Anonymous
Post 10/20/2025 10:45     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Suburbs of Hartford, CT
Anonymous
Post 10/20/2025 10:40     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
How about St. Louis? West of the City is safe and affordable. And St. Louis has Forest Park which is one of the top 10 city parks. https://www.redfin.com/MO/Maryland-Heights/2229-Murray-Forest-Dr-63043/home/93417326
Anonymous
Post 10/20/2025 06:50     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Anonymous wrote:There are single family homes in Howard County for less than $300k?


No- I live in Howard county and it is expensive- high property taxes and any home in Columbia pays an additional HOA fee. My house (3000 square feet) valued at 900k - property taxes 11,800 + CA fee 2380 annually.
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 22:07     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Shaker Heights, Ohio (suburb of Cleveland)
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 21:39     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
There are single family homes in Howard County for less than $300k?
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 21:35     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:You can buy a single family home in Baltimore for less than $300k.


But the schools suck. The OP said she wants good resale value.


This plus look at the property taxes. We've considered moving to Baltimore very seriously because a lot of my work is there. The housing prices are lower but when you factor in taxes and look at appreciation, it makes more sense to stay in a smaller place in the DC suburbs. Lower taxes for better schools/services, property more likely to retain or gain value, and better long-term job options.

Even with recent issues with fed employment, DC is still a better deal than Baltimore.

I would look at Howard county though. You could look at teaching jobs in Howard, Ann Arundel, Montgomery, PG, and Baltimore counties. Really nice place for kids. Good schools. Very car dependent but good quality if life. I wish I could talk my husband into it.
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 21:29     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Anonymous wrote:You can buy a single family home in Baltimore for less than $300k.


But the schools suck. The OP said she wants good resale value.
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 21:24     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
You can buy a single family home in Baltimore for less than $300k.
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 21:13     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Pittsburgh, PA.

Wisconsin. Wauwatosa and maybe Shorewood might be good fits. Maybe Port Washington (but that is farther out and requires driving).

Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 21:01     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote: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.


Neither is cheap and Northfield isn’t a city.


Odd post.

Redfin disagrees with you about affordability in both places. Yes, there is a range of housing costs anywhere on the planet, but there are viable options both places per Redfin.

Quoted post explicitly said Northfield is a college town, so that was not new information.
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 20:08     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Move to just west of Richmond. Western Henrico county is very affluent, but many teachers commute in from the next county over, which is more affordable. Charlottesville is about an hour away with gorgeous hiking, and there are multiple lakes in the area.

https://henrico.gov/rec/places/three-lakes/
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 18:20     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Anonymous wrote:
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


How is that house walkable without pedestrian walkway.
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 17:44     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Chicago
Minneapolis
Pittsburgh
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 17:43     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Anonymous wrote: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.


Neither is cheap and Northfield isn’t a city.
Anonymous
Post 10/19/2025 17:42     Subject: Fairly safe metro areas that are still affordable
Anonymous wrote:
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


I’ve been to Charleston. It has less than 50,000 people. Not a real city. I also own a home in Jefferson County. Not cheap. So, as I said, no real cities and the entire state isn’t inexpensive.