Who was hot in Ohio during the 1800s? Tippecanoe, aka William Henry Harrison, hero of the Battle of Tippecanoe, and ninth President of the United States. Two locations in the state chose him as their namesake: Tippecanoe City and Tippecanoe. By the 1930s the confusion between these two locales got so bad that mail often went to the wrong town. The Postal Service said "enough" and abbreviated the longer name to "Tipp City."
Even though Tipp City is only about 15 minutes north of Dayton, Ohio, don't call the smaller city a bedroom community. It stands on its own with enough light manufacturing and small businesses to support its workforce, family-owned restaurants and boutiques to satisfy commuters, as well as parks, galleries and historic sites to attract tourists.
Moving to Tipp City
Weather isn't one of the city's strong points. Because Tipp City in the Midwest, you'll need to endure at least a foot of snow during the winter, making that season the worst time to show up with your prized belongings. The only good thing is that landlords may be so desperate to fill their apartment complexes, that you may be able to negotiate good deals.
Come in summer for warmer weather and longer daylight hours. Interstate 75 is your main land connection to cities like Toledo and Detroit in the north, or Cincinnati and Atlanta in the south. That freeway also connects to I-70 for east-west journeys. Flying in from elsewhere? Dayton International Airport is actually closer to Tipp City than it is to its namesake metropolis.
You can decide to live in a Victorian cottage or penthouse condo in the middle of urban convenience or surrounded by rural quiet. But the final decision in whether you snag a rental apartment in Tipp City typically rests with your income and credit (assuming your past doesn't suffer from felony arrests or convictions for violence).
To prove that you make enough money to afford a place, bring your pay stubs when you visit a potential rental. Many months before you plan on leasing something, get on AnnualCreditReport.com. You can then check your credit report for free and figure out what expenses you need to pay off so you look good to the landlord.
Neighborhoods in Tipp City
Before you decide on one of these neighborhoods, make sure first that it has some home rentals and apartment complexes available.
City Center: You'd think the downtown area, as much as there is in a small city, would be the best neighborhood for your apartment search. In fact, this area contains nearly the fewest apartment options, all located in small apartment buildings that are unlikely to tell you that they're there. Over 92 percent of the residences are single-family homes, which is great if you're looking for rental housing. In either case, locating these possibilities on the Internet is a hit-or-miss proposition. You'll probably need a real estate agent to find a place to live. What this area has a lot of is shops, restaurants, and other places to spend money. You also get a couple of parks and an eastern border that follows the Grand Miami River.
Middle (Country Road 25A/E. Evanston Road): Over a third of the residences here consists of apartments, so this is the hood for finding places to live in. If you commute, you'll love that I-75 slices right down the middle of this community. Most of the properties here were built from 1970 to 1979, with over a third built during the retro 1940s to 1960s. There are even a few from the current century, if you want to live in something newer.
Borchers Rentals: Borchers offers one to three bedrooms among its 41 units. Overlook the brusque management to enjoy short-term leases, a clubhouse, and a private patio or balcony. Some models even boast wood-burning fireplaces, furniture, and one or more utilities that are paid for. On the grounds, you'll also find a pool and laundry facilities.
Windridge Apartments: This complex includes more perks on its grounds, such as a heated outdoor pool, tennis court, children's pool, and a gated entry. The two- and three-bedroom homes have linen closets, vaulted ceilings, high-speed Internet access, and a garden tub in the bathroom.
Western: This neighborhood is the closest to the airport, making it your best bet if you fly to make a living. After work, you can head for Homestead Golf Course to practice your swings. This is the least-crowded part of the city because much of it consists of farmlands. (Most properties consist of single-family houses.) Stick to the northwest part if you travel a lot by car because I-75 cuts through that area.
Living in Tipp City
You can take a gander at one of the canal locks that once figured prominently in city history by visiting Canal Lock Park. The structure is less majestic than before, being all filled in and topped with grass. But you can at least contemplate history at the covered picnic table. If you demand a bit more activity in your outdoor recreation, then City Park will tickle your fancy with three shelters, a field for soccer or football and the Roundhouse, which is popular for events. The sound of splashing is from the Family Aquatic Center, which wets your day with three pools, diving boards and two water slides.
To find out about the place you now call home, visit the Tippecanoe Historical Museum. But call first because its displays and artifacts are only viewable twice a week from April through October. Many of the town's more interesting structures cluster around East and West Main Street. Download a free walking tour map from DownTownTippCity.org, so you can view these buildings first-hand.
Said tour also gives you many opportunities for shopping. Cairn's Toys awakens the child within with yo-yos, Legos, toy kitchens, and stuffed animals. Patriot Antique Shoppe can sell you oil paintings, miniature tests and ceramic tableware online or in-person. When you're done buying, rest your heels at the Coldwater Cafe, which serves ostrich filet, Chilean sea bass, and carrot cake in a converted bank building.
