Forbes names 3 Valley cities most boring in U.S.
Erica Tiffany
Forbes, which just named Mesa one of the most boring cities in America, has finally said what many college students living in Mesa have been saying for a long time. The list was made up of the 10 cities that had the least media attention out of the 100 largest cities in America.
Forbes points out that while they name the cities boring, it might not be all that bad. Much media attention goes to crime and murders, making big cities like L.A. and Detroit very interesting by Forbes standards.
Because crime doesn’t exactly thrive in Mesa, Forbes decided to run a picture of day laborers standing on a street corner to personify Mesa.
“This seems ironic to me because immigration is a big concern and the center of a lot of media attention,” said MCC student Matt Corral.
“I think that diversity makes an exciting environment. The truly boring part about Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler is that they’re filled with strip malls and that’s all. They have nothing for people my age to do.”
Corral also says that he doesn’t mind living in Mesa, but he works in Chandler, and travels Tempe or Phoenix to do other things.
Tempe Marketplace, a shopping, dining and nightlife destination, seems to be thriving and geared towards college students.
Tempe Marketplace hosts Third Thursday events where live bands perform for free, has the Harkins Cine-Capri, 25 places to dine, fireplaces to cuddle up in cold weather, has bars such as Cadillac Ranch and San Felipe’s Cantina and a walkway of mall shops.
“I like going to Dave and Buster’s with friends. Tempe Marketplace is a good place for 21 year olds and people who are underage. We all like spending time there,” said Corral.
Right down the street from Tempe Marketplace is Mesa Riverview, which seems to run at a slower pace.
“I like Tempe Marketplace because you can walk from shop to shop. At Riverview you have to drive. Mesa Riverview also has a lot of vacant buildings. It just has a different vibe,” downtown business owner Gregory Farr said.
Mesa also has tried to attract people downtown by building the $75 million Mesa Arts Center.
But with a lack of places to dine, and most shops on Main St. closing around 5 p.m., downtown Mesa is struggling.
“Time and time again the city of Mesa has hindered small businesses. At times the city of Mesa gives me the impression that it doesn’t want me here,” said Farr.
Also on the list were Chula Vista, CA., Hialeah, FL., North Las Vegas, NV., Santa Ana, CA., Henderson, NV., Bakersfield, CA., and Aurora, CO.
Chandler and Gilbert also made the top ten; Forbes stating that Gilbert is still incorporated as a town rather than a city, e
