I feel for you. I am sure if you could move you would. I left Chicago for the reasons you state.
I'm 77. I was born and raised in Rochester, NY. Left there around 1973 with my then husband and two sons. Wouldn't go back now if they paid me. The only time I'll be moving is when they carry me out of here to the crematorium. I live in the small city of Rome, site of the former Griffiss Air Force Base, now business park. The Eastern Air Defense Sector of NORAD is still here. Not much crime. Don't run into muzzies or other undesirables shopping at the grocery stores. About the only thing I can complain about is that while there are some privately owned restaurants, mostly Italian, given the name of the City, we only have McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, KFC, Taco Bell, Arby's and Moe's. There's a Denny's, an Applebee's, plus the chain pizza shops which I don't go to because I cook most of my meals at home. I'd have to drive about an hour to go to a Red Robin or Outback. There are some chain restaurants on the outskirts of Utica like Texas Roadhouse and Olive Garden, but about the only time I order anything for take-out, is when I've had a late Dr.'s appointment in that area. I wouldn't drive the half-hour from here just to get food.