Don’t Move Here: 21 US Towns on the Downhill Slope

Written By Jill Taylor

While small towns can be really appealing to move to, it’s becoming increasingly common for some to have more problems than benefits. This means people might want to refrain from moving to the following 21 US towns, as they’re on a downhill slope. 

Rock Springs, Wyoming

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Rock Springs is having a tough time with fewer jobs and closing businesses. People are moving away, leaving many empty buildings behind. Data USA supports this, noting a 0.613% decrease in its population. Local services are stretched thin, and the community is dealing with serious financial problems.

Gary, Indiana

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Most people are likely aware that Gary’s steel industry has tanked, leading to high unemployment and fewer people living there. Crime has gone up, and many buildings are empty. Attempts to revive the town haven’t worked well, making it a tough place to live.

Cairo, Illinois

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If you look deeper at Cairo, Illinois, you’ll realize it’s struggling with a tough economy and fewer people living there. Many shops have shut down, and the city’s infrastructure is falling apart. Locals have few job and education opportunities, leading to ongoing poverty.

Pine Bluff, Arkansas

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It seems that Pine Bluff is facing tough times with economic struggles and high crime rates. The loss of manufacturing jobs has hit hard, and many residents have moved away for better opportunities, leaving the town with big challenges.

East St. Louis, Illinois

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You might want to think twice about moving to East St. Louis, as it struggles with a lot of crime and poverty. People are now jobless due to the loss of industrial work, and the city’s infrastructure is falling apart. Attempts to make things better have been slow and mostly haven’t worked.

Youngstown, Ohio

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It’s well known that when Youngstown’s steel industry collapsed, many people lost their jobs and left the city. Now, the area struggles with high crime rates and many empty buildings. While there have been some efforts to improve things, there are still many hurdles to overcome.

Huntington, West Virginia

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It’s upsetting to hear that Huntington is dealing with high poverty and that it has a serious opioid problem. The local economy isn’t strong, and job opportunities are limited. Also, efforts to fight addiction and improve the community have had mixed success.

Camden, New Jersey

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You may want to pick a different New Jersey town to move to, as Camden has a reputation for high crime and economic troubles. Despite attempts to improve the city, many neighborhoods are still unsafe and poor. The people living there deal with big issues like finding good jobs, getting a decent education, and securing affordable housing.

Flint, Michigan

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One thing we can all agree on is that Flint’s water crisis spotlighted its problems. The city also deals with high poverty and crime rates and a shrinking population. While there’s ongoing work to fix these issues, living in Flint is still tough, and you may want to wait a few more years before moving here.

Detroit, Michigan

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It’s common knowledge that Detroit has faced tough times with a struggling economy and high crime. Many buildings are abandoned, and the public schools are having a hard time. Despite efforts to turn things around, the city still has a lot of hurdles to overcome.

Stockton, California

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While it may have been over a decade ago, Stockton declared bankruptcy in 2012 and has struggled to recover ever since. High crime rates, poverty, and a weak job market continue to affect residents, and despite efforts to improve the situation, Stockton remains a difficult place to live.

Bakersfield, California

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If you weren’t already aware, Bakersfield faces high unemployment and significant air pollution issues. The local economy is heavily reliant on agriculture and oil, both of which have declined. Residents often face health problems related to pollution and limited job opportunities.

Albany, Georgia

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If you want to move to Georgia, you should think twice about Albany, as it struggles with increasing crime and poverty. Most people are aware of the poor economy and how it means they have limited employment opportunities. Efforts to revitalize the area have had limited success, making it a challenging place to live.

Cleveland, Ohio

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Cleveland also faces high crime rates, poverty, and a declining population. The city is in desperate need of modernization, and many areas should be repaired. Revitalization efforts have made some progress, but significant challenges remain.

Newburgh, New York

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You should avoid moving to Newburgh, as it struggles with crime and money challenges. The local economy is weak, and many residents face limited job opportunities. Efforts to improve the situation have had limited success, making it a difficult place to live.

Reading, Pennsylvania

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Because it’s struggling economically, Reading faces high poverty rates and limited job opportunities. The local economy is weak, and residents struggle to make ends meet with little employment. Efforts to revitalize the area have had mixed results, leaving many challenges for the community.

Wilmington, Delaware

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If you were thinking of moving to Wilmington, it’s important to know that it grapples with crime and economic challenges. The local economy is weak, so many residents face limited employment opportunities. Efforts to improve the situation have had limited success, making it a difficult place to live.

Shreveport, Louisiana

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Unless you live there, it’s hard to know that Shreveport struggles with high amounts of crime and economic difficulties. The local economy relies heavily on oil, which has seen steep declines. Residents face limited job opportunities and significant challenges related to poverty and crime.

Memphis, Tennessee

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Even though it’s an exciting city, Memphis faces high crime rates, poverty, and a declining population. The city’s infrastructure is aging, which means areas need repair. Efforts to revitalize Memphis have made some progress, but significant challenges remain.

Chester, Pennsylvania

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If you research enough, you’ll find that Chester struggles with high crime rates and economic challenges. Because of these challenges, residents face limited job opportunities. Efforts to improve the situation have had limited success, making it a difficult place to live.

Binghamton, New York

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It’s a shame that Binghamton faces high poverty rates and a declining population. There are issues with the town’s economy, so unfortunately, residents struggle to find employment. Efforts to revitalize the area have had mixed results, leaving many challenges for the community.

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