Me gusta esta ciudad, la conozco bien. Seguro que hay lugares más deprimentes en EE. UU. Es una ciudad del “Cinturón Óxido”, vaciada por el declive de la industria, el acero y el ferrocarril, con un montón de drogadictos en el centro, viviendas deterioradas y falta de trabajo. Pero vaya, puede ser deprimente, sobre todo en el centro en un día frío y lluvioso. Hace unos años, cuando volvía a Nueva York en tren, un joven empleado de la estación me dijo lo desesperado que estaba por irse. Esta ciudad es Altoona, Pensilvania.
Pero lo que me gusta de Altoona es su proximidad a las principales áreas metropolitanas, con fácil acceso por carretera, tren y avión; el clima y las cuatro estaciones (me gusta el frío y la nieve, aunque está subiendo mucho la temperatura; ya no se puede patinar sobre hielo en Lakemont); esquiar en el cercano Blue Knob; el bajo costo de la vivienda; su excelente red de carreteras; la buena infraestructura y el entretenimiento que se conservan de cuando era un importante centro urbano; las viviendas, muchas de las cuales fueron construidas durante el apogeo de Altoona hace décadas, son más acogedoras y encantadoras, especialmente en la vecina Hollidaysburg, que las mansiones pretenciosas que se ven en el Cinturón del Sol y la Biblia, e incluso en algunos suburbios del noreste; las montañas y ríos Allegheny que lo rodean, muy hermosos incluso en invierno; la excelente caza y pesca; y la gente amable.
Siempre me molesta oír que alguna gran empresa abre una planta o instalaciones en algún antro suburbano yuppie, desalmado, congestionado, genérico, transitorio y caluroso, de Georgia, las Carolinas, Texas, etc., cuando el centro de Pensilvania cuenta con excelentes redes de carreteras y conexiones de transporte a los principales puertos (Nueva York, Chesapeake) por tren, viviendas asequibles, etc. Supongo que tiene que ver con la sindicalización.
A continuación, algunas fotos que tomé en Altoona hace varios años. Para mí, puede ser deprimente, pero hermoso y acogedor a la vez. Por eso tomé esas fotos: una belleza deprimente. Hay algo en él que te hace sentir el pasado y te susurra.
PrisioneroEnArgentina.com
Enero 29, 2026
16 thoughts on “La ciudad más deprimente de EE. UU.”
Although the cost of living in Albuquerque is a bit below the national average, the property taxes here are the highest in the state. Home prices exceed the national average, but buyers get less for their hard-earned money. About 16% of residents live below the poverty level. The biggest problem in Albuquerque is crime. An uptick in murders in 2022 has led this city to come under serious scrutiny by the FBI.
I lived for almost 2 years in Alaska. Anchorage has some of the costliest real estate in Alaska, so it’s not the best place for first-time home buyers who are strapped for cash. Crime is also an issue. Statistics show that Anchorage is safer than only 5% of cities in the nation, making it one of the most dangerous places to live in the U.S. Property crimes and motor vehicle thefts make up the majority of crimes, but rates rivaled those of much larger American cities.
The City by the Bay is one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S. The median income is higher here, but so are the costs for gasoline and utilities, which fall well above the national average. Job growth hovers just above 1%. Renters pay an average of $4,030 per month for a place to live. About 10% of the population lives below the poverty level. As for crime, the city experienced more than 50 murders and nearly 4,000 assaults in 2021.
Out of all the cities I visited for climate change, Houston landed at the very bottom of the list. The risk of tornadoes and hurricanes will continue to rise. The city’s air quality is dismal, with only 41% of days classified as “good” in 2021. Yet, the local government hasn’t done much to improve things. Houston also has extensive violent and property crime, which causes significant concerns for residents and local leaders alike.
The result of 30 years of choices by seven governors, hundreds of legislators, and countless local officials that continually pledged to provide better care, failed to do so, and knew what would happen if they didn’t.
There are much worse places than Altoona. The rich people who pay for drug prosecution as publicity make sure that everything gets put in the papers and news, so the stuff is mostly self inflicted. The numbers are no different than anywhere else, Altoona just prosecutes MUCH more often. Altoona is a good place, with good people. There’s no more “bad” people there than anywhere else. It just looks better if sheetz gets to say “we funded the prosecution of 1000 dRuG dEaLeRs” (someone with substance use disorder, with a small amount in their pocket) so they can play community hero to people who don’t know any better. I don’t go to sheetz…. I’ve pushed my empty motorcycle past one to goto Sunoco once. Their hypocrisy isn’t worth the trouble. As for Altoona… you can walk down the street at 2am and the only worry you need to have is cops.
I went to college in Altoona for 4 years and met a ton of amazing people. The city of Altoona itself is a very beautiful place. Yes it has its drug problems and some odd people but don’t let that discourage you from the town. The people are as real as it gets, small businesses are everywhere and you’ll find the most interesting/heartfelt people if you ever stumble into and Altoona dive bar. The scenery is first class in PA and the things you can do in the area are immense. Jobs are good, housing is extremely cheap, crime is not nearly comparable to my hometown of Pittsburgh. I’m back in Pittsburgh now but god do I miss Altoona. It’s a town that has the ability to only go up, so why not hop on that train.
♣
Me gusta esta ciudad, la conozco bien. Seguro que hay lugares más deprimentes en EE. UU. Es una ciudad del “Cinturón Óxido”, vaciada por el declive de la industria, el acero y el ferrocarril, con un montón de drogadictos en el centro, viviendas deterioradas y falta de trabajo. Pero vaya, puede ser deprimente, sobre todo en el centro en un día frío y lluvioso. Hace unos años, cuando volvía a Nueva York en tren, un joven empleado de la estación me dijo lo desesperado que estaba por irse. Esta ciudad es Altoona, Pensilvania.
Siempre me molesta oír que alguna gran empresa abre una planta o instalaciones en algún antro suburbano yuppie, desalmado, congestionado, genérico, transitorio y caluroso, de Georgia, las Carolinas, Texas, etc., cuando el centro de Pensilvania cuenta con excelentes redes de carreteras y conexiones de transporte a los principales puertos (Nueva York, Chesapeake) por tren, viviendas asequibles, etc. Supongo que tiene que ver con la sindicalización.
A continuación, algunas fotos que tomé en Altoona hace varios años. Para mí, puede ser deprimente, pero hermoso y acogedor a la vez. Por eso tomé esas fotos: una belleza deprimente. Hay algo en él que te hace sentir el pasado y te susurra.
PrisioneroEnArgentina.com
Enero 29, 2026
16 thoughts on “La ciudad más deprimente de EE. UU.”
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- Paul Coleane
- posted on January 29, 2026
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- Roy Sabre
- posted on January 29, 2026
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- Fred Banner
- posted on January 29, 2026
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- K P L - 2020
- posted on January 29, 2026
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- Lou2233
- posted on January 29, 2026
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- Henry Borka
- posted on January 29, 2026
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- Roy Sabre
- posted on January 29, 2026
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- Candy
- posted on January 29, 2026
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- Joe Sedwald
- posted on January 29, 2026
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- Randi Hoorz
- posted on January 29, 2026
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- Mike
- posted on January 29, 2026
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- Roe Flanagan
- posted on January 29, 2026
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- Tan
- posted on January 29, 2026
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- Carl Muss
- posted on January 29, 2026
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- Bud Badelio
- posted on January 29, 2026
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- Rick Schultz
- posted on January 29, 2026
CommentAlthough the cost of living in Albuquerque is a bit below the national average, the property taxes here are the highest in the state. Home prices exceed the national average, but buyers get less for their hard-earned money. About 16% of residents live below the poverty level. The biggest problem in Albuquerque is crime. An uptick in murders in 2022 has led this city to come under serious scrutiny by the FBI.
I lived for almost 2 years in Alaska. Anchorage has some of the costliest real estate in Alaska, so it’s not the best place for first-time home buyers who are strapped for cash. Crime is also an issue. Statistics show that Anchorage is safer than only 5% of cities in the nation, making it one of the most dangerous places to live in the U.S. Property crimes and motor vehicle thefts make up the majority of crimes, but rates rivaled those of much larger American cities.
The City by the Bay is one of the most expensive places to live in the U.S. The median income is higher here, but so are the costs for gasoline and utilities, which fall well above the national average. Job growth hovers just above 1%. Renters pay an average of $4,030 per month for a place to live. About 10% of the population lives below the poverty level. As for crime, the city experienced more than 50 murders and nearly 4,000 assaults in 2021.
LA is bad now
Out of all the cities I visited for climate change, Houston landed at the very bottom of the list. The risk of tornadoes and hurricanes will continue to rise. The city’s air quality is dismal, with only 41% of days classified as “good” in 2021. Yet, the local government hasn’t done much to improve things. Houston also has extensive violent and property crime, which causes significant concerns for residents and local leaders alike.
Anniston AL is horrible
Were is that?
Memphis is horrible
In the past 10 years…
We’re not a mental health provider, so they can come here and just hang out for the day, you know, mingle with other people
The result of 30 years of choices by seven governors, hundreds of legislators, and countless local officials that continually pledged to provide better care, failed to do so, and knew what would happen if they didn’t.
And Detroit??????
Detroit is horribe
There are much worse places than Altoona. The rich people who pay for drug prosecution as publicity make sure that everything gets put in the papers and news, so the stuff is mostly self inflicted. The numbers are no different than anywhere else, Altoona just prosecutes MUCH more often. Altoona is a good place, with good people. There’s no more “bad” people there than anywhere else. It just looks better if sheetz gets to say “we funded the prosecution of 1000 dRuG dEaLeRs” (someone with substance use disorder, with a small amount in their pocket) so they can play community hero to people who don’t know any better. I don’t go to sheetz…. I’ve pushed my empty motorcycle past one to goto Sunoco once. Their hypocrisy isn’t worth the trouble. As for Altoona… you can walk down the street at 2am and the only worry you need to have is cops.
look up Altoona in the crime map and you’ll see exactly where not to move…
I went to college in Altoona for 4 years and met a ton of amazing people. The city of Altoona itself is a very beautiful place. Yes it has its drug problems and some odd people but don’t let that discourage you from the town. The people are as real as it gets, small businesses are everywhere and you’ll find the most interesting/heartfelt people if you ever stumble into and Altoona dive bar. The scenery is first class in PA and the things you can do in the area are immense. Jobs are good, housing is extremely cheap, crime is not nearly comparable to my hometown of Pittsburgh. I’m back in Pittsburgh now but god do I miss Altoona. It’s a town that has the ability to only go up, so why not hop on that train.