Greenville, Ohio, was once the site of an important pioneer fort, Fort Green Ville. This fort is said to be the largest wooden fortification that has ever been built.
As the county seat of Darke County, Greenville, lies just a few miles from the border between Ohio and Indiana
Greenville, Ohio, was once the site of an important pioneer fort, Fort Green Ville. This fort is said to be the largest wooden fortification that has ever been built.
As the county seat of Darke County, Greenville, lies just a few miles from the border between Ohio and Indiana. This isn't quite the Wild West, but there is certainly plenty of open space surrounding this small city of just 13,227 people (2010 census data). If you feel like moving out to where you have space to breathe and the pressure on your wallet is a lot lower than in most parts of the country, then this could be the place for you. Of course, Greenville has plenty of attractions to keep its residents entertained. It needs to, because its nearest big neighbor, Dayton, is at least a 45-minute drive away.
Greenville has a good selection of apartments for rent, as well as some large single-family homes with generous gardens. Many of the properties here are older, having been built before 1970, but don't assume that means they are decrepit! Greenville is a great place to find high-quality city apartments that are more affordable than in many other cities in Ohio.
The majority of people here own the homes that they live in, and the turnover of people moving into and out of the city isn't as high as in many other places, so it might take a while to find apartment options that you like. It's recommended to start searching for a new home at least a few weeks before you plan to move. Looking well in advance of your proposed move date also has the advantage of giving you plenty of time to get all your ducks in a row -- by which we mean that you need to get your paperwork together. Demand for apartments here isn't completely crazy, but landlords will still want to see that you have a decent credit history and that you have the means to pay the rent on time each month.
Ohio's climate is generally fairly temperate, but bear in mind that this part of the state often gets snow during the winter months. Be prepared to break out the snow tires and prepare yourself for winter driving conditions if you are planning to move during the cold season.
Ready to move to Greenville? Not so fast -- be sure to check out the various neighborhoods before signing on the dotted line. You may find one that particularly suits your fancy.
City Center: Greenville City Center is the oldest and most historic part of the city. Here, you will find a lot of properties built before 1940, including a lot of medium-size, single-family homes. The good news is that residents in this neighborhood tend to have very short commutes -- as little as 15 minutes or less in many cases. The Garst Museum is located here, so you can learn all about the history of the area!
Fort Jefferson Avenue / Chestnut Street: The southwest portion of Greenville is close to the Shawnee Prairie Preserve, so it's the perfect place for nature lovers. Again, you will find a lot of older single-family homes in this part of town, but not so many apartments. However, you will be conveniently close to the Greenville National Bank (yup, this place has its own bank), where you can save, borrow or insure yourself against disaster.
Wagner Avenue / Rhoades Avenue: The northern part of Greenville is a good place to look for apartments for rent in small complexes. The majority of the buildings here are significantly more modern than those in other parts of the city, having been built in or after the 1970s. You might pay a slightly higher price to rent an apartment here compared to the other neighborhoods, but the quality of accommodation is generally very good. This is a great neighborhood in which to search for one-, two- or three-bedroom apartments in which to make your home. There are plenty of stores in this part of town, from RadioShack to Kmart, so you'll want for nothing if you decide to move here!
Green by name... and green by nature! Greenville is home to several very pleasant city parks, as well as the Shawnee Prairie Preserve. Here, you can stroll or jog along more than 2 miles of trails, or keep quiet in the hope of seeing birds. Excellent golf courses are available just a short distance outside of the city, so you can spend some time working on your swing! Recreation is important for staying healthy and active at any age, and Greenville certainly has no shortage of options. Perhaps it is time to kiss your couch goodbye?
Greenville certainly has a long and very interesting history, which you can find out about in detail at the Garst Museum. On a rainy day, the collection of historical artifacts from both early pioneers and Native Americans will fascinate and educate at the same time. You can get to grips with more contemporary local culture by attending the Great Darke County Fair, which occurs every summer, bringing fun, festivities and fairgrounds to the residents of Greenville, as well as bringing in visitors from all over the county.
Now for the practical details. If you choose to establish yourself in a rental apartment in Greenville, you will almost certainly need to own a car. Trying to be an eco-warrior around these parts could end up being a frustrating failure thanks to the spread-out nature of the network of local towns and the sparse public transportation links between them. Although the city center of Greenville is very walkable, with many streets enjoying walk scores of around 80 out of 100, going further afield requires you to have your own set of wheels.
Once you have those wheels, however, getting around is fairly easy. Greenville is located close to the crossing point of I-70 and I-75, which stretch across the country and take you to almost anywhere you need to go. Meanwhile, the close presence of Dayton International Airport opens up even more opportunities for travel.
