This article was originally published on TheFunPost
When you first think about America, cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco probably come to mind first. While these cities are highly populated and attract thousands of tourists, residents have been leaving in droves during the last decade. The cost of living in these large cities has become too expensive, so people are moving in search of lower prices, less crime, and job opportunities. From St. Louis to Chicago, these places have seen a large number of people migrating elsewhere, and you might be surprised to find your city on this list.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin: 27,959 Leaving
Milwaukee is home to many attractions such as Miller Park and Milwaukee Art Museum, but people have lost interest over the years and opted to move to Chicago.
While Chicago isn't the safest place, it has a lower crime rate than Milwaukee. About 41 percent of the residents fear they will be robbed, and 31 percent fear they will be assaulted. It is no surprise that people would want to live somewhere else.
Washington DC: 8,542 Leaving
When you think of Washington DC, you probably think of people moving here for a career in politics, but the city's unemployment rate is 5.5 percent. The average cost of homes is around $564,400, which is double the national average.
Many people who live in the suburbs of DC have found themselves moving to Pillidelphia because it is close by, and there are more job opportunities.
Johnstown, Pennsylvania: 7,070 Leaving
Johnstown is a city outside of Pittsburgh that has lots of hiking trails and scenic greenery, but people are still moving away for better opportunities.
People have ranked it as the seventh-worst place to live in the state because of its high unemployment rates. About 38 percent of the city's residents live under the poverty line.
Hinesville, Georgia: 7,171 Leaving
Not every city can be exciting, and Hinesville understands that because it has been named the most boring town in Georgia, which is why many people have chosen to move away.
People have decided to move to other places for better futures. They probably wanted to live somewhere that had more to offer in terms of fun.
El Centro, California: 7,219 Leaving
El Centro, California, is a quaint city far from the coast. It has a considerable reputation because of the high unemployment rates. It holds the title for the highest in the nation.
CNBC had listed El Centro as the worst city in the country. Times have been so tough that the cemetery went into forclosure in 2009. People have left to find more employment opportunities.
Fairbanks, Alaska: 7,011 Leaving
Fairbanks, Alaska, is a quaint city with lots of scenic views. The average home value is $226,000, which is relatively low compared to other states, and the unemployment rate is also average. Over the past decade, 7,011 people have moved away, and most of that occurred in the past two years.
In general, Alaska is an expensive place to live because of the high costs of heating fuel, medical insurance, and other necessities. Most of the people who left wanted to find a place that would suit their needs while not breaking the bank.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 18,284 Leaving
Baton Rouge is known for its flavorful cajun food, vibrant culture, and soulful music. Each year people visit this colorful city for all the unique things it has to offer, but despite that, it saw a large population migration of almost 18,300 people.
One of the downfalls of Baton Rouge is the crime rate because it is comparable to Chicago. Also, there has been an increase in the unemployment rate, so residents are heading to Houston for more opportunities.
Bakersfield, California: 7,314 Leaving
If you aren't familiar with Bakersfield, it is a small city between San Fransisco and Los Angeles. While the city is a nice place to live, there are better opportunities elsewhere, which is why 7,314 people have left since 2010.
One of the most significant issues that Bakersfield faces is the number of people that live under the poverty line. It is one of the most polluted cities in America, so the town is usually covered in a cloud of smog.
New York, New York: 21,503 Leaving
"Concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there's nothing you can't do." New York City is entrancing with all the lights and hopeful dreams. Many people move to New York in hopes of making it big, but usually, their dreams are shattered, and they run out of money and have to move home.
Each year, around 300,000 people leave New York while 200,000 move in. The city is known for its ridiculous housing costs, and often people joke about paying so much money just to live in a shoebox. Many people trade New York for Boston because it is less expensive.
Norwich-New London, Connecticut: 7,365 Leaving
Typically, Connecticut is associated with wealth and prestige, but not every town is thriving. Norwich-New London looks great, but those who live there know how difficult it is.
The town ranks number five for criminal activity in the state, and it has an unemployment rate of 12.2 percent.
Fresno, California: 7,571 Leaving
There are many different cities in California, and they all attract different kinds of people. Fresno, California, shows the less glamorous side of California. The city is hot, dusty, and there are issues with substance abuse.
Fresno has a relatively high crime rate, and there is a one in 22 chance of being a victim of a crime. We can now see why 7,571 people decided to migrate to other places.
Farmington, New Mexico: 9,633 Leaving
New Mexico has dealt with many hardships over the past decade, and one city struggling the most is Farmington. Around 9,633 residents have said goodbye to their longtime home to find opportunities elsewhere.
Farmington has a 7.8 percent unemployment rate. The oil and natural gas prices have dropped, and those used to be what helped the state thrive.
Memphis, Tennessee: 30,000 Leaving
Known for being the home of the legendary Elvis Presley, Memphis attracts many tourists, but residents have chosen to pack up and leave.
It is unclear why, but people are flocking to other cities instead of Memphis. With low housing costs and plenty of activities, it is mind-boggling why people are leaving in droves.
Macon, Georgia: 7,877 Leaving
Since the '80s, Macon, Georgia, has been on the decline in terms of population. In the last decade, 7,900 people have moved away for various reasons.
People have left in droves because of highway construction that made commuting easier. Citizens were unhappy with the suburbanization, and now there are many abandoned houses.
Los Angeles, California: 93,959 Leaving
Like New York, many people move to LA to pursue their dreams and become stars. However, people realize how expensive LA is and can't afford it. Once reality sets in, many people choose to move to nearby cities that are more affordable.
Despite its reputation of glitz and glamor, Los Angeles has a large homeless population of about 59,000 and rising.
Anchorage, Alaska: 8,464 Leaving
Anchorage is the biggest city in Alaska, which people assume would make it more appealing. However, people have been leaving to move to other states.
Many people want to live in warmer climates, and things are more expensive in Alaska. Around 8,500 people have packed their things and migrated to the mainland.
El Paso, Texas: 21,829 Leaving
El Paso, Texas, is known for being one of the safest cities in the country, but people are still choosing to move to other cities. Those who live in El Paso are not close to the other Texas hotspots, which is a big drawback.
There is a 20 percent poverty rate, which is higher than the national average. Also, people are hesitant about living in the city because it borders Mexico's Ciudad Juarez, which has one of the highest crime rates in the world.
Chicago, Illinois: 296,320 Leaving
While many people from surrounding cities and states have migrated to Chicago, the city has lost a massive amount of its population. For those who have decided to leave Chicago, they are typically moving to Pheonix, Arizona, because of the warmer weather.
People who have decided to leave Chicago have complained about the high cost of living, the education system, and property taxes. The city also has a high crime rate.
Vineland-Bridgeton, New Jersey: 8,476 Leaving
Due to the rising crime rate, about 8,500 people have left Vineland-Bridgeton, New Jersey. The town has seen a steady decline in its population over the past few years.
Bridgeton has been ranked as the fifth most dangerous city in New Jersey, and people do not want to live in a violent neighborhood.
Erie, Pennsylvania: 8,511 Leaving
Erie, Pennsylvania, sits on one of the beautiful Great Lakes, and it was once home to one of the biggest cast-iron manufacturers in the country. As the fourth biggest city in Pennsylvania, their economy has slowed down since large companies left the area.
The population in Erie has been dwindling throughout the past decade, as 8,511 people left. They saw a 2.1 percent decrease in the population, but we aren't sure why people wouldn't want to live right on Lake Erie.
Mobile, Alabama: 8,517 Leaving
What was once the "Paris of the South," Mobile, Alabama, is known for its vibrant history and culture. It sits on the Gulf Coast, and it is the fourth largest city in Alabama. In just seven years, the city has seen a decrease in population by 8,517 residents.
The problem with Mobile is that the city has a 22 percent poverty rate, which is above the national average. However, the unemployment rate is relatively low.
Yakima, Washington: 9,916 Leaving
In pictures, Yakima, Washington, looks beautiful with its luscious forests and scenic mountains, but it is actually a dangerous place to live.
The city ranks number three for aggravated assaults, and about 20 percent of the population lives under the poverty line. People are fleeing to find better lives for themselves and their families.
Atlantic City, New Jersey: 8,550 Leaving
When you think about Atlantic City, New Jersey, it is probably associated with gambling and weekend trips to the hotels. The tourism rates are high, which has affected the residential population. There was a 1.7 percent decrease in the last decade.
While it is fun for a weekend, living in Atlantic City is expensive because of the state's high property taxes. It used to be the Las Vegas of the East Coast, but lost popularity over the years.
St. Louis, Missouri: 39,894 Leaving
People are turning their backs on St.Louis to move north to Chicago. In the '80s, St. Louis has a substance epidemic that increased the crime rate. Today, the crime rate is still the second-highest in the country.
Although it has a low unemployment rate, it is still a hotspot for substance trafficking. It isn't an expensive place to live, but people want to live in safer cities.
Fayetteville, North Carolina: 8,741 Leaving
Fayetteville, North Carolina, is a beautiful city with lots of scenic nature trails, rivers, and beaches. You might be wondering why people would want to move away from a town like that. Well, 8,741 people have moved away in the last decade.
While many people have left, there has also been a 5.6 percent population growth. However, there is a six percent unemployment rate and an 18 percent poverty rate, which is above the national average.
Binghamton, New York: 9,470 Leaving
Binghamton, New York, is one of the least favorable places to live in the state because of the crime rate, poverty rate, and unemployment rate.
It is the second poorest town in New York, and the poverty rate is about 33 percent. Most people are only there because of the University of Binghamton.
Douglas, Arizona: 9,495 Leaving
Arizona has many attractions, including the Grand Canyon and Flagstaff, but Douglas is one of its downfalls. The city is struggling because 31 percent of its population is below the poverty line.
Douglas is seeing more of its citizens migrating elsewhere because it is not close to any of the big cities in Arizona or neighboring states.
Charleston, West Virginia: 9,772 Leaving
Not to confused with Charlotte, North Carolina, Charleston in West Virginia, has been seen a steady decline in their population since the recession. About 9,772 residents moved away in the last decade alone.
The town has around 91,000 children living below the poverty line, making it the fourth-highest child poverty rate in the country. Also, the crime rate in Charleston is 205% high than the national average.
Wichita, Kansas: 10,335 Leaving
Witchita, Kansas has seen a large group of people pack up and leave. According to United Van Lines, a moving company, Kansas was the fifth-most moved-from state in the country.
The reason for moving might be because of the high crime rate that is two times the national average. The police force is extremely underfunded and understaffed, which would explain the high crime rates.
Syracuse, New York: 17,717 Leaving
Syracuse is known for the large university that brings pride to the northern part of New York. It is much cheaper than living in Manhattan, yet 17,717 people still decided to leave.
Despite many appealing factors like the lower cost for a home, it is far from New York City where many jobs are, so people are relocating to suburbs outside the city. Also, Syracuse gets about 10-feet of snow each year, so if your aren't a fan of the cold, this is not the city for you.
Toledo, Ohio: 18,475 Leaving
Toledo, Ohio, has had a dwindling population for the past decade. Since 2010, 18,475 residents have left Toledo to find better lives despite the low cost of housing.
Residents of Toledo have moved away mainly because of high crime rates. Also, people have said that the city is boring and one dimensional. To top things off, the weather isn't the best either.
Rockford, Illinois: 18,789 Leaving
Rockford, Illinois, is a city outside of Chicago. In the 20th century, Rockford was known for producing heavy machinery, which made it successful in terms of industrial development.
Despite Rockford's growth in the 20th century, the city has recently hit an all-time high in its unemployment rate. As the third biggest city in Illinois, it is steadily shrinking.
Flint, Michigan: 22,658 Leaving
It should be no surprise why Flint, Michigan, has had such a large population migration over the past few years. The 2014 health disaster that poisoned the water supply with lead has not been fixed, and it has driven many people from the city.
Because of the water disaster, homes started to lose value and investments fell flat. The city billions of dollars of damage to fix and people are continuing to leave the city.
Cleveland, Ohio: 33,117 Leaving
Over the past dace, Cleveland has seen a large amount of its population leave the city because of the increasing poverty rate.
At the beginning of the decade, it was the poorest big city in the nation, but not much has improved. There is a 36.9 percent poverty rate that continues to rise.
Detroit, Michigan: 54,640 Leaving
Detroit was once a bustling city that was the heart of the auto industry. The cities population has since declined from 1.8 million to 673,000 and dropping. It is now common to see abandoned homes and businesses.
One of the major drawbacks is that Detroit has the highest crime rate in the country. People are fleeing from the dangers of the city and setting up homes in Chicago instead.