“Welcome to Foreclosureville, U.S.A.” wrote the Los Angeles Times. “America’s Most Miserable City,” declared the London Independent. That headline was inspired by Forbes’ “most miserable cities” index, which ranked Stockton No. 1.
City officials say they fully expect Stockton to shake the title in 2010 (it’s recently dropped to No. 4 or 5). But how far away from the top can it go? The population of 290,400 is strapped. Up to two-thirds of homeowners owe more on their properties than the houses are now worth. Housing values have dropped more than 60 percent since the height of the boom four years ago, more than any other city.
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