America's Most Boring Towns: 7

Catherine Penfold-Waxman: 20th Jun 2006 - 19:00 GMT

I'm loving these posts. They are so "Day After."

little ukraine: 20th Jun 2006 - 21:29 GMT

these posts have made me feel so much better about Long Island. i'll never complain about being bored there again. well, not for a few weeks anyway.

GUS BRENNAN: 20th Jun 2006 - 23:28 GMT

SCOTT GREAT IDEA, I LIVE IN A VIBRANT TOWN OF BARNOLDSWICK ENGLAND, AND IT`S NICE TO SEE THE OTHER HALF, THESE TOWNS YOU POST LOOK VERY SAD, I WOULD HATE TO LIVE IN THIS LOCAL. SO CHECK OUT MY TOWN OF BARNOLDSWICK, THIS IS THE PLSCE YOU WANT TO BE.................

indykid: 21st Jun 2006 - 11:36 GMT

Interesting observations can be drawn from these photos about the role of the car in North American culture. Just look at the size of the car parks in these photos versus the number of cars and people in their vicinity!

jeeff: 21st Jun 2006 - 14:58 GMT

what amazes me is that, since there's little in the way of co-ordinated urban planning in the US, people are left to design their town however they want. ...and this is apparently what they want.

Peter: 21st Jun 2006 - 15:06 GMT

...or perhaps what is foisted upon them by the folks that have the money to build it.

jeeff: 21st Jun 2006 - 16:12 GMT

to some degree, but consumer demand (encouraged by govt policy) is what drives sprawl and car-centric development at the fundamental level.

funkinstien: 9th Jul 2006 - 04:28 GMT

dudes hes right how much time did u spend in this CITY a day i hate it when fucks like u post shit like this now but im here to help a little to if u want the worst town n the history of the world go to jerome idaho theres cows dumping in the street and there all dumb as hell it smells like cow manure but if u guys post sun valley idaho here u guys r idiotic

Chris Erb: 9th Jul 2006 - 05:10 GMT

hahaha, I love the backlash all these posts (with the exception of one) are getting!

GeneralTsao: 8th Sep 2006 - 16:25 GMT

Wow, what a closed perspective we have! The author posted several shots of the same building and people now don't want to have anything to do with Salina Kansas?

Observation #1: Author should have been more intelligent than to dine at a place with no cars in the lot! Rule One of traveling is to eat where the locals eat. If the parking lot is crowded, the food will be great. Duh.

Observation #2: One parking lot does not a town make. I've been to Salina twice and it's quite a bustling town of 50,000 persons. Salina has at least two local favorite "must-do" restaurants, Cozy's and The Scheme, which everyone in town will tell you about.

Observation #3: The car parks in the US are bigger because the cars are bigger and people tend to drive places rather than walk (whereas my observation while in England was the opposite). As a sidebar, I also noted very few overweight people in England.

However, the land area of England is some 93,000 sq. mi. The land area of the US is 5,900,000 sq. mi.

Interestingly, and since we're talking about Kansas, the land area of Kansas is about 82,000 sq. mi. with a statewide population of 2,688,000 persons.

England, population over 60,000,000, fits all those people into an area just 10,000 sq. mi. larger than Kansas!

I hope this brings some perspective to those who have never traveled to both countries.

John : 15th Jun 2007 - 03:19 GMT

I picture some tired old guy in some old house sitting on his bed with his rifle in one hand and his army boots and ill-fitting services shirt on still waiting for that old black spin-dial phone that sits on the side table to ring; the sergeant calling him up to go fight the Germans.

John Humperdink: 19th Jul 2007 - 21:36 GMT

Salina is a very prospering town...the north end that "the locals" told you about is the old, bad end of town. Go back and take pictures of the south end of town, you'll see progression and a ton of stuff to do.

anon (ip24-255-157-231.ks.ks.cox.net): 30th Sep 2007 - 03:17 GMT

That's so funny! I tell you what, I'm from Salina, I'm living here currently, and I would never NEVER eat at that place!! Or, be caught in that end of town after dark. You got some bad advice, friend.

Cp: 13th Oct 2007 - 01:36 GMT

I'm not from Salina, but live here now. I've lived in some larger cities and now that I have children I now that this is a great pace to raise them. I agree with the above posts that if the parking lot is empty, that is probably not where the the locals are eating.
Actually, whoever told you about that place saw you as an arrogant out of towner, and sent you there to get even.

anon (ip68-103-169-13.ks.ok.cox.net): 6th Nov 2007 - 03:50 GMT

i do live here and the post is pretty right on. This town has the highest housing market , and the lowest paying jobs. The Salina Jouranl is the newspaper i town and it post everything from cats taking dumps Mall walkers at our lame central mall. The water is contaminated and the police are bored that they pull a person over for yelling fried okra out of the window (that was me). So if anyone out their cares or is reading this stay away from this town, it is a big black hole.

Tom Martin: 13th Dec 2007 - 16:10 GMT

It sounds to me like Kansas, in general anyway, is probably the place to live. I grew up on Long Island, and moved to South Carolina in 1973. I went back to Long Island 2 years ago for a visit, and I will never, ever go back. The people are extremely rude and obnoxious, money is their God, and the winters are horrendous. If someone from Long Island starts praising where they live, you can usually shut them up by asking how much they pay in property tax.

The country is not for everybody. By no means am I, nor could I ever be, a farmer. But I do love the freedom and solitude of the country, I appreciate the folks that live there and I really enjoy the quiet. Unfortunately, though I would move my family to Salina in a heartbeat, my wife and I have five (beautiful, well-behaved) kids, and I simply can't afford to go somewhere where there are no good-paying jobs.

When you have five kids, EVERYTHING is expensive!

God bless all the good folks of Salina!

audre: 11th Jan 2008 - 03:56 GMT

i was born here in salina, still live in salina, and will probly die here after i move and come back...
these pics makes salina look BORING and dull but, honestly..that side of town is BORING and dull..but the north side has alot going on and even down town shows alot of business. we have alota bars. a couple clubs, a mall and a few plaza's.we have a walmart target sams club, kmart, office max, lows, like 4 dillons. so its not like we dont have nothing.. we do.. come here and check it out..stay in a marriot. r something..not that hotel that doesn't even exsist anymore!

audre: 11th Jan 2008 - 03:59 GMT

ohh p.s we have ALOT MORE THAN THAT (business's)..ohh we got some of the best herbs in the state..;) breath easy be happy

Mahaney: 22nd Feb 2008 - 17:46 GMT

I've spent a good bit of time in Salina and it's a great place to live if you are retiring or raising a child. However, if you are in your 20's, 30's or even 40's. It's not the place for you unless you have no motivation to better yourself.

They have the very basics there but there is more to live that what the town provides. Some people that grew up near there see it as a big city and that's just sad.

Mahaney: 22nd Feb 2008 - 18:52 GMT

typo: They have the very basics there but there is more to life than what the town provides. Some people that grew up near there see it as a big city and that's just sad.

Roy: 27th Feb 2008 - 20:55 GMT

As a former resident of Salina I am horrified that this is put on here. Yes those pictures are boring, but you can find them in any old town. There are some fun places to go around there like Rolling Hills refugee, jumpin joes (an arcade place), and many other places. It is a great city for raising a kid. It is a quiet town that has some of the bad pictures being taken of its city. I was a little saddened when I had to leave salina.

UberMoves: 29th Feb 2008 - 16:24 GMT

Kansas isn't that bad...i live there...it's not bad...

baybelle: 13th Mar 2008 - 20:36 GMT

It must be the name... I grew up in Salinas, California. More people. Every bit as depressing.

Taylor: 21st Jun 2008 - 01:56 GMT

good lord, this is just plain creepy! but i cant stop looking at them.

TulsaMedic: 26th Jul 2008 - 16:50 GMT

Salina is not that bad at all. Most of these photos were probably taken on a sunday. Anyway, I've lived in the big city and sure I miss it, but I now appreciate towns like this and Hutchinson, where I am from. If you think these places are boring then you just dont know the right people!! :)

Biggs: 1st Mar 2009 - 07:51 GMT

What sort of inferiority complex does Scott have that he feels the need to post over a dozen blogs about places that he thinks he is too cool for? I live in Kansas now (not Salina, but "big city" Wichita), and yes it is a bit plain and not the most exciting place. The two places I lived before that were Austin, TX and Seattle, so I know about "exciting" places. Exciting places are exciting, but usually filed with arrogant and shallow people. Arrogant and shallow people are BORING! As someone noted, Kansas isn't bad - certainly not nearly as bad as most people who don't know better think. You are more likely to find unique people and experiences at a place like that, and the best thing is the almost complete absence of pretentious people like (apparently) Scott. Sure most defenders of these places live or have lived there, but maybe that's because they know a bit more about their hometowns than Scott does!

Jordan Fromm: 19th Mar 2009 - 04:20 GMT

I definitely suggest checking out Encina, New Mexico.

Hutchgirl: 13th Aug 2009 - 17:56 GMT

This guy has taken photos of run down parts of these towns, which ANY town has. These are not good representations of Salina or Hutchinson. I live in Hutchinson and haven't seen some of those places b/c they aren't places that people visit. If you're going to snap a pic of the KS State Fairgrounds why not take it DURING the fair? When it is welcoming, people everywhere enjoying themselves and neon lights from the rides and other attractions?

BONES: 18th Feb 2010 - 03:30 GMT

This town would vote for Sahar Palin in A heart beat.

Craigshadow: 9th May 2010 - 18:12 GMT

A VERY poor representation of what Salina has to offer. Too bad you were given such BAD advice.

SAM: 20th May 2010 - 13:47 GMT

THIS IS THE WORST TOWN!!! THE COPS ARE CORRUPT. THE COPS HAVE NO CONTROL ON ALL THE GANGS IN THIS TOWN. THE RICH CITY DADS KEEP OUT ALL MFG'S. THE CITY FIGHTS ANY BUSINESS THAT WANTS TO COME IN. THIS TOWN DOES NOT GROW!! THIS TOWN SHOULD BE OVER 100,000 BY NOW. PEOPLE ARE MOVING OUT!! THE LAW GOES AFTER THE INNOCENT, BECAUSE THE ARE TO SCARED TO GO AFTER THE REAL LAW BREAKERS. THE NEIGHBORHOOD ARE OVER RUN BY KIDS WHO DESTROY OTHER PEOPLE PROPERTY, THEIR SINGLE PARENT OR PARENTS DON'T CARE, IT'S JUST ONE BIG PLAYGROUND. THE POPULATION IS GOING DOWN ALL THE TIME AND YES I AM MOVING OUT OF THIS MEAN & HATEFUL TOWN.

B: 5th Jun 2010 - 17:37 GMT

this town is terrible. the people are garbage for the most part. i never saw one couple that did not fight. i called the police numerous of times to tell them i think some guy in the apartment complex is beating up his wife. which i actually did see one wife come running down the stairs with a busted nose. and the cops did nothing. but when i had a a get together with my baseball teamates which were 19,20, and 21 year olds we get the cops called on us for our music and everyone gets MIC's and i get furnishing alcohol to minors. its garbage

KJ: 28th Jun 2010 - 01:24 GMT

you missed out on the coxy inn. They are the hamburgers you will never forget. Salina is not a great town but it does offer more than just an empty parking lot as shown. Go KWU.

Dk: 7th Nov 2010 - 17:07 GMT

I Agree half-heartedly with you folks. I was Born and Mostly Raised in Salina. 2007 I moved to Hutchinson. (Will be Moving Back to Salina soon), and I will tell you that Sure, Salina Isn't the 'best' town but it Does offer some things that Others don't. Wide variety of food. (Cozy Inn, Martenellis, Chili Peppers, La Hacienda). Entertainment (Fox Theater, Jumpin' Joes, Outlaws) and the schools are good for raising kids. I'd move back in a heart beat. Why? I grew up in that town. So, for someone to post pictures of the same empty building, that just shows how ignorant that person is. Go to the South side of Salina and Santa Fe business district. Get out and See the Town! No matter where you live, there's always something "bad" about it. You have to take the initiative to get out and do something. If not in the town, go to Topeka, Whicita or visit Friends. You have things to Do al year round'. Just takes some actual Thinking and Not being a lazy ass about it. I could go for a Cozy burger right now.

Dk: 7th Nov 2010 - 17:13 GMT

Hutchinson Does Suck! People are Rude, Cops don't do anything but sit in their cars and twittle their thumbs all day. State-Fair is but once a year. (So called) Hot rod shows are a Joke! No Jobs here. That's why I'm moving Back to Salina. Sure, I could move to Hawaii or Florida, but its my Hometown. Where I feel at ease at.Dog salina all you want, the True Salinans Know the Good Stuff.

BUTCH: 28th Jan 2011 - 15:11 GMT

YOUR CRAZY IF YOU THINK SALINA, KS IS THE PLACE TO LIVE!!! SALINA KANSAS HAS THE MOST MEAN & HATEFUL PEOPLE AROUND. THIS IS A TOWN THAT NEVER GROWS. A TOWN WITH COUNTRY CLUB CHURCHES. THAT IS WHY I AND OTHERS HAVE MOVED OUT OF THIS HATEFUL TOWN!

anon (12.sub-174-253-130.myvzw.com): 12th Mar 2012 - 21:59 GMT

And if your a single dude this is considered hell for you. Nearly all the decent looking chicks are either married or taken. Leave when you can.

B.Jones: 17th Jun 2012 - 17:02 GMT

This city is a huge shit hole.Anyone that defends it,is stuck there and does not want to admit it .I lived there I know. Worst place I have ever lived .I do like some of the people ,but they left that that evil fucking place too .Whoever is defending this city stop lying you are a huge liar. Salina is very evil.

kick: 19th Jun 2012 - 06:52 GMT

I can not believe someone used Kmart as a reason why their city is cool

lamb : 5th Jul 2012 - 09:44 GMT

Wow you are on I 70 and I35 and your population is still under 50000 your city planners must be fucking retards! Good luck ! It's like you stepped in a huge pile of dog shit and walk on your friends new carpet. That city should have massive growth , but they chose to under achieve. Please light the city on fire and start over . Just kidding please don't think I am serious.There is a reason why you are on this list its because you motherfucking suck. Keep eating dog shit and tell yourself its food. Move away ,you will know what I am talking about…

Eric: 6th Jul 2012 - 18:26 GMT

Granted, Salina is not a very desirable place to live... despite the fact that it is in the midst of an otherwise pleasant rural area, it has done everything possible to emulate the look of the giant strip malls and suburban sprawl found elsewhere in the country but with none of the cultural benefits normally associated with cities.

However, as the economy continues to tank - and cities become more hostile and violent - I'd be willing to bet that a lot of city people will be wishing they were "bored" in a small town in Northwest Kansas (not Salina) and will gladly exchange perceived cultural superiority for affordable real estate and the safety inherent in a community which not only looks after its own, but still retains a traditional, sane culture of self-sufficiency.

Sites such as kansasterritory.com testify to the fact that there is fundamental shift going on in terms of what public perception is regarding the desirability of previously ridiculed areas. Being "behind the times" and "boring" is increasingly valuable and marketable!