A Ranking of the Toughest Places to Live in the U.S.

Far from Atlanta’s glitzy skyline, the Southwest district often fades into invisibility. Strip malls dot the roads, punctuated by payday lenders and pawn shops. Crime is persistent, and some neighborhoods here suffer homicide rates among the highest in the state.

Transit is lacking, leaving residents isolated without cars. Schools? Often forgotten in budget meetings. Yet this part of the city also hosts influential community leaders and historic churches. There’s grit here—a refusal to be erased. But without investment, Southwest Atlanta risks becoming a cautionary tale rather than a comeback story.