The most common head-to-head comparison in this market: Cincinnati's new-construction Epcon flagship against Dayton's established resale Epcon leader. Both are age-targeted. Both use Epcon's courtyard model. But county, price, construction era, and location point in different directions. Here's the full breakdown.
| Feature | Bel Haven | Villas at Beavercreek |
|---|---|---|
| Location | West Chester Township, OH | Beavercreek, OH |
| County | Butler (~1.00%) | Greene (~1.35%) |
| Price range | Low $500s+ (new construction) | $434K–$462K (resale) |
| Homes | 84 detached courtyard ranch | 84 attached + some detached |
| Age restriction | 55+ legally restricted (HOPA) | Age-targeted (no legal floor) |
| Built | 2020–present (still building) | 2007–2017 (fully established) |
| Garage | 2.5-car standard | 2-car standard |
| Landscaping | New (3–5 yrs old) | Mature (7–17 yrs established) |
| Annual tax on avg home | ~$5,300 on $530K | ~$6,075 on $450K |
| WPAFB proximity | 55+ miles | 5–12 miles |
| Airport | CVG: 25 mi | DAY: 18 mi / CVG: 55 mi |
| Healthcare anchor | UC Health West Chester Medical Ctr | Kettering Health / Miami Valley |
Most buyers in this market assume Butler County's lower rate automatically wins. The math is more nuanced because the purchase prices are different.
| Scenario | Bel Haven | Villas at Beavercreek | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | $530,000 | $450,000 | VaB (–$80K) |
| Annual property tax | ~$5,300 | ~$6,075 | Bel Haven (–$775/yr) |
| 10-yr property taxes | ~$53,000 | ~$60,750 | Bel Haven (–$7,750) |
| Homestead savings (10 yr) | ~$2,900 (Butler) | ~$3,920 (Greene) | VaB (–$1,020) |
| 10-yr total ops (est.) | ~$176,000 | ~$155,000 | VaB (–$21,000) |
| Purchase + 10-yr ops | ~$706,000 | ~$605,000 | VaB (–$101,000) |
There is no universally correct answer. The financial case favors Villas at Beavercreek by approximately $101,000 over 10 years all-in. The lifestyle and certainty case favors Bel Haven for buyers who need legal age restriction, want detached homes, or are Cincinnati-oriented. Military retirees with WPAFB ties have a clear lean toward Beavercreek. Buyers coming from outside the metro with no existing Ohio healthcare relationships should consider airport access: CVG is a considerably larger and better-connected airport than DAY, which matters if you're flying to see grandchildren.
The question to answer first: Which metro do you actually want to live in?The 45-mile gap between West Chester and Beavercreek is not negligible on a daily quality-of-life basis. Decide that first, then let the financials confirm or refine.