Michigan Has the #1 Most Dangerous City in America, Study Finds

It's always interesting to see which cities are considered safe and dangerous in the US. It can also be helpful if you're planning a big move. Now, there's a new study out that pinpoints one Michigan city as being the No. 1 most dangerous city in America.

The new study comes from Noradarealestate.com. In it, they say, "Buckle up because we're about to take a closer look at the places that have gained notoriety for their crime rates. From gang violence to high levels of property crime, these cities have earned their spots on the list." Yikes.

Before we get to our area, let's look at some of the No. 1s in this study. According to Noradarealestate.com, the "FBI's most dangerous city" in the West is Stockton, California; in the Midwest is St. Louis, Missouri; in the South is Baltimore, Maryland; and in the Northeast is Hartford, Connecticut. Noradarealestate.com notes that even though these cities are dangerous in the report, "each of these cities has also demonstrated resilience and a commitment to addressing these issues through various initiatives and collaborative efforts. By focusing on community engagement, comprehensive strategies, and investment in socio-economic development, these cities can work towards creating safer, more inclusive, and prosperous communities for all residents."

So, what's the most dangerous city in America? Detroit. "The violent crime index, encompassing homicides, robberies, and aggravated assaults, is alarmingly high," the study claims. "The prevalence of guns and gang activity further exacerbates the issue, making Detroit a concerning place in terms of personal safety." That said, I love Detroit, and even though it's good to see which cities are trending up and down in terms of crime, remember that every city has its good and bad areas. So, don't write these towns off your list because of one study. Find the full study from Noradarealestate.com here.

Superstitions are beliefs in supernatural forces and the idea that we can influence unpredictable events. Some people hold onto these beliefs, even when they don't make logical sense. According to Manchester Metropolitan University, psychologists have studied superstitions and found that people often believe actions or objects can influence outcomes, even when there's no logical reason to think so.

They say that superstitions come from our desire to find patterns and meaning in the world. For example, when we knock on wood to avoid bad luck, we're making a connection between our actions and unrelated events. Superstitions also provide comfort and a sense of control in uncertain or stressful situations. They act like mental crutches, helping people feel more secure when life is unpredictable.

Superstitions continue to exist because they fulfill our basic human needs and behaviors, according to Newswise, a research news website. Even though they might not make sense scientifically, superstitions remain a powerful force in human behavior, showing how our beliefs and thoughts shape our actions in our quest to make sense of the mysterious world around us.

Some common superstitions can be found in many cultures. For instance, knocking on wood is thought to bring good luck or prevent bad luck. People avoid walking under ladders because it's considered unlucky. In some cultures, the number 13 is seen as unlucky, leading to the avoidance of the 13th floor. Some buildings don't have a 13th floor; they simply label the 13th floor as the 14th floor. On the other hand, some superstitions are believed to bring good fortune, like finding a four-leaf clover or carrying a horseshoe. Another common superstition involves tossing a bit of salt over your shoulder to ward off bad luck.

Interestingly, some people took to Reddit to share their unusual superstitions. Check out a few of them below.

Someone on Reddit shared this quirky belief that putting shoes on furniture is a surefire way to invite bad luck. They added, "I’m sure it started as a thing parents told their children to avoid getting the furniture dirty, but I’m still afraid to do it, just in case." But really, who would even think of putting their shoes, which have been all over town, on any piece of furniture?

Someone with a performing arts background jumped into the conversation and said they have this thing about not congratulating anyone on their performance or achievements until it's all done. They explained, "Saying 'congratulations on your big show' the day before the show opens is basically asking for like, a lighting fixture to fall on stage and kill a performer or something." They even added that saying a simple "good luck" can feel a bit iffy.

Someone mentioned that if you trim your fingernails on a Sunday, you might somehow end up turning into a thief. We're not exactly sure how this superstition got started, but there's definitely at least one person out there who's sticking to it.

Some people shared their very specific routines. One person chimed in, saying, "If my right hand itches, I must rub it on wood; scratching it with my hand will signal bad luck and I'll lose money soon." They added that they heard this old wives' tale as a kid and never really bothered to question it.

Someone in the thread shared a funeral-related superstition. They said, "When you visit a funeral, don't go home directly, go somewhere else before heading home so that the soul of that dead person won't follow you home." they wrote. They also mentioned that if you get sick after attending a funeral, it's seen as a sign that the spirit of the departed has made contact with you.