What a $250,000 Home Looks Like in Every State

Whether you’re simply browsing or looking to relocate, we’ve scoped out a home for sale for $250,000 in each of the largest cities in every state for $250,000, which is just shy of the national median list price of $289,000. These homes range from from 900 square feet in New York City to 3,504 square feet in Wichita, KS, and show where you can get the most bang for your buck.

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    $250K-in-Every-State-Birmingham-AL

    Alabama

    Alabama: Birmingham
    Three Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    $250K-in-Every-State-Anchorage-AK

    Alaska

    Alaska: Anchorage
    Three Bedroom Home
    $250,000

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    $250K-in-Every-State-Phoenix-AZ

    Arizona

    Arizona: Phoenix
    Three Bedroom Home
    $259,000

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    Arkansas

    Arkansas: Little Rock
    Four Bedroom Home
    $250,000

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    California

    California: Los Angeles
    Three Bedroom House
    $255,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Denver-CO

    Colorado

    Colorado: Denver
    Two Bedroom Condo
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Bridgeport-CT

    Connecticut

    Connecticut: Bridgeport
    Nine Bedroom Townhouse
    $255,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Wilmington-DE

    Delaware

    Delaware: Wilmington
    Three Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Jacksonville-FL

    Florida

    Florida: Jacksonville
    Four Bedroom Home
    $254,900

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Atlanta-GA

    Georgia

    Georgia: Atlanta
    Four Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Honolulu-HI

    Hawaii

    Hawaii: Honolulu
    One Bedroom Condo
    $250,000

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    Idaho

    Idaho: Boise
    Three Bedroom Home
    $259,900

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    Illinois

    Illinois: Chicago
    One Bedroom Apartment
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Indianapolis-IN

    Indiana

    Indiana: Indianapolis
    Four Bedroom Home
    $250,000

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    Iowa

    Iowa: Des Moines
    Three Bedroom Home
    $250,000

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    Kansas

    Kansas: Wichita
    Five Bedroom Home
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Louisville-KY

    Kentucky

    Kentucky: Louisville
    Two Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    Louisiana

    Louisiana: New Orleans
    Three Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    Maine

    Maine: Portland
    Three Bedroom Home
    $250,000

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    Maryland

    Maryland: Baltimore
    Four Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Boston-MA

    Massachusetts

    Massachusettes: Boston
    Three Bedroom Condo
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Detroit-MI

    Michigan

    Michigan: Detroit
    Four Bedroom Home
    $250,000

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    Minnesota

    Minnesota: Minneapolis
    Three Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Jackson-MS

    Mississippi

    Mississippi: Jackson
    Four Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Kansas-City-MO

    Missouri

    Missouri: Kansas City
    Four Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    Montana

    Montana: Billings
    Two Bedroom Townhouse
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Omaha-NE

    Nebraska

    Nebraska: Omaha
    Four Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    Nevada

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    New Hampshire

    New Hampshire: Manchester
    Two Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    New Jersey

    New Jersey: Newark
    Three Bedroom Townhouse
    $259,800

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    New Mexico

    New Mexico: Albuquerque
    Three Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-New York-NY

    New York

    New York: New York
    Three Bedroom Coop
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Charlotte-NC

    North Carolina

    North Carolina: Charlotte
    Four Bedroom Home
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Fargo-ND

    North Dakota

    North Dakota: Fargo
    Four Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Columbus-OH

    Ohio

    Ohio: Columbus
    Three Bedroom Home
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Oklahoma-City-OK

    Oklahoma

    Oklahoma: Oklahoma City
    Four Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Portland-OR

    Oregon

    Oregon: Portland
    Two Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    Pennslyvania

    Pennslyvania: Philadelphia
    Three Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Providence-RI

    Rhode Island

    Rhode Island: Providence
    Four Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Charleston-SC

    South Carolina

    South Carolina: Charleston
    Three Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Sioux-Falls-SD

    South Dakota

    South Dakota: Sioux Falls
    Four Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Nashville-TN

    Tennessee

    Tennessee: Nashville
    Three Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Houston-TX

    Texas

    Texas: Houston
    Two Bedroom Apartment
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Salt-Lake-City-UT

    Utah

    Utah: Salt Lake City
    Three Bedroom House
    $255,000

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    Vermont

    Vermont: Burlington
    Three Bedroom Townhouse
    $270,000

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    Virginia

    Virginia: Virginia Beach
    Three Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    Washington

    Washington: Seattle
    Two Bedroom Home
    $250,000

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    $250K-Homes-Across-America-Washington-D.C.

    Washington, D.C.

    Washington, D.C.
    Studio Apartment
    $259,999

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    Wisconsin

    Wisconsin: Milwaukee
    Four Bedroom House
    $250,000

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    Wyoming

    Wyoming: Cheyenne
    Three Bedroom House
    $250,000

Any cities on the list that excite or surprise you? Comment below and let us know!

The post What a $250,000 Home Looks Like in Every State appeared first on Trulia's Blog.

Cindy Crawford And Rande Gerber Sell Their Malibu Home For $45M

Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber are going strong. The world-famous supermodel and her entrepreneur husband just sold their four-bed, six-bath home in Malibu for a whopping $45 million. Technically it’s a loss for the duo, who bought the home for $50.5 million back in 2015 and intended to sell it at a profit after renovations. But we’re guessing they aren’t shedding any tears over this flop of a house flip!

Measuring 5254 square feet, this one-of-a-kind beach compound is set on three natural acres filled with mature trees, panoramic ocean views, and winding walkways to the sandy beach. Guests enter through the long driveway, which winds past a tennis court to the newly-renovated, architectural-style home, which was originally built in 1944. On the main floor, a great room with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors provides panoramic views of Malibu’s sparkling beaches and ocean. A large kitchen with a breakfast bar and spacious island is the dream of any aspiring chef. The master suite is like a vacation in itself, thanks to a cozy fireplace, sitting area, two separate spa-like baths and roomy dressing closets. An additional room with beautiful ocean views currently functions as a media room, but could easily be converted into a home office or additional bedroom.

Just last year, the couple dropped $11.625 million on a sprawling estate in Beverly Hills. That home, which is located inside the coveted Trousdale Estates, was purchased from One Republic singer Ryan Tedder. The couple also owns two other properties in Malibu, including a beach house that can be yours for the low, low price of $19,500 a month.  Then there’s their property in Los Cabos, Mexico and a lake house near Ontario, Canada, because hey, everyone’s got to have options.

 

The post Cindy Crawford And Rande Gerber Sell Their Malibu Home For $45M appeared first on Trulia's Blog.

What It’s Like to Live in These American Gayborhoods

The Castro. Greenwich Village. Chelsea. America’s most historic LGBTQ neighborhoods have plenty of name recognition, but lesser-known gayborhoods are in almost every city in the country. And living in them is not all Pride parades and rainbow-clad bars (although there are plenty of those, too). From Salt Lake City to suburban Atlanta, we take an inside look at everyday life in these five fascinating gayborhoods.

 

South End, Boston

Good music is easy to find in Boston’s South End. See available homes here.

South End, Boston

Boston’s South End was once a jazz stronghold—now it’s a gay one.

With its collection of immaculately preserved Victorian row houses (the largest in the nation), handsome public parks, and sought-after restaurants, the South End is considered one of Boston’s most desirable neighborhoods. It’s also the gayest: According to the 2010 census, it was the city’s most popular neighborhood for same-sex male couples.

In the mid-19th century, the area was a haven for wealthy urbanites. When they fled for the suburbs in the early 20th century, the neighborhood became a home for African Americans, who brought jazz to the South End. Between 1915 and 1917, the top black musicians’ union in the country had its offices in the South End. Wally’s Cafe, one of the last remaining jazz clubs in the area, keeps the neighborhood’s musical legacy alive today.

Outside of jazz, there are many other beloved nightlife spots to be found—including the Boston Eagle, a long-running gay bar. These buzzy spots keep South End’s commercial district running late into the night, mostly with young professionals. But many of the leafy side streets are whisper-quiet. “While a lot of people like to say the South End is gentrifying, it’s not all for the worst,” says Jeffrey Borst, a retiree who has lived in the neighborhood for 12 years. “More families are moving in, and the food scene is better than ever. You don’t need to go to other neighborhoods for good food anymore.”

The centrally-located and increasingly swanky South End is among Boston’s pricier areas. The median home sales price is $905,000. (Elsewhere in Boston it’s $620,000.) Median rent lands at $5,350. The good news is the South End has plenty available to buy or rent.


 

 

Avondale Estates, Georgia

Avondale Estates Georgia is as quaint a town as they come. See available homes here.

Avondale Estates, Georgia

 Avondale Estates is home to the Georgia General Assembly’s first openly gay representative—and she’s still serving after 17 years.

This tight-knit community is only eight miles east of Atlanta, though it can feel more like England. Named after Shakespeare’s birthplace, Avondale Estates is full of tree-lined streets, small-town charm and an impressive collection of Tudor Revival architecture. Even the downtown looks straight out of the English countryside (complete with the Towne Cinema).

Avondale Estates not only has the state’s highest population of same-sex couples, it’s also had a gay representative, Karla Drenner, since 2001. She was the first openly gay person elected to the Georgia General Assembly and is now one of only four LGBTQ representatives.

The well-behaved suburb offers a flourishing food and arts scene—every fall is the annual AutumnFest, which brings together local artisans and food (including an apple pie contest). Because of the many families that call the Estates home—it’s home to a popular magnet school—expect to see lots of strollers on the streets, and plenty of family-friendly dining and entertainment options. “We really hit the jackpot,” one resident says in a Trulia school review.

Avondale Estates—while still affordable, compared to other parts of metro Atlanta—is seeing substantial growth in home value. The median sales price for homes is $322,500, up from $292,900 the year before. The median rent is $1,947, but the market for rentals can be scarce.


 

 

Marmalade District, Salt Lake City

Want to live in Salt Lake City’s Marmalade District? Knowing how to preserve fruit will come in handy. See available homes here.

Marmalade District, Salt Lake City

The Marmalade District was named after fruit preserves, so of course its first gay bar was called “Club Jam.”

Salt Lake City—or Utah for that matter—probably isn’t the first place people think of when they think of LGBTQ enclaves. But the city’s historic Marmalade District, located just north of downtown and west of the Capitol Building, has been drawing LGBTQ individuals for at least a decade—and they’ve helped shaped Salt Lake City into a welcoming place for all kinds of people.

The neighborhood was the original home of the Utah Pride Center, but many locals credit the 2007 opening of Club Jam, the neighborhood’s first gay bar, for sowing the seeds of inclusivity.

Speaking of seeds, the neighborhood was named after the fruit trees planted by early settlers, and every year the neighborhood council hosts the Marmalade Jam Fest, which features a fruit preservation competition.

The Marmalade District is quiet, residential, and picturesque. “Many parks, historic sites, cultural opportunities nearby,” one resident says on Trulia’s What Locals Say. “Ensign Peak is a couple of miles to the north, and is one of my favorite spots with stunning views of the entire south and western valley.”

The Marmalade District is considered part of the Capitol Hill neighborhood. It’s among the city’s priciest areas—the average listing price is $720,566. (The average listing price in all of Salt Lake City is $432,629.) In Marmalade, in particular, many of the homes are historic and highly coveted. The eclectic mix of homes feature examples of Carpenter, Gothic, and Italianate architecture.


 

 

Andersonville, Chicago

Andersonville is a gayborhood with more than its fair share of pickled herring and knäckebröd. See available homes here.

Andersonville, Chicago

Andersonville has a Scandinavian past and an LGBTQ present. 

The Boystown neighborhood may get all the credit—what with being the nation’s first officially recognized gay village and all—but nearby Andersonville, about seven miles north of downtown Chicago, is a gayborhood unlike any other. Swedish farmers first settled the area in the mid-19th century, and the neighborhood still has a strong Scandinavian identity, anchored by the Swedish American Museum and an assortment of Swedish bakeries and restaurants.

The community of about 110,000 has long been considered a lesbian enclave—it’s sometimes referred to as “Girlstown.” Many locals point to the opening of the feminist and LGBTQ-oriented Women and Children First bookstore in the early ’90s for the initial influx of lesbians to the neighborhood, and it’s still a neighborhood institution.

Thanks to Andersonville’s well-regarded public schools, more families are starting to call the neighborhood home. But young, single adults can still find a bustling downtown area with beloved, locally-owned shops and bars. “We don’t like to leave on the weekends,” Karen Krider says, who’s lived in the neighborhood with her family for six years. “It’s a small town not far from the big city, and a quiet, lovely place to return to each night.”

You can also find great value for your dollar in Andersonville. The median home price is $275,000. The median rent is around $3,850, and there are lots of properties to be found.


 

 

Washington Square West

When the neighborhood is named after a park, you know it’s going to be pretty. See available homes here.

Washington Square West, Philadelphia

Washington Square West’s rainbow-hued street signs make it one of four LGBT districts in North America to be visibly marked.

Though it was first coined “The Gayborhood” by a local newspaper writer in 1992, Philadelphia’s Washington Square West had long been the city’s epicenter of LGBTQ activity. Throughout the ’70s and ’80s, it was the center of Philadelphia’s gay bathhouse culture. In 2007, the city officially recognized the area as a gay village and added gay pride rainbow flag symbols to street signs throughout the neighborhood.

Washington Square West is within walking distance of all the city’s major commercial districts—but there are lots of local shops and restaurants, too, including many with outdoor seating, like Talula’s Garden.

“This neighborhood is central to everything,” one resident says on Trulia’s What Locals Say reviews. “I can’t think of a neighborhood with a better location.” The area buzzes with pedestrian traffic during the day, and its many bars keep it hopping late into the night. But the stately Washington Square offers a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. On warm days, kids can be seen playing in the square’s fountain.

In Washington Square West, the average home price is $414,250, and the median rent falls around $2,600.

Looking for a more inclusive neighborhood? Find what’s available in these communities and more on Trulia.

The post What It’s Like to Live in These American Gayborhoods appeared first on Trulia's Blog.

What Locals Love About Their Austin Neighborhoods

If you’re thinking about moving to Austin, one of the most important things to figure out is what neighborhoods might be a good fit for you. Do you want to be close to the action or somewhere quieter? Are you a family with kids or a recent college grad just starting to build your adult life? Austin has neighborhoods to suit almost anyone – but if you really want to understand what an area has to offer, you have to talk to the people who live there. Which is why Trulia has added a new feature – What Locals Say – to every home listing. More than fifteen million locals have shared insights about their neighborhoods, and an average of 100,000 reviews are being added every day. We used that data to identify four very special, and very different, Austin neighborhoods that you might want to consider in your home search.

What Locals Love About Bouldin

Best for: A taste of all the things that make Austin Austin

If some locals consider this hip enclave to be the best neighborhood in all of Austin, it’s for a good reason. Bouldin, a historic zone just across the river from downtown’s core, contains a taste of all of the things that make the city great. And while it has a reputation for being a paradise for young singles, it’s much more than that – which you find when you dig into the numbers.

Fans of urban living value one neighborhood characteristic above all others: walkability. And Bouldin sure is walkable. Want to be able to mosey to cool bars and hot restaurants? Check, according to 94% of residents, with almost the same number adding that the neighborhood is a safe place to walk alone at night – and a large majority appreciating the fact that even there are sidewalks, which is not a given in this car-oriented town. Interested in a tattoo? Bouldin has you (literally, if that’s your style) covered. Are you an Asian-food fan? Great, because Bouldin features some of the best Vietnamese and Thai restaurants in the city. Enjoy silence? So do your potential neighbors, despite the lively shopping and dining scene on the main drags, with 82% describing Bouldin as quiet. Love dogs? A resounding 100% of locals who weighed in on the matter describe the hood as ‘dog friendly.’ And while 75% of residents say you are probably going to want to own a car, the same number note that you won’t need it for errands like grocery shopping. As one local puts it: “Living so near [downtown] and having the peace and quiet of a suburban neighborhood gives you the feeling that every day is a vacation. What a great place to live!


A main street in Bouldin



Locals love Bouldin’s walkability.

If you’re interested in more of what Bouldin has to offer, here are some key spots to check out during your visit:

  • Best mega-Austin-y restaurant: The popular and bohemian Bouldin Creek Cafe, which one local describes as ‘the best Vegan diner on earth”
  • Best Vietnamese restaurant: Elizabeth Street Cafe, which also serves delicious French-Vietnamese baked goods
  • Best castle: Bouldin Castle, a Franciscan monastery-turned-spectacular medieval-inspired home  
  • Best park: Town Lake Memorial Park, which hugs the Colorado river with spectacular views of downtown
  • Best concert hall: The Long Center for the Performing Arts
  • Best neon-sign gallery: Roadhouse Relics, where local artist Todd Sanders crafts vintage-style designs
  • Best landmark: The famous ‘Greetings from Austin’ mural
  • Second-best landmark: The statue of late blues-guitar master Stevie Ray Vaughan

A busy street in Bouldin

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What Locals Love About Hyde Park

Best for: Bookish, crunchy, and mellow families who want a small-town feel in the big city

If you are looking for a small-town feel, historic Hyde Park – which is overwhelmingly residential and full of turn-of-the-century homes – is the move. The neighborhood has a longstanding reputation for being brainy, with deep connections to the nearby University of Texas,  and a little bit hippy. But dig into the numbers and you’ll find one of the most interesting residential zones in the city.

Victorian mansions meet modest bungalows in this leafy, historically protected district. But even though it is mostly residential, locals love the Hyde Park’s convenience to all key amenities. More than 95% of residents say that grocery shopping and dining are within easy walking distance (although this is still car-oriented Austin and 93% say you need a car). That urban feeling has some trade-offs, though, with less than half of residents finding their neighbors friendly or lauding their “holiday spirit.” But everyone loves dogs, with 100% claiming dog-friendliness, and even if you need to have a car, a solid 85% say that parking is no problem. As one local fan proclaims, “Great homes with character, walkable, friendly neighbors. The best!”


A Hyde Park local establishment



Quack’s Bakery is a Hyde Park staple.

Considering living in Hyde Park and planning on swinging by the neighborhood? Here are some things to look for:

  • Best bakery: Get a cupcake at Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery
  • Best coffee spot: Flightpath Coffeehouse, where the beard-and-glasses crowd huddle around Macbooks working on their dissertations  
  • Best historic home-turned-museum: The Elisabet Ney Museum, former home and workplace of the acclaimed German-American sculptor
  • Best hippie cafe: Mother’s, a classic vegetarian spot
  • Best comedy club: ColdTowne Theater, where you can also take an improv class
  • Best diner: Every neighborhood should have a diner, and the Omlettery is Hyde Park’s
  • Best import: In N’ Out Burger

Tree lined street in Hyde Park

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What Locals Love About Old West Austin

Best for: Hip families with young kids who love urban amenities

Back in 1991, Richard Linklater put both Austin and a certain style of local resident on the map with his groundbreaking feature-film debut, Slacker. And if you want to feel like you are a part of that movie, you could do worse than moving to – and spending your days drifting though – lovely Old West Austin’s vintage record stores, thrift shops, blues bars, and hip locavore restaurants. The ‘old’ part of the neighborhood’s name tells a big part of the story – it is one of the oldest areas in Austin, and its historic housing stock is protected by landmark laws. In part because of its location just west of downtown, Old West Austin also has a reputation for being a place that younger people, often just out of college, gravitate to, but if you talk to the locals and look art the numbers you’ll find a different story.

While Old West Austin is a great fit for young singles, it really shines as family neighborhood. A large majority of residents say that it’s safe for kids to play outside, which isn’t true of many nearby areas. They also agree that neighbors are friendly, holiday spirit abounds, dogs are loved, and it is safe to walk through at night. While virtually everyone agrees that you’ll need a car, 98% say parking is easy, and once you are in the neighborhood and looking for evening or weekend activities, you won’t need it much: 96% say grocery shopping is an easy walk, and 88% say the same of dining out. Parks, playground and hiking and biking trails abound. As one enthused resident puts it: “Dogs, people, location is great! Really special place that I can’t imagine living elsewhere! Never moving!”





Residents get a taste of Old West Austin in this rustic establishment.

If you want to get a taste of Old West Austin, here are some spots to check out:

  • Best vintage soda fountain: Grab a burger and a shake at Nau’s Enfield Drug’s vintage lunch counter in the back of a pharmacy
  • Best beer and wine bar: Chill out on the patio at Mean Eyed Cat
  • Best beach: Rent a kayak, ride a bike, or just catch a tan at Ladybird Lake-Lamar Beach Metro Park
  • Best bookstore: Bookpeople is a locally owned classic
  • Best record store: Waterloo Records is the indie record store of your Slacker-inspired dreams
  • Best Locavore restaurant: Get a reservation at Wink, a neighborhood institution
  • Best coffee spot: Caffe Medici

Locals kayaking and paddle boarding in Old West Austin

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What Locals Love About Allandale

Best for: Families looking for suburban amenities with a dash of Austin weird

This affluent north-central Austin neighborhood has everything a professional family might need: good schools, a wide variety of single-family homes on good-sized lots, parks and easy access to shopping an amenities. But it’s still Austin – and that means that there aren’t just Walmarts (although there is one of those) – there are also plenty of vibe-y bars, shops, and locavore restaurants. The neighborhood is also well served by public transportation, and sporty commuters have the option of a bike path that takes you all the way downtown. And if you talk to the locals and look at the numbers, you’ll understand why this is such a special place to live.

Everything a growing family might care about are the areas in which Allandale excels. More than 80% say that kids are safe to play outside – a high number for Austin. More than 95% say that yards are well-tended, parking is a breeze, and dogs are loved. More than 90% love the sidewalks and walkable grocery shopping. And a large majority say they are in for the long haul – with 79% saying they plan to remain in the area for at least five years. As one resident puts it, “I love this area! It’s close to everything and still secluded from the hustle of the city. The neighbors are super friendly.”


Austin Spider Tree



Allandale keeps Austin weird with their Austin Spider Tree.

If you’re considering Allandale, here are some neighborhood highlights to consider:

  • Best donuts: Gourdough’s has a wide variety of sweet treats
  • Best tiny pies: Tiny Pies bakes sweet and savory personal-sized pies
  • Best Mexican-Korean fusion: Get Korean barbecue in a taco at Chi’lantro
  • Best outdoor hang: Yard Bar is a dog-friendly spot for local beers and bites
  • Best Park: Sheffield Northwest Park’s playgrounds, lake, and tennis courts are the heart of the neighborhood
  • Best refurbished gas station: Phil’s Ice House, where you can grab a solid burger

A main street in Allandale

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The post What Locals Love About Their Austin Neighborhoods appeared first on Trulia's Blog.

Does Your Neighbors’ Age Influence Your Home Value?

You may never have thought of housing in this way, but exploring the ages of the people where you live—or where you want to move—can give you a high level sense of potential homebuying opportunities. Small towns across America have experienced rapid outmigration. And the main reason? Jobs. Young, working-age people are moving where the jobs are and buying up affordable housing in these popular places. In other words, your friend who is having a hard time finding an apartment in San Francisco is committed to the place because it’s an area where industry reigns.

This is where age enters the picture. The majority of the population in growing, high-industry areas are 20- to 64-years-old. The places that have been abandoned by outmigration — so much so that they will pay you to move there — tend to skew 65 and older. Basically showing that wherever young, working-age people are moving, housing is, or will be, in higher demand and therefore less affordable.

To illustrate this, we created a map breaking down the country by age and median home value. After looking closely at the top 100 metros, the three counties with the highest working-age population are home to top industries and also have housing affordability issues: Arlington and Alexandria, VA and San Francisco, CA. It makes sense, doesn’t it? Arlington and Alexandria are two of the most popular counties for homeowners commuting into Washington DC. They have high housing demand and home values well above the national median ($672,700 in Arlington as opposed to $217,300 nationally). And San Francisco? It goes without saying, but let’s say it anyway: San Francisco dominates the tech space with the largest population in their wage-earning prime, and its median home value is $1,359,000.

As the population in these areas deal with a housing crisis, the areas they have left behind are becoming more creative in recruiting them back. Places like Baltimore are literally paying people to move there. And it’s interesting to note that the cities where your paycheck goes a long way, tend to be in communities with less working-age people. If owning a home is still your American dream, that dream may be better fulfilled looking into places whose populations are under 20 and over 64 years of age.

Take a look at the map above and see what you find.

For the full report, click here.

Methodology

We used a ternary coloring scheme to map three sets of ages—young (0-19 years), working age (20-64) and elderly (65 and over). Each county is represented by a color mixture determined by its distance from the national age structure. This map is inspired by work done by Kashnitsky, I., & Schöley, J. (2018). Regional population structures at a glance. The Lancet, 392(10143), 209–210., and makes use of their code, published here.

Median home values by county are based on Trulia estimates. We use the Census Bureau’s 2010 and 2017 population estimates by age.

The post Does Your Neighbors’ Age Influence Your Home Value? appeared first on Trulia's Blog.

What an Average Home Looks Like in Every State

Across the United States, an average home can look very different state by state. Although the median list price nationwide is $289,000, in Hawaii, it’s $639,000, and in West Virginia, that number drops down to $164,000. Check out our roundup of what an average home looks like in each state to see how your state compares to the rest.

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    Alabama

    Median List Price: $214,900

    Four Bedroom Home: $214,900

    In Smiths Town, on the border with Georgia, a four-bedroom single-family rambler sits on a grassy lot. There’s a spacious living room, a kitchen with granite counters, stainless steel appliances and space for a breakfast table. The cost per square foot is $97.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Alaska

    Alaska

    Median List Price: $294,000

    Four Bedroom Home: $289,900

    This 1,652 square-foot ranch house in Anchorage sports a new roof and a renovated kitchen and bathrooms. The detached garage offers lots of storage space.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Arizona

    Arizona

    Median List Price: $299,000

    Three Bedroom Home: $299,000

    This coral-colored 1,638 square-foot house in North Phoenix has a big backyard for entertainment and play. The interior boasts three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-concept living area with a spacious Great Room.

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    Median-List-Price-Arkansas

    Arkansas

    Median List Price: $179,900

    Three Bedroom Home: $179,900

    This 2,187 square-foot house sits on 3.5 acres in Harrisburg, in the northeastern part of the state. A screened patio is great for outdoor meals. Sit on a rocker or swing on the front porch to watch the world go by.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-California

    California

    Median List Price: $549,000

    Five Bedroom Home: $549,000

    For this budget in the Rancho Vista Estates, located in Temecula, you can buy a five-bedroom house with three-car garage and pool. The kitchen is outfitted with white cabinets, granite counters and a center island. There are separate living and dining rooms.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Colorado

    Colorado

    Median List Price: $425,000

    Three Bedroom Home: $410,000

    This 1,680 square-foot house northwest of Denver is close to good roads and public transit. Built in 1907, it has been upgraded with new floors and new appliances.The master bedroom and two smaller bedrooms are on the main level and an upstairs loft can be designed as a fourth bedroom.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Connecticut

    Connecticut

    Median List Price: $340,000

    Three Bedroom Home: $339,000

    In Waterford, close to Long Island Sound, this budget buys you a 1,600 square-foot single-family home. Adjacent to the house is a saltwater pool, pool house, heated garage and fenced patio. The open-concept interior features a living and dining room plus kitchen and is perfect for hanging out. A large basement can be configured as an exercise room, lounge, office or playroom.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Delaware

    Delaware

    Median List Price: $295,000

    Three Bedroom Home: $294,900

    For this budget in Wilmington, you can buy a three-bedroom ranch house on a quarter-acre lot. This 1,150 square-foot house features hardwood floors throughout and a flagstone patio. The finished lower level offers three rooms that can be designed to suit your taste and needs.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Florida

    Florida

    Median List Price: $299,900

    Three Bedroom Home: $299,900

    Palm Harbor, northwest of Tampa on Saint Joseph Sound, is where you can find this 2,000 square-foot split-level home. The three-bedroom house has been refurbished with fresh paint, new windows and carpeting. The house is part of the community of Westlake Village, which offers residents a pool, clubhouse, ball courts and playground.

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    Median List Price in Every State: Georgia

    Georgia

    Median List Price: $265,000

    Four Bedroom Home: $265,000

    North of Atlanta in Marietta, you can buy this 2,280 square-foot, three-level contemporary house. Built in 1977, the home sits on a wooded, 10,000 square-foot lot. A deck overlooks the backyard and is perfect for hosting a party.

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    Hawaii

    Median List Price: $639,000

    Three Bedroom Home: $635,000

    In Wahiawa, on the island of Oahu northwest of Honolulu, you can buy a 1,128 square-foot single-family on a corner lot. Lychee trees, flowers and palm trees of all sizes surround the house. You can park your car, bike, stroller or motorcycle in the carport.

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    Idaho

    Median List Price: $314,303

    Four Bedroom Home: $315,000

    In Boise, this budget allows you to buy a 2,000 square-foot, single-family house where you can relax on the front porch and have meals on the rear deck. The updated kitchen features an island, granite counters, hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances.

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    Illinois

    Median List Price: $245,000

    Three Bedroom Home: $245,000

    West of Chicago in Dekalb, this brick rambler on nearly two acres is on the market for just shy of a quarter million. A gazebo and screened porch lets you enjoy the country-like setting. The living room has a fireplace and the kitchen has white glazed cabinetry.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Indiana

    Indiana

    Median List Price: $196,607

    Two Bedroom Home: $196,900

    East of South Bend and just below the Michigan border, you can find this 1986 ranch house with nearly 3,000 square feet. The living room bay window lets in plenty of natural light and there’s a gas fireplace. The two-bedroom boasts an updated eat-in kitchen and a basement that can be reconfigured into another bedroom, office or playroom.

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    Iowa

    Median List Price: $199,000

    Five Bedroom Home: $199,600

    In Lamoni, south of Des Moines, you can snap up a five-bedroom rambler under $200,000. This home features a kitchen with cherry custom cabinets and a breakfast eating area. A custom-built china cabinet is part of the dining room. There’s an enclosed, three-season room with southern exposure and a partially finished basement.

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    Kansas

    Median List Price: $199,000

    Five Bedroom Home: $199,000

    In Wichita, a 16-year-old redbrick home is selling for $93 per square foot. The large footprint offers five bedrooms, three bathrooms, vaulted ceilings and a spacious basement. There’s a triple-car garage and grassy front yard.

     

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Kentucky

    Kentucky

    Median List Price: $189,900

    Four Bedroom Home: $189,900

    This Winchester home, on a fenced-in corner lot, is just 12 minutes from Lexington. Four bedrooms and three bathrooms are spread over 2,300 square feet. An open kitchen is adjacent to a large living room that features a fireplace. The back porch is furnished with a hot tub.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Louisiana

    Louisiana

    Median List Price: $220,000

    Three Bedroom Home: $215,000

    In Lafayette, you can buy this custom-built, single-family house. A rear patio looks out on trees and a yard big enough to install a pool. The master bathroom boasts a whirlpool tub.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Maine

    Maine

    Median List Price: $239,900

    Three Bedroom Home: $239,900

    This white-painted brick home in Falmouth is about 900 square feet. Built in 1900, the single-family house features two bedrooms and one bathroom.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Maryland

    Maryland

    Median List Price: $345,000

    Three Bedroom Home: $345,000

    This three-bedroom, two-bathroom brick rambler is 3,100 square feet. It’s located in Westminster, which is northwest of Baltimore. The nearly two-acre lot is fenced and overlooks a horse farm. There’s a large deck in the backyard.

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    Massachusetts

    Median List Price: $470,000

    Three Bedroom Home: $475,000

    In Middleboro, south of Boston, a buyer can get this 2,600-square-foot single-family. The three-bedroom house sits on 5.6 acres of woods and is adjacent to a 450-acre conservation property. Inside, there’s a wood fireplace with stone surround to get cozy.

     

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    Michigan

    Median List Price: $200,703

    Three Bedroom Home: $190,000

    For less than $200,00 you can get this two-level Ann Arbor house. The 1,200 square-foot single-family has an open-layout interior and features a two-car garage and a large basement with laundry facilities.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Minnesota

    Minnesota

    Median List Price: $275,455

    Four Bedroom Home: $275,000

    In Big Lake, northwest of Minneapolis, this budget will get you a 2,100 square-foot single-family with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. The house, built in 1984, lies on five acres and includes a fenced garden and lawn. An outdoor deck is an attractive feature.

     

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    Mississippi

    Median List Price: $188,900

    Two Bedroom Home: $189,000

    This three-year-old, 1,300 square-foot stone cottage is located on a wooded acre in Oxford, southeast of Memphis. It is close to Holly Springs National Forest. There are two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a screened porch.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Missouri

    Missouri

    Median List Price: $189,900

    Two Bedroom Home: $189,900

    This redbrick 1,400 square-foot house in St. Louis features a large eat-in kitchen, a dining room decorated with wainscoting, and a master bedroom. An upstairs loft can be configured to suit a buyer’s needs.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Montana

    Montana

    Median List Price: $324,556

    One Bedroom Home: $325,000

    This 1,000 square-foot boathouse in Bigfork has one bedroom and bathroom. It features a drive-in boat garage beneath the house for three boats, and a garage door and concrete dock. This waterfront property is for sale by owner.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Nebraska

    Nebraska

    Median List Price: $227,000

    Three Bedroom Home: $229,900

    Southwest of Omaha, in Gretna, you can buy a three-bedroom, brick-and-siding rambler. The house is 2,650 square feet and sits on a third of an acre. You can add additional rooms across the lower level plus build a third garage. The price is $85 per square foot.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Nevada

    Nevada

    Median List Price: $319,900

    Three Bedroom Home: $319,900

    In Las Vegas, this budget will enable you to buy a 2,000 square-foot, terra cotta-roofed house with a two-car garage. The kitchen offers dark cabinetry, granite counters, an island and stainless steel appliances. The kitchen space blends with the family room and dining area. The house was built in 2010.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-New-Hampshire

    New Hampshire

    Median List Price: $300,000

    Three Bedroom Home: $300,000

    In Dover, just west of the Atlantic Ocean coastline, this 1,700 square-foot house has been renovated and updated. Built in 1900, it sits on an 8,300 square-foot lot under the shade of a tall old tree.

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    Median-List-Price in-Every-State-New-Jersey

    New Jersey

    Median List Price: $359,000

    Three Bedroom Home: $359,000

    In Toms River you can buy a 2,000 square-foot single-family home with nine-foot ceilings, three bedrooms and many upgrades. The house boasts two fireplaces, Anderson windows, granite kitchen counters and a spacious deck. There’s also an 11,000-pound boat lift.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-New-Mexico

    New Mexico

    Median List Price: $239,900

    Three Bedroom Home: $239,000

    For this budget, you can purchase a three-bedroom, 1,400 square-foot house in Ruidoso, which lies roughly between Albuquerque and El Paso. The house has two levels with wrap-around decks on both levels. The interior features wood floors and an open floor plan.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-New-York

    New York

    Median List Price: $399,000

    Four Bedroom Home: $399,000

    This two-story house is for sale in Freeport, Long Island, an hour’s drive from New York City. The four-bedroom single-family home was built in 1898 in a Victorian style but the interior was gutted and re-imagined for contemporary living. It has an open floor plan, and a finished attic and basement.

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    North Carolina

    Median List Price: $271,103

    Three Bedroom Home: $272,000

    In Wilmington, this 1,815 square-foot home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms is move-in ready. It features new floors and carpet, new light fixtures, stainless steel appliances and granite counters. The house was built in 1997.

     

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    North Dakota

    Median List Price: $238,000

    Four Bedroom Home: $235,000

    In Grand Forks, midway between Fargo and the Canadian border, you can find a four-bedroom, single-family house for less than a quarter million. This home has a fenced backyard and a two-car garage.

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    Ohio

    Median List Price: $179,900

    Four Bedroom Home: $179,900

    West of Cleveland in North Olmsted, this budget can get you a 1,750-square-foot ranch house on half an acre. Hardwood floors run throughout this home and the kitchen was updated this year. The house is handicap accessible with a walk-in shower, second kitchen, and a ramp that can be removed.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Oklahoma

    Oklahoma

    Median List Price: $189,500

    Three Bedroom Home: $189,500

    In Owasso, northeast of Tulsa, you can get a red brick rambler with three bedrooms and two updated bathrooms. The 1,790 square-foot house sits on a 1.1-acre corner lot and and has a spacious front yard. It costs $106 per square foot.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Oregon

    Oregon

    Median List Price: $394,000

    Three Bedroom Home: $395,000

    This updated 1945 Portland house offers three bedrooms and bathrooms across 3,000 square feet. The basement can be refurbished for more space. A one-car garage is in the rear.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Pennslyvania

    Pennslyvania

    Median List Price: $224,900

    Four Bedroom Home: $225,000

    This 1,700 square-foot home in Horsham, north of Philadelphia, is a foreclosure property. The price per square foot for this four-bedroom home is $125.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Rhode-Island

    Rhode Island

    Median List Price: $329,000

    Three Bedroom Home: $329,000

    For this budget you can buy a renovated 1,700 square-foot Cape Cod house in Warwick. This three-bedroom house has pink siding with white window trim, black shutters and a black roof. The interior is designed around an open floor plan. The home features cathedral ceiling, two fireplaces and a roof deck.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-South-Carolina

    South Carolina

    Median List Price: $259,000

    Four Bedroom Home: $259,000

    In Beaufort, northeast of Savannah, this budget will allow you to buy a 1,400-square-foot house. This two-level property has three bedrooms and a two-car garage. The living and dining rooms have bamboo floors.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-South-Dakota

    South Dakota

    Median List Price: $231,000

    Four Bedroom Home: $234,900

    For this price in Sioux Falls you can buy an 1,800 square-foot split-level. The main level has an open floor plan, with a sliding glass door leading to a covered deck. There are four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Tennessee

    Tennessee

    Median List Price: $253,183

    Four Bedroom Home: $253,000

    In Maryville, south of Knoxville, you can purchase this 2,400-square-foot brick rambler that was designed by an architect in 1978. A traditional layout offers separate living and dining rooms, a den with fireplace, a spacious kitchen and a basement rec room.

     

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Texas

    Texas

    Median List Price: $288,255

    Three Bedroom Home: $288,000

    Carrollton is north of Dallas. There, this budget will get you a 1,700-square-foot townhouse. This two-story, three-bedroom home was built in 2004. It has an adjacent two-car garage. Residents are automatically community members and have access to a pool.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Utah

    Utah

    Median List Price: $363,583

    Three Bedroom Home: $364,000

    In Hurricane, northeast of Las Vegas, this budget lets you buy a 2,140-square-foot ranch house. The lot of this single-family is slightly larger than half-acre. You can choose where to while away your weekends: The backyard is shaded and the house front has a porch.

     

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Vermont

    Vermont

    Median List Price: $271,871

    Three Bedroom Townhouse: $270,000

    In Burlington, this two-level townhome has three bedrooms across 1,500 square feet. There’s a rear fenced patio, a deck and two-car garage. Residents are members of the community association and pay a monthly fee of $279 for communal services like trash pickup and snow removal.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Virginia

    Virginia

    Median List Price: $325,000

    Four Bedroom Home: $319,900

    This 2,000 square-foot house in Chesapeake, south of Norfolk and west of Virginia Beach, was built in 1986. The single-family is priced at $159 per square foot. There are four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a front porch. Mature trees shade the lot.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Washington

    Washington

    Median List Price: $400,000

    Four Bedroom Home: $400,000

    This 1917 Craftsman-style house in Tacoma has hardwood floors, new bathrooms, new light fixtures and fresh paint. The single-family is well-situated for accessing community amenities and features a three-car garage.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Washington-D.C.

    Washington, D.C.

    Median List Price: $619,900

    Three Bedroom Home:$599,000

    In the Woodbridge neighborhood of Northeast D.C. this budget will enable you to buy a 1,200 square-foot house. This two-story house has three bedrooms, three bathrooms and a front porch. The 1940 single-family has been remodeled with hardwood floors, kitchen island, granite counters and white cabinets.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-West-Virginia

    West Virginia

    Median List Price: $164,000

    Four Bedroom Home: $164,000

    In Westover, not far from the Monongahela River, you can buy a four-bedroom house with 1,400 square feet. The kitchen and bathroom of this single-family have been updated. There are hardwood floors and a large basement.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Wisconsin

    Wisconsin

    Median List Price: $226,303

    Four Bedroom Home: $226,900

    In Medford, northeast of Eau Claire, a 4,000 square-foot house boasts separate living and dining rooms. The walk-out basement is designed as a family room with a wet bar, and an adjacent room can be used as an office or a bedroom. The house is on a cul-de-sac lot about one acre in size.

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    Median-List-Price-in-Every-State-Wyoming

    Wyoming

    Median List Price: $255,000

    Three Bedroom Home: $255,000

    Star Valley Ranch is just south of Grand Teton National Park. There, you can get an 1,100 square-foot cabin on nearly an acre lot for about a quarter million. Views of the mountains are visible around this three-bedroom, single-family house, and especially from the deck. The home features a fireplace, a vaulted ceiling, an open loft and hardwood floors.

Which state surprised you the most? Comment below and let us know!

The post What an Average Home Looks Like in Every State appeared first on Trulia's Blog.

Greenwich Village Still Has Timeless Classics

 

So much of what makes NYC, NYC has been taken over by bank branches, Duane Reade drug stores and Sephora.  Nobody wants to live inside a shopping mall, but that’s what a lot of NYC is turning into.  Thankfully, areas like Greenwich Village still have a lot of charm and history to offer and we need to support those who still do business there, the cafes, the shops, all it it.  I caught this recent article on one such place that I want to share with you here.  Caffe Reggio is such as place.  They claim to be the firstT shop to bring the Italian Cappuccino to America.  Check them out, then come on by my listing at 100 West 12th St in the heart of Greenwich Village, take a look, make an offer, live the Village life.  Full Gothamist article.

What Locals Love About Their San Francisco Neighborhoods

What’s living in San Francisco like? Maybe you think you know, from visiting or movies. But San Francisco is a big, diverse place with a bunch of distinct neighborhoods, and living in one can be very different from life across town.

Whether you’re looking to buy a house or rent an apartment in San Francisco, you’ll want to know all about your potential new neighborhood. Sure, you can find out about businesses and parks with a few keystrokes, but there are some things you just can’t Google. Like if that park gets sketchy after dark, or if the neighbors are likely to throw a block party to welcome you to town.

These are things only locals know. We used Trulia’s new What Locals Say feature to get an insider peek at five San Francisco neighborhoods. Here’s how it works: Millions of locals dish about where they live, and their reviews are included on Trulia listings. Digging through their feedback, we found a San Francisco neighborhood where people actually see wildlife regularly, and (maybe even rarer) another where locals swear parking is a breeze. Now you can say you know what’s like to live here.

What Locals Love About Noe Valley

If you live in Noe Valley, people imagine your weekends involve catching up on PTA gossip over organic wine. Located east of San Francisco’s Twin Peaks and west of the Mission District, this neighborhood is a magnet for families.

Noe Valley neighborhood in San Francisco

With low crime and this rolling-hills view near Dolores Heights, it’s no wonder Noe Valley locals plan on staying a while.

  • Long-term Neighbors

    Once you move to Noe Valley, you might not leave. A whopping 89 percent of reviewers plan to stay in the neighborhood for at least five years. Committed neighbors are more likely to put the time and effort into building relationships and contributing to their community—which adds a little small-town charm to this urban enclave. The Saturday morning Noe Valley Farmers Market doesn’t hurt either.

    “I lived in this neighborhood for over 10 years,” one local says. “I love being able to walk to all the local stores, great restaurants, and boutiques. Very safe and quiet and wonderful neighbors.”

    The everyone-knows-everyone feel makes Noe Valley feel like a cozy little bubble, but that doesn’t mean you have to abandon city life. Five Muni routes serve Noe Valley, there’s a BART stop on 24th and Mission, and it’s easy to get to 101 and 280. Downtown date night, here you come.

  • Safe Streets

    City living has a bad rap when it comes to safety, but Noe Valley is a pleasant exception. Ninety-eight percent of locals say they can walk alone at night in the neighborhood. And they’re not delusional: crime rates are very low relative to the rest of the city.

    Safe streets mean that during daylight hours, it’s a great place to be out and about with kids. Many restaurants here have a casual, child-friendly atmosphere, and there are a few kid-focused shops like the independent bookstore Charlie’s Corner, which hosts story time four times a day. And there’s another reason residents love hitting the streets: Noe Valley happens to be one of the sunniest spots in the city.

    San Francisco's Noe Valley neighborhood


What Locals Love About South of Market (aka “SoMa”)

If you live in SoMa, a neighborhood located between the Financial District and Mission Bay, people think you’re living in a loft and working for a startup. Oh, and that you’re probably under 30.

SOMA neighborhood in San Francisco

SoMa has nightlife, walkable destinations, and even a few green spaces, like this mini-park near Brannan and 6th Streets.

  • Nearby Nightlife

    They’re probably right about the age thing. SoMa has become a hub for great food and nightlife, which is a big draw for young adults. Described by a local as “exciting,” there’s a hot restaurant or bar minutes away no matter where you are in the neighborhood. Ninety-two percent of locals say you can walk to restaurants like The Perennial (known for its local fare and sustainable ingredients), Zero Zero (the place for punch bowls and pizzas), and Dirty Market (popular with the after-work crowd, especially on the 5th-floor patio). Bonus: Being able to walk to the bar saves you the expense of Uber surge pricing. So go ahead, have that extra craft cocktail.

    Whether it’s a happy hour with coworkers or a Friday night Tinder date, this isn’t a neighborhood that shuts down after dinner—or where you’ll have to dodge strollers as you make your way to a table (and then have to watch your language all night). Locals rate SoMa pretty low on the “quiet” scale, and only 3 percent say they’ve seen kids playing in the neighborhood.

  • Car-free Lifestyle

    Only 7 percent of locals say you need a car in SoMa, something that millennials eager to ditch the driving lifestyle (or just like the extra cash that comes with going car-free) will find appealing. You can pick up a Muni bus from nearly any street or take the F-line Streetcar on Market Street. Or you can just walk to where you need to be, which could include your work, since it’s home to some big employers like Google, LinkedIn, and Gap.

    SOMA neighborhood in San Francisco


What Locals Love About Inner Richmond

Located between the gorgeous Presidio and Golden Gate parks, Inner Richmond is known for its beautiful views and vibrant culinary scene. If you live here, your friends likely ask you for local food recommendations.

Inner Richmond neighborhood of San Francisco

On Inner Richmond‘s Balboa St. you’ll find a Russian bakery, Chicago-style pizza, sushi, and Indonesian food on the same block.

  • Dining Diversity

    A diverse community has brought a wide variety of cuisines from around the world to Inner Richmond. From authentic Sichuan to formal French fare, 100 percent of locals say they’re within walking distance of restaurants. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be tempted to hang up your apron. At-home chefs will love that 98 percent of locals report being a walk away from a grocery store. Even better, those markets range from mom-and-pop Chinese, Spanish, or Korean shops to the supermarket chain Smart & Fresh. Having these options is a bonus when you forget to buy that exotic spice that’s crucial to the dish in the oven (or the ketchup that isn’t).

  • Dog-friendliness

    If your Facebook feed has more photos of your pup than of yourself, you won’t be alone in Inner Richmond. Residents love their dogs here, and local restaurants have responded accordingly with outdoor seating meant to be shared with your four-legged friend. (Or, in the case of the 540 Club, you can bring your dog right to the bar.) Between pet-friendly patios and dog-focused boutiques, it’s no surprise that 98 percent of respondents described Inner Richmond as dog-friendly.

    Inner Richmond Neighborhood of San Francisco


What Locals Love About Mission Bay

If you live in Mission Bay, you might be seen as a pioneer, leading the charge in a new area of the city where development is ramping up. And residents who live in this waterfront neighborhood right next to SoMa are known for being happy to stop and give tourists directions.

What Locals Love about San Francisco's Mission Bay neighborhood

Life is surprisingly chill in the developing Mission Bay neighborhood—especially atop the UCSF Bakar Fitness Center’s roof deck.

  • Easy Parking

    This constantly-evolving neighborhood may have some fast-paced tech companies—Pinterest, Airbnb, Adobe, Lyft, and Uber are moving in—but the vibe is a little more relaxed than some might assume. It may help that people are less stressed about the perpetual urban aggravation of parking. Incredibly, 78 percent of Mission Bay locals say parking is easy (for now).

    The ease of parking is mainly due to one of the most notable buildings in Mission Bay, AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. The garages and surface lots that popped up to accommodate baseball fans are open on non-game days, making thousands of spots available. (We’ll see how things change when the new Warriors stadium is completed in 2019.) Go, team.

  • Neighborhood Holiday Spirit

    Even though you’ll see some sleek, ultra-modern buildings in Mission Bay, the neighborhood has a surprisingly homey vibe. This is especially apparent during November and December, the time of year when 64 percent of locals say they decorate for the holidays. So feel free to pack all of your twinkling string lights, holiday kitsch, and ugly seasonal sweaters. And definitely mark your calendar for the annual Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights, where you’ll watch dozens of decked-out boats light up the night.

    Mission Bay neighborhood of San Francisco


What Locals Love About Bernal Heights

If you live in Bernal Heights, located south of Mission District and southeast of Noe Valley, people assume your wardrobe is heavy on fleece items featuring Eddie Bauer, REI, or Patagonia logos.

Bernal Heights neighborhood of San Francisco

Bernal Heights residents love their greens, from grass to trees. Even this home on Folsom St. at Precita pays tribute to nature.

  • Access to Nature

    Bernal Heights is a hillside neighborhood where you’ll find tree-lined streets and charming vintage homes. Perhaps the most unusual thing about living here though is the access to Mother Nature. It’s not just sodded parks and fountains; 82 percent of locals say they’ve seen actual wildlife here.

    The neighborhood crown jewel is Bernal Heights Park, one of the few natural refuges in the city and a place where you can take in a 360-degree panorama of San Francisco. As you travel the trails or climb the steep slopes, you’ll see more than 40 species of birds here (including the majestic red-tailed hawk), California alligator lizards, and coyotes.

  • Lovely Yards

    Older homes tend to have one thing newer urban construction lacks: an actual yard. In Bernal Heights, residents love every green square foot of this fact and spend time keeping theirs looking lovely. Eighty-five percent of locals say yards are well-kept, something that adds to the natural beauty of the neighborhood, as well as underlines how much residents are into communing with nature.

    On weekends, your neighbors are more likely tending to their garden than nursing a hangover, which makes Bernal Heights ideally suited for quieter types and families. “My family and I have lived in Bernal Heights for seven years,” one local says. “It’s a great little corner of San Francisco. Very family friendly, several parks, a nice downtown area filled with bakeries, restaurants, a grocery store, bank. We love it here.”

    Bernal Heights neighborhood in San Francisco


What Locals Love—About Everywhere

How can you find out what locals love about the neighborhood you have your eye on? What Locals Say is now live on property listings throughout Trulia. More than seven million locals have shared insights into their neighborhoods already, and an average of 100,000 reviews are being added every day. This unique feature helps Trulia users learn so much more than what’s in a home—it explains what it’s like to live there.

Trulia's What Locals Say feature

 

 

Ready to see what locals near you have to say? Search for your neighborhood and find out.

The post What Locals Love About Their San Francisco Neighborhoods appeared first on Trulia's Blog.

Cities Where a Paycheck Goes a Long Way

AT A GLANCE
  • Trulia teamed up with the jobs site Indeed to find out where salaries are highest once you adjust for cost of living.
  • In each city, we looked at how the economy is doing and where the biggest job opportunities are.
  • To help you figure out the best places to live in these cities, we used Trulia’s search data to point the way to the neighborhoods locals love.

When you’re looking for a new job, your potential salary is only part of the story of what life will be like. That great new paycheck may not be so great after all if it barely pays for a roof over your head.

Trulia teamed up with the jobs site Indeed to take a closer look at the U.S. cities with the highest salaries, once you adjust for cost of living. It turns out that the cities at the top of the list are not the big metropolises you may expect. These mid-sized cities with a low cost of living are places where you can have a good job, a good life, and a good home even if you make a heck of a lot less than a Wall Street or Silicon Valley paycheck.

As a headstart for people looking to relocate for a job, we looked into what the big opportunities are in four of these cities and dug into Trulia’s data to find out which neighborhood or suburb in each gets the most searches by locals—in other words, by the people who know the area best. If you’re up for relocating, consider it a sweet spot for starting your home search.

Birmingham has an average salary that, adjusted for cost of living, is higher than in San Francisco or New York City.

Birmingham, Alabama

Average salary: $76,886  •  Adjusted for cost of living: $86,196

Where to work

Long known as “The Pittsburgh of the South” because of its iron and steel industry, Birmingham has diversified to become a leader in banking, insurance, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and the arts. And, once you adjust for cost of living, the average salary here is $10,000 more than in San Francisco and a good $17,000 more than in New York City.

Birmingham’s growth doesn’t match the pace of Southern economic powerhouses like Atlanta, Raleigh, and Nashville, but it is Alabama’s largest city and a bright spot in the state’s economy, accounting for about 30 percent of its domestic product.

The three largest employers in town are the University of Alabama at Birmingham (23,000 employees), Regions Financial Corp. (7,100), and Honda (4,800). Mercedes-Benz U.S., U.S. Steel, and Wells Fargo are also major employers.

The city is home to the Southern Research Institute, a nonprofit where more than 400 scientists and engineers work on drug discovery and development, engineering, energy, and the environment. This gives the institute the distinction of simultaneously working to cure cancer, put people on Mars, and clean the planet’s air and water.

Where to live: Irondale

Birmingham locals search Trulia for homes in the 35210 zip code, which includes the suburb of Irondale, more than any other local zip code. Affordability may be one reason: Median home prices here are $147,000, well below the metro area’s $195,000 median and not even half of Atlanta’s median of $300,000. The average rent in Irondale is $1,249 a month.

Local agent Gusty Gulas says Irondale is popular for its new construction and for homes with larger lots, which can be hard to find. “First-time home buyers come for the affordability and location,” says Gulas. “Others relocate here from nearby districts with a higher tax rate.” Convenience is another draw: Irondale is just 15 minutes from downtown and the airport.

Gulas says that his clients are especially enthusiastic about Grants Mill Crossing and Grants Mill Valley, two neighboring new-home developments, as well as Crestline Gardens and Crestline Holiday Gardens, two older, closer-in Irondale developments.


 

Employment is strong in St. Louis, and the city’s average salary, adjusted for cost of living, is higher than in Chicago and Detroit.

St. Louis, Missouri

Average salary: $76,567  •  Adjusted for cost of living: $84,511

Where to work

Home to ten Fortune 500 companies and 2.8 million people, St. Louis has a strong regional economy and an average salary that, adjusted for cost of living, is $8,000 higher than Chicago’s and $3,000 higher than in the affordable city of Detroit. The employment rate in St. Louis grew in 2017 and is stronger than the national average. The greatest growth has been in St. Louis’s construction, manufacturing, and leisure and hospitality industries.

Among the big companies headquartered here are healthcare players Express Scripts Holding and Centene, manufacturers such as Emerson Electric and Graybar Electric, financial powerhouses Reinsurance Group of America and Jones Financial, as well as Monsanto. Budweiser is still a big name in town and employs more than 4,000 people, and McDonnell Douglas has a workforce of 14,000.

Where to live: Bethalto, Illinois

St. Louis locals search for homes in the 62010 zip code, centered on the village of Bethalto, Illinois, more than any other local area. This town of 10,000 people lies across the Mississippi and over the state line, but is just 35 minutes from downtown.

“I love the smaller hometown feel of Bethalto,” says local real-estate agent Angie Daniels. “Neighbors look out for each other, and people care about their properties. You get a sense of pride and community.” The town itself is mostly residential, but there’s plenty of shopping and dining in Edwardsville, a 15-minute drive away.

Giving the lay of the land of Bethalto’s real estate, Daniels notes, “There are a few newer subdivisions—Patriot’s Crossing, Schreiber Farms, and Woodcrest, as well as the more established Whispering Oaks. For buyers looking for larger yards or a more rural setting, Heartland Meadows and Bethalto Lakes have two-plus-acre lots.”


 

The border town of El Paso has a growing economy and an adjusted average salary that’s higher than in Dallas-Fort Worth.

El Paso, Texas

Average salary: $75,457  •  Adjusted for cost of living: $84,498

Where to work

Government is big business in El Paso, a border town of 850,000 residents, most of whom are Hispanic and many of whom are bilingual.

The sprawling Fort Bliss Army base, which employs 47,000, including 13,000 civilian workers, is by far the largest employer in the region. It also supports at least another 18,000 jobs in the area. Retail, recreation, food services, transportation, and logistics are also important in this region, which locals refer to as “The Borderplex.”

In 2018, El Paso’s economy is projected to grow 2 percent, as compared to the state’s overall projected growth rate of 3 percent. The city isn’t counted among Texas’s economic hotspots, but it’s more affordable. Its average salary, once adjusted for cost of living, is about $7,000 higher than the average in Dallas-Fort Worth.

After two private healthcare providers, the largest non-government employer in the area is Automatic Data Processing—and it’s expanding. Three years ago, the HR/payroll company moved into a new 150,000-square-foot building, and it has been adding almost 300 new employees a year.

Another big player is T&T Staff Management, which has more than 5,000 workers placed in positions around the area that range from minimum-wage service jobs to high-level professional roles.

Where to live: the Upper Valley

The Upper Valley is a long, narrow strip of land on El Paso’s west side that hugs the Rio Grande River and Texas’s border with New Mexico. It’s known for its green, country feel and views of the Franklin Mountains. “The other big selling point of the Upper Valley is community,” says local realtor Rene Botello. “You’re safe moving here. You’re going to know your neighbors.”

It’s also convenient. The Upper Valley parallels I-10, for an easy commute into downtown. Some of its neighborhoods, like Riverbend, are just 15 minutes from the center of town and hold a wide mix of homes, from this $1,675,000 eight-bedroom mansion to this $118,000 three-bedroom ranch. A bit further out, homes in established neighborhoods such as The Willows and Country Club generally command higher prices. Rentals in the Upper Valley tend to range from about $1,000 to $2,700.


 

The Central Valley city of Fresno has an average adjusted salary that’s higher than in both San Francisco and LA.

Fresno, California

Average salary: $82,236  •  Adjusted for cost of living: $84,604

Where to work

Fresno may lack the sizzle of Hollywood or San Francisco, but at $236,100, the median price for a house here is about one-fifth as much as in the Bay Area. Plus, Fresno locals can finish their commute before a Los Angeles driver has even inched onto the freeway. And, jobs-wise, this Central Valley city of one million people has more going for it than the agriculture it’s always been known for.

“Fresno is swiftly becoming a place for tech start-ups,” says Fresno native and local real estate agent Jason Farris. Some of the local software companies making waves are Aplos Software, OnFarm, and Bflow Solutions.

Farming, of course, remains big business, and Fresno also has plenty of healthcare and manufacturing jobs. Within an hour from three national parks—Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia—Fresno has seen its hotel business increase, and leisure and hospitality employment has grown along with it. Logistics is also big business in Fresno, and many companies, including the Gap, base their warehouse operations here to take advantage of Fresno’s midway point between the state’s big population centers. This year, Amazon is hiring to staff a soon-to-open fulfillment center that will eventually employ as many as 2,500 people.

Where to live: Woodward Park 

Fresno locals focus their Trulia searches on Woodward Park, an upscale neighborhood nine miles north of downtown, where the median house price is $342,250, more than $100,000 higher than the overall city’s median. Woodward Park has a large shopping district, plenty of restaurants, and a public park of the same name. Outdoorsy options are good, with hiking, horseback riding, and biking along the banks of the San Joaquin River, and the location is a draw.

“The Woodward Park area is convenient to Fresno, but homeowners here also get the benefit of sending their children to the award-winning schools in nearby Clovis,” says Farris.

There are plenty of rentals available in Woodward Park, as well as properties selling in the $200,000s and $300,000s, most with large lots. The neighborhood also holds some surprises, like this $1.2 million four-bedroom.

 

METHODOLOGY: Trulia identified the ZIP code in each of these metro areas that had the most home searches by locals of that metro area from December 2016 to December 2017.

Which of these cities would you move to for a great job? Tell us in the comments.

The post Cities Where a Paycheck Goes a Long Way appeared first on Trulia's Blog.

The Most Saved Home in Every State

Whether it be a luxurious Hollywood mansion or a quaint country house, there is a top home in every state. We scoped out homes that have been saved the most in each state on Trulia to find the top homes across the United States.



  1. 1. Alaska

    Wasilla, AK

    $265,000



  2. 2. Alabama

    Hunstville, AL

    $71,534



  3. 3. Arkansas

    Conway, AR

    $179,000



  4. 4. Arizona

    Phoenix, AZ

    $125,000



  5. 5. California

    Los Angeles, CA

    $38,000,000



  6. 6. Colorado



  7. 7. Connecticut

    Hamden, CT

    $164,900



  8. 8. D.C.

    Washington, D.C.

    $10,750,000



  9. 9. Delaware

    Bear, DE

    $150,000



  10. 10. Florida

    Ocala, FL

    $50,000



  11. 11. Georgia

    Atlanta, GA

    $198,000



  12. 12. Hawaii

    Honolulu, HI

    $150,000



  13. 13. Iowa

    Des Moines, IA

    $89,715



  14. 14. Idaho

    Boise, ID

    Trulia estimate: $272,674



  15. 15. Illinois

    Rockford, IL

    $87,900

  16. 16. Indiana



  17. 17. Kansas

    Olathe, KS

    $180,554



  18. 18. Kentucky

    Louisville, KY

    $110,000



  19. 19. Louisiana



  20. 20. Massachusetts

    North Andover, MA

    Trulia estimate: $398,044



  21. 21. Maryland



  22. 22. Maine

    Bangor, ME

    $159,900



  23. 23. Michigan

    Oak Park, MI

    $130,000



  24. 24. Minnesota

    Blaine, MN

    Trulia estimate: $245,000



  25. 25. Missouri

    Springfield, MO

    $124,900



  26. 26. Mississippi

    Gulfport, MS

    $169,000



  27. 27. Montana

    Corvallis, MT

    $194,000



  28. 28. North Carolina

    Hayesville, NC

    $99,900



  29. 29. North Dakota

    Fargo, ND

    $171,900



  30. 30. Nebraska

    Omaha, NE

    $129,900



  31. 31. New Hampshire

    Londonderry, NH

    $249,000



  32. 32. New Jersey

    Orange, NJ

    $275,000



  33. 33. New Mexico

    Sante Fe, NM

    $142,500



  34. 34. Nevada

    Henderson, NV

    $200,000



  35. 35. New York

    Jamaica, NY

    $205,000



  36. 36. Ohio

    Dayton, OH

    $137,700



  37. 37. Oklahoma



  38. 38. Oregon

    Portland, OR

    $250,000



  39. 39. Pennsylvania

    Greentown, PA

    $69,900



  40. 40. Rhode Island

    Pawtucket, RI

    $199,000



  41. 41. South Carolina



  42. 42. South Dakota

    Sioux Falls, SD

    $129,900



  43. 43. Tennessee

    Chattanooga, TN

    $169,900



  44. 44. Texas

    Denton, TX

    $200,000



  45. 45. Utah

    Clearfield, UT

    $175,000



  46. 46. Virginia

    Alexandria, VA

    $214,900



  47. 47. Vermont



  48. 48. Washington

    Olympia, WA

    $250,000



  49. 49. Wisconsin

    West Allis, WI

    $129,900



  50. 50. West Virginia

    Hedgesville, WV

    $145,000



  51. 51. Wyoming

    Thayne, WY

    $170,000

Which home catches your eye? Comment below and be sure to save your favorite homes!

The post The Most Saved Home in Every State appeared first on Trulia's Blog.