If you’re thinking of relocating for retirement, you’re going to want to choose a city that’s known for having low crime rates. You’ll want somewhere you can safely walk around without having to worry. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for all U.S. cities. Here are 19 of the most dangerous.
St. Louis, Missouri
The chances of being a victim of violent crime in St. Louis are 1 in 68, while in the state of Missouri, it’s only 1 in 205. It shows just how high the crime rates are in St. Louis, making it an undesirable city to retire in.
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham has one of the highest violent crime rates in the country, which includes assault and robbery. This can be attributed to the high poverty rates in the city. There are many social issues in Birmingham, which makes it a stressful environment for retirees.
Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore can be seen as a risky city for retirees as it has high violent crime rates. The city has high drug-related crimes and it can add a sense of uncertainty when it comes to feeling safe. The chances of being a victim of violent or property crime in Baltimore are 1 in 21.
Memphis, Tennessee
It’s common for Memphis to appear on dangerous cities lists, as its crime statistics are always high. Many poverty and economic issues in Memphis are thought to contribute to its high crime rates. The safety of neighborhoods can vary, so it’s best if retirees avoid Memphis.
Detroit, Michigan
The crime index for Detroit is 74.41, which is very high compared to other U.S. cities. Many people don’t feel safe walking around the city at night or during daylight hours, and crime only seems to be increasing. Detroit has a reputation for having high crime rates and it’s economic conditions can effect the quality of life for retirees.
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland has a high violent crime rate and this can be a huge concern for retirees, as they’re going to want to feel safe in their home. The city has faced economic issues and these are thought to increase the rate of crime. It can be hard to choose the right area to live in Cleveland, so it’s best avoided all together.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans may be seen as a tourist hotspot, but there are still areas that should be avoided at all costs, thanks to their high crime rates. The city has seen many violent crimes carried out, meaning it’s somewhere all retirees are going to want to avoid.
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport has a high crime rate, with it’s most troublesome areas being violent and property crimes. Crimes affect 46 out of 1000 residents, making it one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S. Finding a safe neighborhood to retire in could be a challenge for retirees.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is well-known for its high crime rates, especially when it comes to more violent acts. The city is thought to have many economic issues, such as poverty, and these only exacerbate the rate of crime. The overall safety of the city is at an all time low, making it undesirable for retirees.
Little Rock, Arkansas
Area Vibes writes, “The overall crime rate in Little Rock is 209% higher than the national average.” It’s high crime rates are rooted in property and violent crime, which can be down to economic issues with the city. It can be hard for retirees to feel secure in Little Rock.
Oakland, California
Oakland can be seen as an unsuitable city for people to retire in, thanks to it’s high rates of violent crime. Acts of crime affect 81 out of every 1000 residents in Oakland, and while this rate does seem to be dropping, the city still isn’t considered a safe place to live.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Crime rates in Milwaukee are on the decline, but the chance of being a victim of violent crime is still high at 1 in 66, while property crime is 1 in 28. Safety can vary depending on the neighborhood, but it still isn’t worth the risk for retirees.
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City experiences high crime rates, especially in property crime, where the chance of being a victim is 1 in 21. It’s thought that poverty rates will increase the high crime rates in the city. While there are areas that retirees can avoid to feel safer, it’s still a city to stay away from.
San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino County writes, “The property crime rate decreased by 10% between 2018 and 2019 and the violent crime rate increased by 15% during the same one-year period.” Crime rates are still considered high today, with San Bernardino being one of the most dangerous cities in California.
Richmond, Virginia
The crime rate in Virginia is 86.8% higher than in other U.S. cities. It has a high violent crime rate and this can be a huge concern for retirees who want to live in a peaceful city. Safety concerns can be lower in different city areas, but overall, it’s seen as an unsafe place to live.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas may be one of the most popular cities in America, but it’s also one of the most dangerous. The city faces high rates of property crime, making a person feel unsafe in their own home. For this reason, people should avoid Las Vegas as a city to retire in.
Pueblo, Colorado
Pueblo has some of the highest crime rates in the country, 244.7% higher than the national average. The city has many issues with violent and property crimes, making it an unsafe area for retirees. Colorado has much friendlier cities for people to retire in.
North Charleston, South Carolina
It can be hard for anyone to feel safe in North Charleston, not just retirees. The city has high violent and property crime rates, many of which are related to its economic issues. The overall safety in North Charleston can be a huge deterrent for retirees.
Cincinnati, Ohio
The average crime rate in Cincinnati is higher than the national average. This is supported by Best Places, which writes, “Cincinnati, OH has a significantly higher rate of violent crime than the US average. With a rate of 46.8 per 100,000 people compared to 22.7 for the US.”
Up Next: 17 Commonly Believed Myths About The Wild West That Are Actually False
The Wild West was a peculiar place to live in, for sure. But are the stories of gunslinging cowboys and superhero sheriffs true? Here are 17 myths about the Wild West you should stop believing today.
17 COMMONLY BELIEVED MYTHS ABOUT THE WILD WEST THAT ARE ACTUALLY FALSE
18 Signs Someone Has a Personality Disorder
Personality disorders are underdiagnosed because they’re often misconceived as people ‘being difficult.’ Society also tends to focus more on the symptoms of anxiety and depression that accompany personality disorders, neglecting the other signs. To promote understanding, here are 18 signs someone isn’t being difficult but has a personality disorder.
18 SIGNS SOMEONE HAS A PERSONALITY DISORDER
20 Reasons Why Older Couples Are Ending Their Relationships
As our society modernizes and normalizes separation for couples who feel unhappy or stagnated, even older couples are choosing to end their marriages in greater numbers. While staying “till death do us part” and spending your golden years with a life-long partner may be more traditional, here are 20 reasons why older people might now be choosing divorce instead.