The bulk of these replies are not about finding escorts, but finding sex. Backpage is good (or, maybe not good, but at least on-theme) if you are looking for an escort. Not good AT ALL if you are looking to find a hookup.
The thing about Backpage is that many of the ads are catfish. Photos of the same guy posted in multiple cities at the same time. Or, try searching the phone number provided, and you often find it attached to photos of many different guys, in different locations. It's often a bait-and-switch. This might be more true in larger cities. I know it to be true in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Houston.
Craigslist personals was a cesspool of funny, sexy, nasty, horrifying, and/or repetitive ads from guys simply looking to fuck or suck. Or collect pics. Or play games. Or trade insults. Often frustrating, but sometimes it paid off. Backpage is not equivalent.