What city should he choose??? (Columbus, Cleveland: apartments, to rent, high crime)

[travelbug76]

OK so a friend of mines and his buddies are going to travel around the world for a year starting June of 2020. He has researched just about every state/city in the country for affordable places to live. Currently he pays around $1,500 a month for a 3br 2ba in Florida. He wants to save up at least $60,000 for his trip. He will have residual income from online businesses of around $3,600 every month while he is traveling on top of what he has saved up. In order for him to save up that type of cash he will be relocating to OH. He is not sure what city just yet. From his research he can find a decent 2br for $400-600 per month. Which is AWESOME! He has been reading about the super high crime around Ohio. So in your opinion what city offers super cheap housing but without so much crime. I know I know I know cheap housing =high crime. However, perhaps you can give me info on suburbs of major cites that are nice. Side note he works from home. So he isn't so much worried about jobs. Any info would be great thanks in advance.

[ATLForr]

Dublin (Columbus), Centerville (Dayton) and Mason (Cincinnati) come to mind.

[SonnyDaze]

Originally Posted by ATLForr

Dublin (Columbus), Centerville (Dayton) and Mason (Cincinnati) come to mind.

Of these 3, Centerville (and several adjacent suburbs) is the most likely to have "cheap" apartments aka a decent selection of 2 BR options starting in the $700-$800/month range. I'd expect Mason and Dublin to be a bit more expensive.

I know in my hometown of Cincinnati, you can find a 2 BR in a decent area (but likely a bit removed from the city proper) for as low as $600-$650/month.

As for taking the next step in planning, I guess it all depends on what other criteria is important aside from cheap rent in a safe area.

[ohio_peasant]

Centerville (suburb of Dayton) won't be particularly cheap. It has one of the best school-districts and excellent local services. Much cheaper would be Riverside, Fairborn, Huber Heights or Xenia... all suburbs of Dayton... all are quite safe from a crime-viewpoint, but a bit drab and boring places to live, with questionable schools. If we're talking about a single person, without children, who doesn't need local employment, and who keeps to himself - that is, doesn't require much socializing for entertainment or business-networking... then any of the aforementioned places will be fine.

[ferraris]

If the goal is simply to have a really low cost of living, the best bet is the random small cities. Places like Norwalk, Findlay, Marietta, etc.

Renting a mobile home is another option, but be sure of the utilities situation. Heating a poorly insulated trailer can add up quickly.

If they want to be in the bigger cities, they could find some "depressed but basically safe" neighborhood and rent a home or apartment there. Some place like North Collinwood in Cleveland, neighboring Euclid, or practically half of Toledo.

Would he be willing to go car free for a while to save even more? Someplace like Shaker Square or Cleveland Heights would work well for that. I would not attempt car-free living in Ohio outside of Cleveland. Other areas will either be too expensive, or too poorly served by alternative transportation options.

As for the "super high crime"...what? This is news to me.

[TheYO]

Check out Youngstown, specifically the suburbs of Austintown and Boardman. Plenty of two bedroom places there for under $600. Both are safe communities with typical suburban amenities. He'd be an hour away from both Cleveland and Pittsburgh for more cultural and entertainment options

[on3]

If you can find housing to rent in Dublin, Centerville, or Mason
in your range, I’d take those options over Youngstown area any day of the week.

[Rebek56]

Prices in Marietta have gone up in recent years. I doubt there are many (if any) two-bedroom units for $600 these days. Toledo is a good option for people on a budget.