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Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) is a U. S. Air Force base located east of Dayton, Ohio that was founded in 1917. Its 8,100 acres include Greene and Montgomery counties and Wright and Patterson Fields. Here, the 88th Air Base Wing operates the airfield and provides all other necessary services including maintaining all infrastructure, security, communications, air traffic control, medical needs, public affairs, UFO studies, and much more. WPAFB was established in 1917 by the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps during World War I.

It used to be a testing field for aviation experiments and has since expanded to become a vibrant place to live. Today, it has grown to a large population of around 30,000 people including military personnel, contractors, retirees, and civilians. If you find yourself relocating to this area, it's important to know the ins and outs of moving and to find the best places to live. to help you with your search, here are the best neighborhoods near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.

Wright Patterson Air Force Base History

Wright Patterson Air Force Base sits just to the east of Dayton, Ohio. It is a U.S. Air Force base that is about 10 miles just to the northeast of the city of Dayton. The base is home to the 88th Air Base Wing, and those serve the Air Force Materiel Command and the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.

The development of the base began around 1904, when Wilbur and Orville Wright used the Huffman Prairie, a large, 84-acre expanse of land, to test the Wright Flyer III, one of the first airplanes in the world. When World War I occurred, the land was transferred to the Air Force.

After the war, nearly 350 German aircraft were brought to the U.S., and many of them were brought here and can be found in the Amry Aeronautical Museum. Later, in 1924, the property’s deed was presented to the Dayton Air Service Committee, which was operating the area to Calvin Coolidge with the goal of building a new, state of the art aviation engineering center on the property. They were built from 1925 through 1927.

Over time, the base continued to serve the region and the military through various unit assignments. In World War II, the base grew significantly from 3,700 people to around 50,000 at the peak of the war. At that time, it grew to include more than 300 buildings that provided a wide range of services to support the war effort.

In December of 1945, the Army Air Forces Technical Base was formed here. Over the coming years, a number of upgrades to the runways and the establishment, in general, were made to bring the field up to modern day sophistication.

The Wright Patterson Air Force Base continues to be one of the most unique and diverse of all Air Force bases in the country. It is also one of the most complex. It continues to be the home of the Air Force Materiel Command and is home to the USAF Medical Center, Air Force Institute of Technology, and the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. There are about 5,000 officers that serve through the 88th Air Base Wing at the base today, as well as many civilians and contractor employees.

Base Housing

Whatever you need to move to a new Air Force base, the first place you should look for information is the base’s official housing information. Here, you will be connected to WPAFB’s Military Housing Office (MHO), which has one mission — to help you transition to your new home. The MHO has plenty of resources to help you explore all your on-base housing options and the support services that are available to you. This is why upon your arrival at WPAFB, you must first visit the MHO to get enough information to enter any lease or housing sales contract. There is government, privatized, community, and unaccompanied housing available.

Though housing inventory is always in flux due to the current demand, here is what’s available in general:

Government Housing

This inventory is usually designated for Key and Essential Personnel. There are around one hundred 3-4 bedroom Officer and General Officer's units available as government housing. Amenities include single detached garages, private fenced yards, and patios. with a patio and single detached garages. Many of the units at the Brick Quarters are designated for Key and Essential personnel. Pets are welcome, but residents are limited to two.

Community amenities include:

• Proximity to community center club and swimming pool
• Proximity to the gym and tennis court
• Close to the Medical Center

To apply for government housing, you must use HEAT, or the Housing Early Assistance Tool. You can access this tool by going to www.HOMES.MIL and entering Wright Patterson in the field “Find Properties”. Through the HEAT tool, you can learn about applying for government housing and speak to a housing professional to kickstart your application. It’s advised to apply as soon as you can since there can be a waiting list, especially if you apply less than 30 days before your arrival. Walk-in applications are also accepted but often involve a wait-list. For more information and advice on timing your application, contact the MHO at (937) 257-6547.

Privatized Housing

At Wright-Patterson, there is a privatized housing community called The Properties at Wright Field. This is a great place for military families. This convenient housing option takes the stress off residents since the Base is responsible for managing, repairing, and maintaining each home.

To apply for privatized housing contact the MHO as soon as you can. You will be informed about the application process and any relevant policies regarding privatized housing. In this community, you’ll enjoy many amenities such as:

• A community center
• Playgrounds
• Walking trails
• Dog parks
• Stocked fishing pond

Living here is as simple as any standard lease arrangement. After you sign a tenant lease agreement, you pay monthly rent and abide by the community rules. It’s a great way to get plugged into the base without stressing about finding a house on your own in a tight turnaround.

Unaccompanied Housing

If you’re a single person who doesn’t need a lot of space, then unaccompanied housing (UH) is right for you. UH provides housing to Airmen in the ranks of E-1 to E-4 who have been in service for less than 3 years. You will get a private sleeping room that is furnished, fresh linens, and other supplies that you need to live comfortably. This option is more affordable than renting in the community and is a great place to start for a single person.

Community Housing

If government, privatized, and unaccompanied housing don't fit what you're looking for, then you could simply rent or buy a home within the community. Thankfully, you still don't have to go through this process alone. The Military Housing Office (MHO) can offer personalized services to help you find suitable housing near the base. Rest assured that the MHO will assist you step-by-step. For the best timing, contact the office as soon as you know of your upcoming move. Then, you can take advantage of our partnership with local landlords, realtors, and property managers so that you get the most accurate information on what’s available to buy or rent.

Relocating is more convenient when you have somewhere secure to store your belongings. Check out the storage rentals near this Air Force Base to streamline your relocation!

Beavercreek

Beavercreek is a suburban community that’s home to about 37,000 people. It’s noted as one of the top places to live in the U.S. thanks to its amenities and good schools. It’s just seven miles from the Wright Patterns Air Force Base. The community is home to the Beavercreek Golf Club, numerous restaurants and shops, and a large park system.

Bellbrook

A small town of about 7,300 people, Bellbrook is a beautiful community that’s about 21 miles southeast of Dayton and a short drive from the Air Force Base. Though much of the city is a bit older, newer developments have moved in. The city is also the home of the Sugar Maple Festival, an event that draws in thousands of people from around the state in April. The Bellbrook Historical Museum provides a long history of the region through various exhibits.

Centerville

Centerville is a truly historic, beautiful, small community. It is noted for its more remote areas and open parkland. The city, which was first founded in 1796, is one of the oldest in the region. Some come to spend time at the Golf Club at Yankee Trace. Others come to tour the limestone buildings that dot the historic downtown area. There are also quite a few treasures to be found at the area’s antique shops and boutiques. Smaller and sometimes older homes are present here, though newer developments have moved in as well.

Fairborn

Fairborn is a larger community close to Dayton. It’s home to about 32,000 people and located just about 10 minutes from the base. It is one of the more affordable communities in the region. Fairborn is home to the Green Country Club and Beaver Creek Golf Club, both of which are 18-hole golf courses with onsite clubhouses, pro shops, and putting greens, available seasonally.

Huber Heights

Huber Heights is an ideally located community right at the I-70 and I-75 interchange and about 10 minutes from the base. It’s also close to the Dayton International Airport for those who do a lot of flying. The area is a bit more remote, with larger yards and more park areas. It’s also home to Tom Cloud Park and Carriage Hill MetroPark, which is a large trail-based park system and remains a working farm. It is also noted for its horseback riding paths.

Kettering

A known stop for those who are looking for hiking trails and beautiful parks, Kettering is another small community that’s located about 20 minutes from the Air Force Base. It’s close to I-675 and I-75, making it conveniently located for those who need to travel into Dayton. It is home to Polen Farm, a large, historic working farm in the area as well as a number of retail and restaurant locations. The Adventure Reef Water Park, a city-sponsored recreation building, is a popular way to cool down during the summers here.

Oakwood

Oakwood is a suburban community that’s a unique mix of historical treasures and modern living. It’s noted for the Wright Family home, which is available for tours throughout the year. It’s also the location of Smith Gardens, a beautiful private garden in the heart of the city. The area has a significant amount of new construction as well as newer retail mixed with older shops. Some must see locations include Dorothy Lane Market and the Shops of Oakwood. It’s also possible to spend some time golfing at The Oakwood Club.

Xenia

Located about 15 miles from Dayton, Xenia is a modern community with some historic charm thanks to the area’s architecture. Each year, the Dayton Hamvention takes place here, which brings in about 20,000 people from around the world to marvel at amateur radio.

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