迈阿密获评美国“最悲惨”城市

迈阿密获评美国“最悲惨”城市
Miami named most miserable US city

尽管美国的迈阿密是个气候宜人、豪宅林立的度假胜地，但根据《福布斯》网站最新出炉的“最悲惨城市”年度排行榜，它却是全美最“悲惨”城市。调查综合考虑犯罪率、失业率、收入和税收水平、房屋价格、交通状况、气候条件、污染状况、公共部门官员腐败程度、当地体育运动队表现等多项因素，列出“最悲惨城市”榜单。迈阿密这个名流度假胜地除深受房贷危机之害，也是美国暴力犯罪率最高的城市之一，加上每天通勤时间较长，成为本年度“最悲惨城市”。

排名第二至第九位的依次为密歇根州的底特律和弗林特，佛罗里达州西棕榈滩，加利福尼亚州萨克拉门托，伊利诺伊州芝加哥，佛罗里达州劳德代尔堡，俄亥俄州托莱多，伊利诺伊州罗克福德和密歇根州沃伦。

 
A tourist wearing a jacket sit at the beach in South Beach Miami, Florida January 11, 2010.
 

Warm sun, white beaches, and million-dollar mansions notwithstanding, Miami has captured the dubious distinction of being the most miserable city in the United States, according to a new poll.

The playground of the rich and famous is home to a crippling housing crisis, one of the highest crime rates in the country, and lengthy daily commutes for workers, all of which have propelled it to the No 1 position in the Forbes.com list.

"Miami has sun and beautiful weather but other things make people miserable. You have this two-tier society: glitzy South Beach attracts celebrities, but the income inequality has skyrocketed in recent years," explained Forbes Senior Editor Kurt Badenhausen.

The rankings are based on factors including jobless rates, violent crime, foreclosures, income and property taxes, as well as considerations like weather, commute time and political corruption.

Reeling for decades from the decline of the US auto industry, Michigan's troubled duo of Detroit and Flint registered at No 2 and No 3, respectively, among the most miserable cities.

"Detroit and Flint are struggling," said Badenhausen. "Violent crime is highest in the country in Detroit; housing prices are down 55 percent. Detroit is closing schools and laying off policemen. In recent years they have been demolishing houses to change their city landscapes".

West Palm Beach, Florida and Sacramento, California rounded out the top five cities.

"We're trying to judge cities where residents have a lot of complaints. It doesn't mean that there aren't terrific things there," he said.

And for the haves Miami's charms remain undiminished.

"The one percent in Miami is doing fantastic. But for the vast majority, who make less than $75,000 (a year), Miami can be a challenging place," he said. "Forty-seven percent of homeowners sit on underwater mortgages. That's tough."

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