There are a number of reasons I don’t put a lot of stock into magazine lists about cities. Usually such lists are predicated upon factors that the publication or whomever it is making up the list think are most salient when it comes to judging a particular city for various criteria. “Best Life,” published by Rodale who also puts out “Men’s Health” and “Backpacker,” shows the folly of creating such lists with its “Best 100 Places to Raise a Family.”
Now I would never claim my city, Beaumont, Texas, as Nirvana. It’s a funky place with a lot of refineries and big, tough mosquitoes. But I have lived here three different times and feel that it has its particular charms. I have been in a number of American cities where I would not want to raise me much less a family, so I can’t buy “Best Life’s” contention that Beaumont is the second-worst city in country.
The hit on Beaumont is over its “long-standing air-quality challenges,” according to the article.
Sure, this area has had some long-standing air-quality challenges. And sometimes the air doesn’t smell so great although the cause is usually the Evadale paper mill about 20 miles or so north of here. The air quality here in Beaumont could be better but it has greatly improved since I first moved here 30 years ago. In a blog post a few years ago when I moved back here from Waco (Number 5 worst city), even the state Sierra Club chapter’s air guru said great strides had been made to improve air quality here.
I am not sure what makes Waco the Number 5 worst city in the country but after living there for 7 years, I know why I think it is not such a hot place to reside.
On the best side, the magazine puts Plano, Texas, ahead of Mobile, Ala., San Antonio and Fort Worth, which are all pretty cool places to be. So go figure.
I am sure people who like a place will find a reason to feel offended by the list if their city is listed in the worst category as mine is. Vice versa with those who a particular locale. So what does it mean? Nothing really. I am sorry to waste your time.