The 50 worst cities in America, according to 24/7 Wall St
Where Americans live can have a considerable impact on their quality of life. In some U.S. cities, everyday comfort and happiness is much harder to attain than in others.
Quality of life is subjective, and difficult to measure. Still, there is a wide range of quantifiable factors that can impact quality of life in a given area. Affordability, safety, job market strength, quality of education, infrastructure, average commute times, air quality, and the presence of cultural attractions are just a few examples of factors that can influence overall quality of life.
24/7 Wall St. created an index with measures in eight categories — crime, economy, education, environment, health, housing, infrastructure, and leisure — to identify the 50 worst cities to live in. Not confined to a single region, the worst cities span the country from the South to the Midwest and from New England to the Pacific coast.
1. Detroit
2. Flint, Michigan
3. St. Louis
4. Memphis
5. Cleveland
6. Wilmington, Delaware
7. Albany
8. Springfield, Missouri
9. Baltimore
10. Milwaukee
11. Hartford, Connecticut
12. Homestead, Florida
13. Florence-Graham, California
14. San Bernardino, California
15. Youngstown, Ohio
16. Rockford, Illinois
17. Pueblo, Colorado
18. Gary, Indiana
19. Little Rock, Arkansas
20. Compton, California
21. Shreveport, Louisiana
22, Charleston, West Virginia
23. Daytona Beach, Florida
24. Stockton, California
25. Miami Beach, Florida
26. Merced, California
27. Oakland, California
28. Springfield, Massachusetts
29. Dayton, Ohio
30. Trenton, New Jersey
31. Tuscon, Arizona
32. Fresno, California
33. Canton, Ohio
34. Buffalo, New York
35. Toledo, Ohio
36. Knoxville, Tennessee
37. Kalamazoo, Michigan
38. Tallahassee, Florida
39. New Haven, Connecticut
40. South Bend, Indiana
41. North Charleston, South Carolina
42. Miami
43. Syracuse, New York
44. Jackson, Mississippi
45. Albuquerque, New Mexico
46. Tacoma, Washington
47. Atlanta
48. Gainesville, Florida
49. Salt Lake City
50. Fort Smith, Arkansas
https://247wallst.com/special-report/2018/06/10/50-worst-cities-to-live-in-3/2/
I know that many love to defend Detroit, but it isn't looking good...Often the worst municipal governments = the worst cities; Detroit's history of political corruption is about as infamous as it gets.
SLC used to be one of the safest places in the country; thanks to gang activity spreading like the plague from places like Cali, that's no longer the case.
Surprised to see Atlanta on this list, I loved it there. I would put Boston on this list but this is my perception.
I've not been to Hartford since I lived in its suburbs in 1998. But I'm not surprised to see it (or Springfield) on the list. My father is from Buffalo and that one's no shock, either.
Quote from: Keith-N-Jax on June 13, 2018, 09:43:57 PM
Surprised to see Atlanta on this list, I loved it there. I would put Boston on this list but this is my perception.
According to the ranking this is what pulled them down...
While Atlanta has experienced substantial economic and population growth in recent years, the city's high violent crime rate continues to hinder the area's quality of life. There were 1,084 violent crimes reported in 2016 per 100,000 Atlanta residents, nearly three times the national violent crime rate of 386 incidents per 100,000 Americans.
I might have missed it, but there doesn't seem to be a Texas city on the list. #7 is Albany, GA.
Quote from: Adam White on June 14, 2018, 04:47:51 AM
I've not been to Hartford since I lived in its suburbs in 1998. But I'm not surprised to see it (or Springfield) on the list. My father is from Buffalo and that one's no shock, either.
According to the article...
Hartford is the worst city to live in in both Connecticut and the broader New England region. The typical Hartford household earns $36,637 a year, less than half the median income in Connecticut of $73,433. Low-income individuals in the city are put under additional financial strain as goods and services are 17.3% more expensive in the city than they are on average nationwide. A bleak jobs picture in the city is partially to blame for the low median income. Some 9.4% of workers are out of a job, the largest share in New England and nearly double the 4.9% 2016 annual U.S. unemployment rate.
The city's poor economic conditions may be driving people out of Hartford. In the last five years, Hartford's population shrank by 1.3% even as the national population increased by 3.7%.
Quote from: BridgeTroll on June 14, 2018, 07:05:23 AM
Quote from: Adam White on June 14, 2018, 04:47:51 AM
I've not been to Hartford since I lived in its suburbs in 1998. But I'm not surprised to see it (or Springfield) on the list. My father is from Buffalo and that one's no shock, either.
According to the article...
Hartford is the worst city to live in in both Connecticut and the broader New England region. The typical Hartford household earns $36,637 a year, less than half the median income in Connecticut of $73,433. Low-income individuals in the city are put under additional financial strain as goods and services are 17.3% more expensive in the city than they are on average nationwide. A bleak jobs picture in the city is partially to blame for the low median income. Some 9.4% of workers are out of a job, the largest share in New England and nearly double the 4.9% 2016 annual U.S. unemployment rate.
The city's poor economic conditions may be driving people out of Hartford. In the last five years, Hartford's population shrank by 1.3% even as the national population increased by 3.7%.
Yeah, I saw that. As I said, it came as little surprise, based on my previous experience. I seem to remember all the cities of CT being depressing and a bit scary. I worked for 7-Eleven and was responsible for 8 stores in CT.
Quote from: sanmarcomatt on June 14, 2018, 07:45:45 AM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on June 14, 2018, 07:05:23 AM
Quote from: Adam White on June 14, 2018, 04:47:51 AM
I've not been to Hartford since I lived in its suburbs in 1998. But I'm not surprised to see it (or Springfield) on the list. My father is from Buffalo and that one's no shock, either.
According to the article...
Hartford is the worst city to live in in both Connecticut and the broader New England region. The typical Hartford household earns $36,637 a year, less than half the median income in Connecticut of $73,433. Low-income individuals in the city are put under additional financial strain as goods and services are 17.3% more expensive in the city than they are on average nationwide. A bleak jobs picture in the city is partially to blame for the low median income. Some 9.4% of workers are out of a job, the largest share in New England and nearly double the 4.9% 2016 annual U.S. unemployment rate.
The city's poor economic conditions may be driving people out of Hartford. In the last five years, Hartford's population shrank by 1.3% even as the national population increased by 3.7%.
I also lived/worked in Hartford area in the 90's (as well as Springfield which was horrible but maybe MGM can make a difference) and was the last city we lived prior to Jax. I expect it to get worse based upon the city's financials.
But it does remind me why we live in Jax as 20 years later our monthly housing costs are lower now then when we were renting a shit apartment outside of Hartford.
I have to say I was a *bit* surprised that Bridgeport didn't make the list. At least back then, it felt like a war zone. I know they were talking about revitalizing it, but I didn't honestly think it would happen.
Quote from: sanmarcomatt on June 14, 2018, 07:50:56 AM
Quote from: Adam White on June 14, 2018, 07:48:35 AM
Quote from: sanmarcomatt on June 14, 2018, 07:45:45 AM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on June 14, 2018, 07:05:23 AM
Quote from: Adam White on June 14, 2018, 04:47:51 AM
I've not been to Hartford since I lived in its suburbs in 1998. But I'm not surprised to see it (or Springfield) on the list. My father is from Buffalo and that one's no shock, either.
According to the article...
Hartford is the worst city to live in in both Connecticut and the broader New England region. The typical Hartford household earns $36,637 a year, less than half the median income in Connecticut of $73,433. Low-income individuals in the city are put under additional financial strain as goods and services are 17.3% more expensive in the city than they are on average nationwide. A bleak jobs picture in the city is partially to blame for the low median income. Some 9.4% of workers are out of a job, the largest share in New England and nearly double the 4.9% 2016 annual U.S. unemployment rate.
The city's poor economic conditions may be driving people out of Hartford. In the last five years, Hartford's population shrank by 1.3% even as the national population increased by 3.7%.
I also lived/worked in Hartford area in the 90's (as well as Springfield which was horrible but maybe MGM can make a difference) and was the last city we lived prior to Jax. I expect it to get worse based upon the city's financials.
But it does remind me why we live in Jax as 20 years later our monthly housing costs are lower now then when we were renting a shit apartment outside of Hartford.
I have to say I was a *bit* surprised that Bridgeport didn't make the list. At least back then, it felt like a war zone. I know they were talking about revitalizing it, but I didn't honestly think it would happen.
Well, the list is worthless click bait so.......
LOL. Still couldn't pay me to live in Hartford, Springfield or Buffalo, though....