The Pros and Cons of Living in the Midwest

Written by Posted On Friday, 04 August 2017 13:11

Finding a new place to live and settle down in is a big choice and commitment. One area of the country that is the home to tens of millions of people is the Midwest. Prior to deciding to move to the Midwest, there are several pros and cons that you should be aware of.

 

Pro - Affordable Housing

One of the main benefits of living in the Midwest is that it has more affordable housing than other areas of the country. The Midwest has several different cities, including Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Milwaukee, where the median home price is about $200,000. This is compared to some east and west coast cities where the median home value is 2 to 3 times that amount. At the same time, median income is not that much lower. Overall, this makes it far more affordable to live in the Midwest.

 

Pro - Less Crowds

Another big benefit of living in the Midwest is that it tends to be much less crowded than other areas of the country. Cities along the east and west coast, including New York, Boston, and to San Francisco are well known for being very densely populated and having long commute times. Outside of some major cities in the region, such as Chicago, the Midwest is much more wide open. This allows for shorter commute times and a less stressful way of life.

 

Pro - Less Crime

While there are some certain outliers to this rule, crime in the Midwest overall is much lower than other parts of the country. Many of the best places to live in Ohio and other Midwest states and other Midwest states tend to be less densely populated and have less violent crime than cities located in the southwest or northeast United States. This can help to give a better overall sense of safety for those that live in the area.

 

Con - Cold Weather

Overall, the Midwest is well known for having four full seasons every year. While the change of seasons is enjoyed by many people, there are normally at least two or three months every year in which it can be very cold. Most Midwest states will experience temperatures well below 20° and wind chills below zero. Fortunately, these cold weather months tend to go by fast and are offset by nicer summers.

 

Con - Lack of Outdoor Amenities

One of the main advantages of living along the east or west coast is having access to outdoor amenities. Being located within a short drive of the beach or mountain ranges provides people with plenty of recreational outdoor activities. While these activities can be very fun and relaxing, they can also be used to promote a healthier lifestyle. While the Midwest does have plenty of forests and lakes, there nothing is quite as nice as a day at an ocean beach.

 

Con - Less Public Transit

The third kind of living in the Midwest is that there is less public transportation overall. Due to the lower population density, the need for train and bus lines in most Midwest city is is much lower. This is a disadvantage for anyone that would prefer to sit and relax on their way to work or reduce their carbon footprint. Furthermore, those that do not live near one of the major cities in the Midwest will find that they may have to travel several hours to get to an international airport or will have to take a connecting flights for many of their trips.

 

In conclusion, one of the largest sections of the United States is the Midwest. For those that are considering moving to the Midwest, there are several pros and cons of Midwest living that they must to be aware of.

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Sofia Belnap

Sophia is passionate about writing in the real estate and home improvement spaces. When Sophia is not writing she loves reading, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.

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