As Americans flee pricey cities in search of affordable homes, many are discovering that low-cost living can come with a steep price in personal safety.
The dream of a white picket fence and a low mortgage payment can be powerfully alluring, especially when city life starts to wear you down. You may have scrolled through real estate listings, seen a shockingly low price tag in a town, and thought, “Maybe this is the answer?” The promise of a tight-knit community and financial freedom is a strong pull for many Americans.
But before you pack up the U-Haul and head for greener, cheaper pastures, it is important to pull back the curtain. Some of those bargain-priced towns hide a darker side, where the low cost of living comes at a much higher price. From staggering crime rates to a lack of opportunity, some deals are too good to be true.
Camden, New Jersey
For years, Camden was frequently cited as the most dangerous city in America. While the city has made some strides in reducing its crime rate through innovative policing strategies, it still has a long way to go. Certain neighborhoods remain very dangerous, and the city’s reputation lingers for a reason.…