the negative of the crappy city is that the houses generally will not go up in value i've found.
though i sometimes miss my condo life, just getting home, minimal bills, no lawn to worry about, etc.... overall, i love having my yard... i'll sit in my back corner of my lot where i have a little pond and read a book listening to the waterfall and feeding my fishes while sipping a drink... hard to beat it.
plus, i hated condo/common element fees.