Louisville ranked 5th saddest city in America (Lexington, Bardstown: houses, employment)

[The Dissenter]

Louisville ranked 5th saddest city in America | WHAS11.com Louisville

To come up with the rankings, the magazine looked at suicide rates, the percentage of households using antidepressants, the number of people who reported feeling blue most of the time and unemployment rates.

Any thoughts, Louisville?

[kytoaz]

agreed.

[EclecticEars]

Lexington, by contrast, is the 22nd happiest.

I live halfway between #15 San Jose and #20 San Francisco. I would call these cities more optimistic and happy than Kentucky cities, sure. However, there is more anger and arrogance here exhibited by some, but that's the unfortunate nature of living in a huge American metropolis. (Louisville being a notable exception as it has some of the worst people I've ever met.)

I would argue that America is, as a whole, progressively becoming a sadder, angrier, more arrogant society. Whether you live in Louisville or San Francisco, Oldham County or Marin, I just shudder to think of what society will become with my generation.

[easydoesit]

Originally Posted by EclecticEars

Lexington, by contrast, is the 22nd happiest.

I live halfway between #15 San Jose and #20 San Francisco. I would call these cities more optimistic and happy than Kentucky cities, sure. However, there is more anger and arrogance here exhibited by some, but that's the unfortunate nature of living in a huge American metropolis. (Louisville being a notable exception as it has some of the worst people I've ever met.)

I would argue that America is, as a whole, progressively becoming a sadder, angrier, more arrogant society. Whether you live in Louisville or San Francisco, Oldham County or Marin, I just shudder to think of what society will become with my generation.

Though I rarely agree with any of these rankings from research tanks such as Men's Health, I agree with your bolded statement. It certainly correlates to the current economic conditions many have had to endure. People thought they had the rights to many things - a high paying job until they were ready to retire, a home that always increased in value, a college degree that guaranteed employment & good earnings, affordable healthcare, endless ways to stay afloat of the piles of debt they created, etc. - and have had the rug pulled out from underneath 'em.

Who knows what will happen down the line. Look out for your best interests is what I say

[censusdata]

Originally Posted by easydoesit

Though I rarely agree with any of these rankings from research tanks such as Men's Health, I agree with your bolded statement. It certainly correlates to the current economic conditions many have had to endure. People thought they had the rights to many things - a high paying job until they were ready to retire, a home that always increased in value, a college degree that guaranteed employment & good earnings, affordable healthcare, endless ways to stay afloat of the piles of debt they created, etc. - and have had the rug pulled out from underneath 'em.

Who knows what will happen down the line. Look out for your best interests is what I say

Many of my uncles moved to Cincinnati in the 1950s and without a high school degree were able to provide a house, car, and other things for their families, often before they were 25 years old.

Today even with a college degree it is diffecult to afford a house, car, and other things, and most Gen Yers leave college with enourmous amounts of debt.

[easydoesit]

Originally Posted by censusdata

Many of my uncles moved to Cincinnati in the 1950s and without a high school degree were able to provide a house, car, and other things for their families, often before they were 25 years old.

Today even with a college degree it is diffecult to afford a house, car, and other things, and most Gen Yers leave college with enourmous amounts of debt.

Yes, pretty much.

I'm a little ways removed from college. I know older folks give young people a hard time & accuse them of everything similar to each previous generation has before - lazy, no skills, slackers, etc.

I think quite a few, not all, are experiencing bleak circumstances and prospects so I can't help but feel some compassion for some of 'em. I'd like to see them get their lives underway and begin participating in the economy.

[Visvaldis]

The landscape of Louisville is sad. To paint the city one needs only one color; gray. It's drab and lifeless. Many streets are drab, abandoned commercial buildings, vacant lots with gravel or mud puddles and trash, sidewalks (if any) cracked, overgrown with weeds, pavement that needs repair. Many inhabited houses look one step above a trailer and some are only missing a sign out front that says Scheduled For Demolition. Cheap discount stores with parking lots full of trash. All these are signs of economic decline and lack of pride in the city. The better off streets are lined with commercial enterprises, boring structures merely built cheaply for business efficiency. The only walkable area is the Highlands, which is an exception to the drab and gray.
Just looking at the city makes one feel sad and feel blue.
What I've noticed among residents is a lack of enthusiasm for being alive. No gusto, no excitement...except for the Cards or Cats. Most existence is in daily routines, the same thing day after day. Finding an interesting stimulating conversation is rare.
The city is gray, the people are blue.

[N. Olikee]

Vivaldis,

I hope you are being honest in your opinion because I agree wholeheartedly. Couldn't have described it better! Everytime I go back there, it is depressing.

I will say this though............when I first moved there from the west coast, I was appalled at the amount of trash all over the city........esp. the Bardstown Rd. area. That did improve while I lived there.

I think the people who live there are, for the most part, one-dimensional.

[Visvaldis]

Originally Posted by N. Olikee

Vivaldis,

I hope you are being honest in your opinion because I agree wholeheartedly. Couldn't have described it better! Everytime I go back there, it is depressing.

I will say this though............when I first moved there from the west coast, I was appalled at the amount of trash all over the city........esp. the Bardstown Rd. area. That did improve while I lived there.

I think the people who live there are, for the most part, one-dimensional.

Yes, it's an honest opinion.
In an afterthought I should have also used an applicable word: bleak.

[gardenmystic]

(Louisville being a notable exception as it has some of the worst people I've ever met.)

I have lived here more than 6 years and I have never -- in the various cities I have lived in, in 4 states -- had so much difficulty making friends. People REPEATEDLY reject my attempts to move beyond acquaintances, and the dating scene (I am an attractive, intelligent 50+ woman) is just ridiculous. I am a friendly person and I have never had this degree of difficulty before. I am on my way out. Don't know where I am headed yet, but there has got to be something better out there.