Although Westwood has long been a stable residential area, with the selection of the Wright Dunbar Village neighborhood as a site for the new Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, West Dayton has once again become a hot spot for residential and commercial investment.

Since the great floor of 1913, few Daytonians have thought of downtown as a neighborhood. But with new condo construction, loft conversions and a renewed interest in historic homes, downtown is no longer Dayton’s best kept residential secret. With business, art, culture, and entertainment centers within easy walking distance downtown living, especially lofts and condos are once again popular.

Just east and south of downtown are four of Dayton’s numerous historic districts: St. Anne’s Hill, South Park, Huffman and Oregon. While all four neighborhoods feature large, beautiful homes (including Federal, Colonial Revival, Italianate and Greek Revival style housing) the Oregon District is Dayton’s oldest surviving architectural grouping, and its first designated historic district. (1972). Grants are available for the restoration of historic homes in designated areas.

Completing the circle of Dayton are the populous east Dayton neighborhoods of Belmont, Patterson Park, Eastern Hills, Walnut Hills, Linden Heights and Hearthstone, among others. Neighborhood pride is manifest in the many neighborhood business districts and local festivals to be found throughout east Dayton.

Separated by rivers, wealth and history, Dayton’s neighborhoods are witnesses of the city’s past - while those who live and work in them are vocal partners in their common future. As a result an ever more vital, interesting, and lively “City of Neighbors” is truly emerging from our city’s neighborhoods. Served by the Dayton City Schools (542-3080) and numerous private and/or religious schools.