Willimantic, CT, United States

With a population of just 18,149, Willimantic has seen better days. Once a thriving textile hub, this former city has struggled since the mills closed, with a poverty rate more than double the state average. Rampant heroin use and prostitution were major issues in the 2000s, though enforcement has improved in recent years. Meanwhile, the bureaucracy involved in getting around town is a persistent headache, with only surface roads connecting Willimantic to the outside world after plans for an interstate link were abandoned. For those seeking an affordable cost of living and a glimpse into Connecticut's industrial past, Willimantic may hold some appeal, but the challenges of the present-day town are not to be overlooked.