Louise Lopez expertly guides queer individuals to vibrant, inclusive U.S. and North American neighborhoods with 15+ years of dedicated experience, ensuring they find not just a home, but a community where their authenticity is celebrated and protected.
If you’re thinking of moving to LGBT Dayton, you should know that the city is well-regarded as a city that supports LGBTQ equality. The LGBTQ population of Dayton is growing each day, so you can be sure that there’s lots of good luck coming your way in the sense of a queer community that will support and appreciate you.
North of Cincinnati, close to the picturesque Miami Valley region of the state, lies Dayton, Ohio’s fourth-largest city. Research and Technology are two areas where Dayton is renowned for excelling. It is known as the “City of Aviation” since it is the homeland of the Wright Brothers- Orville and Wilbur- the inventors of flight, as well as the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
Even better is that Dayton in Ohio is a truly fabulous city that welcomes everyone looking for a progressive and inclusive place to work, play, and raise a family. Dayton always gets perfect scores on the Human Rights MEI rating, which means that the city has excellent anti-discrimination ordinances, equality in leadership, and inclusive employment policies. Dayton also hosts a fabulous LGBT Film Festival each year, which showcases new LGBT cinema from around the world.
If you’re contemplating relocating to LGBT Dayton, you might just discover the accepting surroundings you or your family require to prosper.
There is even a quirky gay scene in Dayton, but like Madison, Des Moines, Boulder, Ithaca, and other mid-sized cities in the United States, it is rather low-key, especially when compared to New York or Miami. This is why a gay realtor in Dayton is priceless, as they can assist you in finding your new perfect home in the gaybourhood most suited to you.
Despite the relatively hidden LGBT culture of Dayton, moving here should not make you feel uneasy. The majority of people in Dayton are accepting of the LGBTQ community, and you will quickly discover that the majority of businesses, shops, and services will serve you with pride.
We’ll go over what you should expect when moving to LGBT Dayton, as well as how you can make the transition easier on yourself (or with your family) and make sure you’re prepared to enjoy every minute of your new life here!
Check your preconceptions at the door because moving to LGBT Dayton is not what you expect…
In this article we will cover...
- Highlights Of Moving To LGBTQ Dayton
- Does Dayton Embrace The LGBTQ Community?
- Is Dayton An Expensive City To Move To?
- The Best Gay Neighborhoods In Dayton
- LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Dayton
- LGBTQ+ Community Events in Dayton
- LGBT-Owned Businesses In Dayton
- Final Thoughts On Moving To LGBTQ Dayton
- Finding Gay Realtors In Dayton
Highlights Of Moving To LGBTQ Dayton
Dayton is a hidden jewel— there’s a reason why it’s called “the gem city.” It is reasonably priced and boasts a vibrant food scene, a rich heritage, and plenty of lush trails and parks to explore. Once you move here, you’ll be able to quickly befriend locals and spend your free time discovering that Dayton is overflowing with culture and captivating sights…
On top of this, thanks to an offbeat yet deeply engaged LGBT community, which congregates at a few fabulous queer hot spots in the city’s most popular neighborhoods, securing a relocation here will allow you to meet queer people with similar interests.
Almost anything your heart desires is available here. When relocating to LGBT Dayton, there are numerous things to look forwards to, such as distinctive architecture, endearing coffee shops, and boozy brunch haunts.
Let’s take a closer look at a few of the aspects that make up this incredible city before we get into the details.
Population Increase
The city is expanding quickly, increasing the need for new jobs and more homes. The government program intended to draw immigrants to revive a population that has decreased by roughly 40% since the 1960s is what led to the current population growth in Dayton. Dayton today has thriving populations of Central Africans, Turks, Hispanics, and Indians.
The Culture
Dayton has many options for recreational opportunities, from the historical to sports and gastronomy. Don’t be left behind by the vibrant sports scene, which includes clubs like the Dutch Lions of the United Soccer League, the University of Dayton Flyers basketball team, and the Dayton Dragons, an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.
There’s No Traffic
If you reside in a heavily populated place, like Washington, D.C., or Los Angeles, you are aware that traffic dictates where you eat, live, and have fun. But in Dayton, there are no such concerns. Since there isn’t any traffic, driving is not the focus of your existence. You can commute 30 minutes from your home to work, which is 24 miles away.
Does Dayton Embrace The LGBTQ Community?
Ohio’s Dayton is well-known as a national leader in promoting equality based on sexual orientation and gender identity. About 27,000 LGBTQ individuals of all ages live in Dayton. The city is not unfamiliar to perfect ratings on the Municipal Equality Index.
The HRC (Human Rights Campaign), the leading LGBTQ advocacy group in the nation, compiles this annual index. The reason Dayton received a 100% grade was due to its inclusive employment policies, law enforcement methods, anti-discrimination law, equality leadership, and municipal services.
Dayton has also been recognized as an All-Star City for the rights of lesbians, gay men, and bisexual women. Despite being situated in a state lacking legal protections for LGBTQ persons, the city was able to acquire a score better than 80, granting them All-Star status. Dayton has previously been listed as one of the best cities for LGBTQ-friendly retirement in the country.
Is Dayton An Expensive City To Move To?
Dayton is a good place to live financially because of its affordable cost of living, which is 6.9 percent below the country’s average and 0.5% below the state average. The average house costs $50,000, and the average family income is a little under $40,000.
For two adults and one child, the median cost of food, housing, taxes, childcare, healthcare, transportation, and other essentials is $3,000 per month or $40,000 per year. Obviously, the cost increases with the size of the family. A two-parent, 3 child home costs about $5,000 monthly and just under $70,000 yearly.
The Best Gay Neighborhoods In Dayton
While all the media today seems to this that gayborhood is dead or on the verge of extinction. We have news for them – it’s not! Instead, gayborhoods across the USA are growing in number and diversity; they might look slightly different.
Instead of being the main street serving mostly-exclusive LGBT clients (something we now think of as a gay village), gayborhoods have evolved into cultural archipelagos, a collection of queer islands coalesced by sexuality and gender and liberal allies. And cities frequently have more than one.
Today, it turns out not all LGBT people in Dayton want to live in the relative chaos of downtown Dayton – and thankfully, they (and you!) have options. However, when choosing where to live in Dayton, remember that some areas are more conveniently located for all the fun queer events and activities.
By being aware of them in advance, you can arrive at your new residence in the gay-friendly neighborhood that best suits your needs.
Discover your ideal new home in one of these prominent gay and LGBT-friendly gaybourhoods in Dayton. Each one has its own distinct personality, a friendly vibe, and amenities you’ll love and soon wonder how you ever did without.
Give yourself lots of time to get to know the diverse areas of Dayton, and bear in mind that this city has plenty to offer everyone – queer or otherwise!
Now let’s take a look at where the handful of marvelous gay areas in Dayton is and talk about the Dayton gayborhood where you might feel most at home! Or speak to a local LGBT real estate agent for a more detailed understanding of the best options today.
Grafton Hill
This region of Dayton, which spans 18 blocks, is getting more and more attention every day. The average age in this area is 32 years old, and the median annual income is $36,000.
Thanks to its cultural diversity, you should be able to find something you like here no matter what your interests are. Festival on the Hill, Greekfestand, the Art Institute’s Oktoberfest, are just a few of the top events held in the area.
Residents may easily walk or bike to RiverScape MetroPark and downtown because of the neighborhood’s convenient location. In addition, there is a lovely diversity of home designs in this neighborhood, such as Neoclassical, Queen Anne, Craftsman, and Tudor-style homes.
The Grafton Hill Association is committed to fostering neighborhood development and protecting the area’s existing buildings to preserve the neighborhood’s historic appeal. Since many people like living here, this location is also known as “Dayton’s Best Kept Secret.”
You’ll find that the art scene is very much alive and well here because it is also home to the Dayton Art Institute. With a population of about 1500, this region is still relatively tiny, where neighbors know each other and are incredibly cordial with one another.
Expect to pay around $500 per month for a two-bedroom loft-style apartment. This region may be ideal for you if you’re not quite ready to settle down because the number of single people exceeds that of single folks. You never know when you’ll bump into the love of your life at the neighborhood coffee shop or a well-liked bar.
South Park
This neighborhood is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. It is well situated between Downtown, The Oregon District, and The University of Dayton. If you want to live in a more tranquil area with easy access to the action in the large metropolis, South Park is a perfect choice.
Many of the amenities in Oregon and Downtown areas are within walking distance for residents of this neighborhood, and since it is also close to The University of Dayton, many students and employees of the university choose to live here or frequent it for its restaurants and bars.
With its tree-lined streets, biking and walking trails, and residential neighborhood vibe, South Park is a great place for families that want to be close to the city’s Downtown without being in the thick of things. Historic Victorian mansions, bungalows, and multi-family dwellings can all be found in South Park.
Oregon Historic District
There are a ton of interesting sites to discover in this hip part of Dayton. Despite having a median age of 42, Oregon caters to an artistic ambiance that young individuals in their 20s will find quite enticing.
Since the cool folks all want to live here, there are undoubtedly a ton of amazing galleries, one-of-a-kind boutiques, and bars where you can saddle up for a drink or two after a long workday.
You will find beautiful historical architecture in this neighborhood. It is regarded as being highly Victorian and features vintage charm. There is nothing common or uninteresting about living in this special neighborhood. Many aspiring entrepreneurs are purchasing real estate here with the hopes of renovating it while preserving the original structure’s integrity.
This area’s median income is about $52,000. In Oregon, you can find one of the oldest still-standing fusions of residential and commercial architecture. There are also many examples of late Victorian residential and commercial architecture that demonstrate the opulence and entrepreneurial success of its early citizens and merchants.
LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Dayton
Wherever you live, it is critical that you support LGBT organizations in any way you can use so that they can keep reaching out to and assisting other members of the community who are more vulnerable. After all, we are all stronger when we work together, and each of us will likely have a time in our lives when we require a little extra support.
Dayton has a supportive and diverse LGBTQ community, which has helped the city become more gay-friendly in recent years.
As a result, there are a variety of LGBT resources available to community members, their allies, friends, and families – and you ought to feel free to utilize them or consider giving your support as needed to keep your new home city moving forwards! They are also a place to meet new people and find your queer chosen family in Dayton.
The Greater Dayton LGBT Center
The Greater Dayton LGBT Center develops initiatives to improve the quality of life for LGBT people in the Miami Valley and Dayton. The Center is a non-profit that is wholly operated by volunteers and is supported by annual membership fees, local businesses, other non-profits, and private donors.
The Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus is dedicated to consistently pursuing excellence in all they do. DGMC creates community collaborations, provides a wide range of services in numerous open and visible spaces, and informs the general public about the importance of diversity.
The LGBT Meeting Professionals Association
The LGBT Meeting Professionals Association is the city’s first and only group dedicated exclusively to empowering, uniting, and promoting LGBT+ professionals. LGBT MPA offers the LGBTQ community a chance to elevate distinctive voices while engaging and informing the industry on a wide variety of issues related to diversity and inclusion.
Their research-driven data shares best practices for industry leadership while fostering a deeper understanding of the community. As a locally-based organization with a global membership, the organization offers exposure in all recognized meeting industries. As an inclusive organization, they give all meeting professionals the chance to contribute to the industry’s overall goal of inclusion.
LGBTQ+ Community Events in Dayton
After moving to a new city, you will likely want to create new connections, meet new people, and network. Thankfully, LGBT Dayton plays host to a variety of annual events for lesbians, transgender persons, gays, and anyone else who wants to have a good time.
While there are many queer events in the city, the ones listed here are the largest and greatest and are all worth marking in your calendar as you won’t want to miss them.
You won’t want to miss the annual Dayton Pride Festival, which celebrates LGBTQ pride in the city. This yearly event offers lots of chances to have fun and meet friends while enjoying family-friendly entertainment, lecturers, performances, and delicious cuisine.
Since 2001, Masquerage has amassed well over $1.2 million in unrestricted donations for HIV/AIDS case management, activism, prevention, and education. About 9,000 individuals, including straight, gay, bisexual, and other people, attend the AIDS Resource Center Ohio benefit because they are attracted to the event’s worthy cause, dramatic drag queens, dynamic dancers, and decadent revelry.
LGBT-Owned Businesses In Dayton
It’s only normal to want to support queer businesses after relocating to LGBT Dayton. Making a safe space where individuals can relax, shop, eat, and meet without fear is one way to build a safer and more accepting society – and LGBT businesses are frequently doing the heavy lifting to achieve this goal.
It is crucial to support these projects wherever you reside to ensure the survival and development of the queer community. When you shop local, you are personally investing in your city and community – a small step that can be transformational when people do it en masse.
Here are just a few of our favorite LGBTQ+-owned companies in Dayton that you can support with your pink dollars…
Established in June 2003, The Flower Shoppe swiftly rose to the top of the Greater Dayton region florist rankings. The Flower Shoppe’s unique aesthetic and individualized customer care are what set it apart from other businesses. With expertise in both retail and wholesale, owner Mark has worked in the flower industry for more than 20 years.
He started off as a wholesaler for a neighborhood flower and plant distributor and became a floral designer, an expert in events, and a business owner. His extensive expertise and industry understanding enables him to choose and care for floral goods carefully, substantially benefiting his customers by giving flowers of high quality that endure longer.
Although The Flower Shoppe is best known for its innovative floral arrangements, it also offers a wide variety of loose flowers, high-quality green and flowering plants, distinctive home decor, gifts, and greeting cards.
The inspiration for Picnk emerged from a dedication to a passion for food that is based on a feeling of community. Everyone is welcome to enjoy delicious cuisine and friendly chat at their pub. It is an establishment where members of various groups congregate to socialize.
The staff invites you to learn more about their many offerings as they work to incorporate their culture into every facet of the establishment. When Will Foster, the company’s CEO, and founder, was a personal trainer in his college years, many of his customers requested options for meal preparation.
This gave him the inspiration to build his own business and offer the people of Dayton a tasty and practical culinary option.
After graduating, Will hired the company’s first chef, who provided the basis for several of picnk’s early dishes. They had outgrown their first kitchen by 2019 and moved to the Five Seasons Sports Club where they were able to expand their operations and add catering to their menu.
Roost Modern Italian serves food inspired by regional Italian cuisine in a contemporary setting. Chef Downs enjoys making use of local ingredients with traditional and non-traditional techniques.
Final Thoughts On Moving To LGBTQ Dayton
Dayton, Ohio, is an excellent city to live in. Here, you will find an inclusive community, lots of things to do, and amazing neighborhoods you can call home!
We hope you receive the freedom and security you deserve if you decide to start your new chapter in LGBT Dayton. However, please remember that life is what you make of it. The best ways to learn more about LGBT Dayton are to live in a gay-friendly neighborhood, support local queer businesses and events, and join LGBT community clubs, organizations and teams.
We promise that if you go by these suggestions, moving to LGBT Dayton will be less challenging for you and that you’ll meet like-minded individuals and build up that all-important support network quickly.
Finding Gay Realtors In Dayton
Why would you consider someone’s sexuality when hunting for the ideal realtor? This may appear strange at first, but there are numerous reasons why contacting a gay realtor in Dayton is a good way to discover your dream house.
After all, it’s not unrealistic to expect fair, equal, and honest representation from someone who comprehends the queer community’s specific needs and desires when engaging in one of life’s most important transactions.
Further to that, sadly many people (up to one-third of Americans) still genuinely think that our community does not deserve protection and dignity in areas such as housing, adoption, employment, and other aspects of life.
As a result, it’s not surprising that LGBT people who use mainstream realtors frequently express discomfort, unnecessary trouble, unenthusiastic representation, or even antagonism or outright contempt.
Everyone deserves a pleasurable, stress-free home buying or selling experience while being adequately represented, which is why we believe you should hire a gay realtor to assist you in uncovering your ideal future home.
When looking for a home, LGBTQ realtors are more likely to be informed about the diverse communities in their area and fully comprehend which ones may be particularly well suited to you. This isn’t to say heterosexual realtors aren’t competent; they’ve just never had to deal with many of the challenges that LGBT people face.
Gay realtors conduct thorough research into the neighborhoods in which they sell homes to make sure their customers are safe, rather than just being concerned with how thriving, trendy, or up-and-coming a neighborhood is (or appears to be).
It used to be challenging to uncover professional LGBT-friendly real estate agents in Dayton – and it was virtually impossible to find one if you were relocating here from out of state and didn’t have access to a local referral.
Thankfully, you no longer have to search for a realtor without knowing whether or not they are accepting of others because you can use a list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents in Dayton to do all of your homework for you.
Simply go to the page, and you’ll be presented with a free list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents who can help you with your relocation as well as other useful information like LGBT+friendly schools, shopping, storage firms, tradesmen, and more.
Read the biographies of LGBT real estate agents, then select the one who is right for you. It’s essential that you find someone who will be by your side and support you and your family during one of life’s most exhilarating occasions.
Even better, there is no hidden motive, cost, or obligation whatsoever!
