The crime crisis, poor housing affordability and high cost of living have made Washington, D.C. the least "desirable" place in the country in which to live, according to a new survey by Home Bay:
Rural (21%) and suburban (24%) residents agree that the District is the most undesirable city. Approximately 20 percent of [all] Americans say D.C. is one of the worst places to live.
Rounding out the top five least desirable cities to live in, Washington D.C. is followed by:Baltimore (Maryland), Atlanta (Georgia), Buffalo (New York) and Birmingham (Alabama).
Crime, housing and high cost of living
The high rate of crime is a major factor influencing Americans' perception of the district. So far this year, the city has seen a "30 percent increase in violent crime and a 29 percent increase in property crime." In addition, there has also been a 20 percent increase in the number of homicides compared to last year.
The high cost of living -10% higher than average - is another factor affecting citizens' opinion of the city. While the price of a house is 24 percent higher than the national average.
Seattle, Washington, is the most sought-after venue
Seattle, Washington, is the most desirable place to live due in part to its strong economic performance. According to the survey, the city "has become a powerhouse in recent years as Amazon, Microsoft and Starbucks have brought jobs, wealth and influence to the city."
Americans say Seattle is the best city in the United States.
However, despite being America's favorite city to live in, Seattle is one of the most expensive places in the country. The home price is over $700,000 (compared to the national average of over $400,000) and the cost of living is 14 percent higher than the national average.
