Atlanta 16th most miserable city
A recent infusion of zombies, seen here on Mitchell Street, may have catapulted Atlanta to No. 16 on Forbes' misery index. (AMC)
Misery loves company, and Atlantans have plenty of it in the recent “Most Miserable Cities” list put together by Forbes.
Atlanta, which didn’t crack the Top 20 in 2012, appears at No. 16 in the 2013 list. I apologize for not putting more numbers in the preceding sentence.
Why is Atlanta so miserable? High foreclosure rates, home values that are down 42% since 2007, and nasty traffic, which you probably know more about than Forbes.
Despite the rainy weather, I don’t feel more miserable than last year, but there’s an explanation for that.
The magazine has tweaked its formula, dropping two criteria — the success of sports teams and political corruption — while adding net migration, the number of people that flee the city. The other familiar barometers of displeasure — unemployment, commute times, violent crimes, home prices, foreclosures, taxes and weather – remain.
Adding net migration to the mix moved last year’s No. 1, Miami, out of the Top 20.
I guess that means last year’s list was not very good at predicting misery.
This year’s list doesn’t seem much better.
Detroit, which has been miserable since someone had the bright idea of creating the Ford Pinto, is once again America’s most pathetic zip code, according to the same magazine that put the city on the cover with the headline “City of Hope” in 2011.
Flint, another city ruined by an inept auto industry, is No. 2.
Chicago is No. 4, which seems high, though I once visited in April and almost froze to death.
Another miss is No. 9, Lake County, Illinois, which is one of the richest “towns” in America, and New York City (No. 10), which has high taxes but is otherwise considered a pretty cool place to live, else Forbes would move their offices.
Youngstown, Ohio, a city so ravaged by fate Bruce Springsteen felt compelled to write a song about it, is No. 20. Call me a “homer” if you wish, but Atlanta is a heck of a lot better place to live than Youngstown.
After carefully reviewing the list, I notice not one “miserable” city has access to a nice, warm ocean.
Thus, all Atlanta needs to be No. 1 on the “LEAST Miserable” list is a beach and schools that educate children. Those can’t be too hard to fix.
Visit Forbes for the complete list.
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127 comments Add your comment
mike
February 26th, 2013
4:52 pm
dump no offense but GT is only slightly a better school. The bad part of being an engineer is that you have a good starting salary but you top out early. My brother was an EE and he got out. I didn’t go the engineering route(first in a great group of Asian cousins who didn’t go that way) and I make more than all of them. just reality
Eric
February 26th, 2013
5:02 pm
Until transportation (Yes MARTA) is improved and supported by more than DeKalb and Fulton Counties and more oversight of MARTA is implemented, transportation will continue to be hindered and the growth of this region as a whole. It should not be a nightmarish experience to travel east on I-20, north on GA-400, east on U.S.-78, or north on I-85 at 5:00. A transit rail would be beneficial to all of these areas. And most criminals tend to use cars and not public transportation. Just a thought.
I LOVE Atlanta
February 26th, 2013
5:05 pm
I think most people are really missing out on what this great city has to offer, or they have never lived in a crappy area like the northeast. I’m a transplant from the northeast and I have to say, I absolutely love Atlanta. It’s clean, there are tons of things to do, it’s just beautiful driving down I-85 at night into the city. Yes we have crime, yes we have bad areas here, but if you’ve ever lived in the northeast, where it’s run down, rude people, where everything is taxed too high and everything is expensive, then perhaps you would see my point. Oh and honestly, I think the 96 olympics was the best thing that ever happened here because before that, intown was dismal and dirty. I’m here to stay and I love sitting outside dining at wonderful restaurants intown. Go live in the northeast for many years, I think it will give most a new appreciation for our wonderful beautiful city.
COBB_Chuck
February 26th, 2013
5:06 pm
Correct! Poor sports teams, getting close, but failing miserably…across the board.
Racial tension…some blacks doing lots of crime, then back on streets after slap on hand. Some white racists and many other whites not interested in helping resolve the greater poverty anymore. Has led mini-cities, Brookhaven, Johns Creek, Dunwoody…and much more of this modern segregation to come. We all suffer because of lack of transit solution to burbs (racisim/segregation). You can run but the other issues will quickly find you, giving will not solve. Mistrust of school boards/city councils, etc. Black and White. Public officials from Gov. Deal to Kassim read, to school boards taking payoffs, doing favors for money. Been in Atlanta 21 years now and really miserable place now and moving forward. Now the racism is spreading to the Latinos. Sad! Biggest issue is RACIAL TENSION.
Edward Beazley
February 26th, 2013
5:09 pm
I live 50 miles from Atlanta, during the late 60’s it was the place to go. Now it has turned into a rat hole. I will never go back to Atlanta, even if is a life or death situation.
Forbes Got It Right
February 26th, 2013
5:11 pm
Atlanta used to be a great city, but the lack of infrastructure investment has killed it. 1980s infrastructure with 10 times the people = misery. A train that only goes North/South/East/West = misery. 3 interstates converging in downtown with added twists and turns = misery. Come on. Fix the roads and trains, fix the traffic, fix the misery.
Mo Schreibman
February 26th, 2013
5:11 pm
As my grandmother used to tell us you were not invited so you are welcome to leave so wait on the porch I have already called your father if you are so miserable here.
COBB_Chuck
February 26th, 2013
5:14 pm
RACIAL TENSION: Hartsfield-Jackson, it’s all in a name. I know, hear many between professionals work and other venues that do not, will not support Black culture. Disgusted by idea of Michele Obama in White house. Beyonce, forget it. There are some much bigger racist based issues here, I know. I also know that most of the crime here is committed by black youths and there is an entitlement mentality in the Black community. The Nepotism and stealing by some Black leadership is appalling. And then some get re-elected no less. Issues across the board on all sides. MISERABLE! We can change it, but must speak out against the racism and crime. MUST!
COBB_Chuck
February 26th, 2013
5:18 pm
Marta and lack thereof into burbs is mostly based on the idea to keep them out. Many of us who have been here for quite some time know the deal and can see both sides. GRIDLOCK. No Pun. Now with the low cost of living a massive migration from Ohio, Michigan and many areas up north, traffic is unbearable and no immediate fixes.
MJ
February 26th, 2013
5:19 pm
This traffic clog will ruin Atlanta. All the job will go to other regional cities (Volkswagen ran to Tennessee). Also, there at TOO MANY PLASTIC/FAKE people in the metro Atlanta. I have neighbors who are wannabes (the pretend) Donald Trump and Oprah Winfrey. They top out their credit lines and are angry with the whole world. And too many folks forget were they came from and worship material items. Some folks are about false money & false status. Then there are the “I’m Entitled” because my Dad worked here, I attended the same school as the Manager, or I worked 50 years at one job. Get over yourselves, PLEASE!! There is nothing as REFRESHING and SUCCESSFUL as down to earth folks. Let’s send the entitled and plastic ones packing!!