This is a follow up to my previous question about cities for living downtown and car free. I really need to emphasize that I'm asking about living in these downtowns, not near them but in them. I'm a downtown loft urbanite kind of guy. I'm originally from the east coast, so I feel like I have a decent grasp on what Cleveland is and isn't, but I haven't been there in a long time. I've never been to St. Louis or Kansas City. How do they compare?
Why these three cities?
I can afford $150K. With that, the only downtown places I've found that I can afford to buy are in St. Louis or Kansas City... or maybe Cleveland (though my search continues: see previous question).
Here's me in a nutshell: I'm single, car free, debt free, and in a position to buy a home for the first time. I have poor vision, so I don't drive or bike. I walk or take mass transit, but I prefer to live where I can walk to everything I need for daily life. Groceries, a library, some shopping, dining, etc.
I'm a bit of a homebody, but I prefer living in the heart of a place. I thrive on the hustle & bustle of city life. I love being able to step out my front door and have the city at my feet. I currently live in Portland OR, but I've been priced out of this town. Prices here have skyrocketed over the past decade (a condo I used to rent for $700 is currently selling for around $240K! Ouch). I'm ready for a change anyway.
So... St. Louis. Kansas City. Cleveland. How do they compare? (I'm also open to another city where I could buy downtown for under $150K & walk to everything I'd need for daily life. So, if you know of a city like that... how does it compare?).
Shopping? Groceries? Light rail?
Dating - do people come downtown or do they dread it?
Is the city on the rise, or is it in a downturn? Do you think it'll be better or worse in a decade?
Is it a good or bad time to buy there?
What's the weather really like there?
I've been a renter my whole life, so I'm not even entirely sure what to ask. |
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