SB 1070 has gone into effect, albeit a neutered version, and the sky didn't come crashing to the ground, the streets didn't fill with blood, and Latinos haven't been rounded up like cattle -- yet, anyway.
Despite the world not coming to an end when Arizona's controversial, new immigration law took effect, the state's image has taken a hit, and its capitol city, Phoenix, is now considered one of the worst cities in the country in which to live.
According to rankings created by the popular Web site WalletPop.com, Phoenix is the seventh-worst city in which to live, thanks, primarily, to SB 1070 and the all the hubub it's created.
See what Wallet Pop had to say about our fair city after the jump:
If Arizona's tough immigration laws gets through the courts, Phoenix is going to be a much more difficult place for immigrants (or really anyone of Latino origin) to live in. The law would allow police officers to ask people for proof of their legal status when stopping them for another violation. Charges of racial profiling and discrimination can quickly turn a city into one of the worst places to live, and its already sparking huge protests and impacting Arizona's already-fragile economy.
Beyond the controversial immigration measure, Arizona's housing market still remains a mess. According to RealtyTrac's latest foreclosure report, Phoenix and its surrounding area remain among the top-10 worst metro markets when it comes to foreclosures. However, in May, foreclosure activity in the city was down 9% from May 2009, offering a tiny sliver of hope.
Phoenix also ranks poorly among metro areas in per capita income growth. Between 2007 and 2008, the city's income growth shrank 1.4 percent, the nation's worst one-year loss. And let's not forget about being able to breathe in Phoenix. For year-round particle pollution from freeways, power plants, and other sources, Phoenix is the worst city in the country.
