We made another top 10 list.

http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/americas-most-miserable-cities-2012.html

created by GTVT on Feb 03, 2012 at 12:48:48 pm News Comments: 11

Comments ... #

Geez...I hope the Chinese don't see those numbers.

posted by max on Feb 03, 2012 at 01:18:45 pm #

All of South Florida makes this list because of political corruption and the housing bubble.....but only one city (Sacaramento) in a state that is so far underwater it would need a Saturn V rocket to get back to sea level (California) makes it? What?

I'm in South Florida a lot. Believe me, unless you were stupid and bought at the absolute height of the market, it's not too miserable...

Mighty strange methodology on this list. Toledo should brush it off--and get better PR flacks.

posted by oldhometown on Feb 03, 2012 at 01:36:05 pm # 2 people liked this

Another junk news piece by some hack journo who wants to get a couple million "hits." Can someone tell me how political corruption equates to people being miserable? And isn't our area widely recognized as being an excellent value when it comes to real estate?

For those of us who are working and don't expect anything less out of our local politicians, things seems pretty chipper around here. Cheap events, decent bars/restaurants that aren't always packed, short commute times - all seem to keep my misery levels down.

posted by brainswell on Feb 03, 2012 at 04:56:55 pm # 3 people liked this

Toledo and Flint have been making these types of lists for years. For the people that remain here, life goes on...

posted by Sohio on Feb 03, 2012 at 05:04:26 pm #

I wouldn't say Toledo is miserable per se...but there definitely needs to be a boost in moral. Majority of the local news and more vocal people on the city (especially on this board) tend to be more negative towards the city. Very little ambition by anyone to improve things and always expecting someone else to do it so they can complain about it.

I wouldn't really call it junk news...all the polls are pretty opinionated but they should point out a need to look at ways to improve. If the Toledo area is going to turn around then they need to look at quality of life improvements an also fixing cost of living.

Just looking at the money that comes out of pocket between where I live now and where I lived before highlights a need to change.

Local Income Tax Rate in Toledo: 2.25%
Local Income Tax Rate New Local: 0%

State Tax Rate (Max) for Ohio: 7.5%
State Tax Rate (Max) for here: 5.25%

Home Under 10 Years, Suburban area, 3 Bed, 2 Bath, 1500-1600 sq ft
There: $160K Here: $110-120K

Property Tax
There: $2300 Here: $1500

There are some cases where property taxes are significant higher depending on what city you are actually in. I have a relative with a smaller house that I have and pays double in property tax in Toledo.

One of the key things to start changing to fix the area is reduce how much is being forced from the public through taxes or extreme utility rates. A lot of it also comes back to getting people to get out and change things for themselves and not just sit back and take it. Also remove the city/county from anything other than essential service.

posted by JustaSooner on Feb 03, 2012 at 05:20:50 pm #

I am a sucker for top 10 lists and I just found this one:
http://money.msn.com/home-loans/the-10-emptiest-us-cities

posted by golddustwoman on Feb 04, 2012 at 01:16:15 pm #

golddustwoman posted at 12:16:15 PM on Feb 04, 2012:
I am a sucker for top 10 lists and I just found this one:
http://money.msn.com/home-loans/the-10-emptiest-us-cities

Hmmmm. Houston, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Memphis, Tucson...

We're used to seeing our Toledo, and our neighbor Detroit on these lists. Who knew some cities with reputations for prosperity would show up there too?

I mean...am I wrong? Don't those cities have better overall reputations than ours, and than Detroit? I guess I am so used to hearing Detroit, Cleveland, and Toledo bashed, it gets me thinking that cities like those are thriving in comparison. Maybe I'm wrong...?

posted by Sohio on Feb 04, 2012 at 02:46:43 pm #

In regards to the latest "top 10 list" posted by golddustwoman...

Any one else notice that the only really crappy picture in that slide show was the bombed out shell of a "house" (allegedly) from Detroit? Every other city had a nice landmark or civic picture, but not Detroit...

There aren't any bombed out buildings in Houston, Memphis, Tuscon? They couldn't have found a nice picture of the sports complex (Ford Field/Comerica Park) or the Renaissance Center?

posted by oldhometown on Feb 04, 2012 at 02:56:01 pm #

oldhometown posted at 01:56:01 PM on Feb 04, 2012:
In regards to the latest "top 10 list" posted by golddustwoman...

Any one else notice that the only really crappy picture in that slide show was the bombed out shell of a "house" (allegedly) from Detroit? Every other city had a nice landmark or civic picture, but not Detroit...

There aren't any bombed out buildings in Houston, Memphis, Tuscon? They couldn't have found a nice picture of the sports complex (Ford Field/Comerica Park) or the Renaissance Center?

Very good point!

posted by Sohio on Feb 04, 2012 at 03:29:55 pm #

http://www.wtol.com/story/16681754/three-people-shot-while-watching-super-bowl-in-central-toledo

http://www.toledoblade.com/Police-Fire/2012/02/06/6-shot-outside-Toledo-bar.html

No less than 9 shot in Toledo during the past 24 hours.

posted by 6th_Floor on Feb 06, 2012 at 12:56:06 pm #

Not sure who they are to decide what constitutes being miserable. There is a lot of good things about Toledo but as with everything else people really only get vocal about the bad things. There is nothing wrong with pointing out what is wrong or bad with.in Toledo, things that get overlooked tend to not get any attention or changed. But along with what is bad we need to praise what is good. I am just as guilty of it as anyone else on here. That being said a more realistic name for the list should be "Top 10 most hurting cities in America".

posted by Linecrosser on Feb 07, 2012 at 01:27:53 pm #

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