Not surprisingly, Western New Yorkers are among the lowest of the low, according to a national poll.
The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, based in interviews with more than 350,000 Americans, ranked 185 cities in numerous areas, including jobs, finances, health and state of mind.
Buffalo/Niagara Falls came in at No. 131. Topping the list was Boulder, Colo., with Huntington, W.Va., coming in last. Other upstate cities listed include Binghamton (No. 24), Albany (No. 79), Rochester (No. 121), Syracuse (No. 128), Poughkeepsie (No. 148) and Utica-Rome (No. 170).
Hawaii was the most upbeat state, with New York coming in at No. 33 and West Virginia coming in last.
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Forbes seemingly verified the basis for this self-loathing, placing the Buffalo-Niagara region on its list of the 20 most miserable cities in America.
Buffalo came in at No. 8 on the list, which took into account unemployment, taxes, crime and how pro sports teams fare, among other factors.
“This snowbelt city is still the second largest in New York state, but the population has fallen more than 50% over the past half-century as the industrial base waned,” the magazine said.
Topping the list was Cleveland, followed by Stockton, Calif.
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Those low overall rankings probably aren’t helped by the region’s poor performance on a recent county-by-county analysis of the state’s health.
The Population Health Institute at the University of Wisconsin ranked every county’s health, both in terms of how healthy residents are and what influences the health of a county. Factors taken into account included mortality, smoking and obesity rates, access to health care and unemployment rate.
Erie County came in at No. 55 out of 62 counties in terms of resident health, with Niagara County coming in at No. 57. When it comes to health risks, Erie County is No. 28 and Niagara County is No. 54 (and No. 61 in risks resulting from the physical environment).
The capital region and Long Island posted the best numbers across the board.
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In other news, the Blaine (Wash.) Northern Light reported a steep drop in the amount of goods carried over the region’s three international bridges.
The paper reported that Buffalo-Niagara Falls saw a drop of 11 percent in the amount of trade transacted across the Peace, Rainbow and Lewiston-Queenston bridges between 2007 and 2008. The nation’s heaviest border crossing city, Detroit, saw a drop of 20 percent.
Lifestyle
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: Poll: WNY pities self
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The “old Rick” would never have woken up at 4 a.m. Let’s face it, it wasn’t too many years ago that fun son of a gun would still be out at 4 a.m., probably devouring steak, eggs and homefries somewhere in Buffalo following an Elmwood Avenue bar crawl.
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BOOK NOOK: “The Bestest, Specialist Christmas Ever”
• WHAT: “The Bestest, Specialist Christmas Ever”
• BY: Priscilla Y. Hill; illustrations by Anwar Morse
• GRADE: B+ -
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HOMEWARD BOUND
Kenmore native’s note found on bottom of bunk canvas in Vietnam-era transport ship, included in traveling exhibit
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BOOK NOOK: A complicated relationship with our hometown, in quotes
As we all remember from fourth grade, owning property out here goes back to the Holland Land Company. So does making remarks about the area.
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Ah, it’s nearly time for round two of holiday dinners and as you read this, I’ll be sitting down to enjoy my annual family Christmas feast in Texas.
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HAYNES: Patriotic streak showed on July 4 as child
I think the Fourth of July is probably one of my mother’s favorite holidays because it gives her an excuse to tell one of the more embarrassing — if a bit charming — stories from my childhood.
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