13 Worst Places to Live...
Or Are They?
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By Freelance Writer Carol Vinzant
Is your hometown awful? Odds are there is some list out there that puts where you live in the most extreme of some dreaded category for the state, region or country. Your curse may be the highest crime, summer temperatures, or insurance rates. We decided to take a closer look at the places that are always showing up on the worst-places-to-live lists and give them their say.
Read About the Worst Places
Next: BaltimoreMore on Money & Finance
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Baltimore
Baltimore had 282 murders in 2007, reflecting Baltimore-based crime dramas like "Homicide" and "The Wire" about cops struggling against gang wars, corruption and an institutional indifference to drug dealers and murderers. However, hotels, condos, restaurants and shops are popping up farther and farther from the world-famous, tourist-friendly Inner Harbor. Also, it boasts waterfront views and a more relaxed culture than its neighbor, Washington, D.C.
Next: Las VegasMore on Money & Finance
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AP
Las Vegas
Do you want your hometown to be where everyone comes to gamble, carouse and generally do things they're ashamed to admit at home? And do you want to live in what may be the epicenter of the real estate meltdown? Despite its flaws, at its finest, Vegas is a city of opportunity that draws people from around the world. Residents say they own their own homes, drive decent cars, have good healthcare, and more, thanks to organized labor.
Next: DetroitMore on Money & Finance
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Carlos Osorio, AP
Detroit
Morgan Quitno's annual reference book on crime stats ranks Detroit the most dangerous city in America. With the decline of the auto industry and Motown, Detroit has been a blighted ghost. But for an emerging crowd of ambitious 20- and 30-somethings, all those negatives spell big opportunity. Real estate is affordable and you can have a bigger impact at a younger age, says Andrew Koper, president of Cityscape Detroit.
Next: New York CityMore on Money & Finance
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Samaruddin Stewart, AOL
New York City
The high cost of living and dense population of New York City make it seem a daunting place to live. The average price of a Manhattan apartment is $1.3 million. Parking spaces go for the price of McMansions in other cities. And many apartments aren't that much bigger than parking spaces. However, New York City is still a land of opportunity -- whether you're seeking fame, fortune, culture, or just want to live in the center of it all. On that score, no other city can compete.
Next: Los AngelesMore on Money & Finance
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Los Angeles
Fires, freeways and active encouragement of all that is fake in American culture -- that is what L.A. is known for. It was also called the most polluted city in the country by the American Lung Association. However, Los Angeles is the nation's trendsetter and the most creative outcasts from other communities all go there to find work, acceptance and some fun.
Next: East St. LouisMore on Money & Finance
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Kyle Ericson, AP
East St. Louis
Like so many cities whose principal industries have now fled overseas, East St. Louis, Illinois has a dead-end feel to it. The city has suffered riots, suburban flight, gangs, crime and now the Army Corps of Engineers thinks its Mississippi River levees might not hold. Recent efforts toward redevelopment bring new hope to the area, though. Probably its most notable attraction is the Gateway Geyser, the tallest fountain in the U.S., which soars to 630 feet, mirroring the St. Louis Gateway Arch across the Mississippi River.
Next: Retirement FloridaMore on Money & Finance
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Carline Jean, South Florida Sun-Sentinel / MCT
Retirement Florida
Parts of Florida have the highest percentage of seniors in the country. Hurricanes visit. Miami has bad traffic. Summers are hot. And insurance is high. Yet for all that, points out retired developer Ken Myers, people still flock to Florida, mainly for the weather and relaxed living. The trick, he says, is to pick the community where you fit in. Families tend to live inland, where it's more affordable. Retirees have to pick carefully to find a community that suits their age, activity level and interests.
Next: MississippiMore on Money & Finance
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Mississippi
Morgan Quitno named Mississippi as the least livable state based on objective data in 44 categories. It's those pesky categories like literacy, infant mortality and poverty that continually bring Mississippi down. However, it has generated some of America's greatest writers (William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Alice Walker, to name a few). The state is also the cultural home to American Blues, home to musicians such as Charlie Patton, Bo Diddley, and B.B. King.
Next: New OrleansMore on Money & Finance
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AP
New Orleans
New Orleans has long competed with Baltimore and Detroit for the title of Murder Capital. Even before Hurricane Katrina hit, many neighborhoods outside the tourist area had too little economic opportunity and too much crime. New Orleans, however, does offer a rich culture distinct from strip malls and chain stores. It's still a city with a sense of fun. There is music, Mardi Gras, Cajun food, and a wealth of its own idiosyncratic traditions.
Next: PhiladelphiaMore on Money & Finance
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George Widman, AP
Philadelphia
Of the large and powerful cities of the East Coast, Philadelphia has always been the picked-on, runty little brother. Like many cities with poor neighborhoods, Philly has a declining population and a crime problem. To its credit, however, Philadelphia is rich with history and culture, plus it is far less expensive and has less attitude than its East Coast rivals. Its diverse population combined with strong academic and cultural institutions give it much of the vibrancy of New York without the fierce competition or crowds.
Next: MilwaukeeMore on Money & Finance
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Milwaukee
The stereotype of Milwaukee culture is beer, brats and cheese and many cheeseheads eagerly embrace the image, says blogger Karen Cinpinski. But that's not all there is to life here on Lake Michigan. While the nation dismisses the city as pasty and fat from hiding from the cold all winter, there's plenty to do outside, with gorgeous trails, beaches and parks, and the eclectic Third Ward is also leading a renaissance, says Karen.
Next: ScrantonMore on Money & Finance
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Michael Perez, Philadelphia Inquirer | MCT
Scranton, Penn.
When television producers were looking to transplant the BBC hit "The Office" and needed a dreary mediocre city, they turned to Scranton. Once known as "Anthracite Capital of the World," Scranton saw hard times when coal fell out of favor and big companies moved away, a decline that started decades ago. Scranton, however, is trying to wage a comeback and has a sense of humor about its dreary image and second enthusiastic nickname, "The Electric City."
Next: NewarkMore on Money & Finance
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Mike Derer, AP
Newark
The largest city in the country's most densely populated state, Newark is hardly thought of as a city at all sometimes. Instead people tend to think of it as an airport, a knot of Jersey highways, a den of corrupt politicians and the site of race riots in 1967. It's an also-ran in the continual murder rate race. After decades of plotting a comeback, some believe Newark may actually be making progress this time. The city elected Rhodes scholar and community activist Cory Booker as mayor in 2006, hoping to end decades of corruption.
Next: Best Places to LiveMore on Money & Finance
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Also on AOL:
Best Places to LiveIt's time to find a place where you'll spend the better part of your adult life -- raising kids, climbing the career ladder and building your family's future. That means a place that's smaller, safer and greener.
See the Best Places to Live
Next: Worst Places to RetireMore on Money & Finance
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Also on AOL:
Worst Places to RetireIf you plan on relocating to live out your golden years in a new locale, you may want to make sure it's not to one of these 13 places. Depending on what's important to you, these destinations could turn your dream into a nightmare.
Click through our gallery to see which places freelance writer Carol Vinzant says seniors may not want to call home.
See the Worst Places to Retire
Next: Best Places to RetireMore on Money & Finance
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Also on AOL:
Best Places to RetireIf life after work means more than a beach chair, the best place to retire might be the big city. CNNMoney looked at 30 of the nation's largest metro areas and found the right neighborhoods for you.
See the Best Places to Retire
Next: Best Rural Places to LiveMore on Money & Finance
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Also on AOL:
Best Rural Places to LiveLooking to escape the rat race? You can! Progressive Farmer can help you find the best rural place to live in America. The editors compared the numbers you care about such as education, crime and health care, and then looked for those special qualities one can't measure.
See the Best Rural Places to Live
Next: More From AOLMore on Money & Finance
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Recent Comments
Sxyjustin2001 12:34:00 PM Sep 21 2009
BALTIMORE IS A CASH COW IF YOUR COURPT EVERYONE FEED'S OFF ALL THE INNOCENTS .
nicklazyboy7 02:22:07 AM Jul 19 2009
Damn cum on baltimore iz a nice place to visit and live like little italy,federal hill,canton,and of cousre the world famous inner harbor. You must go the the cheesecake factor and sit outside b/c it overlooks the harbor water. It gets a bunch of shit but its actual nice as long as you stay away from sw baltimore.
Shyonelisza 07:30:09 PM May 27 2009
I have been researching cities since I am looking to pack it up and get the heck out of Milwaukee as soon as my daughter graduates. It appears that my city is on everyone's Worst Cities List :( The author failed to mention that we have been the most segregated city for probably the past decade or more. It's really sad that for all my college degrees (not to mention the 10 years it took to get them) I am forced to view that darn glass ceiling. Aside from that, there were like 5 Memorial Day murders, and we officially have our 2nd serial killer on the loose (Yeah!) All this and I was one of the lucky ones that actually found housing in a southern suburb. The housing discrimination is so prevalent that many of my relatives/friends cannot find or afford to live anywhere but the central city; therefore condemning their children to a laughable public education. . . at least I've got enough resources and common sense to get out while I can!
Bpick62 06:16:58 PM Dec 27 2008
I am a resident of Mississippi and have been my whole life. While I am sure there are places in our state that do not reach certain standards, it does not show a adequate image of the state as a whole. I was raised in a well mannered, well educate , and financially blessed family. No one I know, or have ever known has acted in the way "ignorant" Mississippians are portrayed in the public eye. As a child raised in a truely Southern family, I was expected to be well mannered, nice, kind, and equal to all. Also, I was expected to excel in my academics. I feel certain when I say that just as many uneducated idiots come from all of the other 49 states. Maybe, if some of these so called experts took the time to actually visit one of the many beautiful towns in Mississippi their "blind" judgemental opinions would change. While some say they have been to Mississippi and seen all the "shacks" and "barns" we live in, I laugh at these poor fools. Again while some people in this state do
Amndrgn 03:48:45 AM Sep 12 2008
well, this is in response to detroit, at least the rate of murder is going down, and about Las Vegas, NV I live here...\and there is no water shortage, they recycle their water, it goes from monsoon storm run off down to lake mead then they process it and it goes right back into our homes, hopefully this will dissuade you from wanting to drink tap water!!!!unless you like storm drainage...hmmm.
Amndrgn 03:48:26 AM Sep 12 2008
well, this is in response to detroit, at least the rate of murder is going down, and about Las Vegas, NV I live here...\and there is no water shortage, they recycle their water, it goes from monsoon storm run off down to lake mead then they process it and it goes right back into our homes, hopefully this will dissuade you from wanting to drink tap water!!!!unless you like storm drainage...hmmm.
Amndrgn 03:48:09 AM Sep 12 2008
well, this is in response to detroit, at least the rate of murder is going down, and about Las Vegas, NV I live here...\and there is no water shortage, they recycle their water, it goes from monsoon storm run off down to lake mead then they process it and it goes right back into our homes, hopefully this will dissuade you from wanting to drink tap water!!!!unless you like storm drainage...hmmm.
Amndrgn 03:48:09 AM Sep 12 2008
well, this is in response to detroit, at least the rate of murder is going down, and about Las Vegas, NV I live here...\and there is no water shortage, they recycle their water, it goes from monsoon storm run off down to lake mead then they process it and it goes right back into our homes, hopefully this will dissuade you from wanting to drink tap water!!!!unless you like storm drainage...hmmm.
Amndrgn 03:48:02 AM Sep 12 2008
well, this is in response to detroit, at least the rate of murder is going down, and about Las Vegas, NV I live here...\and there is no water shortage, they recycle their water, it goes from monsoon storm run off down to lake mead then they process it and it goes right back into our homes, hopefully this will dissuade you from wanting to drink tap water!!!!unless you like storm drainage...hmmm.
Sxyjustin2001 10:23:50 AM Aug 21 2008
THEIBRIDE YOUR ONE OF THOSE WHAT CAN WE SAY HALFBREED FREAK'S THAT HAS NO RESPECT FOR LAWS OR FAMILY'S SPOILED LITTLE RICH GIRL TRYING TO BE GETTO.RESPONCE TO THIS POSTe lived in 3 of the so called Worst cities in America; New York City, Philadelphia and Los Angeles. I love them all!! This is the most ridiculous list I've ever seen. 90% of the cities on this list kick the asses of any other city in America! I guess if your values are a boring and mediocre but steady job, planned communities, houses that all look the same, mini malls and a sea of white only faces these aren't the right cities for you. How depressing that this is exactly what most Americans are looking for. Give me a liittle variety or give me death.I'd take almost any one of these cities over any "Good City" in America
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