The Reporter's companion website, DotNews.com, is currently polling visitors about an issue that has long been a source of controversy in the city of Boston: residency. The City of Boston currently mandates that all city workers, including public safety employees, must reside in the city.

Recently, members of various city-based unions have begun to challenge the longstanding residency requirement. They argue that the mandate is unfair, since many lower-paid employees find it difficult to find affordable housing in the city.

Readers have left some interesting thoughts about the issue on our readers' poll chatroom. Here is a sample of some of the opinions:

KM says: "I am a big supporter of if you want to work for the city then you should live in the city. However, the reality is that most city workers do not make enough money and therefore cannot afford to buy a house in the city. There is housing for the rich and there is housing for low income families, but there is no housing for the working class people in the City of Boston. Either city employees need a more competitive wage or the residency issue should be reconsidered."

Mary, who identified herself as a city employee and resident, wrote: "I am a city resident as well as a worker. I am for, always have been, and always will be for residency. If you want to work in the city then you must/should live here! What is so upsetting is the fact that so many city employees feel that they should be allowed to live in other cities. Well I say 'if you want to move to another city then get a job for that city!' In regards to affordable housing. If you move to another city then you are obviously able to afford to buy a house or pay rent. In reality, they prices are fairly the same and if you move to a suburb the prices are probably higher!"

Mike Leahy wrote: "A couple of years ago I was outside in front of my house and a young guy who had been circling the neighborhood stopped and introduced himself.

He explained that he was from New Hampshire and was checking out the neighborhood because he was getting on the Boston Fire Department and had to live in the city. I told him about some houses for sale and he said he would wait a couple of years for the prices to come down. I will never forget that.

"Everyone knows about the people who were promoted and live outside the city or the ones who were promoted or appointed and have moved out. Their argument is that they grew up here and are entitled to the job. One guy told me he could not stand the thought of his kids growing up here but brings them here for the sports programs. Others argue that they cannot afford anything. There are kids graduating from the city's colleges and universities every year who do not care where they live as long as it is in the city and they improve the neighborhoods immensely."

Ann commented: "I am glad to see so many people in favor of Boston's residency requirement. We all feel a little safer when there is a police car on our street. Our public safety officers should be in the city! If there is an emergency, I don't think we should have to wait for the officers and firefighters to drive up from their homes in Marshfield. For those who say it is 'unsafe' for them to live in the city. I say 'nonsense.' It is not like these officers are moving up to Manchester, NH to get away from the criminal element that they allegedly fear. If you want to work in Boston, live in Boston. If you don't want to live in the city, get a job on the Hingham force. Remember guys, the Quinn Bill was a trade-off for residency. You can't have it both ways!"

"Dot Guy" added: "It's all fine and wonderful when we see police cars and district fire chiefs vehicles parked on our street, but when it comes time for living, not working, we should be able to put our head where we want. How many people that work for the city are grandfathered and have taken the flight many years ago? How many people have enough time to move out of the city if they would like, but continue to stay because they like it in the city. See the point here people, it's all about choice!!! I shop at the Braintree Plaza, I take my dry cleaning to Quincy, I eat out, mostly in Quincy....oops, I live in Dorchester. Is this still legal? You should be able to live where you want, not where you're told, regardless of who you work for."

(The Reporter will continue its online, unscientific poll through the next week at www.dotnews.com. Currently, supporters of residency are in the lead by a 2-1 margin.)