I would have to nominate Newark, NJ as being the armpit of the country. Not only does Newark fit the geographic location of the armpit of the country, but the place is just one large ghetto. The only good part of Newark is Ironbound with the PNC Arts Center, the Business section, and the Portugese Restaurants. The park down by Sacred Heart Basicalla is nice, you can go and see all the cherry trees, but is the view really worth it if you have to risk getting shot? The last time I went to the Cathedral down in Newark I had guys trying to sell me Heroin when I was at a red light. In most cities you have to make an effort to get the attention of the Dealers, but not in Newark, they'll come right up to your car (if it wasn't so illegal they'd probably be model Capitalists.)
I would also have to say that Paterson, NJ probably ranks close to Newark as a city with very few redeeming qualities. I mean there's nothing there at all. They have the Paterson falls and all those turn of the century Factory buildings, but besides that does the city really have a reason for existing?
I guess as a backdrop for "The Sopranos"!! LOL! Didn't someone get pushed off the bridge over the falls (and rocks)?
The Ironbound really sounds horrible when it is described to someone, but it is a little gem of an ethnic pocket, and one place that you can feel rather safe.