Conde Nast Traveler has revealed its list of unfriendliest cities in the US for 2015. The Conde Nast Traveler is not your ordinary simplified travel magazine either. According to its website, it is an extension of the premier media company Conde Nast, which portfolio includes Vanity Fair, Glamour, Golf World, and GQ, just to name a few.
With an audience reach of 115-million, Conde Nast Traveler readers have compiled an interesting list. So here they are. Some may seem like an obvious choice to many of you.
10. Baltimore, Maryland
One reader writes, “The once-showplace Inner Harbor shopping area is in desperate need of renewal” and the “downtown is showing new signs of deterioration.”
9. Los Angeles, California
CNT reports that L.A. was “hit hard by readers.” Many of the reasons were for being “plastic, dirty, and crowded,” with “awful roads,” “aggressive drivers,” “too much celebrity stuff,” “snobbish and pricey restaurants.” Pretty much all of the reasons one would think.
8. Reno, Nevada
Deemed “tired and old,” perhaps the worst criticism was that Reno was, “like Compton but with more lights.” That one has to hurt for “The Biggest Little City In The World.”
7. The Hamptons, New York
While some may rave about the beauty of the area, one reader gave an opinion from street level by calling it, “superficial, see-and-be-seen, meat market balanced by nouveau-riche posers and boorish bullies.” Well, it is “The Hamptons.”
6. New Haven, Connecticut
Boasting Yale University did not seem to help with the opinion of New Haven. It is described as, “An extremely rough town” with “questionable public safety. The contrast between the academic wealth and local poverty is poignant.” It seems the economy gap is on full display in New Haven.
5. Hartford, Connecticut
Yet another Connecticut town. It seems the unfriendly part of Hartford is the city itself. Described as, “forgettable,” and “dreary,” it is added that, “It definitely needs a facelift!” While the “seedy sections” are noted, there seems to be a structural theme here.
4. Detroit, Michigan
While the list of all that is wrong with this city, that is basically still in a financial state of emergency, would be an article in itself, some still find the bright side of this iconic town. It is described as a “fascinating place, if you know your way around,” are into sports (“Red Wings, Tigers, and Lions!”), or have the gumption to “follow the young people leading the way” who are opening “new restaurants and businesses almost every other month.” I still find it amazing that the powers that be can keep their sports thriving, all the while, letting virtually everything else fall apart.
3. Atlantic City, New Jersey
One reader seemed to sum up Atlantic City perfectly by writing, “It’s a strange, split personality town: an odd mix of grinding poverty and over-the-top conspicuous consumption. The promise of casino-funded urban renewal never really materialized.”
2. Oakland, California
While some defended the city, one reader hit hard by saying, “If it wasn’t for Lake Merritt, this city would be off limits to any law-abiding citizen.”
And topping the list for CNT:
1. Newark, New Jersey
One reader noted, “Not the best. Dirty and seemingly trashy and unsafe in many areas, yet somehow also kind of expensive.” With the usual bright spots being sports, and The New Jersey Performing Arts Center, one reader notes, “There are still plenty of rough spots, so do your research!”
Readers should note that there is a difference between “unfriendly city” and “violent city.” Obviously, if we were listing violent cities, this list would look quite different. By the end of the year I have no doubt we will be posting the unfortunate numbers.
