Forbes: most miserable cities

[spdrun]

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2013/02/21/detroit-tops-2013-list-of-americas-most-miserable-cities/

I’m actually pretty shocked that NYC and Chicago (as much as I’m ambivalent about the latter) show up on a list with Detroit, Camden, and friends. I think that Forbes needs to rethink their methodology. Yeah, NYC may have high taxes, but you’re also getting a lot for the taxes, unlike in Deee-TROIT or Camden.

[paramount]

I was really surprised about Chicago (#4).

I’ve considered taking jobs in Chicago and I’ve always enjoyed visiting Chicago.

Let’s see, what does Chicago (area) offer:

1. Da Bears
2. Notre Dame games
3. Lake Michigan
4. Accessible downtown area/Michigan Ave
5. Nice suburbs
6. Great hot dogs and pizza

I’m sure there are other good points.

I suspect the job market sucks in Chicago though.

[paramount]

That was a seriously downer article, it seems like there are areas of this country in a serious economic depression.

What is the future of these rust belt areas? 3rd world status?

Makes Temecula seem like Paradise.

[spdrun]

NYC:
(1) Yankees
(2) Good universities (NYU, Columbia, Yeshiva, CCNY, SUNY, NY Medical, Pratt, FIT, Cooper Union, and quite a few less known)
(3) The Jersey Shore/Lawn Guyland beaches
(4) Central Park. Fort-Greene Park. Union Square.
(5) Opera, museums, theatre, arts scene/art galleries
(6) Yeah, nice suburbs too. Places like Summit are 30-35 minutes from downtown if you take one of the express trains
(7) The Catskills and ‘gunks — 2 hr away by car, skiing, climbing, hiking
(8) The whole spectrum of food, including many very ethnic neighborhoods where you can get the real deal
(9) Decent job market/tech scene. Employers that are much more flexible about qualifications than in certain other markets.
(10) First rate subway system. Maybe not for modernity, but for functionality
(11) It’s a walking city. Plenty of opportunities for serendipity and randomness. When I flew back from San Diego in March, I changed from the airport bus to a train at 125th St station. There was an amazing jazzman who’d set up shop outside the station, and there was basically an impromptu street party going at 11 pm on a Friday evening.

The Forbes writer needs to get out of his McMansion a bit more.

[earlyretirement]

Totally agree with you spdrun. Chicago and NYC definitely didn’t deserve to be on that list. I take all these “Top 10” type lists with a grain of salt. Half the time I think they list cities where they know people will shake their head and say “HUH”?

[bobby]

[quote=spdrun]NYC:
(1) Yankees
(2) Good universities (NYU, Columbia, Yeshiva, CCNY, SUNY, NY Medical, Pratt, FIT, Cooper Union, and quite a few less known)
(3) The Jersey Shore/Lawn Guyland beaches
(4) Central Park. Fort-Greene Park. Union Square.
(5) Opera, museums, theatre, arts scene/art galleries
(6) Yeah, nice suburbs too. Places like Summit are 30-35 minutes from downtown if you take one of the express trains
(7) The Catskills and ‘gunks — 2 hr away by car, skiing, climbing, hiking
(8) The whole spectrum of food, including many very ethnic neighborhoods where you can get the real deal
(9) Decent job market/tech scene. Employers that are much more flexible about qualifications than in certain other markets.
(10) First rate subway system. Maybe not for modernity, but for functionality
(11) It’s a walking city. Plenty of opportunities for serendipity and randomness. When I flew back from San Diego in March, I changed from the airport bus to a train at 125th St station. There was an amazing jazzman who’d set up shop outside the station, and there was basically an impromptu street party going at 11 pm on a Friday evening.

The Forbes writer needs to get out of his McMansion a bit more.[/quote]

I lived in NYC 4 years during med school. I agree that NYC is an amazing place to live. Especially if you have
1. time
2. money
3. a sense of adventure.
I didn’t have time or money during medschool but still found that NYC is a magical place for a young person.

[sdduuuude]

[quote=paramount]That was a seriously downer article, it seems like there are areas of this country in a serious economic depression.

What is the future of these rust belt areas? 3rd world status?

Makes Temecula seem like Paradise.[/quote]

Temecula wasn’t on the list ?

[bearishgurl]

Looks like Deee-TROIT is poised to get an “infusion” of US investor, foreign and/or mutual fund money.

. . . “There’s going to be a big turnaround for Detroit, and I want to be part of it,” says Peter Grosso of New York, who paid about $90,000 for 29 Detroit homes at an auction last October. He plans to rent them for income over the next decade, then sell at a profit.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-01-24/detroit-housings-for-sale-and-global-investors-want-in

Since it has nowhere to go but “up,” this can only be good 🙂

[bearishgurl]

$90K divided by 29 parcels is an average of $3103 per parcel in back taxes, lol …

[Author]

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