15 Ohio Cities You Should Never Buy Property In

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Though Ohio is a state of many charms, not every city within its borders is a safe bet for homebuyers. Investing in the wrong place can turn into a financial nightmare from areas suffering from economic stagnation to high crime areas. There are a lot of great communities in Ohio, but some cities come with risk that could leave buyers holding the bag on devalued properties or astronomical upkeep.

Price tag is not the only thing. Everything about a city from the infrastructure to the job opportunities and even the safety can really make or break a city in terms of its desirability. Property is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make, so it makes sense to know where you’re investing your money. Here we take a look at Ohio cities homebuyers may want to avoid.

East Cleveland

East Cleveland frequently makes the list of Ohio’s struggling cities. This city contains an aging housing stock and has become a tough market for property owners to deal with. U.S. Census data shows that the poverty rate is about 40% here, and property values are low and opportunities for growth limited. The city’s challenges are made worse by the fact that many homes are left vacant.

Youngstown

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Youngstown once was a steel manufacturing powerhouse, but has declined economically for decades. Work continues to revitalize the area, but the city still suffers from high unemployment and important population loss. These keep property values low and make long term appreciation unlikely. The stats show that it is also among the highest in the state regarding the crime rate.

Warren

Warren isn’t far from Youngstown, and it shares the same economic woe. Because the population of the city is shrinking and job opportunities are not much, housing demand is sluggish. Warren is a risky choice for buyers; many of its neighborhoods have deteriorating infrastructure, and its houses need extensive repairs.

Trotwood

For years, Trotwood’s housing market has been wobbly. Many properties in Trotwood are vacant. Unfortunately, these empty homes often turn to magnets for vandalism and neglect, which further detriments neighborhood appeal.

Springfield

Springfield may have some historic charm, but the city suffers from high crime rates and an economy that’s leaving something to be desired. Here, home values are among the lowest in the state and could be hard to attract quality renters or buyers in the future.

Lima

For a long time, Lima has been a center for manufacturing, but its economic diversification has been minimal. The housing market has been left vulnerable by this over reliance on a single industry. Low income job opportunities and crime rates higher than the national average are challenges many residents face.

Mansfield

The reputation of Mansfield is based on its shrinking industries and lack of economic growth. Redevelopment projects in the city are underway, but haven’t come to many neighborhoods yet. Rental demand is sometimes inconsistent here and property owners often struggle to sell their homes.

Canton

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An unsteady housing market is the case with the home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Crime is still a problem, and according to ATTOMS Data Solutions, the city’s foreclosure rate is one of the highest in Ohio. All of these make property investments in Canton a gamble.

Lorain

Economic challenges have plagued this lakeside city over the years, after the steep fall of its steel mills. Lorain’s property values have stagnated, and most of its homes are in need of major repairs. The costs may outweigh the benefits for prospective buyers.

Zanesville

Zanesville is an art town, known for its historic architecture, but it also has a problem with economic disparity. Just looking at a home’s price, many are affordable, but then there are hidden costs such as high property taxes or it’s extremely high maintenance needs.

Steubenville

A one time thriving steel town, Steubenville has been hard hit by the decay of manufacturing. Unemployment and high poverty levels are the city’s burden now. The property price might seem attractive but that would be masking some deeper rooted problems that are hard to overcome.

Marion

Marion has failed to shake off its reputation as an economic backwater. The job market is small and housing is getting old and needs expensive repairs. The desirability is also affected by the crime and low educational attainment.

Hamilton

Even though Hamilton is near Cincinnati, it has its problems. Parts of the city’s housing market have been left in limbo as the city has struggled to recover from manufacturing losses. Some areas are promising but other areas are still risky places for buyers to look for steady growth.

Newark

Columbus’ proximity to Newark isn’t the only draw; the city has problems of its own. It’s a tricky place for property investment because of its high crime rate and slow growing economy. Also, the local job market doesn’t always supply the stability that residents need.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth has huge challenges, from an ailing economy to the ongoing fight against the opioid crisis. Property here can be cheap, but there are very real risks of falling property prices and maintenance charges that deter people looking to rent or buy a home.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.