In search of geographic joy? Consulting firms who think they have the answers take the wrong approach in compiled ‘happiest cities’ lists. Happiness is a journey, not a place with great bars, cool bike trails and low divorce rates. But don’t tell that to the consulting firms that annually spew out lists of best places to live. According to a recent study, that place is Overland Park, KS. Or Columbia, MD. Or Ron Burgundy’s San Diego. In order to view the video, please allow Manage Cookies

These are among the top entries on the 2022 Happiest Cities in America list from web-based finance company WalletHub. Financial news site 24/7 Wall Street recently put out its own 50 happiest U.S. cities list. Curiously, most of the top-placing towns from the WalletHub rankings didn’t make the cut—San Diego aside. Wellness company Mindbody ranked Detroit as the 10th happiest city in America—WalletHub placed it dead last at #182. Methodologies for calculating happy cities generally involve compilations of community statistics—air quality, nightlife, schools—“scientifically” pinpointing where you stand the best chance of living your best life.

Habits That Are Scientifically Proven to Increase Happiness

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“It’s complicated,” says Reeshad Dalal, professor of psychology at George Mason University. “It’s important to understand there’s a lot more variability in happiness within any given city than between cities.” Stats or not, happiness rankings are pretty arbitrary. Overhauling your contentment isn’t as easy as relocating to any of the five wealthy California towns (duh) that hog WalletHub’s top 10 spots. Even if you could. “Affluence matters, but its effects are complex,” says Dalal. “As one’s income rises, people tend to keep comparing themselves to wealthier people.”

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WalletHub annually updates its methodology to reflect lifestyle trends. “California cities tend to rank near the top, while cities such as Detroit, Cleveland or Birmingham are among the bottom ones,” says Jill Gonzalez, a company analyst. Should it bum you out if your city lands at #174 on someone’s happy chart? Or put an extra bounce in your step to find you’re living in #3? Probably not. “The more we try to find happiness, the more we suffer,” writes Russ Harris, author of The Happiness Trap. “This psychological trap is so well hidden, we don’t have a clue that we’re caught in it.” Probably even in San Diego.

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In search of geographic joy? Consulting firms who think they have the answers take the wrong approach in compiled ‘happiest cities’ lists. Happiness is a journey, not a place with great bars, cool bike trails and low divorce rates. But don’t tell that to the consulting firms that annually spew out lists of best places to live. According to a recent study, that place is Overland Park, KS. Or Columbia, MD. Or Ron Burgundy’s San Diego.

In order to view the video, please allow Manage Cookies

These are among the top entries on the 2022 Happiest Cities in America list from web-based finance company WalletHub. Financial news site 24/7 Wall Street recently put out its own 50 happiest U.S. cities list. Curiously, most of the top-placing towns from the WalletHub rankings didn’t make the cut—San Diego aside. Wellness company Mindbody ranked Detroit as the 10th happiest city in America—WalletHub placed it dead last at #182.

Methodologies for calculating happy cities generally involve compilations of community statistics—air quality, nightlife, schools—“scientifically” pinpointing where you stand the best chance of living your best life.

Habits That Are Scientifically Proven to Increase Happiness

Read article

“It’s complicated,” says Reeshad Dalal, professor of psychology at George Mason University. “It’s important to understand there’s a lot more variability in happiness within any given city than between cities.”

Habits That Are Scientifically Proven to Increase Happiness

Read article

Habits That Are Scientifically Proven to Increase Happiness

Stats or not, happiness rankings are pretty arbitrary. Overhauling your contentment isn’t as easy as relocating to any of the five wealthy California towns (duh) that hog WalletHub’s top 10 spots. Even if you could.

“Affluence matters, but its effects are complex,” says Dalal. “As one’s income rises, people tend to keep comparing themselves to wealthier people.”

The Most Epic Adventures in America’s 50 States

Read article

WalletHub annually updates its methodology to reflect lifestyle trends. “California cities tend to rank near the top, while cities such as Detroit, Cleveland or Birmingham are among the bottom ones,” says Jill Gonzalez, a company analyst.

The Most Epic Adventures in America’s 50 States

Read article

The Most Epic Adventures in America’s 50 States

Should it bum you out if your city lands at #174 on someone’s happy chart? Or put an extra bounce in your step to find you’re living in #3? Probably not.

“The more we try to find happiness, the more we suffer,” writes Russ Harris, author of The Happiness Trap. “This psychological trap is so well hidden, we don’t have a clue that we’re caught in it.”

Probably even in San Diego.

For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!

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					10 Spotlights From the Prestigious Small Luxury Hotels Collection					



					The Best Value Golf Courses in America					



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					4-Day Weekend in the Italian Riviera					



					Is a Club Med Ski Vacation Right for You?					



					10 Spotlights From the Prestigious Small Luxury Hotels Collection					



					The Best Value Golf Courses in America					



					Top Campervan-friendly Ski Resorts and Best Rental Outfitters					



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							Here's the Difference Between Bourbon and Whiskey							





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