The more than 19,000 female students at the University should be pleased to know that Ann Arbor has been named the third safest small city in the country for women in a study conducted by Ladies’ Home Journal.
- Paul Wong
- LSA freshman Shelly Kitain (left) and LSA sophomore Jennifer Alban stand at the city limits on Washtenaw Road. A report released yesterday ranked Ann Arbor the third safest small city in the U.S. (JONATHON TRIEST/Daily)
Cities were ranked on various factors, including the city’s economy. The economy was examined by the size of the wage gap between males and females, the percentage of women-owned businesses and the overall job growth.
The lifestyles of the city inhabitants were also considered, including the availability of ladies’ restrooms and whether women will have good hair days based on prevailing weather conditions.
“I’ve never had any problems here,” Tanya Hosking, an employee at Shiva Moon on Williams Street, said. “Everyone’s always been really nice and courteous.”
The survey also examined the number of women in the local government, the availability and quality of health care for women and whether or not women are more or less likely to practice healthy habits, like going to the gym or getting mammograms also topped the lists.
University employee Judi Stonik said, “Ann Arbor is a place with great schools and a lot of good comes from that.”
Among the other cities in the top ten are Madison, Wis., and Alexandria, Va., taking the first and second spots respectively.
Some students did not find the study surprising despite the recent string of peeping toms and thefts in the residence halls.
“I’ve never really felt threatened on this campus. It’s pretty safe,” Pharmacy junior Sejal Parikh said.
Other students do not believe Ann Arbor is particularly safe or dangerous.
“I feel like I’m just as endangered or just as safe here as I would be anywhere else,” LSA sophomore Ann Coulouris said.
Ladies’ Home Journal surveyed cities across the country according to the most pressing concerns of their readers. Low crime rates, pleasant lifestyles, good public schools, job opportunities and quality health and child-care resources were also among the factors considered.
Other top cities in the rankings were among the wealthiest and well-educated cities across the country.
They also had better than average economies and job prospects for woman living in the area.
Most top cities ranked in the top half nationally in education and child-care.