A real estate report found that there are only four cities in the U.S. where it makes more sense for residents to rent rather than buy. The foreclosure crisis has made it more practical to buy rather than rent in 72% of America's 50 largest cities.
The report was prepared by the website Trulia. The four expensive cities to purchase a home, in order, are NYC, Seattle and Kansas City, MO and San Francisco tied for third place.
"Trulia's study - which only took into consideration two-bedroom apartments, condominiums and townhouses - used a price-to-rent ratio to calculate its rankings.
Cities with a ratio of 21 or higher were deemed cheaper to rent than to buy.
The study found that San Francisco, with an estimated median home price of $763,000 and an annual rent cost of about $36,000, came in with a price-to-rent ratio of 21, as did Kansas City, Mo. Not surprisingly, New York had the most-expensive real estate and a price-to-rent ratio of 31."
FULL STORY: It’s still rent over buy in San Francisco

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
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