There's this new report about the top 10 happiest states to live in, and I don't understand why it's being released with any weight when the study was done almost five years ago! The title says "Happiest States Revealed by New Research." How could five year old research be "new" research? SOOOOO much has happened in the past year, muchless five years.
For example, Louisiana tops the list, and there is a footnote that it might not be the happiest since it "... might not reflect current levels of well-being since the data were collected before the disruption caused by Hurricane Katrina."
Sorry, but another top state isn't very happy these days either!! Florida is ranked third, yet they've got one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country with massive drops in home values and condo developments remaining empty. They're happy?? It must be because of the "Happiest Place on Earth" - Disney World.
Where does your Happy State rank on LiveScience.com's list? Texas ranks 16th, but yet so many cities within Texas are constantly on other top 10 lists, so how come we're not that happy?
How could this list be released as telling an accurate view of the happiest states in today's world when the world was so different so many years ago...
**Are You Packed Yet?**
Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
Austin TX Real Estate and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way.
For real time Austin TX listings, click here.
** #1 Agent in my Office for all of 2008 **
Copyright© 2009 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Happiest States to Live in... or are they? * was first published on donnahomesblog.com
Hi Donna... I am thinking that happiness is a relative thing. Texas may be #16 on the list, but working with and speaking to many distressed homeowners I can tell you that not many of them are folks I would describe as "happy"!
Donna - well I have to agree. Seems pretty silly to me. I wonder if anyone really pays attentinon to these types of polls when they are published?
Jeff
OK, who caused this to be released as "new" information? Thanks for pointing out the fallacy...you have to wonder how many people will not notice the data is five years old :}
All I can say is Alabama is #9. We so often get a bad rap and end up at the bottom of the polls. So this is a good thing for our state!
i know lots of happy people who live in California and we're ranked 46 or something like that. Not enough info on the survey to make an educationed comment but if Louisiana is happy after Katrina my state may have made the top of the list after the 1906 earthquake. Wonder who paid for the survey?
It is all subjective and depends on what makes you happy. Bean counters can always make the numbers say whatever they want them to.
Missouri is Number 38? I thought we were a happy state....at least where we live, we are. Don't think some of these guys know what they're talking about.
Gosh, think back 5 years ago. So much has changed in such a short time. Heck, I could have pulled out my 401k before it lost so much! ha!
Hi Donna ~ What a funny list! The Northeastern urban areas are at the bottom of the list - not sure what that says about the study or the residents. I guess I want to know how they define "happy".
Liz
It seems a bit odd for a study to be released that late after the data was collected. I think many of these statistics and polls have to be taken with a grain of salt. Austin (and Texas as a whole) have been in the Top 10 of everything recently. I like sharing this info with friends, clients, etc. but it sometimes just seems like the magazines just copy each others content. I hope Texas stays at the top but I don't put too much stock in these reports.
Donna ---- Well, SC ranks #8 -- so what? I agree that this is so silly. Interesting post, though.
Happy Holidays
Very silly.. Texas is the happiest state for sure. Just ask anyone from here.
Donna - I live in Florida and I'm very happy, but I can't say the rest of the area is. Maybe the sun conquers the economy when it comes to being happy.
Although I agree "How could five year old research be "new" research?" Five years ago EVERYONE in South Florida was happy, especially with the Real Estate market.
Hi Donna
That list is silly. I was born and raised in Louisiana and the reason anyone there might be happier than another is the constant state of inebriation by some. I happen to find many parts of the state very depressed economically and physiologically.
Good point Donna. 5 years can make a huge difference and you used two good examples why.
Donna,
I know I an very happy being where I am.
What is more amazing is the study itself. I always wonder how they figure this kind of stuff out.
Funny! Five year old research is not new research. I
If you click into the link for the survey information, you'll see that the survey was mostly asking people how they felt. It was very scientific... (rolling eyes)
Keep me south of Interstate 10 -- any state -- and I'll be happy!
It is amazing how much press these studies get - thankfully, every other one says something positive about Austin, so perhaps I shouldn't quibble!