Detroit Named Most Miserable U.S. City In Forbes Ranking

[Purveyor]

NEW YORK | Thu Feb 21, 2013 5:27pm EST

(Reuters) - With its violent crimes, high unemployment, dwindling population and financial crisis, Detroit was named on Thursday as the most miserable city in the United States.

It toppled Miami, which held the title last year, and surpassed Flint, Michigan, Rockford and Chicago in Illinois and Modesto, California, which rounded out the five most unhappy urban areas.

"Detroit's problems are hardly news. It has been in a four-decade decline paralleling the slide in the U.S. auto industry," according to Forbes.com, which compiles the yearly ranking.

Earlier this week, a panel of experts said the automotive city was facing a fiscal emergency and potential bankruptcy, as well as a possible financial takeover by the state.

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http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/21/us-usa-cities-miserable-idUSBRE91K1FC20130221

[shenmue]

1. Quick! Send clowns!

[LeftInTX]

2. Wonder why this house is vacant?

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(Stockton CA)

Seriously, this article sure picks on northern cities.

[amandabeech]

3. Over Flint?

Tough choice. I have a first cousin living in Fenton with his family. He used to manage a large construction company that died more than ten years ago. He's a graduate of MSU's construction management program, and he hasn't worked since. He couldn't even get a janitor's position. It's a real shame. He's 59 with health problems and he'll never work again. Thank heavens his wife is a teacher in the Fenton schools (middle school!) with enough seniority that she'll be able to retire from there. Thank heavens for MEA health benefits. He'd be dead otherwise.

I guess Muskegon didn't make the list because the Lake Michigan beaches are as beautiful as ever even though Lake Michigan's original fauna have been replaced, basically. I guess the folks there (and my family and friends 40 miles to the north) should count themselves lucky.

I'm sorry. I'd love to move back to be closer to my elderly Mom and other relatives (like my cousin), but there just isn't anything there for me at all. Sometimes it gets to me.

[Purveyor]

5. It is because of an elderly parent that keeps me here but that's ok and glad I can be close.

I absolutely love the physical state of Michigan but the economy, the politics and the people are tough to deal with.

[amandabeech]

7. I can understand.

Did you grow up there?

I'm a native. I know some reasonable locals and have seen the good side of some of the conservatives, which makes it easier to deal with their stuff.

[Faygo Kid]

4. Born in Detroit (#1), grew up in Warren (#7)

And spent my summers as a kid outside Flint (#2). Still love them all, but no doubting the seemingly intractable problems they face.

[Cali_Democrat]

6. New York City is one of them?

This article is a joke.

[Blue_Tires]

8. I blame Prince Fielder...