Miamisburg

Known locally as "Star City," Downtown Miamisburg is the modern heart of the surrounding town of Miamisburg. With a dynamic blend of historic tradition and modern amenities, this neighborhood has cultivated a reputation for a robust and active community without losing any of its quiet, suburban charm. Tucked against the east banks of the Great Miami River, the surrounding area's natural beauty seamlessly blends into the residential zones and businesses of Downtown's west side. This easy fusion is reflected in the community itself, which takes pride in working together for good on local sites, events or social issues. "It's a very collaborative, supportive community," says Laura Blessing, superintendent of Miamisburg City Schools. "Schools and businesses and the community are always working together." Though Ohio doesn't require that its school districts offer kindergarten or pre-k, Miamisburg uses its resources to provide both to its citizenry, free of charge. Open enrollment allows parents to choose the right school for their child, regardless of where in the district they might live. So a young student could begin at Mark Twain Elementary School, which scores a B on Niche, before attending Miamisburg Middle School, which has a B-minus. Next, they'll attend Miamisburg High School, which holds a B-plus and offers several specialty programs for its students. "We've recently expanded our career tech offerings for high schoolers," says Blessing. "Our newest programs are a robotics and engineering program and an agricultural program." Though most downtowns represent the older section of a city, the housing in Downtown Miamisburg combines its historic housing with active instances of new construction, creating a blend of the classic and the modern, sometimes on the same block. A multigenerational Colonial can rest within a stone's throw of brand-new Craftsman homes, a deliberate choice when it comes to the town's steady growth. According to Mayor Michelle Collin, there are many legacy owners, but there's been a renewed interest in the community, with new residents coming in to take advantage of the area and its amenities. Ranch-style, bungalows and Traditional designs are popular with the more established homes, while newer construction tends toward Craftsman and Arts and Crafts. An updated manufactured home can begin in the high $20,000s, with historic Cape Cod-style homes in the mid-$100,000s. A fully renovated Colonial can hit the high $300,000s, while a newly constructed Craftsman peaks in the low $500,000s. The home of a historic Adena burial ground, the Miamisburg Mound Park is a 37-acre greenspace with playgrounds and picnic pavilions perfect for making a lunch break into an exploration of prehistory. For the more athletic locals, the Great Miami River Trail follows its namesake for 93 miles, using a paved trail suitable for hikers, bikers and families. The trail goes as far south as Fairfield and north as Sidney, making it perfect for quick jogs or weekend challenges. Everything from clothes to lunch to luxury items can be found at the Dayton Mall, making it a popular shopping choice not only for those in Miamisburg but also for anyone living in the Dayton area. For a break from all that retail therapy, visit Cinemark Dayton South for the latest superhero movie. Kroger and Whole Foods are convenient options for keeping the pantry full and making dinner at home. But Downtown Miamisburg also features a robust selection of options for dining out, including the award-winning ribs at Bullwinkle's Top Hat Bistro. For essential healthcare decisions, Miamisburg is the home of Kettering Health Miamisburg and Dayton Children's Hospital South Campus. Ten miles north on Interstate 75 will take commuters to downtown Dayton, and another 12 miles will take them to the Dayton International Airport. Fans of public transportation can catch the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority bus line, which has half a dozen bus stops on Veterans Avenue. Fans of a beautiful chassis can look forward to Miamisburg's annual Cruise the Burg event, which puts classic and restored autos on display for the 4th Saturday of every month in the summer. For the more active, Miamisburg's annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot challenges locals to 1 and 5-mile road runs that take them up and down the Great Miami River for bragging rights and the chance to burn off some of that holiday stuffing.