States ranked by level of happiness (best cities, lawyer, pre-k)

[BNe]

Can't be right. Oklahoma is way higher. Everywhere I go it looks like people are "cheesing."

[Lamplight]

We wanted to study whether people's feelings of satisfaction with their own lives are reliable, that is, whether they match up to reality — of sunshine hours, congestion, air quality, etc — in their own state," Oswald said.

Hmm, I'm generally less happy when there's lots of sun and more happy when it's overcast, or at least patchy clouds. Basically, when it's really bright and sunny I'm often irritable. I always find it a bit of a foreign concept that so many seem to associate sunshine with happiness. But apparently most do.

[Pine to Vine]

Louisiana??? I'd be happy too if we had drive-through daiquiri stands on every corner.

[HenryAlan]

Originally Posted by jm02

Louisiana??? I'd be happy too if we had drive-through daiquiri stands on every corner.

Not to mention all the women exposing their breasts in exchange for a few cheap beads.

[annie_himself]

Miss Mardi Gras in Boston?
We're first in something, so here come the hate and criticizers...

[KaoCT]

Connecticut is #50, why am I not surprised.

[City Data Guy]

How is Alaska so high on the list when its suicide rate is through the roof?

[SCentralNEGuy]

Nebraska? 33? Some of the happiest, long-lived, and healthiest people live on the Plains!

Another study the Mainstreet.com Happiness Index had the Plains States ranked as highest and some of the Southern States ranked the worst:

Happiness Index: South Carolina Ranks Worst - MainStreet

However this data is based on the state's unemployment rate, foreclosure rate and per capita non-mortgage debt. From what I remember living in SC it was beautiful and had great weather but had a horrible economy, high crime, people complained about everything and the foreclosure rate and amount of property for sale was unreal. Its interesting how these studies rate states completely differently.

Also the Gallup Well-Being Index showing similar results but based on physical and emotional health criteria:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...st_WellBeing_1

[user8]

Originally Posted by SCentralNEGuy

Nebraska? 33? Some of the happiest, long-lived, and healthiest people live on the Plains!

Another study the Mainstreet.com Happiness Index had the Plains States ranked as highest and some of the Southern States ranked the worst:

Happiness Index: South Carolina Ranks Worst - MainStreet

However this data is based on the state's unemployment rate, foreclosure rate and per capita non-mortgage debt. From what I remember living in SC it was beautiful and had great weather but had a horrible economy, high crime, people complained about everything and the foreclosure rate and amount of property for sale was unreal. Its interesting how these studies rate states completely differently.

posted December 31, 2010

[Johnhw2]

So much for the higher quality of life in those mega cities with big liberal ideas.