With the American economy still in a downturn, many people are finding the cities that they live in to be too expensive. Cities like New York, Boston, and Los Angeles are just becoming too expensive to be livable for the average American. Real estate prices are going up because people aren't buying houses and jobs are getting scarcer and less secure. For some it has meant that they have to leave their home cities and venture out to cities that are more affordable and offer more opportunities for work and social services. One city that has proved to be a good alternative option is Baltimore, Maryland.

Baltimore offers all the perks of a big city and it's more affordable. Because of its vicinity to Washington DC, there are lots of jobs available in business, finance, politics, government, social service; there is a market for almost any profession. Similarly, the Baltimore real estate and rental markets are in a better position than most major US cities because of the general affordability of housing, the availability of government subsidized housing, as well as a plethora of social and employment services available. Baltimore is a city that works hard to improve the quality of life of its citizens no matter how dismal the economy is.

On top of the affordability, job opportunities and social assistance services Baltimore is a growing city that is offering more and more in terms of a cultural arts and a social scene. In the last 10 years there have been a number of programs put on by the city government to get people outside, using bike lanes, as well as to take advantage of the parks and the riverfront. There have been more music festivals that are free and open to the public as well as Art walks. The political life of Baltimore is also very lively since it is so close to Washington DC, which makes for lots of opportunities to get involved with an issue that you are passionate about.

One important thing to take into account, however, is that cities that are more affordable are sometimes also less secure. Baltimore is by no means a dangerous city, but it is one that has crime related to home security. Thankfully, however, this is a kind of crime that is more preventable than most. By installing a home security system you can protect your home from theft and crimes of opportunity. Most systems are equipped with a home alarm that sounds as soon as an entryway to your home is breached. They can be set for when you are out of the house and also for when you are sleeping. With a home security system, Baltimore or any city for that matter, will feel much safer. You would be able to rest assured knowing that you, your family and your home are safe.

So don't let worries about break-ins scare you because they are a preventable risk no matter where you live. A home security system can wipe all those worries away. If you and your family are looking to relocate to a new, more affordable and supportive city, Baltimore is a great option.