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Do you have an ideal place to live? A dream destination where you imagine living the rest of your life, or a place that can provide you with better career opportunities? Are you planning to shift to a new place on the East Coast but are clueless about “where”? Then you have come to the right place. Shifting to a new city is always a daunting experience. However, with the right choices, guidance, and ample awareness about the city, you can easily adjust to your new surroundings. To help you start a new chapter in your life, we bring you the best cities to live on the East Coast.
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Surrounded by the Washington D.C. metro, Ashburn is one of the most affordable places to live on the East Coast. This city offers easy access to the nearest airport i.e. the Dulles International Airport, as well as employment opportunities in the telecommunication and technology industries. Major companies such as Telos and Verizon Business are major employers in the suburban town.
An interesting fact to know about Ashburn is that a huge chunk of the world’s internet traffic passes through it. So, you understand how important this city is on a global scale. Moreover, if you are an outdoorsy person, enthusiastic about exploring nature, there’s nothing like the city of Ashburn.
Population: 49,692
Median Home Price: $667,200
Average Apartment Rent: $2,016 per month
Unemployment Rate: 4.1%.
Crime Rate: Safer than 77% of cities in the U.S.
Boston city, thriving with employment opportunities and of rich historical importance, is one of the most popular cities to live on the East Coast. So, if you are looking to start a new chapter in your career, Boston is the perfect city for you.
The city is home to some of the major corporate giants in the U.S. such as Cisco Systems, W.B. Mason, and Marshalls. Additionally, Boston is the perfect outlet for both beach and nature lovers. Contrary to popular opinion, it is in fact, a beach city due to the presence of Revere Beach, the first public beach in the U.S. For the nature-lovers out there, Boston also has a plethora of recreation centers.
Population: 695,506
Median Home Price: $667,000
Average Apartment Rent: $3,487 per month
Unemployment Rate: 6.2%
Crime Rate: Safer than 19% of cities in the U.S.
It is indeed not surprising that Charleston has been added to the list of best cities to live on the East Coast. The reason is that Charleston has consistently earned a spot among the best cities in the world. Due to its tolerance towards all religions along with a plethora of churches to visit, Charleston is also known as “the Holy city”. It is also rich in terms of top-notch restaurants, authentic cuisines, and romance. In fact, the city is often considered to be one of the most romantic cities in the United States.
The city’s economy also continues to thrive due to escalating tourism, the presence of IT services, and the commercial shipping sector. Invariably, Charleston also faces a growing demand for skilled workers and technicians, thus boosting employment in this historic city.
Population: 140,476
Median Home Price: $386,600
Average Apartment Rent: $1,677 per month
Unemployment Rate: 8.9%
Crime Rate: Safer than 17% of cities in the U.S.
Want to live with your family in a lively neighborhood? Jacksonville is the perfect place to be. It is the most populous city in Florida, offering affordable housing and real-estate costs. In fact, compared to other major cities in the US, Jacksonville is more cost-effective and cheap, with all the amenities you need.
It is also home to Naval Station Mayport, one of the best and most family-friendly Naval bases in the U.S. This makes it a definite win for military families. Additionally, the weather in Jacksonville is ideal for summer enthusiasts with the average high temperature reaching 80°F! This is the perfect weather to frequent the beach and have a relaxing weekend with your family. Imagine relaxing on the beach while your kids build sandcastles - now that’s the lifestyle you deserve!
Apart from beaches, Jacksonville also offers a wide range of family-friendly activities such as sporting events, community festivals, museums, zoos, and much more.
Population: 929,647
Median Home Price: $231,800
Average Apartment Rent: $1,381 per month
Unemployment Rate: 4.9%
Crime Rate: Safer than 8% of cities in the U.S.
Just an hour away from Atlanta, Johns Creek is one of the best cities to live on the East Coast, particularly for families or couples who are about to start a family. The city comprises reputed local schools which consistently feature among the best within the state and the country. These schools include Wilson Creek Elementary School and William & Reed Academy.
Johns Creek is also home to popular and authentic restaurants, movie theatres, and family-friendly festivals all around the year. Some of the major festivals to attend include the Fall Family Festival, Taste of Johns Creek, and Founder’s Week. With major companies like Coca-Cola, The Home Depot, and Delta Airlines located nearby, you also have abundant job opportunities to explore.
Population: 85,097
Median Home Price: $508,100
Average Apartment Rent: $1,708 per month
Unemployment Rate: 2.8%
Crime Rate: Safer than 76% of cities in the U.S.
Manchester is one of the smaller cities in Connecticut but you cannot underestimate the quality of life that the city has to offer. It is located in the Greater Hartford area and offers extremely budget-friendly housing options for its residents. So, if you are moving out to save money, Manchester is your calling. Additionally, there are faster options to commute into the main city. Both these aspects act as major benefits, especially for working-class individuals.
Manchester is known as the “Silk City” of the US due to its booming silk mills in the 19th century. Today, it flaunts its rich Scottish heritage as well as the agricultural roots of the city’s first settlers. Both these features are reflected in the lifestyle of people as well as the city’s evident small-town charm. Manchester fulfills the best of both worlds - a simplistic life for small-town enthusiasts and a lively atmosphere for those leading a busy professional life. This city effortlessly defines itself as a perfect place for bachelors and families.
Population: 29,972
Median Home Price: $205,100
Average Apartment Rent: $1,488 per month
Unemployment Rate: 8.0%
Crime Rate: Safer than 20% of cities in the U.S.
Portland, the city that houses over a third of the total population of Maine. Surprisingly, the city still has a small-town feel with close-knit communities. Contrary to popular notion, Portland is not just known for its thriving fishing and agricultural industries. Although they are important for the city’s overall growth, there are also other aspects dominating the vacationland. These include the economy and escalating tourism within the city of Portland. And of course, who can miss getting a big bite of delicious Maine lobsters?!
The inhabitants of the city enjoy the perfect weather, even during the sweltering summers. Where people in other areas experience constant sweat-weather during the summer season, Portland enjoys a mild and pleasant atmosphere. This is owing to the city’s northern location which invariably makes the winters colder. So, retiring couples can definitely give this city a try to appreciate the weather and simple lifestyle.
Population: 65,835
Median Home Price: $434,800
Average Apartment Rent: $1,633 per month
Unemployment Rate: 5.2%
Crime Rate: Safer than 16% of cities in the U.S.
Conclusion
Choosing a new city or place to live is always a difficult task. You need to consider multiple factors such as the intent behind shifting, career opportunities, type of neighborhood, amenities available, crime and unemployment rates, etc. Moreover, recreational aspects should also be considered such as the presence of museums, beaches, festivals, restaurants, parks, and more. This is to ensure a healthy work-life balance as living in a happening city will automatically better shape your life.
While it may be a tedious process, you can’t just take a shortcut and choose a city on a whim. But, we assure you that once you complete your research and decide on a city, it is surely going to get exciting from there on!
Related: Best Coast to Coast Moving Companies
What Major Cities Are There On The East Coast?
Some of the major cities, corporate and industrial hubs on the eastern coast include Boston, New York City, Washington DC, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Miami.
Is It Expensive To Live On The East Coast?
There’s a common notion that living on the East Coast, particularly in major hubs like New York City and Washington DC, is more expensive than some cities on the Western Coast. While it may be true, there is no substantial difference. In terms of the average cost of living index, cities in California and the Pacific Northwest among others aren’t cheaper at all. Hence, there’s no straightforward answer to this question. It depends on the cost factor under consideration and the city in question.
Which Is The Cheapest Place To Live On The East Coast?
Avon, Connecticut, located in the Farmington Valley, is one of the cheapest places to live on the East Coast. The median home value is approximately $382,981 according to Zillow, and the average rent from RentCafe is $1,608, with close to 72% of families owning their homes. Moreover, the annual median household income of an Avon resident is $116,565 according to BestPlaces. Comparing both figures, Avon makes for a highly affordable place to live.
See also: Cheap States to Move to | Tips for Buying a Waterfront Home
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