Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 17:38     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Cute PP! Unfortunately NC is near the bottom in teacher pay- 43rd in the US. Plus I hate the humidity of the south and Mid Atlantic. I grew up in rural Maine and while I hated the rural part, I liked the snow and cold.


Did you teach in the same state for a long period of time? If you were a public school teacher you are likely losing out on a significant amount from a potential pension payment. Not sure it makes sense for you to move now.


This is my 13th year in MD so I'm vested. I've got another 17 yrs or so before I can consider retirement. I just won't be able to afford living here anymore in a few years. Rents are ridiculous and I'd like to buy my own home.


Have you looked more in rural Maryland or out past Baltimore?

What about a townhouse in Ellicott City?

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/7812-Whistling-Pines-Ct_Ellicott-City_MD_21043_M64811-71942?from=srp-list-card


I grew up in a rural area and hated the isolation so I’m looking for something urban. I currently rent a townhouse and have psycho, loud neighbors so that’s why I want a single family home, even if it’s small. Two bedrooms is fine.
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 17:35     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Omaha.
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 17:08     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Here you go and a Movie famous house

$225,000

8
beds


5
baths

9,000
sqft
429 W High St, Peoria, IL 61606
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 16:12     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Northfield, MN - if you do not mind winter. It is a small college town (St Olaf College & Carleton College) with about 20,000 people. Small enough to be walkable. Big enough to have most things that people might want. College town means lots of educated parents who care about the quality of the public schools.

Williamsburg, VA is another option if one wants weather similar to here. College town with a brisk tourist trade. Tons of retired folks live there. Public schools there are above average in quality and much smaller than FCPS, DCPS, or MCPS. Also has surprisingly good Amtrak service to Richmond, DC, and up the northeast corridor.
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 16:10     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:The entire state of WV, but I'm not sure you'd enjoy teaching there. Depends on what you hope to get out of teaching.


You’re an idiot. WV is the most rural state in the union. It has no real “cities” and the “entire state” isn’t inexpensive either. You’re talking out your ass based on stereotypes.


PP. what if I told you I am posting this from WV right now? The people who live in Charleston will be interested to hear that they are rural
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 15:57     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Cute PP! Unfortunately NC is near the bottom in teacher pay- 43rd in the US. Plus I hate the humidity of the south and Mid Atlantic. I grew up in rural Maine and while I hated the rural part, I liked the snow and cold.


Did you teach in the same state for a long period of time? If you were a public school teacher you are likely losing out on a significant amount from a potential pension payment. Not sure it makes sense for you to move now.


This is my 13th year in MD so I'm vested. I've got another 17 yrs or so before I can consider retirement. I just won't be able to afford living here anymore in a few years. Rents are ridiculous and I'd like to buy my own home.


Have you looked more in rural Maryland or out past Baltimore?

What about a townhouse in Ellicott City?

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/7812-Whistling-Pines-Ct_Ellicott-City_MD_21043_M64811-71942?from=srp-list-card
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 15:40     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone. I definitely think the Midwest suits me better weather wise. Not a fan of the awful humidity here.

As for living near my kids, I have no idea where they will end up. One is here locally and living with college friends in a group home. The other is a travel nurse so she doesn't really live anywhere for long.

I would prefer something move-in ready with the possibility of fixing it up. I have been looking online and this is kind of what I'm looking for:

https://www.homes.com/property/3215-e-50th-st-minneapolis-mn/tx9h7xm3rn80c/

Looks like a nice neighborhood with decent schools (for resale), walking distance to the lake, walkable to grocer store, coffee shop, etc. It is move in ready but if I wanted to finish off the attic, I could. Fenced backyard that isn't too much to take care of, a garage,


That house is so cute!
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 15:30     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
My brother was living abroad for many years when he decided to return to the US. He did his research on where to live in terms of housing prices, job market, liveability, politics etc and settled on Lincoln NE. He lived there for a bit and liked it but ended up having to leave for unrelated reasons.
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 15:26     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Cute PP! Unfortunately NC is near the bottom in teacher pay- 43rd in the US. Plus I hate the humidity of the south and Mid Atlantic. I grew up in rural Maine and while I hated the rural part, I liked the snow and cold.


Did you teach in the same state for a long period of time? If you were a public school teacher you are likely losing out on a significant amount from a potential pension payment. Not sure it makes sense for you to move now.


This is my 13th year in MD so I'm vested. I've got another 17 yrs or so before I can consider retirement. I just won't be able to afford living here anymore in a few years. Rents are ridiculous and I'd like to buy my own home.
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 15:24     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I’m a single mom whose kids have recently graduated from college and live on their own. I’ve never owned a home because I’ve never had the money before. I can’t afford to buy in this area and am looking for cities that still might have affordable single family homes. I’m fine if the homes are smaller and older. I’d love to be close to nature (maybe lakes, etc) because I have a dog who loves long walks. I would like to be able to walk to a coffee shop or library also. Budget is no more than $300k. I’m a teacher so I could go anywhere. Thanks for any suggestions.


Are you handy, OP? Or planning to get married? I would not recommend an older home to a single woman especially if you had never been a homeowner. You might be happier in a townhouse with a patio and a deck for outdoor space you can manage easily alone and where there is HOA taking care of external landscaping and where repairs aren't going to be exorbitant (if you buy a relatively new unit or a remodeled one).

300K isn't a lot of money even in LCOL metro areas TBH.. It is unlikely to purchase you a home in a safe amenity rich area that's in decent condition and not a fixer upper.

Also, you didn't specify what general area/climate you prefer, or at least try to avoid.


Definitely not the south due to low teacher pay and the terrible humidity.

Many men aren't handy. None of my friends who are married have husbands who can fix anything. I'd definitely budget for it though. I rent a townhouse now and if the rent keeps increasing at the same rate, I will be priced out within four years. Even condos are $$$ and their HOA fees are out of my price range. I take care of the landscaping where I live now for a slightly reduced rent. I've always done my own mowing, mulching, weeding, edging, etc.
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 15:07     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Anonymous wrote:Cute PP! Unfortunately NC is near the bottom in teacher pay- 43rd in the US. Plus I hate the humidity of the south and Mid Atlantic. I grew up in rural Maine and while I hated the rural part, I liked the snow and cold.


Did you teach in the same state for a long period of time? If you were a public school teacher you are likely losing out on a significant amount from a potential pension payment. Not sure it makes sense for you to move now.
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 14:56     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Anonymous wrote:I’m a single mom whose kids have recently graduated from college and live on their own. I’ve never owned a home because I’ve never had the money before. I can’t afford to buy in this area and am looking for cities that still might have affordable single family homes. I’m fine if the homes are smaller and older. I’d love to be close to nature (maybe lakes, etc) because I have a dog who loves long walks. I would like to be able to walk to a coffee shop or library also. Budget is no more than $300k. I’m a teacher so I could go anywhere. Thanks for any suggestions.


Are you handy, OP? Or planning to get married? I would not recommend an older home to a single woman especially if you had never been a homeowner. You might be happier in a townhouse with a patio and a deck for outdoor space you can manage easily alone and where there is HOA taking care of external landscaping and where repairs aren't going to be exorbitant (if you buy a relatively new unit or a remodeled one).

300K isn't a lot of money even in LCOL metro areas TBH.. It is unlikely to purchase you a home in a safe amenity rich area that's in decent condition and not a fixer upper.

Also, you didn't specify what general area/climate you prefer, or at least try to avoid.
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 14:27     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Cute PP! Unfortunately NC is near the bottom in teacher pay- 43rd in the US. Plus I hate the humidity of the south and Mid Atlantic. I grew up in rural Maine and while I hated the rural part, I liked the snow and cold.
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 14:16     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone. I definitely think the Midwest suits me better weather wise. Not a fan of the awful humidity here.

As for living near my kids, I have no idea where they will end up. One is here locally and living with college friends in a group home. The other is a travel nurse so she doesn't really live anywhere for long.

I would prefer something move-in ready with the possibility of fixing it up. I have been looking online and this is kind of what I'm looking for:

https://www.homes.com/property/3215-e-50th-st-minneapolis-mn/tx9h7xm3rn80c/

Looks like a nice neighborhood with decent schools (for resale), walking distance to the lake, walkable to grocer store, coffee shop, etc. It is move in ready but if I wanted to finish off the attic, I could. Fenced backyard that isn't too much to take care of, a garage,

What about Durham NC? There are some affordable SFH that are walkable. https://redf.in/mAovmE
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 13:41     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Thanks everyone. I definitely think the Midwest suits me better weather wise. Not a fan of the awful humidity here.

As for living near my kids, I have no idea where they will end up. One is here locally and living with college friends in a group home. The other is a travel nurse so she doesn't really live anywhere for long.

I would prefer something move-in ready with the possibility of fixing it up. I have been looking online and this is kind of what I'm looking for:

https://www.homes.com/property/3215-e-50th-st-minneapolis-mn/tx9h7xm3rn80c/

Looks like a nice neighborhood with decent schools (for resale), walking distance to the lake, walkable to grocer store, coffee shop, etc. It is move in ready but if I wanted to finish off the attic, I could. Fenced backyard that isn't too much to take care of, a garage,