Whispering Pines

Defiance, Ohio, provides residents with a tight-knit, small-town community full of fun activities. Located just under 30 miles from Toledo, Ohio and Fort Wayne, Indiana, Defiance is an excellent area for young families looking to raise their kids in a friendly community, retirees who are ready to settle down in a peaceful environment, or young professionals looking for a quiet retreat after work. With plenty of parks, events, festivals, and historical sites, Defiance has something for everyone to do. D.R. Horton offers a variety of new build homes in Defiance, Ohio, with spacious floorplans and smart home technology, ensuring that you find your new home and settle into the community.

Why choose Defiance, OH

Defiance, Ohio, the county seat and largest city in Defiance County, is jam-packed with access to the natural beauty and numerous bodies of water in the area, but never loses its appeal by offering plenty of community events. As the location serves as a confluence of the Auglaize and Maumee Rivers, eventually joined by the Tiffen River, you can always enjoy the nature around you without leaving city limits. Founded around the historic Fort Defiance in 1822, the city offers a blend of modern conveniences and old-time charm through its historic buildings and access to the famous fort grounds. If you are looking to connect with the locals, there are numerous annual events hosted throughout the year. Whether it's ribs or lilacs, there is a festival you can attend to explore your interests while building connections with your fellow Defiance residents.

With its proximity to three major cities in the area, Defiance allows residents to easily access the immense number of amenities and activities offered. Both Toledo, Ohio and Fort Wayne, Indiana are under an hour away, and the capital city, Columbus, is under two hours away. You can access these larger cities thanks to US Route 24, State Routes 111, 249, and 281, which run through Defiance. For longer travel needs, you can drive around an hour to the Fort Wayne International Airport.

Community life in Defiance, OH

While Defiance, OH maintains a peaceful, small-town atmosphere, there is plenty to do in town. The city offers residents numerous annual events and festivals each year. If you would like to explore the restaurant scene around town, the Defiance County Restaurant Week is the perfect opportunity to expand your palate and get to know the city. Hosted in March, you can go out and support the local restaurants in town and possibly find your new go-to place. After you dine in, take out, or order delivery from a restaurant, you can save your receipt from that week and submit it to the Visitors Bureau office to possibly win a $25 gift card to your favorite spot or a grand prize of a vacation getaway.

For those who love the official flower of Defiance that are spotted all around town, you can attend the yearly Lilac Festival and Street Fair for the largest art and craft fair in the city.The event is free, and if you are one of the first 750 people to attend, you can get free lilacs upon entry. With over 150 vendors spread across 12 downtown blocks selling handmade crafts, art pieces, food items, and clothing pieces, you can find unique items while supporting local artists. While browsing the tables and tents, you can watch live entertainment and enjoy food from local vendors. For the younger festival goers, there is an assortment of activities like pony rides and art stations for the little ones to explore their creative sides.

If you enjoy the musical arts, the Defiance Jazz Festival hosted in Kingsbury Park offers music lovers a chance to connect with performing artists and fellow jazz enthusiasts. Honoring two jazz legends who called Defiance home, Milt Buckner and Bill Davison, the festival features an array of live performances from modern jazz bands. Children get into the event for free, and there are children's activities , making the event a blast for all ages.

For meat lovers in town, the city hosts the Defiance Rib Fest, which is filled with good food and good vibes. The large event is held on the last Saturday of September each year between Second and Fifth streets in downtown. Throughout the day, you can try barbecue from 10 rib vendors and various local restaurants, and listen to music from three bands. There are beer stations available to enjoy brews while you munch on barbecue and listen to live tunes. If you have a sweet tooth, you can attend the annual Chocolate Walk that is hosted in Downtown Defiance. Here, you can stroll down the streets of downtown and enjoy some delicious chocolate and sip on wine while getting to know the vendors. If you turn in your receipt from your chocolate purchases, you can have the chance to win prizes in the raffle hosted at the end of the day as well, making for a very sweet day.

For those who enjoy a more relaxed event, the Defiance Farmer’s Market provides residents with easy access to local goods and services. Located on Clinton Street, you can expect to see a wide range of fresh produce, handcrafted goods, fresh baked goods, art, and trinkets available to purchase. While you can do your weekly grocery shopping while attending the market, you can also connect with the community, providing a great way to settle into your new home in Defiance, OH.

Outdoor fun in Defiance, OH

Aside from the bustling city activity available to residents, Defiance also offers easy access to the natural beauty of the area. The city serves as a confluence for three major rivers in the area, and as a result, Defiance provides residents with a unique variety of scenic views and outdoor activities. Independence Dam State Park, located just three miles east of Defiance, is a 591-acre park that runs along the banks of the Maumee River. The park includes a three-mile dirt hiking trail that runs between the dam and the hardwood forest that covers the area. For those who prefer to bring their bicycle out, the park also offers a road that provides a scenic ride for bikers to ride along the river. If you prefer to take on the park by boat, the Maumee River permits unlimited horsepower boating and provides a four-lane launch ramp. Four miles of the river is set to accommodate skiers, and the river is also great for canoeing and kayaking. You can fish from the river as well, and fishermen have been known to catch bass, pike, crappie, catfish, and walleye.

The Oxbow Lake Wildlife Area, about 15 minutes from Defiance, offers visitors a close look at Ohio's native wildlife and ecosystem. With 435 acres of land, you can explore the terrain and the waters of the 38-acre Oxbow Lake located in the center of the wildlife area. Wake-free boating is permitted, and you can fish for an array of species, including bass, green sunfish, bullhead, and bluegill. While exploring the area, you can spot other wildlife like tree swallows, turtles, great blue herons, songbirds, and shorebirds. A shotgun range with paper and clay targets is located on the premises as well.

To see more nature, you can set out on the Defiance Reservoir Walk and Nature Trail. This 8-foot-wide, multi-use trail wraps around the Defiance Municipal Reservoir and provides visitors with a peaceful walk through nature. There is also a 1.25-mile stone walkway that takes users around the top of the reservoir and serves as a great spot for bird watching and unobstructed views of the reservoir.

When summer rolls in and the days get hot, you and your family can make your way to the Defiance Splash Park in Bronson Park to beat the heat. This free-to-all facility is located in town and offers an array of water-based activities for the family to play in. The splash park offers a playground and a water-based play area with dunk buckets and water guns. If you dry off and want to continue the fun, Bronson Park offers ADA-compliant sidewalks and a playground, along with a multi-use path to walk on if you would like to stretch your legs.

Businesses and economics in Defiance, OH

In addition to the fun activities throughout the city, Defiance, Ohio offers residents a diverse range of professional opportunities. Major industries in the area include manufacturing, retail trade, health care, and finance. SB Financial Group and Premier Financial are headquartered in town and offer employment to those seeking careers in the financial sector. For those seeking opportunity within the manufacturing field, General Motors Defiance Foundry, John Mansville, and APT Manufacturing are some of the top employers in the area.

If you are looking for jobs in education and school administration, Defiance College and Defiance City Schools offer a variety of professional opportunities. Other companies in the area, like Campbell's Soup and Defiance Metal Products, offer career options as well. For even more career opportunities, Fort Wayne, IN and Toledo, OH are commutable for those looking to travel for business.

New construction homes in Defiance, OH

With a variety of fun-filled community events, plenty of outdoor amenities to enjoy the natural beauty of the area, and stable career opportunities, Defiance, Ohio is a great place to call home for any stage of life. With a new build home from D.R. Horton, you can settle in with a variety of spacious floorplans and modern designs to enjoy the peaceful environment of Defiance. Browse our Defiance, Ohio new homes for sale, and contact us to learn more about how you can find your home today.