Life in America's most miserable cities

Guess where I lived for 6 years?

Vallejo, California

and...

Once again, Vallejo was included in the Forbes magazine list of America's most miserable cities. This year, ranking at No. 6.

Even though Vallejo did not make the list of most miserable cities in 2012, the previous year Vallejo was ranked No. 8.

The ranking is based on nine factors for the 200 largest metro areas in the country, according to the magazine.

The factors include: Violent crime, unemployment, foreclosures, taxes (income and property) and home prices, and quality of life issues, including weather and commute times.


Guess where I lived for another 6 years?

Detroit, Michigan

and...

Topping the list this year is Detroit!

Violent crime in the Detroit metro was down 5% in 2011, but it remains the highest in the country with 1,052 violent crimes per 100,000 people, according to the FBI. Home prices were off 35% the past 3 years, which is the biggest drop in the U.S.

I was very sad to hear about Detroit ( I knew about Vallejo since I was living there during the time that the city could not pay its workers)

Detroit holds a very special place in my heart because it is my hometown. I have fond memories of life in the Motor City. I only visited Detroit 4 or 5 times after the riots. They took an awful toll on the neighborhoods where I grew up and where I used to spend my time. Although I could see that things were bad, somehow I thought the city would turn itself around. What I never thought, was that the government would take over the city.

Where exactly did this decision come from and what led to Detroit's current status? These are questions I wanted to find out.

Stop back by and I'll share what I found out.