Cincinnati: America's 9th unhappiest city according to MSN (Fairfield, Kent: real estate, credit)

[EclecticEars]

America's top 10 unhappiest cities - MSN Real Estate

This considers factors such as "depression rank," suicide rank, crime, divorce rate, number of cloudy days annually, and unemployment rate (as of Dec. 2008).

I can't compare Cincinnati to all of the other cities on the list, but I will say that I am in the process of moving to Greater Cincinnati (Northern Campbell County.) The people I've interacted with--realtors, landlords, convenience store clerks, restaurant waiters, etc.--have almost all been helpful and cordial. Walking around neighborhoods like Licking Riverside in Covington, almost every person I encountered would raise their hand, say "hi" or something.

I went to college in Louisville and live in a Lexington exurb now and trust me, people are quite generally surly, depressed and impolite in those cities. Louisville has an odd superiority/inferiority complex that I can't justify. The worst case of road rage I've ever seen was in Lexington. A lot of downstate Kentuckians have an attitude toward Cincinnati/NKY b/c "well, shucks, 'hit ain't Southern," but it doesn't seem like a really depressed area to me--at least, no worse than much of the Eastern U.S.

Sorry for the ramble, but where I'm trying to get at is that I'm looking forward to Cincinnati and hope that it will be a great experience. What do you make of this MSN ranking? Also, are you all depressed or happy living there? Thanks!

[wilson1010]

Its a paradise to me, but I have things pretty much arranged the way I want them.

[aquila]

Ehhh, I never pay attention to ratings. The only way to get a TRUE feel for an area is to do exactly what you've done.....go there and explore around.

And for what it's worth...that thing about "number of cloudy days" is utter CRAP. In fact, it's not cloudy enough for me around here. (But then again, I'm weird.) The point being, there are FAR FAR more sunny days around here than people think.

If anything depresses me about the weather, it's the damned humidity. Yuck! And the fact that it doesn't snow nearly enough for me.

[EclecticEars]

Well, you're right, the best way is to get a feel and become acquainted with the area myself. When I lived in Louisville, I absolutely hated it within the first two weeks--and I have some horror stories (to me) about the place that would dissuade people from moving there. Louisville should be on this list, not Cincinnati...trust me!

I've just received a much better vibe with the Cincinnati region. Some of the more "faux rich"/credit-accrued-wealth suburbs, like Union and Crestview Hills in KY and parts of Fairfield and West Chester (no offense, aquila) in OH I didn't care much for b/c of the snobbery and general coldness of the people. Shoot, the baristas at Starbucks in Crestview Hills almost act like they don't want your business. Otherwise, I like everywhere I've seen so far--greenery, the parks, architecture, the neighborhoods that feel like distinctive small towns, the general flow of the highway system, etc.

Oh, and the humidity does suck, but it snows too much even in downstate Kentucky for me. I would eventually like to live in Texas, Oklahoma or California, though, but they all have weather phenomena of their own. We just have to make do with what we have.

[aquila]

Originally Posted by EclecticEars

Some of the more "faux rich"/credit-accrued-wealth suburbs, like Union and Crestview Hills in KY and parts of Fairfield and West Chester (no offense, aquila)

I'll forgive you this time.

Besides, you haven't met me. I'm a nice guy. A little weird, but whatever.

And I'm FAR from rich...faux or otherwise. That seems to be a stereotypical image that people have of West Chester...that we're all rich. They don't see the other areas out here, because....well, people ignore us. We're not all rich snobs, although there ARE those people out here. But I'm as poor as they come. I'm sure they probably wish I'd go away.

[Ohioan58]

I looked at the article. The rust belt cities make sense to be in this list.

What strikes me is that the "hipster friendly" and vacation spot, growth happy cities - Portland, New Orleans, Jacksonville, Vegas, Nashville, and Atlanta - predominate.

My theory (only a theory) is that the cities that are growth and youth magnets are socially "brittle." You have people moving to those places, pumped up that it's going to be paradise for them, and it's not, and they crash.

Re: Cincinnati suburban snobs - I've run into that attitude from some people around those aforementioned suburbs, from all income levels, not just the nominally "rich". To me the Landen based hollow social climber is basically insecure and always wants what their neighbor has - they're not really "achieved." And therein perhaps lies the root of any misery in Cincinnati suburbs - wanting desperately to "be better" than the next person. That "I'm better than you" tude is a consistent local theme.

(I won't digress any more on that topic, I've already said too much. Sorry. )

[aquila]

Originally Posted by Ohioan58

I looked at the article. The rust belt cities make sense to be in this list.

What strikes me is that the "hipster friendly" and vacation spot, growth happy cities - Portland, New Orleans, Jacksonville, Vegas, Nashville, and Atlanta - predominate.

My theory (only a theory) is that the cities that are growth and youth magnets are socially "brittle." You have people moving to those places, pumped up that it's going to be paradise for them, and it's not, and they crash.

Re: Cincinnati suburban snobs - I've run into that attitude from some people around those aforementioned suburbs, from all income levels, not just the nominally "rich". To me the Landen based hollow social climber is basically insecure and always wants what their neighbor has - they're not really "achieved." And therein perhaps lies the root of any misery in Cincinnati suburbs - wanting desperately to "be better" than the next person. That "I'm better than you" tude is a consistent local theme.

(I won't digress any more on that topic, I've already said too much. Sorry. )

Well, I guess I'm a rare breed out here, then.

[Yoda215]

Am considering accepting a job in downtown Cincinnati on Elm Street. Have 2 kids 10 and 4, so great schools a must. Looking to keep commute down to 35 minutes or less, but finding a house in the $375-450K range. Any suggestions?

[wilson1010]

Originally Posted by Yoda215

Am considering accepting a job in downtown Cincinnati on Elm Street. Have 2 kids 10 and 4, so great schools a must. Looking to keep commute down to 35 minutes or less, but finding a house in the $375-450K range. Any suggestions?

You can live in any neighborhood you want in that price range, If you are planning on pubic schools, stay out of the City of Cincinnati. I'd say Mariemont would be perfect. 20 minute commute. Great free schools, including special ed. Good safe place to invest your housing dollars.

[jlrosen]

Unless you get into a Cincinnati Magnet School, Walnut Hills High School is the best public high school in the region