Forest Ridge Quail Hollow - Dayton, OH

German, Hungarian, Polish and Lithuanian immigrants began settling in the Old North Dayton area in the late 1800s, and by the early 20th century, the neighborhood was known for its unique ethnic flavor, beautiful churches, social clubs and cultural events. After World War II, development began in Huber Heights. However, Forest Ridge-Quail Hollow remained mostly undeveloped until the Huber Heights and Riverside areas expanded in the early 1980s.

The National Museum of the United States Air Force sits south of Forest Ridge-Quail Hollow, in Riverside. The museum offers free admission and opens daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Neighborhood residents enjoy Wright Patt Air Force Base’s Memorial Day and Fourth of July fireworks displays. Other popular events include the St. Helen’s Spring Festival in Riverside, the St. Peter Summer Festival in Huber Heights and the Taste of Old North Dayton festival held at Dayton Children’s Hospital.

A handful of chain restaurants and fast-food joint sit along State Route 201in the northwest portion of Forest Ridge-Quail Hollow. Drive a few miles north for a larger variety of dining options, including small cafes, Thai and Chinese restaurants, and Mexican restaurants near the Chambersburg Road intersection.

Royal Wok, located adjacent to Thomas A. Cloud Memorial Park in Forest Ridge-Quail Hollow, tantalizes the local taste buds with a variety of Chinese dishes. The restaurant features affordable daily lunch specials from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. that come with your choice of white or pork fried rice and your choice of wonton, egg drop and hot and sour soups, or an egg roll. Locals recommend the kung po chicken, General Tso’s chicken and Mongolian beef.

The Heights Cafe has a reputation for having a friendly staff that gives great service. Open daily from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., the restaurant serves sandwiches, salads, burgers and all-day breakfast. Customers recommend the Apple Charlette french toast, which arrives smothered in caramelized cinnamon apples, pecans and a fine dust of confectioner’s sugar and the loaded home fries topped with cheese, peppers and onions.

Forest Ridge-Quail Hollow doesn’t house any neighborhood bars. However, Huber Heights and Riverside have a few options. These adjacent neighborhoods house a handful of local dive bars and sports bars. A few popular options include Deja Brew on Old Harshman Road, Christy Club on Valley Pike and Cape Lounge on Brandt Pike.

The majority of Forest Ridge-Quail Hollow residents depend on their own vehicles for transportation. The area’s businesses offer free parking, and direct access to State Route 201 connects commuters with State Route 4 and Interstate 70 makes driving convenient.

For the most part residents consider walking and bike riding leisurely activities. Even though the neighborhood has sidewalks, you won’t find many businesses nearby. The neighborhood doesn’t have dedicated bike lanes, and traffic on State Route 201 gets congested during rush hours, biking isn’t a safe mode of transportation.

Residents who don’t drive mainly take the bus. Greater Dayton RTA has multiple bus routes that have stops on the neighborhood’s main thoroughfares. Also, local cab companies schedule rides via the phone, but Uber doesn’t service the area.

Adjacent to Forest Ridge-Quail Hollow, Thomas A. Cloud Memorial Park features amenities that appeal to families with children and exercise enthusiasts. It houses a splash pad play area for the little ones, soccer fields, volleyball courts, basketball courts, baseball diamonds and tennis courts. Six shelters that have picnic tables and a grill, makes the 124-acre park a good choice for family outings. Thomas A Cloud Memorial Park also hosts several summer events, including car shows and concerts. Also, the park allows visitors to bring their dogs with them to the park as long as they remain on their leashes.

Forest Ridge-Quail Hollow’s cost of living averages around 13 percent higher than the cost of living in Dayton. However, the higher percentage only applies to housing costs; the cost of other necessities remains on par with the rest of the city. Expect to pay approximately $525 per month to rent a one-bedroom residence and around $3 for a beer at a local bar. One-way bus fare costs $1.75, and gas prices sit around 4 percent lower than the national average.

Don't expect to find any upscale retail establishments or boutiques in Forest Ridge-Quail Hollow. The neighborhood only houses stores that sell groceries and basic necessities. Huber Heights and Riverside house similar stores, for the most part. However, a few small, locally owned shops sit in Huber Heights.

Cozy Melts, located on Brandt Pike in Huber Heights, carries an extensive line of candles, wax melts and candle warmers, including candles that sound like crackling wood when lit and candles made using 100 percent soy wax. The establishment also features a paint-your-own pottery studio that's popular with the locals.

Make the short drive south to The Game Haven, a compact store that caters to local gamers and comic book enthusiasts. Stop in to pick up a favorite game, or ask the welcoming staff members for a recommendation. The store hosts board game nights, competitive leagues and open-play events almost every day of the week.

Forest Ridge-Quail Hollow residents complete the majority of their grocery shopping at Kroger or GFS Marketplace, both of which sit at the State Route 201 and Old Harshman Road intersection. The neighborhood also houses United Dairy Farmers and CVS, making it easy to pick up basic necessities in between grocery trips. Buy fresh produce and baked goods from the seasonal farmers market at The Heights Cafe or the 2nd Street Market, a year-round farmers market in Downtown Dayton.