Troy is home to one of the oldest surviving taverns in the state of Ohio, the Overfield Tavern, which was built in 1808. It now houses a museum.
Troy is far from being the largest place on Earth (according to the 2010 Census, its population is 25,058, and it covers less than 12 square miles) but it has grown a lot since 1833, when it had just 80 homes, a jail, courthouse, two taverns and seven stores. However, for a town of its size, there's a surprising amount going on. As such, it's the perfect place to make your home if you'd like to live somewhere that combines small-town sensibilities with the kinds of cultural pursuits that you'd expect to find in a bigger city.
Renting in Troy
The percentage of homes occupied by renters in Troy is well above the average for both the state of Ohio and the United States as a whole, which means the rental market is booming. Rental homes are fairly easy to come by, so you should find your ideal property easily.
What Will You Need?
You're not going to need anything too fancy to move into a rental property in Troy. It's not like your landlord or Realtor is going to make you quest for hidden treasure or bowl a perfect game before you're allowed to move into your rental apartment. However, you will need to show your credit history, rental history, references and some proof of income.
What's it Going to Cost?
What it costs to move in will all depend on the size and type of property you choose to live in. However, you'll generally be asked to pay a whole month's worth of rent, plus a sizable security deposit, which is usually equal to or more than your monthly rent.
It's unlikely that anything will go drastically wrong during your apartment search, but things might not always go as smoothly as you'd hope. Therefore, it's generally advisable to start looking for a place to rent roughly four to six weeks before the date on which you want to move in. This will give you enough time to find a place that you love and allow for any hitches or hold ups.
Neighborhoods in Troy
As you now know, Troy is a historic settlement, dating back to the early 1800s, so you will find a fair amount of difference between the town's neighborhoods. Much of the center is fairly walkable, but developments have spread further out and might have fewer amenities near by.
Staunton: Homes in this neighborhood tend to be either small or medium-sized, and there is a good mix of houses and apartment complexes.
City Center: The center of Troy has recently been rejuvenated, courtesy of the Troy Main Street project. You'll generally find older properties in this neighborhood, built before the 1940s, with some historic buildings. It's conveniently located near a range of shops and eateries.
Eldean: This neighborhood contains a lot of newer homes. Rental homes in this area are generally on the smaller side and are fairly evenly split between houses and apartments.
Swailes Road: You'll mostly find medium-sized and large houses in this area. You're a bit further out from the center, but homes tend to have bigger yards and are more modern.
Life in Troy
You'll find a lot happening in Troy, no matter the day or season. You just can't drink in the Overfield Tavern anymore. There's a fairly relaxed way of life in the town if you choose to embrace it, but it's not far from Dayton if you prefer things to be more fast-paced every now and again.
Community Events
Residents of Troy aren't lacking in community spirit, and you'll find the frequent events and happenings in the town reflect that. One of the highlights of the calendar is the Troy Strawberry Festival, an annual event that takes place in June and celebrates the strawberry harvest with food stalls, live music and more. However, even something as simple as the weekly summer farmers' markets in downtown Troy can turn into a fun-filled community occasion.
Cultural Pursuits
Troy is no stranger to arts and culture. The Troy-Hayner Cultural Center on Main Street hosts regular art exhibitions and musical performances, as well as a range of classes and workshops. The Mayflower Arts Center also puts on exhibitions, shows indie films, hosts lectures and gives art classes.
The Great Outdoors
There are 12 different city parks in Troy, some of which have great recreational facilities, including basketball courts, softball fields, baseball diamonds and tennis courts. A skate park can be found on North Ridge Avenue. The Brukner Nature Center is a 165-acre nature preserve that aims to rehabilitate wildlife; it also offers educational facilities. It has six miles of walking trails so you can really get up close and personal with the local wildlife. There are businesses in the area that offer rent canoes and kayaks if you want to have a water adventure.