Mississippi NOT the unhappiest state. (West: property taxes, living, cost of living)

[oldenfatt]

A survey running on the LiveScience website ranks the 50 states based on overall happiness. We weren't 50th! Kentucky and West Virginia are both worse than we are; based on the information in this poll.

Here is the link: The Well-Being of 50 U.S. States | LiveScience

[Scotslass]

3rd from the bottom, still wouldn't be happy at that. I wonder why it's that low?

I'm surprised at WY score, how can you be happy in such a freezing cold place?

[jacksonian]

Utah is the happiest at 69.2/100.

West Virginia is the unhappiest at 61.2/100.

To me, an 8 point difference out of 100 between the best and worst is not saying a whole lot.

[poptones]

Happiness is a state of mind. Our family recently became a "statistic" when it came out that my 15 year old niece was expecting. Once we got past the shock and heartbreak of realizing she can't be a little girl forever, we couldn't be happier. She was a great student and we expect her to finish, hopefully even with her dream of being a vet. Mom an dad's little girl is going to have a little girl and we can't wait!

Just wanted to say that... just because. With all the bad stuff being said in some discussions here I think it's important to remember that sometimes we see problems only because that's all the others around us want to see.

I love pickles!

[horseyjen]

These polls are silly. Since adulthood, I've lived in WV, MS and now Maryland. Maryland is number 6 but the cost of living is so high and traffic so bad that I can easily say I was happier in WV and MS. Both states have a lot going for them if people would only look past the stereotypes.

[peppermint]

Oh, Scotslass, have you ever been to Wyoming? I'm not surprised at all that it, Minnesota and Montana are near the top. Absolutely beautiful, peaceful places. Would move to any of them in a heartbeat!

[Wingfoot]

Originally Posted by peppermint

Oh, Scotslass, have you ever been to Wyoming? I'm not surprised at all that it, Minnesota and Montana are near the top. Absolutely beautiful, peaceful places. Would move to any of them in a heartbeat!

I've been in every state and lived in half of them in my nearly 80 years and the
upper midwest, MN.WIand ND are,all things considered , the best places in the USA.

Believe it or not, upstate NY is the most beautiful, and might be the best place but property taxes are sky-high.

[NCN]

Originally Posted by poptones

Happiness is a state of mind. Our family recently became a "statistic" when it came out that my 15 year old niece was expecting. Once we got past the shock and heartbreak of realizing she can't be a little girl forever, we couldn't be happier. She was a great student and we expect her to finish, hopefully even with her dream of being a vet. Mom an dad's little girl is going to have a little girl and we can't wait!

Just wanted to say that... just because. With all the bad stuff being said in some discussions here I think it's important to remember that sometimes we see problems only because that's all the others around us want to see.

I love pickles!

Yes, it used to be a family shame when a mother was unwed. Today I think it is an honor because she has the right values and is not going to murder the baby. Congratulations!

I think this is the problem of the survey, The Story: Happiest States Are Wealthy and Tolerant. Some people do not know what happy is. Happiness has nothing to do with wealth or tolerance. Happiness is a state of mind. The poster who mentioned the 8 point difference has a point too.

Well, I guess they had to write about something.

[peppermint]

Yes, NY is a beautiful state. I like Massachusetts too, but it's too expensive to live there.

[jacksonian]

Originally Posted by NCN

I think this is the problem of the survey, The Story: Happiest States Are Wealthy and Tolerant. Some people do not know what happy is. Happiness has nothing to do with wealth or tolerance. Happiness is a state of mind. The poster who mentioned the 8 point difference has a point too.

Well, I guess they had to write about something.

This survey also ranks California as the 9th happiest state... considering the recent turmoil that Cali has had to deal with, I'm not so sure I agree with that ranking either.