Miami Named Most 'Miserable' City in the Country, Edges Out Detroit

By Brendan Giusti, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Forbes released its annual list of the 10 most miserable cities in the U.S.

Topping the 2012 list are some cities that traditionally rank high, while others that are seemingly out of place.

The list lists 10 individual cities, but can also be summed up in a regional approach.

South Florida:

Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach all topped the list put out by Forbes. While many people would consider the sunny weather, beautiful beaches and laid-back lifestyle associated with South Florida to be anything but miserable, the list judged the cities on a different criteria.

Violent crime, unemployment rates, foreclosures and political corruption were all factors. Smaller criteria included commute times, weather and how an area's professional sports teams did.

The No. 1 factor working against South Florida was the foreclosure rate. Miami's topped 47 percent – making it No. 1 on the list. West Palm Beach ranked No. 4 for political corruption. Ft. Lauderdale ranked No. 7 on the list, largely for falling home prices, which have fallen 50 percent since 2006.

Michigan:

Detroit ranked No. 2 on the list. The city was once again hard hit by crime and financial troubles. Flint, Mich. was no exception. The city leveled 775 abandoned homes in 2011, helping propel it to No. 3 on Forbes' list.

Rust Belt:

Chicago ranked No. 6 largely for a number of factors adding up, rather than just one specific cause. Residents of the city have to endure brutal winters, high taxes and long commutes.

Toledo, Ohio ranked No. 8 on the list for poor income and property tax rates, as well as for political corruption running rampant in recent years.

Rockford, Ill. made it to No. 9 on the list. The culprit was high property taxes.

The Rest:

Sacramento, Calif. ranked No. 5 on the list. The state capital was hard hit by foreclosures, which were among the highest in the nation last year.