Everett, MA, United States

Everett is a gritty city north of Boston where the population density exceeds 11,000 per square mile. With nearly 1 in 3 residents born outside the US, the demographics are increasingly diverse, though the tax burden remains heavy. The local bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by Everett being the last US city to maintain a bicameral legislature until 2011. However, crime rates are reported to be below the national average. Those seeking an affordable alternative to Boston's sky-high housing costs may find Everett a viable option, though the tradeoffs in convenience and local governance should be carefully weighed.