Set between Weequahic Park and Newark Liberty International Airport, Dayton’s small residential pockets are found between stretches of warehouses and industrial areas. Over the past several decades, Dayton has faced struggles, but Augusto Verissimo, a broker of record and owner at Weichert Realtors who has been selling homes in Newark for 30 years and has lived here for 42 years, says change is on the way. City officials and residents have worked together to improve the community and grant residents access to amenities such as light rail. The planned Lionsgate Newark, a TV and film production studio, is expected to change the face of Dayton. The $125 million studio is being built on a former public-housing site and is set to have six sound stages and create hundreds of jobs. It’s slotted to finish construction in spring 2026.
Dayton homes offer both charm and affordability, with a mix of single-family and multi-family options.
Newark's $12 million plan will provide Dayton residents with direct access to the AirTrain station by 2026.
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Nearby highways, plans to open up nearby light rail station
U.S. Route 22, state Route 27 and Interstate 78 all run through Dayton, and it takes just minutes to hop onto U.S. Route 9 or state Route 21. Newark Liberty International Airport is less than a mile away, which can mean quite a bit of airplane noise for residents. But although its light rail station is just blocks away from Dayton — visible from some homes — residents have been unable to gain direct access to the station for years because of fences and locked gates. Reaching the airport is simple by car, but residents have to travel into downtown Newark to catch public transportation to the airport, a process that takes 40 minutes. In 2024, Newark announced a $12 million plan to offer Dayton residents access to the light rail station. Doing so will ease transportation to the airport and anywhere else the light rail travels, potentially giving residents a pathway to jobs in other cities like New York City. Construction is slated to finish by 2026, and Verissimo believes it will bring more people hoping to move to the neighborhood, aiding its quest for change. “Once they start building it, then people start moving, because they know there’s going to be a spike in prices,” he says. “But until then, it’s just slow going.”
Single-family houses from $400,000
Dayton has a mix of duplexes and single-family homes. These homes are usually simple colonial-style houses with open or enclosed front porches. Single-family homes typically cost between $400,000 and $550,000, while duplexes or multi-family homes cost between $550,000 and $800,000.
Dayton’s duplex homes provide spacious and flexible living options for families in a growing neighborhood.
Dayton’s multifamily homes provide spacious living options, ideal for families and investment opportunities.
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Athletic spaces, golf and a lake at Weequahic Park
Weequahic Park takes up most of the neighborhood’s land and is a cornerstone for Dayton and surrounding communities. The park has an 18-hole golf course, a playground, numerous athletic spaces — including a track and fields for baseball, softball and football — and a huge lake with a 2.5-mile walking trail circling it. Nearby, the Training Recreation Education Center, or TREC, is a local facility with indoor basketball courts.
The playground in Weequahic Park offers a fun and safe space for children to play in Dayton.
Weequahic Golf Course in Dayton features an 18-hole layout, offering a scenic and challenging experience.
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Organizations to reduce crime, occasional hurricanes
Dayton’s CAP Index score is 7 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4. In 2023, Newark’s mayor announced the launch of the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery, a plan meant to support victims of crime and prevent future crimes. Hurricanes occasionally impact Newark. First Street, a climate risk data organization, says that Dayton has a major risk of flooding and of experiencing high winds.
A few local restaurants, nearby groceries
Although Dayton consists of mostly warehouses and residential properties, there are a few restaurants tucked here and there. Manny’s Deli & Restaurant serves up fresh Spanish food and Dayton Steakhouse Bar & Grill is a steakhouse with Portuguese influences. Twin City Supermarket offers groceries just outside the neighborhood, and there’s a Stop & Shop just a mile away. For a day of shopping, residents need to travel to nearby neighborhoods like Elizabeth or Irvington, both of which are less than 4 miles away.
Dayton Steakhouse Bar & Grill serves flavorful steaks with Portuguese influences in a welcoming setting.
Manny’s Deli & Restaurant in Dayton offers fresh Spanish cuisine with a variety of flavorful dishes.
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Career prep at Weequahic High
Niche gives the Newark Public School District a C-plus. Children in Dayton can attend Peshine Avenue Elementary School from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade before moving on to Weequahic High School. Both schools earn C ratings, and the high school’s career and technical education program aims to give students practical, hands-on experience in professional settings.
Weequahic's Peshine Avenue Elementary School earns a C from Niche and serves students from pre-K to eighth grade.
Ivy Hill School's students will conduct research, substantiate arguments, and communicate.
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Weequahic Park Music Festival, Fourth of July fireworks
Weequahic Park hosts several events throughout the year, including the annual Weequahic Park Music Festival. The festival features live music by local bands, dancing and stalls from local vendors full of art and homemade products. The park also hosts a fireworks show for the Fourth of July, drawing residents from surrounding neighborhoods.
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713 Frelinghuysen Located in the heart of Newark's thriving development area, 713 Frelinghuysen Ave offers an exceptional opportunity to be part of a rapidly growing and dynamic community. This prime property benefits from proximity to major cultural and entertainment hubs, including the upcoming Great Point Studios and the NJ Performing Arts Center's exciting new partnership with Lionsgate.
This is a brand new 3 family house under construction located close to Newark Liberty International Airport. The house qualifies for 10 years home warranty and 5 year tax abatement. All reasonable offers are welcome! The house would be ready by Summer time! Pictures are for reference only.
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This spacious 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment offers both a formal living room and dining room, a rare layout that adds comfort and charm to your everyday living. Perfectly located right across from Weequahic Park, you'll have beautiful green views and access to outdoor activities just steps away. The convenience continues with Newark Liberty International Airport only 5 minutes away, Newark Beth
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