Happiest State in America

It looks as though paradise has been replaced by a wintery, frozen tundra. Despite this year’s brutal season, the happiest state to live in America is no longer Hawaii, but North Dakota. Not only that, but nine of the top ten are northern states, most of them buried in the white stuff right now. Hawaii dropped to number eight.

Many people express their envy of my home here in the sunshine state, but for happiness, Florida lands at number thirty. It’s actually an improvement from number thirty-four last year. 

By this time of year, many northerners are suffering from very high fevers … cabin fevers. Just go to their blogs and you’ll see. Many of you know that I grew up in Chicago, so I understand winter. I’ve said this before on my blog, but here I go again … the only three things I like about living in Florida are January, February and March.

This begs the question, why are the most frigid states the happiest? I have my own hypothesis, but I’m wondering what others think. Florida’s economy has improved over the last few years, but is still not fully recovered (and won’t while larger powers hold it back). I’m wondering if the improvement is part of the reason why it moved up four places. I said “part of the reason,” because my hypothesis includes other factors, but I’m looking forward to any comments of what others might think. Here is the list of happiest states.

Here is a link to a brief news clip that drops a couple subtle hints as to my theory. Please do tell me about yours.

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