Montgomery County, Ohio: An Exciting Option for Remote Workers

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, 43 percent of the workforce worked from home at least some of the time according to Gallup data. With the pandemic, that percentage increased, and many people switched completely to remote work. With that switch, workers were no longer anchored to a radius around their workplace, and many found the freedom to improve their quality of life by relocating. In April 2020, people in the U.S. relocated at twice the rate they did just one year ago, The Wall Street Journal reported. This relocation trend has continued.

Remote workers are seeking to move from pricey, congested areas to smaller cities or suburbs where they can get more bang for their buck and have a more comfortable life. Montgomery County, Ohio is such a place with a very desirable cost of living. Compared to the rest of the country, Montgomery County's cost of living is 21.4% lower than the U.S. average. Even the cost of living in the Dayton metro area is 17.0% lower than the U.S. average.

Housing is not only affordable downtown, it is getting even more exciting with Dayton Arcade — a soon-to-be open project that is tailor-made for today’s remote workers. This transformative restoration is reimagining the use of nine historic downtown buildings into co-working space, housing, restaurant and retail space, event space, and an art center. Five of the buildings are interconnected and topped by a stunning glass-domed rotunda, 70 feet high and 90 feet in diameter.

In Phase I, early in 2021,  The Hub Powered by PNC Bank will open. This 100,000 square-foot dream space is the result of a partnership between The Entrepreneurs Center and the L. William Crotty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership at the University of Dayton (UD) and will house co-working space, dedicated desks, shared offices, and incubation areas. Inquiries for membership can be made here. Also opening will be 126 units of housing with high windows, restaurants, event space, and retail stores.

Phase II, later in 2021, will usher in more apartments, a kitchen incubator and fresh food market, and even more restaurants, stores, and event space.

While Dayton Arcade may be the newest housing option, there are plenty more to choose from. Explore the variety of downtown housing options by visiting the Downtown Dayton Partnerships’ website.

Besides innovative and attractive housing, Dayton also has what every remote worker must have — superior high-speed internet. Montgomery County is dedicated to investing in advanced infrastructure for all to have access. Case in point is the Dayton-Montgomery County Digital Equity Initiative. This partnership between public and private sectors takes tangible first steps — through a long-term and sustainable plan — towards digital equity and provides a framework for future strategic investment.

It is worth exploring the rich quality of life residents of Montgomery County enjoy. From parks with 160 miles of hiking and biking trails in urban and rural settings to museums including the Wright Brothers National Museum at Carillon Park and The Funk Music Hall of Fame & Exhibition Center, there is something for everyone. The Oregon District, Fifth Street, and Second Street Market are home to fantastic restaurants, micro-breweries, parks, stores, and architecture. People flock to catch a Dayton Dragons minor league ballgame or enjoy a concert at Levitt Pavilion. Since seeing is believing, you can take a virtual tour to experience all that Montgomery County has to offer, and access a full directory of offerings.

Visit selectmcohio.com for even more information. Follow Montgomery County on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.