The city of Cleveland has had a colorful history. The Cuyahoga River, which runs through the city, famously caught fire in 1969 thanks to rampant pollution, and it wasn't the first time. In 1978 it became the first U.S. city to default on its debts since the Great Depression. Cleveland sports fans have had to endure more anguish than those in any other city. The city has been dubbed with a less than endearing nickname: the Mistake by the Lake.
This year Cleveland takes the top spot in our third annual ranking of America's Most Miserable Cities. Cleveland secured the position thanks to its high unemployment, high taxes, lousy weather, corruption by public officials and crummy sports teams (Cavaliers of the NBA excepted).
Our Misery Measure takes into account unemployment, as well as eight other issues that cause people anguish. The metrics include taxes (both sales and income), commute times, violent crime and how its pro sports teams have fared over the past two years. We expanded the list of cities under consideration this year to include the 200 largest metropolitan statistical areas (in years past we've examined 150), which led to a shuffling in the ranks. Any area with a population of more than 245,000 was eligible.Cleveland nabbed the top spot as a result of poor ratings across the board. It was the only city that fell in the bottom half of the rankings in all nine categories. Many residents are heading for greener pastures. There has been a net migration out of the Cleveland metro area of 71,000 people over the past five years. Population for the city itself has been on a steady decline and is now less than half of it what it was 50 years ago.Cleveland ranked near the bottom when looking at corruption.On the housing front Cleveland is dealing with thousands of abandoned homes.
America's Top 5 Most Miserable Cities
1. Cleveland, Ohio
2. Stockton, Calif.
3. Memphis, Tenn.
4. Detroit, Mich.
5. Flint, Mich.
6.Miami, Flo.
7.St. Louis, Mo.
8.Buffalo, NY
9.Canton, OH
10. Chicago, IL
11.Modesto, CA
12. Akron, OH
13.Kansas City, MO.
14.Rockford, IL
15.Toledo, OH
16.New York., NY
17.Sacramento, CA
18.Youngstown, OH
19.Gary, IN (hahahahhahaahahaha GI is still within top 20)
20.Philadelphia, PA
source
Ah two places which arent too far from me are on the list....anyone surprised their city is on the list or their city is not on the list...
This year Cleveland takes the top spot in our third annual ranking of America's Most Miserable Cities. Cleveland secured the position thanks to its high unemployment, high taxes, lousy weather, corruption by public officials and crummy sports teams (Cavaliers of the NBA excepted).
Our Misery Measure takes into account unemployment, as well as eight other issues that cause people anguish. The metrics include taxes (both sales and income), commute times, violent crime and how its pro sports teams have fared over the past two years. We expanded the list of cities under consideration this year to include the 200 largest metropolitan statistical areas (in years past we've examined 150), which led to a shuffling in the ranks. Any area with a population of more than 245,000 was eligible.Cleveland nabbed the top spot as a result of poor ratings across the board. It was the only city that fell in the bottom half of the rankings in all nine categories. Many residents are heading for greener pastures. There has been a net migration out of the Cleveland metro area of 71,000 people over the past five years. Population for the city itself has been on a steady decline and is now less than half of it what it was 50 years ago.Cleveland ranked near the bottom when looking at corruption.On the housing front Cleveland is dealing with thousands of abandoned homes.
America's Top 5 Most Miserable Cities
1. Cleveland, Ohio
2. Stockton, Calif.
3. Memphis, Tenn.
4. Detroit, Mich.
5. Flint, Mich.
6.Miami, Flo.
7.St. Louis, Mo.
8.Buffalo, NY
9.Canton, OH
10. Chicago, IL
11.Modesto, CA
12. Akron, OH
13.Kansas City, MO.
14.Rockford, IL
15.Toledo, OH
16.New York., NY
17.Sacramento, CA
18.Youngstown, OH
19.Gary, IN (hahahahhahaahahaha GI is still within top 20)
20.Philadelphia, PA
source
Ah two places which arent too far from me are on the list....anyone surprised their city is on the list or their city is not on the list...