Best cities where the majority of homes are less than 100k.

[cinematicdiversions]

Keep in mind that does not include property taxes. Some of these cities (I am looking your way Buffalo) have very high property taxes that negate some of the savings.

Good ideas if you are retired or work remotely.

[Bayard]

1. Except--wouldn't want to live any of those places

I'll stick to my little Kentucky farm, with a nice, newer log cabin (1,100 sq ft), and 10 acres of pasture and woods, for under $100K, 7 years ago. Now, its probably worth at least twice that with everything we've done.

[fightforfreedom]

22. Sounds nice, I was stationed at Fort Knox.

Beautiful state, I raised hell in Louisville. Do they still have dry counties in Kentucky. I was fined a couple times drinking beer in parks, places I did not know were dry.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

2. Four Ohio cities in the second video.

So I decided to look up the median home prices for Yellow Springs OH, which is a VERY liberal community where several college professors (and Dave Chappelle too) reside.

I've visited Yellow Springs several times, and their homes don't look particularly impressive in general. And there's not many work opportunities nearby, really, compared to nearby Springfield OH (which made the list).

Yet the median home price in Yellow Springs is over $300,000!!

Yellow Springs named among best 'Hippie Cities For Stressed-Out Progressives'
https://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/blog/morning_call/2016/04/dayton-area-community-among-best-hippie-cities-for.html

[Buckeyeblue]

9. I grew up in Springfield. I would never live there again.

Yellow Springs is a cool small community. And not far from Dayton where there should be plenty of job opportunities.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

29. My point is that the homes in Yellow Springs...

... don't impress me much at all. The pics of homes in nearby Springfield looked nicer to me in the above video, overall.

Yet the median home price in Yellow Springs is FAR higher.

It probably boils down to supply (of money and income among many Yellow Springs liberals) and demand (the most educated tend to want to live among their own kind).

And I think it's doubtful that Yellow Springs will suddenly build a bunch of low-income housing there, for the sake of the less wealthy in the Dayton area.

Yellow Springs is much closer to WPAFB than Springfield, so the nearby work opportunities are probably better there indeed. But I don't think there's a huge difference, other than driving a few more miles.

[Buckeyeblue]

30. There is a big difference between Yellow Springs and Springfield

For 1 thing Yellow Spring is right on the edge of John Bryan State Park, which is a beautiful area. Also, Yellow springs has a real community feel to it with a number of locally owned stores and restaurants. There is a large arts community. When you buy a house there you are paying for a cool location in a quaint small town.

And if you are a liberal, as you pointed out, you'd much rather live with other liberals than what you will get in Springfield

[ShazzieB]

3. Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania.

I wasn't keeping track, but it seemed those four states were more heavily represented than any others. Yay for cheap housing in the Rust Belt, I guess!

I actually have personal knowledge of Decatur, IL, which was in the first video. We lived there for 5 years (1986-1991), and it was definitely a very cheap place to live, as it evidently still is, but I found it to be pretty boring and would not want to go back.

[ColinC]

4. This an old video or something?

I did a search on Buffalo on Zillow for under 300k and only one house popped up.

[cinematicdiversions]

7. I just did a search 119 out of 387 were under 100k

Like I said though with a lot of these older cities in the North east, the property taxes are a bit out of sorts.

[ColinC]

27. Ah had to remove "built in" filter.

Now I see them

Althoguh I would be hard pressed to want to sell my house for most of them without having at least 50k for renovations.

[DFW]

5. No cities besides Birmingham and Harlingen in the South?

Only one place in all Texas? I thought conventional wisdom had it that no one in their right mind would want to live in Texas? Actually, Dallas DID have a rep for being relatively cheap, but that was about 30 years ago. Word got out, and we still had a Democratic Governor.

[CTyankee]

20. I was born and raised in Dallas, and I lived in a hotel, the Melrose, there as my father was the

manager there. We had quite a few old people there, mostly widows who had money and could hire a "colored girl" to look after them and wheel them out to the expansive lawn on nice weather days, which was usually. I learned how to act around older people as my brother and I were given all kinds of punishments if we acted up, fought over stuff, etc.

The Melrose is still there, I see when I googled it. Lovely architecture, beautiful service in the dining room and a covered entrance on one side. It was a sort of assisted living old style!

[DFW]

37. It is indeed still there!

Before we moved, my outfit used to have its HQ not too far from there. We'd even sometimes have visitors stay there if they were coming in for only a few days.

[CTyankee]

52. My father did some "modernizing" during his tenure there as manager but the old style is now

considered a treasure, not a fuddy duddy hotel from the old days. But I learned how to act around old people (as well as what was on their cocktail list every day "about" five ("It's five o'clock somewhere" is what my mother used to say). Ah the late 1950s!

[Emile]

6. I like living outside of city limits.

[Kaleva]

8. If you are retire or work remotely and like the outdoors, Upper Michigan could be a choice

"MARQUETTE — Marquette has been named one of the world’s best cities for bicycling, according to PeopleForBikes’ fourth annual city ratings.

Marquette ranked ninth in the small cities category and 27th overall in this year’s rankings, which were announced this week. The rankings include more than 600 U.S. cities, 107 global cities and 12 countries."

https://www.miningjournal.net/news/front-page-news/2021/06/marquette-named-one-of-worlds-best-small-cities-for-bicycling/

"MARQUETTE — Marquette has secured the top spot in a recent USA Today 10Best Reader’s Choice contest. The recognition lauds Marquette County as the best Small Town for Adventure based on public voting that took place on www.10best.com through USA Today.

The contest pool contained 20 towns, all with a population of fewer than 25,000 people but considered big on outdoor adventure.

Marquette topped many well-known destinations. The top 10, in order, were: Marquette; Florence, Oregon; Watkins Glen, New York; Sedona, Arizona; Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania; Everglades City, Florida; North Conway, New Hampshire; Blowing Rock, North Carolina; Bar Harbor, Maine; and Jackson Hole, Wyoming."

https://www.miningjournal.net/news/front-page-news/2018/05/marquette-named-best-small-town-for-adventure/

"Marquette, Michigan
This picturesque lakefront town is packed to the gills with appeal—so much so that President Barack Obama couldn't resist a visit here in 2011. He met with local businesses in Marquette's historic downtown district, some of which still trade on that fame today. With 22,000 residents, Marquette is the Upper Peninsula's largest city, although the small-town feel is evident from the vibrant Lower Harbor, a home to a series of festivals from spring through fall, to the university district, where mom-and-pop shops and restaurants line the streets."

https://www.wheretraveler.com/play/midwests-most-charming-small-towns

[Emile]

10. The UP is beautiful, but the winters are long.

I use to love going fishing on the Cisco chain of lakes in Watersmeet, Mi.

[Kaleva]

13. I live not far from Watersmeet and it's a nice little town.

My wife and I were just talking last night about going to the casino there some day and playing the slots and eating at the restaurant.

[Buckeyeblue]

11. Tough winters in Marquette

[Kaleva]

12. Winters are great for those who enjoy skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling and such.

I do none of that but I keep myself occupied doing projects and babysitting grandkids.

[Klaralven]

14. 155 inches annual snowfall

https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/city/michigan/marquette

[Johnny2X2X]

19. The UP is beautiful

But it's not for most people. The Winter is just too long for most people. You're talking about good weather for only a few months a year. I live in West Michigan and we get 65 inches of snow a year and that's a lot to deal with. And more than that, the length of the Winter is just so depressing, more than just the snow, the trees are dead for 6 months. Everything is gray and dirty until May.

[xmas74]

21. My dad's a Yooper, born and raised.

It's beautiful but winters are long and it's not heavily populated, for those used to having places like Costco and Trader Joe's. It's lots of small to very small town charm.

[shrike3]

23. The UP is great, but better for seasonal living.

[llmart]

32. I doubt many people would want to live in Marquette.

You get two months of nice weather and winters are depressing.

Heck, I live north of Detroit and I'm already tired of winter after only one all-day snowfall.

[Kaleva]

41. We get a lot of people here in the fall for color season

In springtime there are dozens of falls to check out.

[Wingus Dingus]

42. Marquette does not appear to be that cheap--

just about every decent looking non-fixer upper house under 300,000 is already under contract on Realtor and Zillow. I've been looking hard at certain areas of Michigan (and PA, OH) for retirement as it's closer to family, hoping to spend not more than 250,000-300,000, but the prices all over the more-desirable parts of the state have skyrocketed (except in the struggling cities, which I won't consider)--just in the last six months I've been researching.

[Kaleva]

45. Outside of city limits of Marquette is where to look

And if you want to save more money, one can consider small towns like L'Anse. For under $300k, one can find very nice homes if one is willing to adapt to small town or village living.

I'd recommend you look at a map of Upper Michigan, determine how far you are willing to drive to a bigger town like Marquette, Houghton, Rhinelander (WI) and then check out the real estate in the towns and villages within that drive.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/LAnse_MI

[Wingus Dingus]

51. Good suggestions to consider--I'll keep poking around on Zillow, I'm pretty

open to a lot of areas right now, at least until I can visit these places in person over the next couple years.

[VGNonly]

53. The UP is nice but...

in late May, June, early July the mosquitos and blackflys will chew you up.

[New Breed Leader]

15. How many of those are sundown towns?

Asking for my black self.

[cinematicdiversions]

18. None I would expect.

Most of the cities on the list have sizable minority populations.

[Renew Deal]

16. They didn't mention one place that didn't have cold, crime, or poverty

Whatever you save in home costs gets paid in heating cost.

There are two bigger cities on the list. Cleveland and Buffalo. And two medium cities: Rochester and Birmingham. It’s interesting that there’s nothing in the sun belt outside of Texas and Birmingham. I would imagine that there are some cheap places in AZ and NM. Also, in SC and TN, but maybe not.

[cinematicdiversions]

17. Well under a 100k is a pretty low bar (Under 200k would open up more temperate cities I expect)

That said yes the more appealing places to live are of courser going to be more expensive. I think he is sticking to cities of a certain size. There are plenty of small rural towns that have very low cost of living.

[shrike3]

24. If it didn't have crime, cold or poverty, it likely wouldn't have $100k homes.

No free lunch, I guess.

[dsc]

34. Dayton and Canton are fairly large cities

Dayton is a bit over 140k

[shrike3]

25. Muncie has its charms. None of which would appeal to anyone on DU

[Captain Zero]

33. Well, it will get you outta New Castle !

But only 16 miles out....

[shrike3]

38. Muncie actually has a great riverfront bike trail

Which hooks up to a 62 mile system in that region.

The local university, Ball State, Ball State has adopted environmental sustainability as a :primary component to the university's strategic plan and vision.["

"Starting in the mid-2000s, all building additions and renovations are designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards. Standards include environmentally-friendly site selection, energy and water efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality, among others.[19] The university diverts 20 percent of its waste from landfills through recycling efforts and also invests in hybrid vehicles, hybrid-electric shuttle buses, and vehicles that use E85."

"At Spring 2009 Commencement, then-president Jo Ann Gora announced Ball State's plan for the largest geothermal energy project of its kind in the United States Ball State has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 80,000 tons annually through the installation of a $65 million geothermal heating and cooling system and the closing of all four coal-fired boilers on campus. The move is expected to save the university $2 million in fuel costs annually. The geothermal system will consist of 4,000 boreholes and two energy stations on campus. The system will consist of two underground loops to circulate water for heating and cooling throughout campus."

"The university's first green roof was installed on the North District Energy Station in 2011,[38] while a second smaller green roof was installed on the second floor of the Architecture Building in 2013.:

That said, Muncie is flat and in Indiana.

[Hortensis]

26. Liberal towns and cities are generally a lot more expensive overall.

They're more vigorous and productive and lots of people want to live there. I know because I'm among them; if we moved to a liberal town in retirement, we could now only afford a very modest place in a low-income neighborhood -- and the low-income neighborhood would likely be more conservative than others.

I say liberal instead of blue, btw, because some areas vote blue more to resist the white supremacy party than out of liberalism. Like a lot of blue minority towns in the very conservative south.

Interestingly but understandable, liberal cities also tend to be located on coasts and big waterways where cultures from far places intersect, and they're often geographically densely compacted by mountains and/or water. NYC, San Francisco.

Conservative dominated America cities are far more likely to be inland away from constant foreign influences and to be relatively flat. Oklahoma City. But also, harsh climates (the hot south and SW, frigid north) that made living especially challenging tend to produce more conservative cultures. And lower RE prices. And a thoughtful glance at any political map shows that still holds true, even with modern amenities.

[shrike3]

39. I would say that with a few exceptions your analysis is spot on.

[OilemFirchen]

28. Where did his stats come from?

Start with (paraphrasing) "if you work at Taco Bell, you can afford a $100K home." Probably true, if your rich uncle buys it for you and pays for your utilities and upkeep.

As to my lovely home town of Dayton, he says the median home value is $66,800. Yet, according to Roofstock:

Median list price of a single-family home in Dayton is $129,900 based on the most recent research from Realtor.com (November 2021).

Home values in Dayton have increased by 24.4% over the last year.

Median sold price for a single-family home in Dayton is $140,000.

Anyone else wanna weigh in on their mentioned home town?

[dsc]

35. I looked up my brother's address in Dayton

and his home is older, in OK shape but I can't imagine above the median, 2 bedroom, 1 bath room, on a very busy street so only parking is in the back on a 2 way alley, and it was worth 110k. So I did wonder about his figure. I am getting a three bedroom, 2.5 bath, new build in NC for 192,400. But it is in a small town.

[OilemFirchen]

36. Not too long ago, I would have believed his figure.

But in the last decade the city has improved dramatically, including home values. When we bought our current home nine years ago (similar to your brother's, but a six bedroom double), it was valued by the county at $63,500. Now, disregarding renovation, it's at $133,000. Market value (partially renovated) is about $275,000. Houses in our neighborhood have all sold over market within days - some immediately upon listing - in the past several years.

His video is dated January, 2022 IIRC. The data are clearly way off.

[Alhena]

31. I've been thinking of the southern suburbs of Roanoke Virginia

I like the mountains, and Roanoke is a good size. Not a lot of crime in the southern suburbs, and home prices there aren't ridiculous.

[Wingus Dingus]

40. For the love of God, stop saying "Erie Penn", dude.

It's Erie P-A. Pee Ay. Pittsburgh PA. Johnstown PA. Nobody in PA says "Penn" after a city.

That said, his stats are out of date, home prices are up dramatically across the board, even in the rust belt. If his numbers weren't tabulated in the last six months, they're useless.

[NurseJackie]

43. His pronunciation of "REED-ing" was cringe-worthy, too.

Reading (/ˈrɛdɪŋ/ RED-ing; Pennsylvania German: Reddin) is a city in and the county seat of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States. With a population of 95,112 as of the 2020 census, it is the fourth-largest city in Pennsylvania.

[NurseJackie]

44. I wonder if it was text-to-speech.

[Wingus Dingus]

46. I don't think so, I've seen this guy's videos before.

I think maybe nobody from PA ever corrected him.

[NurseJackie]

47. Clearly, he doesn't get out very much.

... he's too busy putting together fluff "top ten" lists/slideshows on his monetized clickbait channel.

[Wingus Dingus]

49. It's such basic research, to pronounce a place properly--

a minute on the google machine, tops. Makes me doubt literally anything he says.

[NurseJackie]

48. At least he didn't say Erie-pah!

[Wingus Dingus]

50. LOL, yeah.