[hotair2]

Originally Posted by NHartphotog

I'd still rather live in the Ozarks than almost anywhere else. Just need to figure out how to keep the taxes from making it impossible to survive.

Or, find a Libertarian place with a nice, sustainable climate.

I thought you lived in New Hampshire.

[btoverdrive]

Originally Posted by hotair2

Fortunately, we are not number 1. That goes to West Virginia. No Surprise there. 2nd and 3rd are Mississippi and Kentucky...again, no surprise.

Among the factors in computing Arkansas Misery were:

Median Income: $37,823 (3rd Lowest)
% Obese: 30.3% (Tied for 4th Highest)
Unemployment: 7.8% (19th Lowest)

Despite having a relatively healthy state economy with regards to employment, Arkansas has the third lowest average median income. The state’s residents, therefore, have many of the problems connected to poverty. Alabama has the fourth highest obesity rate in the country, 30.3%, along with Louisiana and South Carolina. It also has the sixth highest rate of diabetes, 13.3%, along with Ohio. Arkansas has the lowest rate of all states for people who exercise frequently, with 47%.: The Ten Most Miserable States - 24/7 Wall St. The Ten Most Miserable States - 24/7 Wall St.[/LEFT]

Good, maybe it will keep people away. I can't wait to get there myself.

[Luvvarkansas]

I'm never miserable when I'm in Arkansas.

Of course, I don't live there.

[SimplyTisha]

Originally Posted by nmnita

Excellent post: you have pretty much nailed it. I would question the statement: the majority of the people in the state live below poverty level, I would think a huge number do, but with the population growth in NWA and the income level, I am surprised to hear you say "the majority" Otherwise you are right on.

NIta

I used "majority" for lack of an actual percentage, but yes, it is very high. I understand that NWA is seen as an economic exception, but that is only a small area of the whole state. In Arkansas we have lots of rural areas that are no where near comparable to NWA or Little Rock in anything, much less economy.

It's hard to see the big picture when we are cozyed up in our nice little thriving corners of the state, but there is so much work to be done here.

The sad truth is, that until we are able to see some real change in numbers, we will always be headlining on these silly things. Arkansas is an awesome state though, and we really shouldn't let these kinds of polls get us down, or make us any less proud to be an Arkansan!

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by SimplyTisha

I used "majority" for lack of an actual percentage, but yes, it is very high. I understand that NWA is seen as an economic exception, but that is only a small area of the whole state. In Arkansas we have lots of rural areas that are no where near comparable to NWA or Little Rock in anything, much less economy.

It's hard to see the big picture when we are cozyed up in our nice little thriving corners of the state, but there is so much work to be done here.

The sad truth is, that until we are able to see some real change in numbers, we will always be headlining on these silly things. Arkansas is an awesome state though, and we really shouldn't let these kinds of polls get us down, or make us any less proud to be an Arkansan!

you are right, unfortunately there are sections or regions that almost appear to be beyond help. We drove through the so/west part of the state a few months ago: I almost thought I was in a 3rd world and the sad thing, so many of the area is just a mix of rural land and tiny towns with no jobs. I am the first one to say: these people could move closer to a city and get jobs, we know the unemployment rate isn't very high, and yet, in reality I know this isn't going to happen. These families have lived in the area for generations and have either no desire to more or absolutely no training to do anything other than maybe work of the land.

I still think we might see a change in these polls (as dumb as they are) as the NW region and Little Rock continue to grow. That still will not solve the problems that exist in our rural areas.

Nita

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by hotair2

Fortunately, we are not number 1. That goes to West Virginia. No Surprise there. 2nd and 3rd are Mississippi and Kentucky...again, no surprise.

Among the factors in computing Arkansas Misery were:

Median Income: $37,823 (3rd Lowest)
% Obese: 30.3% (Tied for 4th Highest)
Unemployment: 7.8% (19th Lowest)

Despite having a relatively healthy state economy with regards to employment, Arkansas has the third lowest average median income. The state’s residents, therefore, have many of the problems connected to poverty. Alabama has the fourth highest obesity rate in the country, 30.3%, along with Louisiana and South Carolina. It also has the sixth highest rate of diabetes, 13.3%, along with Ohio. Arkansas has the lowest rate of all states for people who exercise frequently, with 47%.: The Ten Most Miserable States - 24/7 Wall St. The Ten Most Miserable States - 24/7 Wall St.[/left]

HotAir: I found the article I was referring to about Ca and I was wrong, It wasn't Ca it was a Forbes report on the top most miserable cities ranking (almost the same thing) 8 of the top 20 were in California. Some might surprise all of us, some would not.

[hotair2]

Originally Posted by nmnita

HotAir: I found the article I was referring to about Ca and I was wrong, It wasn't Ca it was a Forbes report on the top most miserable cities ranking (almost the same thing) 8 of the top 20 were in California. Some might surprise all of us, some would not.

It is o.k. we are all wrong at some point. I was not surprised at the list...places like bakersfield California. WHo in the world would want to live there. Of course all of these cities are larger than any of the cities that we have in Arkansas, with maybe the exception of Little Rock.

[MORebelWoman]

I would tell people that living in the Ozarks, whether it is MO or AR, is not about money at all. There are many of us that do not equate money with happiness.

[RogMar]

Originally Posted by MORebelWoman

I would tell people that living in the Ozarks, whether it is MO or AR, is not about money at all. There are many of us that do not equate money with happiness.

Absolutely.

Money won't get rid of the smell of the city, get more deer to graze in your yard, allow you to hear nothing but birds around you while drinking your morning coffee, nor the owls and whipporwills at night.

It will, however, get you an internet connection to read people whining about the hillbillies and lack of civilization in this state.

Now *that's* entertainment!

[MORebelWoman]

Originally Posted by RogMar

Absolutely.

Money won't get rid of the smell of the city, get more deer to graze in your yard, allow you to hear nothing but birds around you while drinking your morning coffee, nor the owls and whipporwills at night.

It will, however, get you an internet connection to read people whining about the hillbillies and lack of civilization in this state.

Now *that's* entertainment!

You are so right about that!!! Good on ya! I really feel sorry for the urbanites that can only whine about people and places they know nothing about.