Middle-income Americans who are 75 and older are at serious risk of a retirement crisis, according to a new research brief from the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago.
“Our cumulative research has projected an impending crisis without a clear policy solution: a majority of middle-income older adults will be unlikely to afford needed care and housing in the next decade, potentially challenging their ability to age with dignity, choice, and independence,” the researchers stated.
Financial disparities are also varied across a series of racial and ethnic groups, the researchers found. Cohort members who are also people of color typically face larger disparities than their white counterparts. In 2020, people of color represented about 12% of the middle-income older adult population in the U.S., a figure that is expected to more than double to 25% by 2035.
“The largest shift in composition is among Hispanics, who will comprise nearly 11 percent of the middle-income group in 2035 — nearly a three-fold increase from 2020,” the researchers found.
Compounding the concerns about housing this population could face are the kinds of assets that older, middle-income people of color typically have.
“Black and Hispanic older adults tend to hold fewer liquid assets than white older adults,” the brief states. “Holding fewer liquid assets makes it more difficult to access the housing and care options that align with their preferences.”
For this analysis, researchers examined the asset portfolios of middle-income older adults. They found that those “who do not qualify for Medicaid often must rely on other sources of income, such as pensions or retirement accounts, to afford the care and housing options they need or want.”
Having more liquid assets could make housing and health care easier and more affordable for them, but that’s not necessarily an easy transition for many to make — especially among people of color, the researchers found.
“33 percent of Black and Hispanic older adults’ asset portfolios comprise transportation items like a personal vehicle,” the brief said. “Liquidizing a vehicle is both inconvenient and impractical as it eliminates a source of independence in a society increasingly dependent on private vehicle access.”
Significantly more Americans own a home now than a decade ago, but the disparity between Black homeownership rates and those of other racial and ethnic groups has grown wider, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Overall, U.S. homeownership increased over the decade to 2022, with 10.5 million more homeowners across the country, the study by the trade group found, drawing on Census data. Asian Americans experienced the sharpest increase over the period, with ownership rates soaring to a historic high of 63.3%. Hispanic Americans saw a gain of 3.2 million households, to reach a new peak of 51.1%.
While Black Americans also saw homeownership advance, the gain was modest. And at 44.1%, their rate is notably lower than that for Asian, Hispanic and White Americans. The gap between Blacks and Whites – the highest among the four major groups – widened by a percentage point from 2012, to 28 percentage points.
“Minority homeownership gained ground,” Jessica Lautz, NAR deputy chief economist and vice president of research, said in a statement. “While the gains should be celebrated, the pathway into homeownership remains arduous for minority buyers.”
The NAR’s analysis showed 55% of Asian and 51% of Black and Hispanic howe owners were first-time buyers, something that places them at a particular disadvantage in a market marked by high prices and limited supply. That’s because first-timers “must rely on down-payment sources beyond gained housing equity,” Lautz said.
Other challenges for would-be buyers of color include difficulties in saving for a down payment — as they typically spend higher proportions of their income on rent and paying back student loans.
Black homebuyers, for instance, reported the highest levels of student-loan debt among all groups, with 41% carrying a record high median debt of $46,000, while 29% of Hispanic buyers had student loan debt with a median of $33,000. The NAR has also cited data showing Black Americans draw on pension or 401(k) savings more than any other group.
Citing data from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, the NAR last year said Black and Hispanic homebuyers face additional barriers in securing mortgages, such as higher denial rates compared with their White and Asian counterparts.
For those who do obtain mortgages, the interest rates tend to be higher on average, Tuesday’s report showed. For loans originated in 2022, 20% for Blacks and 21% for Hispanics exceeded 6%, in contrast with lower percentages among Asian and White borrowers.
You may have a preconception about moving to Omaha. But once you’re in the city, it exceeds expectations and is a place you don’t want to leave.
Omahans enjoy outstanding attractions, such as the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, considered one of the top zoos in the world. With nearly 130 acres of indoor and outdoor exhibits, the zoo claims to have the world’s largest indoor desert dome and the top indoor rain forest in North America. The African Grasslands and Asian Highlands feature animals in natural settings.
The Durham Museum showcases Omaha’s history, such as its early days as a railroad center and the site of the 1898 World’s Fair, a.k.a. Trans-Mississippi Expedition. Outdoor attractions include Fontenelle Forest, with more than 15 miles of natural trails among the bluffs overlooking the Missouri River, as well as the downtown riverfront, which is home to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, one of the longest bridges connecting two states as Nebraska and Iowa meet in the middle of the river.
Omaha’s culinary scene rivals that of many bigger cities in the U.S. With several James Beard Foundation-nominated chefs, you’ll find restaurants featuring fresh handmade dishes from around the world. Farm-to-table dining is popular, with restaurants like The Grey Plume, Dante and Au Courant leading the way. It’s hard to taste better Italian dishes than you’ll find at Lo Sole Mio or Malara’s. South Omaha is ripe with authentic Mexican eateries.
While the city doesn’t have any major league sport, it’s an amateur sports mecca. From the College World Series in June to hosting multiple U.S. Olympics trials, including swimming and curling events, Omaha attracts hundreds of thousands of fans to the area. Omaha is also home to the Storm Chasers, the top minor league baseball team for the Kansas City Royals.
Keep on reading to see if moving to Omaha is a fit, and why you’ll love to live there and strive to keep it “America’s best-kept secret.”
Omaha overview
Omaha is home to four of Forbes Top 500 companies, led by Berkshire-Hathaway. With local billionaire Warren Buffett at the helm, Berkshire-Hathaway is among the top five companies by Forbes. Other top Forbes companies include Union Pacific (No. 141), Mutual of Omaha (337) and Kiewit Corp. (339).
While enjoying major economic success, Omaha maintains a Midwestern small-town feel, where it’s common for people to say hi as they see you on the street and hold the door for you when entering buildings.
While experiencing growth and development in neighborhoods across the city, the Omaha cost of living continues to remain strong, along with steady job growth.
Population: 478,192
Population density (People per square mile): 3,217.9
Median income: $59,266
Studio average rent: $864
One-bedroom average rent: $946
Two-bedroom average rent: $1,173
Cost of Living index: 93.4
Popular neighborhoods in Omaha
Moving to Omaha offers you a chance to explore the city’s history, culture and diversity. While west and southwest Omaha offers the feel of suburbia, Omaha’s most popular neighborhoods remain the oldest and most upscale.
From the riverfront to midtown, you’ll find a mix of older and contemporary apartments and condominiums to call home, while also enjoying easy access to culture, parks, vintage shops and a fun nightlife scene, featuring outstanding eateries and bars.
Old Market: Old Market is the heartbeat of Omaha. The nine-block area hosts one of the Midwest’s longest-running farmers markets each summer and fall. The entertainment district is family-friendly during the day, with restaurants, shops and galleries open, before becoming an adult-centric neighborhood at night, as couples dine out and then hit bars and clubs, creating a fun, party atmosphere.
Benson: One of Omaha’s oldest neighborhoods, Benson is an eclectic mix of art galleries, coffee shops, craft breweries and restaurants. Toss in vintage and unique clothing shops, and you’ve found the city’s “Hipster” area. During “First Fridays,” galleries and other businesses stay open later on the first Friday of each month, along with entertainment and even food trucks lining the streets.
Midtown: Popular with young professionals moving to Omaha, Midtown is a mix of contemporary apartments and condos with older homes. The Midtown Crossing entertainment district is home to some of the best restaurants in Omaha, as well as unique retail outlets. Midtown is the site of the Jazz on the Green festival each summer.
Dundee: Considered Omaha’s first suburb, Dundee is home to classic apartments, as well as modern outlets. With fantastic local eateries, such as Ahmad’s Persian Café, Saddle Creek Breakfast Club and J. Coco, calling the area home, it’s one of the city’s best dining areas. It’s also home to Warren Buffett, whose house in Happy Hollow borders the neighborhood.
Blackstone: Nestled between Midtown and Dundee, Blackstone is one of Omaha’s newest entertainment districts. Heavy on restaurants and bars, such as Noli’s Pizzeria and Butterfish, it also offers excellent spots to relax and enjoy a treat or coffee at Coneflower Creamery and Archetype Coffee.
The pros of moving to Omaha
Omaha offers people excellent attractions, restaurants, outdoor activities and a sports scene that makes other cities jealous. With plans to expand the riverfront, downtown Omaha will rank as one of the most beautiful and fun areas in the Midwest. Here are three reasons why you’ll enjoy moving to Omaha.
Excellent employment opportunities
With one of the lowest unemployment rates in the United States at less than 5 percent, Omaha is home to major leaders in healthcare, transportation, agriculture and insurance. Several people moving to Omaha are with companies, such as Union Pacific, Pacific Life and Aflac.
Tech companies are finding their way to Omaha, with the city earning the nickname “Silicon Prairie,” as Facebook and Google are among companies opening data centers in the area.
Enjoy the commute
Nicknamed the “15-minute City,” Omaha is easy to get around. The commute is actually about 20 minutes, as the city grows and expands its boundary westward. Regardless, the main thoroughfares, such as Dodge, Maple, Pacific and Center streets, run east-west, while the interstate system continues to add lanes to ease morning and afternoon commute issues.
The cost of living is a huge plus
With a cost of living index rating of 93.4, among the best in the United States, moving to Omaha benefits you financially. Everything tends to cost less here than in other cities of similar size, such as groceries, utilities, rent and gasoline. You can enjoy an evening out on the town without worrying about mortgaging the farm.
The cons of moving to Omaha
While Omaha enjoys economic success, the city faces challenges to keep its young professionals in the area, among other issues. Here are three areas of concern when considering moving to Omaha.
Lack of diversity
Whites make up about 66 percent of the population, while the African American community is the largest ethnic minority, accounting for about 12 percent of the city’s population. Hispanics make up about 11 percent, while Asian Americans and Native Americans account for about four percent.
While Omaha hasn’t experienced racial tensions like other cities, people have targeted minorities as a way of gaining political power, including focusing on undocumented workers or perceived high crime rates. Minority residents have protested unfair treatment by law enforcement and the court system.
Public transportation is a challenge
Omaha is a car city. Without a vehicle, you’ll be challenged to easily get around town. While Uber and Lyft are successful in Omaha, the city’s public transportation system is lacking for many residents.
With bus routes that run east-west, focusing on stops toward downtown, the Metro Transit system doesn’t run 24/7, which impacts people who prefer using public transportation. The new ORBT route runs from the Westroads Mall to downtown, but again, it’s not designed for 24/7 service.
Winter can be severe
Winters in Omaha are hit-or-miss — it may snow a lot or just a few inches. However, when it gets cold and snowy, traffic comes to a standstill. Literally. You’ll find parking lots on some of the main routes, because, as people joke, “two inches of snow shuts down the city.” Snow removal is an annual challenge, as well as the potholes that come with the winter season.
How to get started on your move to Omaha
Omaha’s attractions, culinary scene, sports community and commute are winning factors to consider when it comes to moving to Omaha. Regardless of the neighborhood you choose to call home, you’ll only be minutes from most major attractions, parks and restaurants.
To assist with your move as you pack up to head to the Big O, visit our Moving Center to get free quotes and more information about planning your move. Also check out available apartments for rent and homes for sale – you can’t move if you don’t have a place to live, after all.
Rent prices are based on a rolling weighted average from Apartment Guide and Rent.’s multifamily rental property inventory of one-bedroom apartments. Data was pulled in December 2020 and goes back for one year. We use a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each individual unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets.
Population and income numbers are from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Cost of living data comes from the Council for Community and Economic Research.
The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.
Tim is an Omaha-based freelance writer, online content creator and author who loves exploring the Midwest and beyond. In addition to writing The Walking Tourists travel blog, he has co-authored three books with his wife, Lisa: 100 Things to Do in Omaha Before You Die, Unique Eats and Eateries of Omaha, and 100 Things to Do in Nebraska Before You Die. Tim is a dad to two daughters and three cat sons. He is an avid sports fan, primarily enjoying football and hockey.
After increasing in the second half of last year, the homeownership rate looked like it was ending a steady eleven quarter decline that began in 2012. However, despite reports of increased home sales in the first half of this year, the Census Bureau said last week that homeownership has declined for the second quarter in a row, to 62.9 percent. That’s the lowest level in more than 50 years.
Though sales of existing homes through June are up 3 percent over last year and are now up 3.0 percent from June 2015, prices are up 4.8 percent. Prices are significantly higher for affordable entry level properties, and inventories of homes priced lower than market medians in hotter markets are slim.
Where are the first-time homebuyers?
So where are the loses coming from? The Census Bureau reported homeownership rate for Americans ages 18-34 fell to 34.1 percent in the second quarter from 34.8 percent a year earlier, the Census Bureau said. The decline is within the margin of error for that age group of 0.8 percentage points, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worrisome.
A new study by the National Association of Realtors and SALT, a program provided by the American Student Assistance, found that nearly three-quarters of non-home owners say that repaying their student loan debt is delaying their home purchase.
And that’s not all. More than fifty percent of consumers say they expect to be delayed from buying a home by more than five years. Forty percent of consumers surveyed also said that student debt was delaying them from moving out of a family member’s house after graduating from college.
The student loan debt burden seems to be holding back older millennials, aged 26 to 35, and those with $70,000 to $100,000 in debt the most from home ownership, the survey found.
Minorities have been affected too
Homeownership among minorities is also declining once again. Among African Americans, the homeownership rate has fallen to 41.7 percent from 43 percent a year ago and among Hispanics, the rate is down slightly from the second quarter of 2015, to 45.1 percent from 45.4 percent.
Among non-Hispanic whites, homeownership is statistically equal to a year ago, 71.5 percent in the second quarter of 2016 compared to 71.6 in the second quarter of 2015.
What does this mean for you?
All this seems to indicate that current middle-class homeowners are staying in their starter homes longer, while large groups of potential first-time homebuyers are staying out of the real estate game entirely, leaving a section of the real estate landscape stagnant in spite of improvements. If you’re thinking about selling or buying, the timing is still good, but depending on your local market, either may take longer than expected.
Earlier this week, the National Association of Realtors sent a letter to FHA Commissioner Carol Galante urging her to rethink the agency’s new mortgage insurance structure.
Since 2011, annual mortgage insurance premiums have risen from 90 basis points to 135 basis points in an effort to shore up reserves at the FHA.
Additionally, many borrowers must now pay the annual MIP for the life of the loan, instead of having it fall off once the loan dips to an LTV of 78%.
As a result, NAR believes hundreds of thousands of renters are being priced out of the real estate market.
They estimate that anywhere between 125,000 and 375,000 potential home buyers now have nowhere to turn for financing, with conventional loans also too expensive thanks to PMI and higher interest rates relative to the FHA.
FHA Loan Payments Up 13% Since 2008
Even with a steady interest rate, FHA loan payments have risen markedly thanks to the new mortgage insurance structure.
On a $150,000 loan set at 4.5%, the monthly payment has increased from $834 to $942 over the past five years.
The fees alone on an FHA loan account for nearly 20% of the mortgage payment thanks to the rising annual MIP and an upfront premium that nearly doubled from 1% to 1.75%.
Despite these increases, FHA loans tend to be cheaper than conventional loans at high LTVs. So these borrowers are effectively priced out if they have little to put down on a home.
This is a problem because NAR notes that the FHA insured more than half of the purchase-money loans made to African Americans and Hispanics in 2012.
Many of those affected are also the youngest homeowners, who have experienced the slowest income growth in recent years.
NAR Wants a Rule Reversal
To offset this potential roadblock, NAR has recommended that the FHA lower annual mortgage insurance premiums and no longer require that they be paid for the life of the loan.
They believe this will slow prepayments of FHA loans, which has hurt the reserve fund of late. Per HUD data, FHA prepayments were at their highest level in fiscal year 2013 since the end of fiscal year 2004.
And full payoffs with no subsequent refinance with the FHA accounted for 81% of the FHA’s prepayments.
Making the desired changes could keep borrowers with the FHA for a longer period of time and boost revenue.
Unfortunately, HUD made these very changes to their mortgage insurance structure to shore up reserves after capital levels fell below acceptable levels.
The FHA also grew far too much in recent years, and the changes they made could help usher in private capital, which has been the goal of policymakers for a while now.
Lastly, if FHA financing is still the cheapest game in town, it might be hard to convince them to change their ways.
Millions of homeowners across the country lost their homes in the foreclosure crisis, missing out on the opportunity to regain and grow their net wealth as the housing market recovered. But in black and Hispanic communities, the foreclosure crisis hit especially hard, and homes in those areas have yet to fully recover, according to a new Zillow analysis.
When the housing market crashed, many homes lost a significant share of their value, especially among homes that were ultimately foreclosed. In Hispanic and black communities, foreclosed home values fell by more than 50 percent.
As the market recovered and home values rebounded, foreclosed homes saw strong appreciation –equity growth that the former owners couldn’t access. Foreclosed homes in black and Hispanic communities have more than doubled in value since reaching their lowest point, though they remain 4.7 percent and 9.5 percent below their peaks.
Not only did the foreclosure crisis have a sharper impact on people’s ability to gain wealth in black and Hispanic communities, it also had a broader reach into those areas. Nationally, 19.4 percent of all foreclosures between 2007 and 2015 were in Hispanic communities – but only 9.6 percent of homes are in those same areas. Similarly, 12.7 percent of foreclosures occurred in black communities, while 7.7 percent of all homes are in black communities.
In Atlanta, 30.5 percent of all homes are in black communities, but more than half of all foreclosed homes are in those communities. Just 44.2 percent of foreclosed Atlanta homes are in white communities, compared with the overall 65.1 percent of homes in white communities.
Losing a home to foreclosure is especially impactful for Hispanic and black homeowners, who historically have held the majority of their net worth in their homes. Near the height of the housing bubble in 2007, Hispanic and black homeowners had 73.1 percent and 61.8 percent of their net worth tied up in their homes. For white homeowners, that number was only 46.5 percent.
“The housing bust and foreclosure crisis that followed resulted in a disproportionate number of people of color losing not only the roof over their heads, but the wealth—and the opportunity to potentially build more—that came with it,” said Zillow Senior Economist Sarah Mikhitarian. “Black and Hispanic homeowners were more exposed to the foreclosure crisis because homes accounted for such a large share of their wealth. With fewer assets to draw on, it was harder for them to hold onto their homes if they fell underwater on their mortgages, owing more than their home was worth. For people who ultimately succumbed to foreclosure, they missed out on the opportunity to see their home’s equity—and therefore their wealth—climb back up.”
Mike Wheatley is the senior editor at Realty Biz News. Got a real estate related news article you wish to share, contact Mike at [email protected].
America was largely settled by immigrants: These cities lean into that fact.
Moving to a new place can be pretty scary for anyone, but it’s especially intimidating if you aren’t welcomed with open arms. This happens all too often, despite the fact that immigrants and migrants from other states are vital components of any area’s economic and social well-being.
In fact, they actually make up a significant portion of the workforce, and cities with higher immigrant populations tend to experience greater economic growth than other areas. Immigrants also help to offset population decline, which heads off economic disasters. Plus, they readily invest in their new area by opening businesses and thus creating jobs. In short, immigrants tend to show up and take care of business.
These types of cities are the most welcoming to immigrants
The Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative recently ranked cities based on how welcoming they are to newcomers. The outfit says that certain cities, like those that are “knowledge-centric,” are the best options. This includes cities renowned for their technology or finance industries — and college towns where education and forward-thinking are paramount.
Many such cities offer a lot of opportunities compared to where a person comes from, thanks to their economic and professional profile. So a city with a higher opportunity score is likely to provide the chance at a higher quality of life than some others. Now, let’s dissect this data, figure out what comprises a higher life quality and reveal these cities in all of their hospitable glory.
The first entry in the top 10 most welcoming cities in the U.S. is State College, Pennsylvania, the appropriately named home to Penn State University. From the period 2010-2021, the city saw an ever-so-slight decline in domestic migration’s contribution to population growth in the area (minus 3 percent), but experienced an uptick of 6 percent related to immigration.
With an overall population of just over 157,000, State College is one of the smallest on our list, but the numbers are hardly what you would call irrelevant. In fact, the opportunity score in State College is one of the highest on our list, at 117 percent, meaning that newcomers average greater quality of life/opportunity by 17 percent compared with their parents. Some of the influx of immigrants to this area is due to the fact that more than 11,000 students from various countries head to Penn State for its varied educational opportunities.
9. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida
Both domestic migration and immigration contributed to the population in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida metro area, at basically the same rate of 9 percent! With a total population of nearly 2.7 million, this area is the third-largest on our list, which translates to big numbers, in terms of newcomers to the area. The opportunity score is slightly lower than that of State College, at 92 percent, however, it’s mitigated by the area’s reputation for being friendly to newcomers!
The draw is likely due to a preponderance of jobs thanks in part to the state’s booming tourism industry, but also the fact that central Florida already has a lot of immigrants makes it appealing to newbies. This section of Florida is a well-oiled machine for welcoming newcomers, and it translates into more and more each year.
Not so far away from the OG immigrant spot, Plymouth Rock is the metro area of Boston/Cambridge/Newton, which spans parts of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Immigration to the area went up by 7 percent, although domestic migration took a dip of minus 4 percent.
The metro’s population totals 4.9 million, making even tiny immigration upticks extremely significant. These days, most immigrants to the area come from China, the Dominican Republic and Haiti, the City of Boston says, and are likely lured there by its opportunity score of 117 percent. They most often matriculate into jobs that are blue-collar (construction, production, repair, natural resources) or within the service industry. As these are all very important to growth, the immigrant population is filling a lot of important roles.
7. Naples-Marco Island, FL
Moving back to sunny Florida, the metro of Naples-Marco Island, Florida is considered another particularly hospitable area to newcomers. Found near the southern end of the state outside of Miami, many of these newbies are important to the local agriculture scene and are drawn to the area by such jobs. They’re also critical to recovery from all-too-frequent hurricanes that hit the area, which necessitate skilled hands at construction and other trade jobs.
Domestic migration actually contributed more to population growth here than anywhere else on our list (up 18 percent!) and immigration was also higher by 7 percent. The opportunity score hovers at 101 percent.
6. Fargo, North Dakota/Minnesota
The next metro area on our list could not be any more different from Naples if it tried, weather-wise. The far northern area of Fargo, North Dakota/Minnesota is especially dependent on immigrants to fill important positions within both the manufacturing and production industries, although many also work in sales and healthcare positions.
Many relocate to the chilly, but friendly area from the Philippines, in particular. Domestic migrants to the area were up by 7 percent, while immigrants were also higher by 4 percent. The opportunity score of 133 percent is one of the best on our list, meaning that someone who moves to this area can experience 33 percent worth of improvement in opportunity compared with where they came from.
5. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, Florida
Although domestic migration to the Miami/Fort Lauderdale/Pompano Beach area of Florida has declined by five percent in recent years, immigration is up quite a bit at 12 percent the highest uptick on our list). With nearly 6.1 million residents in this metro area, that translates to quite a few newcomers.
Miami has indeed turned into a hotbed of opportunity for Latines, in particular, as they frequently hold STEM positions and 73 percent of local businesses are owned by immigrants. They are also attending local colleges and universities and contribute tremendously to the local economy as consumers.
4. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The lone West Coast metro on our list, the area of San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California has experienced a decline in domestic migration of minus 11 percent, but an increase in immigration of eight percent. Asian-born immigrants make up a significant portion of this population, although it certainly sees plenty of Latine newcomers, as well.
Many flock to the area for the tech opportunities it is known for, as well as the excellent school systems for their children. However, the ever-rising cost of living in California is making it difficult for many to stay in the area. That said, the opportunity is so rich in the area that the typical person enjoys 23 percent greater opportunity (score of 123 overall).
Moving back over to the Midwest, Iowa City, Iowa is considered the third most welcoming city in America. Perhaps this is because the area has a reputation for welcoming immigrants historically. Whatever the reason, the city/state regularly takes in people fleeing natural disasters or devastating conflicts in their home countries, including those from Ethiopia and Bosnia. There’s also a strong contingent of Hispanics who come to the area looking for professional opportunities.
Both domestic migration (1 percent) and immigration to the area (7 percent) have increased in recent years, continuing this region’s longstanding reputation as one that welcomes others with open arms. Much like San Jose, the opportunity score in this area is 123 percent.
The central Minnesota city of St. Cloud is runner-up as the most welcoming city in America. Immigration to the metro is up by 4 percent, however, domestic migration declined in the same time period by three percent. St. Cloud boasts the highest opportunity score on our list at 145 percent, meaning that people can earn and live at a better quality by nearly 50 percent compared the previous generation.
Immigrants to the area tend to come from East African countries like Somalia, however, people from Kenya, Vietnam, Mexico and Korea also make up significant portions of the newcomer population. They contribute to the local economy by filling major gaps in the employment force, but also by paying taxes and contributing to Social Security.
1. Ames, Iowa
The smallest city on our list is also the most welcoming of them all. Slightly north of Des Moines is the unassuming metro of Ames, Iowa, with a population of just over 126,000 people.
Domestic migration is down slightly there, however, immigration is on the rise at 7 percent. This Iowa city is known as a safe haven for people seeking asylum from the dangers of their homeland. Many newcomers hail from Ukraine, Honduras and the particularly war-torn parts of Africa.
The community is very much a part of this effort, as volunteers with the Ames Interfaith Refugee Alliance advocate for refugees and help them acclimate to the area upon arrival. They also aim (pun intended) to educate people about immigration and the positive impact they can have on a given area. It also doesn’t hurt that the cost of living in Iowa is way below the national average and that the opportunity score is an impressive 132 percent.
A little bit of hospitality goes a long way
Obviously, there are still many kinks to work out related to the often difficult immigration process. That said, it’s good to know that some cities are doing their best to make it a positive experience for everyone hoping to breathe free in a new land.
There are tons of amazing TV shows that set the world on fire with their stories but, for some reason or another weren’t continued. It’s tragic enough when a long-running series gets curtained, but it’s even more heartbreaking when a stellar show begins to hit its stride, and then gets abruptly canceled. We turned to Reddit to find out which canceled shows people miss the most. Whether you’re mourning a beloved show, or want an introduction to some television gold, here are 10 series that came and left far too quickly!
1. Mindhunter
One user said, “Probably anything canceled by Netflix.”
Another user replied, “Mindhunter has entered the chat.”
A third added, “Mindhunter is the first series I actually got super bummed out about being canceled. The story, actors, and music. Shame.”
One Redditor commented, “Soundtrack was elite. Almost got lost in the shuffle of everything else is so well done.”
Another user shared, “Inside Job made it two seasons before getting axed on a cliffhanger. I still want to know what happens.”
One commenter replied, “This is how I found out Inside Job got canceled… sigh.”
2. Rome
One user exclaimed, “ROME!!!!”
One commenter added, “Yes. Rome! It was Game of Thrones before Game of Thrones.”
One user replied, “Rome walked so GoT could run….into a post.”
“Yeah, the later seasons weren’t as good, but I don’t know how much better they could be considering everything that happened behind the scenes… Though I guess the real weakness was injecting Caesar and that one guy’s the stupid horrible son. Ugh…yeah…now I’m remembering everything…geez… you’re right…I was only thinking about the first season and the prequel,” one user responded.
3. 2003 Teen Titans
One user posted, “This may seem a bit childish, but Teen Titans—the original one from 2003…”
Another replied, “It’s a bummer because every character got one season where they were the focus of the ongoing plot. Season 1 was Robin, season 2 was Terra, season 3 was Cyborg, season 4 was Raven, and season 5 was Beast Boy. It was set up perfectly to have a 6th season focused on Starfire, and we never got it.”
One commenter added, “Rewatched the whole series reasonably recently. It really was such a unique show for the time. I remember seeing reruns on Boomerang after the series had finished airing on CN. Unfortunately, they no longer air anything from the original series or movie. Season 5 absolutely ended in a way that demanded something more, and the movie did not scratch that itch.”
4. Reaper
“Reaper—Absolutely loved that [show], oh and Firefly, but everyone says that,” one Redditor posted.
Another user added, “I hate that they don’t cast Tyler Labine in more comedy stuff. Reaper was a fantastic showcase of his hilarity, and one of my all-time favorite movies is Tucker and Dale vs. Evil.”
One user commented, “I can’t believe Reaper was so far down the list.”
Another added, “From what I remember, it was canceled because they wanted The Vampire Diaries in that time slot. Guess they made a good move, considering the success of TVD. But I still hate them for canceling it.”
One user added, “The network canceled it, they tried to syndicate to SciFi, but the cast would have to take pay cuts, so they weren’t on board, and then the showrunners were going to produce a comic book to at least wrap the cliffhanger they left us on, but… nothing. They did at least do an interview where they revealed the secrets behind Sam and the devil’s deal, his parentage, etc., if you’re interested. (Warning: spoilers for a show canceled 14 years ago).”
5. Jericho
One user posted, “Jericho.”
Another added, “Every time I see this thread, I come just to upvote or add Jericho. Nuts to CBS.”
One user also commented, “Same. I keep scrolling until I see Jericho, and then I upvote.”
“Let’s be honest. This would be one of the best ‘remakes’ of our time. Jericho and not just season one and a half. But seasons 3, 4, 5, and 6. Let’s see how the country is rebuilt. I would watch every last second of this. I also really like that long before preppers and all this other [stuff]. They were doing things that were way ahead of their time. Granted, they were probably public knowledge to somebody, but they weren’t mainstream. And I thought that was really cool that they were touching on a lot of topics. I think this show was ahead of its time, and it was canceled during a writer’s strike, and that [was terrible],” one user responded.
Another user concluded, “I think HBO or Paramount would do a good job on a Jericho reboot. However, if it ever does happen, I hope they use the original cast.”
6. Venture Bros
One user posted, “Venture Bros.”
One of the users then shared, “Venture Bros was easily a solid decade ahead of its time.The Boys, Invincible, Harley Quinn, Doom Patrol, Peacemaker. All these shows deal with deconstructing the superhero mythos, and the Venture Brothers did this in 2004. At least we’re getting a movie.”
“Venture Bros started as a pitch-perfect parody of old Hanna-Barbera cartoons and went on to skewer every element of pop culture they could get their hands on while maintaining well-written, context-driven comedy. It was never cheap. It was well-acted and scripted. It grew and evolved and allowed its characters to step outside the narrow channels they were born in, developing them from single characteristic, classic archetypes into something more complex. I [really] love the Venture Bros. Dead excited for the film, but I’d equally take another few seasons,” one user replied.
Another user concluded, “Honestly, the fact that most (all?) VB characters have some sort of arc is part of what makes the show great. Most shows (especially adult cartoons) have these flat, static characters. Venture bros are nothing like that.”
7. I Am Not Okay With This
One user shared, “I Am Not Okay With This.”
Another responded, “It had so much potential, not to mention they left so much unanswered at the end of the season purposely so they could make a second one.”
One Redditor commented, “Netflix does not [care at all] about finishing a story. It is not worth investing any time in any of their content, even the stuff that looks good.”
One user replied, “This cancellation made me give up on Netflix. I just can’t get excited by anything on their platform at this point because I know whatever I get interested in, no matter how good it is, will get dropped without a conclusion. I WON’T LET THEM HURT ME AGAIN!”
8. Pushing Daisies
One Redditor posted, “Pushing Daisies.”
One user replied, “Definitely this one. I loved the series and wanted to see where it was going.”
Another user seconded, “This and Dead Like Me. Both sensational shows.”
Another commenter responded, “I’ve just come to accept that anything Bryan Fuller makes, I’m going to love and then be heartbroken when it’s canceled too soon.”
One user commented, “Or when he’s ousted from it. American Gods took an extreme nosedive when he left.”
One user also shared, “I don’t really fault Fuller for Discovery. After all, CBS dropped him early in development, and they only used some of his outlines. As a result, the final product is different from what he was originally going for. As an example, he wanted to do an anthology series that explored many different eras of Star Trek.”
One user concluded, “Yeah, I thought he was there for the whole production of season one, but reading the Wiki page, it looks like there was a lot of turmoil early on.”
9. Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency
One of the Reddit users shared, “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency. Edit: so many people didn’t like the 2nd season, which is entirely fair. It’s hard to live up to the expectations of such a solid first season. The reason I personally would like a 3rd season is that the cliffhanger is so damn tasty. Also, I want more Rowdy 3 (6?), Alan Tudyk, and Tyler Labine.
“I recognize that it deviates completely from the source material, and I understand why a lot of people are upset by that. There are a lot of examples where I hated the adaptation (looking at you, World War Z), but I personally believe this is a perfect example of how you take inspiration and run with it.
“A dark, gritty version where Dirk was the fat slob the books described him as might also be fantastic, and I’d probably watch… it. However, I think this adaptation perfectly captures the whimsical nonsense of Douglas Adam’s writing, and I’m ok with it. It’s just a shame that the show was attached to such a scumbag. Otherwise, we might have seen that 3rd season that gave us all the answers they teased.”
One user commented, “That show is still my absolute favorite. With absolute [great lines] like, ‘The Rowdy Three!’, ‘But there are 4 of them!’, ‘I’m WILDLY aware.’
“They captured Douglas Adams’ whimsical nonsense so perfectly in that show. I feel like the second series went completely off the rails, but I still loved it.”
“This was so gloriously, bizarrely brilliant. It was completely different from the (excellent) books, but it took on some of the core ideas and added a bunch of its own, then ran simultaneously with them in multiple directions. It was a joy to watch and made me feel an almost childlike wonder. It surprised and delighted me; a modern-day fairy-tale for grown-ups. Gutted it was canceled,” one user replied.
Another user added, “It was a book adaptation done right. Borrowed concepts from the book, but instead of trying to squeeze the book’s story onto the screen (which would have been a… trainwreck), they went their own way and made something unique.”
10. Better Off Ted
One Redditor posted, “Better Off Ted. The show was a brilliant satire of corporate business that was far too funny. The amazing cast was incredibly quotable and ended far too soon. Punisher should have had a season 2 with more gang/mafia shenanigans. Altered Carbon should have been able to wrap up its story. Rubicon. It didn’t have to be a continuation, but I would love to see more like it. Edit: I have corrected it. Punisher had a season 2—my mistake.
Another added, “The episode where they installed motion detectors for everything that didn’t see black people, so they had to assign every black person a white person to open doors, but then because of diversity rules, they had to hire more black people was phenomenal.
Ted: ‘That’s more than weird, Veronica. That’s basically, well… racist.’
Veronica: ‘The company’s position is that it’s actually the opposite of racist because it’s not targeting black people. It’s just ignoring them. So they insist the worst people can call it is indifferent.’
Ted: ‘Well, they know it has to be fixed, right? Please… at least say they know that.’
Veronica: ‘Of course they do, and they’re working on it. In the meantime, they’d like everyone to celebrate the fact that it sees Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and Jews.’”
One user concluded, “Definitely. Whenever people ask me about good, fun TV, they usually know the standards like Office and 30 Rock, so I point them to Better off Ted and outline this specific episode. And each time, they are eager to check it out. It’s such an unusual, new trope that hits all the right points.”
Source: Reddit.
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