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
Alex
February 26th, 2013
12:28 pm
We should be number one with all of the crime certain people constantly cause.
K
February 26th, 2013
12:33 pm
Maybe Forbes knows what I knew. I got fed up and moved out of state in 2012.
Atlanta 16th most miserable city | News To Me with George Mathis | ajc.com | Georgia News Digest
February 26th, 2013
12:36 pm
[...] Go to this article [...]
Jck
February 26th, 2013
12:44 pm
Forbes is a racist magazine
Ally
February 26th, 2013
12:45 pm
To Alex, do you know who is committing these crimes? Your statement sounds like you have inside information on this..if so, please share. : )
Intown
February 26th, 2013
12:45 pm
Another arbitrary list concocted to sell magazines and cause municipal PR offices headaches. Thanks Forbes.
GUTRAKE
February 26th, 2013
12:49 pm
Hmmmm…funny…do you see any similarities in the folks running these municipalities? I do.
Digger
February 26th, 2013
12:50 pm
Seems kinda low to me.
Former Atalantan, now in New York
February 26th, 2013
12:52 pm
Understandable that Atlanta is in the Top 20…but, only after success of sports teams and political corruption were removed? Doesn’t seem right. Formula needs to be looked at again with the addition of the number of “reality” shows exploiting Atlanta’s population considered.
ko
February 26th, 2013
12:53 pm
Is the author of this article a middle schooler?
Alphare
February 26th, 2013
12:54 pm
Atlanta is not a beach city, but we are close enough to get there in a half-day drive, and far enough to have a fresh appreciation when we go there.
Mike
February 26th, 2013
12:54 pm
Do you have spell-check or a dictionary? Preceeding?
Alphare
February 26th, 2013
12:57 pm
ko,
is that a personal opinion or fact?
Jack
February 26th, 2013
12:59 pm
Atlanta is the most overrated city in America. Atlanta believes it is something that it is not. I would tell people to run before they decide to move here. I hate it.
Alphare
February 26th, 2013
1:01 pm
Jobs, jobs, and more jobs. That’s what makes a city great.
GUTRAKE
February 26th, 2013
1:02 pm
Jack, I agree with you whole-heartedly!
reyes
February 26th, 2013
1:04 pm
The artilce is correct but it really is the whole US – a country of un carning, irresponsible, no work ethic, entitled … Americans. If the home values would just come up here I would sell sell sell and get out! we are trapped in the American nightmare!
Say NO to MARTA
February 26th, 2013
1:09 pm
Atlanta – The Black Mecca.
Who woulda thunk.
Dave
February 26th, 2013
1:09 pm
You stated what many of us are thinking.
Andy
February 26th, 2013
1:10 pm
Who is just now figuring this out?
The Fortune 1000 have been bailing on ATL in droves since the early 2000’s.
There’s a reason the I-85 corridor in SC and NC is booming but many in metro ATL are too stupid to figure out why.
Ebe
February 26th, 2013
1:12 pm
Enter your comments here
Andy
February 26th, 2013
1:12 pm
Say NO to MARTA
February 26th, 2013
1:09 pm
Atlanta – The Black Mecca.
Who woulda thunk.
————–
Funny you bring this up. Ask any Delta pilot worldwide where corp HQ is and they will reply Mecca and if you know them well enough, they say Black Mecca.
Jay
February 26th, 2013
1:12 pm
I-75, I-85, I-20, Hartsfield-Jackson Intl Airport, Amtrack, and Greyhound all are means of transportation for those of you that hate Atlanta so much. Feel free to use one, pack your s**t and leave. At least we will have less people on our roads clogging traffic which will help our standing for next year!!!
Ebe
February 26th, 2013
1:13 pm
I’ve got way to make our ranking’s better!! Why don’t all you miserable people just leave!!
Boo Radley
February 26th, 2013
1:13 pm
I’ve been in Atlanta since 1966. I’m about to leave. It’s a completely different place and none of the change has been for the better. The racism is the worst part. Black on white bigotry is rampant in Atlanta. The black government is busily turning the place into a third-world enclave. Whites aren’t welcome downtown. Take a stroll for yourself and find out. Go packing.
Andy
February 26th, 2013
1:14 pm
The Olympics destroyed the QOL and charm metro ATL once had.
Atlanta Native
February 26th, 2013
1:15 pm
It’s always unfortunate to be on someone’s bad list. With the current foreclosure rate, unemployment, underemployed, and above all, education challenges, I’m not that surprised. I believe Georgia will continue to attract companies to grow the economy; however, these companies will continue to operate out of North Fulton county, e.g. Roswell, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta, and Milton. They don’t want to be associated with the city of Atlanta./
KeepItToMyself
February 26th, 2013
1:16 pm
Well the misery from AJC comments section was probably enough to catapult us to #1
Say NO to MARTA
February 26th, 2013
1:16 pm
With the exception of Atlanta, every city listed is located in a Democrat BLUE state.
Just a taste of what is coming to the rest of Obamaland
George Mathis
February 26th, 2013
1:19 pm
Preceding is now spelled correctly. Thanks for having my back kind readers!
Reggie
February 26th, 2013
1:21 pm
Would you guys please go back home to Bama!!!
ATL Sucks
February 26th, 2013
1:23 pm
I’m with Jack! Atlanta should be # 1. I hate Atlanta too and looking so forward to getting out of here in the next couple of months! Can’t wait!
lol
February 26th, 2013
1:24 pm
crap city, crap people, racist people, racist black people, racist white people, illegal mexicans, racist everything
pretentious yanks, broke west coasters
welcome to atlanta.
The ATL
February 26th, 2013
1:28 pm
Drugs & thugs, not enough hugs !
GA Tech nerd
February 26th, 2013
1:31 pm
If racism and Black on Black crime could be harnessed into an energy form, Atlanta would literally glow for the entire world to see …
Andy
February 26th, 2013
1:34 pm
Lets see…..a large population of uneducated blacks, a large population of uneducated Hispanics, public transportation in many counties and countless apartments and rental houses throughout the region. I can’t imagine how this could cause problems……
tenneseered
February 26th, 2013
1:35 pm
too many respondents hit the nails on the heads. the ATL is a great place to make your fortune and then leave.
Bashwol Skomditchtikuup
February 26th, 2013
1:37 pm
Don’t know anything about the commute times. I live in Buckhead and work in Midtown. Don’t know anything about GA’s poor education. I don’t have kids. I do know plenty of folks that went to public school in Buckhead and they all went to universities and have good jobs now. Everywhere has crime. Even all those delusional people living in Henry, Gwinnett, cobb and Cherokee have crime. God knows they got the Meth heads and the crazy gun toting homicidal maniacs. Idiots.
I think Atlanta is pretty great! I live intown. Don’t have to do yard work. I hang by the pool in the summer. Drink wine with my girlfriend by the fire in the winter and in the spring and fall we eat dinner on the patio. We walk to Target. We walk to MARTA. Meanwhile the real miserable people in GA hide in their bedroom communities, stuffing their faces and watching biggest loser…
Sad Sack
February 26th, 2013
1:40 pm
Can’t we be No. 1 at anything???
I'm Just Saying
February 26th, 2013
1:43 pm
“too many respondents hit the nails on the heads. the ATL is a great place to make your fortune and then leave.” – tenneseered
Many educated and industrious folks moved here to take advantage of the opportunities the locals & natives let slip away, make their money and plan their escape once the job is done.
tomtheman
February 26th, 2013
1:45 pm
I think Atlanta is a great city. I also think that the haters that have commented above do not live in Atlanta. (the city of Atlanta) I am sure I would hate it as well if I lived OTP!
Mortimer Cuthbert
February 26th, 2013
1:46 pm
I would rather live in Atlanta than in Duluth, Canton, Gwinnett, Marietta or Fayetteville with gun fanatics, fat people and hypocrite Bible thumpers.
DB2013
February 26th, 2013
1:46 pm
If they put politics back in Atlanta would probably move up in the Top 20 to maybe number 10. Atlanta totally sucks, wasn’t like this all the time maybe just the last 5 years or so. I attribute it most to the how Atlanta and Georgia is being run as a whole. Out dated and like we are stuck in 1970.
KG
February 26th, 2013
1:47 pm
If you want to dump on the city of Atlanta, either leave or more importantly, don’t visit the city’s newspaper and blog. For the life of me, I have never understood people who complain about residing in a certain place. If it’s that bad, leave. Trust me – there are quite a few people who love Atlanta and would love the opportunity to move here, live here and thrive. Just sayin’…
Susan
February 26th, 2013
1:49 pm
I think I will go back to New Hampshire and freeze, it truly does suck here.
Lindy
February 26th, 2013
1:50 pm
Would have thought top 5 for sure…..
Atlanta is just fine
February 26th, 2013
1:50 pm
Every major city has its issues because there are so many people in one spot. Atlanta has EVERYTHING you could want. People just focus on difft things. I dont anticipate anyone leaving like they did Detroit or Cleveland or Upstate NY. Those who have negative views of Atlanta are just flexing their keyboard muscles.
Mortimer Cuthbert
February 26th, 2013
1:51 pm
All these OTPers like to dump on Atlanta, but 250,000 of them a day come here to work. Then on the weekends they come here to visit our bars and restaurants. PLEASE stop coming here if it stinks that bad! You’ll make my short commute even shorter and my wait at Restaurants even less. Go to Applebee’s, O’Charlies and Ruby Tuesday and stay the heck away!
Coolio
February 26th, 2013
1:52 pm
Atlanta is a dump…Lets face it: a high population of black people = high crime, no jobs…just look at the news..there are stories every day of someone getting murder…EVERY DAY!!! That should happen once every 6 months but it happens in Atlanta every day. Pathetic….When Lincoln freed the slaves, why didn’t he just stick them back on a boat to Africa???
KG
February 26th, 2013
1:52 pm
Take care Susan. Go ahead and head back north. Do me a favor though…say hello to all of the people that you see leaving New Hampshire relocating to Atlanta and other parts of the south. For every one of you, there are hundreds of them. Again – just sayin’…
SUE ELLEN EWING
February 26th, 2013
1:53 pm
I just love the way the privileged like to throw stones. Makes me laugh.
The fix is in
February 26th, 2013
1:57 pm
Atlanta has some issues like any big town and I enjoy it here.
I used to live in DC and Miami. How did those hotbeds of crime, traffic & political corruption fail to make the Forbes’ list ?
Andy
February 26th, 2013
2:06 pm
I will give you that both DC and Miami should be burned as well.
blkshepherd
February 26th, 2013
2:14 pm
Well you know what they say, you dont like where you live. MOVE. take a bus, train, plane(Delta is Ready when you are). Don’t sit back and whine and complain. We have 50 states. 50.
I am a native of Brookyn, NYC. Left when I was 18 to join military. Never returned to live. Wanted to Leave NYC so bad I could taste it. Dont Miss it. Dont plan on ever moving back. Moved to Fayetteville, NC. after military.lived there 23yrs of my life.
Discovered Atlanta through a friend and a visit in 1988. Fell in love with it. Moved to ATL Sep. 1998. LOVED it then. Love it now. Own a humble home, good paying government job. and love the 4 seasons here. This is one city you experience ALL the seasons with Spring and Fall being the best. Too damn Hot in the Summer and can get very cold in the Winter, but compared to the weather up North Like my old home city NYC. and whats happpening out west? Weather ALONE is major reason for me not wanting to leave. Not to mention, you can own decent home here, see where your money is going or being spent. Not so in my Nyc. Everything is TOO DAMN EXPENSIVE. Too many People, everybody with their lips poked out like they are angry.
Atlanta’s Marta. is the only sore. The youth that ride the train, out of control, rude, no home training. The adults. talking LOUD on cell phones, rude and angry(but being from NYC, they dont phaze me but to be honest I dont Care for the taking the train or bus but its convient, saves wear and tear on my car, not to mention being stuck in traffic and high cost to Park. So thats why I take Marta, I also get a free pass frm the government so why not. Otherwise, I LOVE ATLANTA. To those that hate it. do as I did. MOVE. I promise you, I moved from NYC, to NC, to ATL, No one missed me moving from NYC or NC. If i move frm ATL, no one will miss me..Do you see my point? you dont like ATL. MOVE. its as simple as that. I promise you, none of the rest of us living here will even Notice your gone. As far racist. That is EVERYWHERE. Its human nature. Folks that look different or not the same as others find Fault. It is what it is.
Andy
February 26th, 2013
2:27 pm
Only a NY yankee would think ATL has four seasons.
Michael in SC
February 26th, 2013
2:27 pm
Atlanta is a good example of the failure of the so-called ‘New South’ and the US-imposed ideas of democracy, equality and universalism. These things have wrecked Birmingham, Memphis, Atlanta and many other Southern towns and cities.
Reggie
February 26th, 2013
2:39 pm
It’s amazing how many times the same person can post under different names!!! LOL!
AreYouSerious????
February 26th, 2013
2:42 pm
@ Coolio, and if the Black people had have been sent back to African, then you and yours would still be “shi#ting” in the woods. YOU’RE IGNORANT!!!
jwc
February 26th, 2013
2:43 pm
I’m guessing that if the quality of commentary could be factored in, we might have rated an even higher level of misery. Angry people. Beggars everywhere. Racism on all sides. A demand of deserving by the undeserving. Public transit that goes nowhere requiring regular fare increases. School boards that can’t speak, lead, or step aside. Overpaid officialdom. Gerrymandered districts. Superficial social classes. Sixteenth? I think we caught a break at sixteenth.
Andy
February 26th, 2013
2:46 pm
With ATL being one of the worst cities in the country, guess how many times the NFL is going to have a SB here if Arthur gets his new billion dollar stadium?
Whatevs
February 26th, 2013
3:07 pm
I hate that whenever a city’s ills are listed and placed out for public consumption, there’s a way to blame minorities for them. It never ceases to amaze me how many of “us” actually perpetuate stereotypes. There are bad apples in every racial bunch, but that doesn’t stop many of “us” from painting with a very broad brush. I wonder what the good, law-abiding folks in Utah and Montana blame their crime rate on?
JREAS
February 26th, 2013
3:09 pm
Every city has citizens who hate it and can’t wait to get out. They’re the “grass is greener” crowd and they’re always going to be miserable, no matter where they live. These people are looking for the perfect city – perfect weather, zero crime, lots of things to do that they like doing, low cost of living, low unemployment, racial harmony, politicians that always make the right decision, etc. Guess what? That city doesn’t exist. And these people can move as many times as they want and they’ll still be miserable.
I moved to Atlanta 4 years ago after living in several other cities. I’ve like all the places I’ve lived, but Atlanta is by far the best. Perfect? Of course not. But I can’t think of anywhere else I’d rather live.
sal
February 26th, 2013
3:14 pm
Republicans love to talk about the free market. Not so great when you hand over the key to developers to create a city filled with sprawl. Traffic everywhere. Sprawl everywhere. No sense of place. No walkable neighborhoods, no bike trails. Just spend your gas money and enrich the oil companies, just like Republicans want. When will we talk about fixing real issues in this city? The conservative-owned AJC and WSB only like to talk about crime and ‘government sucks’ stories. How is that moving the city forward? It’s not. Nothing is happening here, nothing is improving here.
You look at other Southern cities and they’re moving forward. Birmingham’s opening a new downtown ballpark in April, Nashville is creating biking and hiking trails and investing in downtown. Charlotte created light rail and is opening a new downtown baseball stadium. What the hell are we doing in ATL? Nothing. Sounds about right. Republicans’ only priority is to funnel all the money to millionaires and screw everyone else.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
February 26th, 2013
3:26 pm
Hollywood Babylon and the New York – LA Sodom and Gomorrah Axis are desperately afraid more Americans will come to the realization that Atlanta is “Heaven on Earth,” the New Jerusalem with no barriers to growth, and continue to move here, abandoning the Talmud/papist Organized Crime-controlled filth pits that are the rest of our major cities. lol
Tough not living in G-d’s Country, but if they repentantly help cast the Beast into the pit and dwell in peace, holiness and righteousness – the norm in Hotlanta – they can, by “Annuit Coeptis,” enjoy the blessings of Our Sovereign, the perfect, infinite, eternal Creator, G-d Almighty, too.
Until then they can turn in their individual sovereignty and guns based on the mass shootings hoaxes their Mob pols, in service to Rothschilds’ and Rockefellers’ satanic pathocracy are using, and stay right where they are.
Mortimer Cuthbert
February 26th, 2013
3:26 pm
Hey Susan! GO! I’ll be fishing while you’re digging out the snow!
Hand Full of Spades
February 26th, 2013
3:44 pm
What did so many expect? Atlanta has became a “transplant” city and has lost almost all of what at one point in time made it great….. the original Atlanta nightlife, traditions, and overall culture has all but disappeared in what was once a great city. Too much Hollywood, money hungry, uppity minded people have invaded the city now, that’s why it seems to be a fake minded city now ( does that make sense now Jack?)
Tracy
February 26th, 2013
3:47 pm
Well, if they had factored in racism and prevailiing sense of white entitlement we’d have cracked the top ten easily.
alpharetta alice
February 26th, 2013
4:06 pm
if we can figure a way to trade Atlanta to South Carolina for Myrtle Beach…lets do it…Atlanta is Cleveland with milder winters…
Larry Busby
February 26th, 2013
4:17 pm
I ain’t miserable. People in the suburbs are the one who are miserable and angry! People are the far right and far left are the ones to blame. I just live my life. Hike, fish, cook, drink, smoke here and there and bang Cheetah girls.
Larry Busby
February 26th, 2013
4:18 pm
@Alpharetta Alice – Myrtle Beach is an even bigger dump than Alpharetta.
Chad E
February 26th, 2013
4:19 pm
Yes most crime in Atlanta is inner city black on black crime. Its fact
The Truth
February 26th, 2013
4:23 pm
Atlanta is a miserable place because of all the transplant know-it-all yankees. We don’t care how you did it up north. We also don’t care about any of your sports teams, favorite foods, or opinions. The state of Georgia should create a steep tax on yankee transplants, and charge them double to purchase property. The roadways should also have a yankee toll. We could generate revenue, deter more yankees from moving here, convince many to leave, and cut down on traffic in the metro area. It’s a win-win!
pj
February 26th, 2013
4:23 pm
Larry, you had me at hike and lost me at Cheetah : )
bryan
February 26th, 2013
4:25 pm
Great Idea! all you yankees that hate Atlanta – move back!
Andy
February 26th, 2013
4:26 pm
Atlanta = New Orleans North
Dump
February 26th, 2013
4:28 pm
Just look at Clayton and Dekalb county and you will have your answer.
Airbagel
February 26th, 2013
4:29 pm
Hmmmmm… And yet several dozen large corporations have moved thier headquarters to Atanta from the mid west and north east the last 5 years and the economic potential is unmeasurable and unrecognized.
Alphare
February 26th, 2013
4:30 pm
Atlanta,
1. capital of the south
2. world center of college football
3. college football hall of fame
4. georgia tech
5. coca cola
6. cnn
The Truth
February 26th, 2013
4:34 pm
Alphare – Fwiw, “Georgia Tech” doesn’t come close to deserving to be on the same list as “World center of college football” & “college football hall of fame”
Alphare
February 26th, 2013
4:37 pm
The Truth,
Georgia Tech is world class college. I am sure you dropped out of UGA, you should know how bad that place is.
Jimmy
February 26th, 2013
4:37 pm
Everything has to be racist if it is negative.. Maybe that is one of the reasons this city is miserable..
The Truth
February 26th, 2013
4:41 pm
Alphare – No one personally attacked you, so I don’t see any reason for you to be a little richard in your response to my comment. When it comes to football, the fact is that Tech has the 3rd best team in the state.
I dropped my fried twinkie
February 26th, 2013
4:44 pm
Because of all the people that moved here for other places and didn’t go back home. The Black Return Flight from the Northern states, the Olympics and the Katrina Trash caused this. Most need to move back to where they came from.
Dump
February 26th, 2013
4:44 pm
@ The Truth…UGA doesn’t even belong in the same sentence with Georgia Institute of Technology. No comparison whatsoever which is the better school! All UGA can hang their hat on is their Thug football program.
MJ
February 26th, 2013
4:48 pm
Due to horrible road planning & wasted commuter time, some people have become temperamental drivers. The metro Atlanta civil engineers are totally clueless!! Due to their subpar designs, drivers have become rude and willing to run over anyone and everything to get to work or return home. I realize the cost of living in any major city is traffic congestion. However, the Atlanta traffic congestion is compounded by the lack of commuter rail systems and terrible road design. I doubt if synchronized traffic lights are utilized for maximum traffic flow. And when will the suburban counties wake up and vote for rail expansion? Fuel is NOT cheap, you know!! But those civil engineers were definitely drinking whiskey or didn’t give a hoot about transporation!!
The Truth
February 26th, 2013
4:48 pm
Dump…appropriate name, imo
mike
February 26th, 2013
4:48 pm
Atlanta is just really boring. if you have friends come to town and you want to do something just ask yourself where would you take them. Stone Mt.ugh! downtown- there isn’t one. no night life- restaurants have been stagnant for years and I worked in ATL as a waiter so I have some background. Summer’s are brutal. all the other complaints I read here are normal the racism I read here is unfortunate but the bottom line is how boring this city is.
KC
February 26th, 2013
4:49 pm
Misery must love company as Atlanta expects to add another 3 million to its already swelling 5.5 million population. Atlanta is known for its halfbacks (e.g. Snowbirds who move to Florida but return halfway back). How many others in the TOP 20 attract so many?
Andy
February 26th, 2013
4:49 pm
Just look at Clayton and Dekalb county and you will have your answer.
—————
Don’t forget Cobb and Gwinnett are now majority slum (thank countless rentals and buses) and Fayette is heading that way on the east side of the county.
The Truth
February 26th, 2013
4:50 pm
I’m sure the majority of metro Atlanta civil engineers are GT grads…
By the way overly-sensitive GT grads (appropriately named “Dump” and Alphare) – how’s you’re library doing these days? Still sinking?
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!!
ND
February 26th, 2013
5:22 pm
So we are less miserable than New York and Chicago? I’ll take it.
Pretty much every one of Forbes’ lists seems like it was put together by picking them randomly.
Andy
February 26th, 2013
5:26 pm
Metro ATL peaked in the early 2000’s and has been on the downhill slide in QOL ever since.
About the only good place left in the area for quality jobs is up 400 from Alpharetta continuing north. Quality big business is fleeing downtown, midtown and Buckhood.
TheRightIsRight - TheLeftIsLost
February 26th, 2013
5:26 pm
“Some white racists and many other whites not interested in helping resolve the greater poverty anymore.”
So rich white people should just hand their money over? My God, you put modern day Robinhood in the WH (twice), so Obama is still unable to give the poverty victims their fair share? So your new friends, the Illegal class, hasn’t lifted you out of poverty by doing jobs you refuse to do?
All races and ethnics groups self segregated – the wannabe rich blacks of Cascade Rd, the asian corridor of Buford Hwy, the WASPS of Dunwoody. You live where you can afford and where you fit in.
Our entire country is going to the toilet. As our country becomes more diverse and rises “progressively”, expect the quality of life in this country overall and respect and safetely of our country to dwindle. The meek will not inherit America, they are going to destoy it. Only those with real money will survive. I plan on keeping my money and not handing it over to some looser that calls me a racist.
You got what you paid for when you voted for Obama. Hahahahaha!
Rashmel
February 26th, 2013
5:26 pm
Forbes needs to redo their formula. You got professional football, basketball, and baseball in one city. Land cheap and minorities are doing well. Since Forbes magazine do not have any minorities on their executive staff I am sure their views are not in support of the majority of the city.
Michael
February 26th, 2013
5:29 pm
In metro Atlanta you only need about 5 cars to start a traffic jam. Sheeesh.
Cosmo Calling
February 26th, 2013
5:31 pm
Cosmopolitan has run Top Ten lists for decades to sell magazines.
C from Marietta
February 26th, 2013
5:42 pm
@ MJ
I am reading between the lines and YOUR the one angry at the world. Your post reeks of hatred and worrying about other folks.
I dropped my fried twinkie
February 26th, 2013
5:46 pm
Haha……….here is why the ATL SUCKS a brand new story. Freaking Hood Rats with no value to the human race and ATL is full of them.
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/shots-fired-between-family-members-after-funeral/nWZ8w/
Don't need Rednecks
February 26th, 2013
5:56 pm
To Coolio & Cobb_Chuck,
You both seem to talk about racism and blacks doing all the crimes, what about all the school shootings and movie shooting. You never here of black doing mass killing on strangers. I’m scared everyday when I go to work because my co-worker white bipolar boyfriend my come shot up the place! He’s a meth head, unemployed, bipolar, redneck waiting to blow up a spot. If he ever decide to go off the rocker, i’m afraid it may be during working hours. So don’t blame everything on the black race, because whites have more issues than black on black crime.when whites lose it they go after any and everybody!!! where can we send the crazy whites Coolio & chuck can we send them to your house?????? more scared of whites than blacks… that’s no lie… crazy M/F’s
Randy
February 26th, 2013
6:06 pm
Atlanta is ranked #16. And this is worthy of front page news? Well, yes, because the AJC is a small town rag that tries to make any story Atlanta-centric. If some newsworthy event happens halfway across the world you can count on the AJC to make an “Atlanta connection”, and focus on that. Really a mockery of journalism.
I dropped my fried twinkie
February 26th, 2013
6:10 pm
Don’t need Rednecks………you don’t here about mass killings by black men is because they can’t freaking aim worth a crap. You hear about drive-bys and shooting into crowds but Da Bros can’t aim. .Those would be mass killings if the black guys knew how to really SHOOT.
Anne
February 26th, 2013
8:25 pm
I moved here in December and was surprised to discover the city gets about 50″ of rain a year–more than Seattle. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/online/ccd/nrmlprcp.html. I now jokingly call my new home Hell-anta because it’s drearier than Ohio or Michigan. The people here, however, are very nice. And after living in Los Angeles, I don’t mind the traffic at all.
@ Don't need Rednecks
February 26th, 2013
8:52 pm
You really should not work at the same place as your white bipolar boyfriend if you are that scared for your life. You might want to go straight as well, your lifestyle is more deadly. Why would a gay / redneck want to date a bipolar? Is he a patient?
Grayson Scott
February 26th, 2013
8:56 pm
All 10 of the most miserable cities reside in democrat controlled jurisdictions. Hello, bigger government isn’t the right answer people!
Linda
February 26th, 2013
10:35 pm
In the 30+ years I’ve lived here:
1) I’ve had my car, tires, bike, mail, and personal objects from work stolen.
2) Most of the trees have been cut down to make way for billboards and McMansions
3) I-285 and I-400 have at least doubled in size
4) People drive like maniacs, and road rage has gone through the roof
5) I have allergies from hell
6) the Chattahoochee River is a mess
7) I’ve been laid off from 3 jobs
I think it’s way past time to leave.
Dave Perry
February 26th, 2013
11:41 pm
A city is only as good as its people and leaders and that’s where the failures lie. Traffic congestion caused by extremely poor planning on the part of GDOT is the reason Atlanta made this list, not because of black racism, not because of poor black leadership and not because the city doesn’t have a lot to offer because it does.
JASon
February 27th, 2013
12:00 am
“Atlanta 16th most miserable city”
Hey, moron, new york, chicago, and miami are in the top 10, so WHAT’S YOUR POINT
UGA ECONOMICS MAJOR
February 27th, 2013
12:22 am
lets see Atlanta is Ghetto,crime is awful.my 6 yr old could have done a better job planning this poorly planned metro..matter of fact it looks like a 6yr old did,racial divide so deep,northern invasion from the slums(detroit,st.louis,cleveland, new york etc)poor political leadership,nathan deal?lol..kasim reed??poor education system,horrible quality of life.no walkable safe areas,no green space,nasty attitudes.poor customer service,swealtering humid summers from march to october,sitting in bumper to bumper mind numbing traffic,poorly built homes,sprawl,poor highway and freeway system,filthy unbreathable air,low paying to no jobs,cost of living doesnt equal low pay.high utilities due to summers that feel like your in a swamp for 9 months,so much hatred between white and blacks like the 1950,shorrible downtown that offers nothing,poor sport teams,…cant wait to retire and get out of here!
stg
February 27th, 2013
5:37 am
Let’s be fair here, Atlanta has some of the best qualities a city would care to have. The weather mostly is fantastic for a southern locale due to the high elevation and latitude. Traditionally expanding corporations and relocations have provided great job growth. It has world class sports, diverse cultural opportunities and education. This cosmopolitan city is also derailed by poverty, crime and a baffling transportation ignorance. Atlanta’s car centric model is the poster child of unsustainability. Job creators care about quality of life, they now eliminate Atlanta for transportation dysfunction alone. Quality jobs HELP solve other social problems, etc. I am not sure that this problem will abate in my lifetime, hopefully? I do love the city.
I am using this car centric nightmare as a model of what not to do in my new city. I happen to be in the smart transportation business.
UGA ECONOMICS MAJOR
February 27th, 2013
6:43 am
Greenville,Seattle,Charlotte,Charleston,…are absolutly gems ..Atlanta??america,s nightmare..it should be worldclass but we keep electing poor leadership that dont have a clue..and the horrid 1950,s racial divide here makes the problem even worse the racial issues in the metro area is killing it!!weather it be transportation,or planning period everything boils down to race ..example;the metro area would benefit highly with marta extended into the suburbs but again race shows its ugly head no city needs a great transportation system like Atlanta ..companies will stop relocating here until something is done..and due to Atlanta racial attitudes it has made the growth here stagnant while other cities progress..Atlanta metro could be a gem butbackwards thinking holds it hostage to progress…..meanwhile the whole metro area suffers
jerry
February 27th, 2013
7:48 am
I propose a renaming of Atlanta to better represent it. I offer a few examples: “Jungletown”, “Concrete Jungle”, “Dixie Jungle”, “Jungle City”, “Drive-By Jungle” “Car-Jack-Jungle”, “Jungleshire”, and for the sports minded, “Athletic Jungle”.
CJ
February 27th, 2013
8:45 am
Agree 100%. Hopefully enough negative press will encourage our State leaders to actually do something about our traffic issues. It’s a daily headache.
JP
February 27th, 2013
1:11 pm
They ranked Atlanta 16th and Gary, Indiana 18th so we’re more miserable than the folks in Gary. Don’t you think this is slightly skewed?
Furthermore, why do people continue to flock here?
Old 4th Ward
February 27th, 2013
3:15 pm
I’m so sick of idiots living in the burbs talking about how horrible “crime” is. Really? I’ve lived one block over from Boulevard and one down from Ponce for 3 years. I go jogging outside, walk to get coffee, and my BMW’s locks have been broken for 8 months… I have never felt unsafe when it’s daylight… POOR PEOPLE ARE NOT CRIMINALS. I know that black kid with sagging pants walking around with his friends scares you but he probably isn’t a thief. I’m 25, 5′6 and white as a puff pastry. Maybe it’s my attitude coming from up north but people here are worked up about nothing. You want CRIME? Check out a REAL metropolis like NYC or Chicago.
Hughie Hogg
February 27th, 2013
9:51 pm
Old 4th Ward, one suspects that just about every ATL violent crime victim had your same naivete before they became a violent crime victim.
It’s great to have civic pride and boundless faith in your fellow man, but be mindful that you’re in a very dangerous city and don’t completely let your guard down.
CEC
March 5th, 2013
12:36 pm
I am orginally from Louisville KY, which I detest! Iam a 51 yr old black HR Recruiter, I LOVE Atlanta.. for the diversity, southern foods, Piedmont Park, Lennox Mall & for much more! I moved here with no job but, remained diligent until employment was found. Crime is everywhere, our traffic, heck just leave 1 hour early.. They have that article wrong!!
alphadog71
March 5th, 2013
4:27 pm
In the 1980’s I called Atlanta “The best kept secret in the country”. Then someone let the news out and my fellow Yankees flooded the city.