States of happiness: Go south, study says

        Happiness is a subjective thing, but that didn’t stop researchers from the UK and U.S. from conducting a survey of a million Americans and combining the results with some data about quality of life.  The output is a ranking of the “Happiest States in America.”  It should come as little surprise that climate may be a strong guiding force behind the results. (See the list of state rankings at the Science Daily web site.)

        Of the 10 happiest states, eight are in the southern U.S. (I count Hawaii, #2 on the list, as a southern state).  Hasn’t anyone told Hawaiians their cost of living is the highest in the nation, nearly 50% more than in Greenville, SC, for example?

        If snow makes you happy in winter, then a nice little cabin in Montana (#7) could be the place for you.  Maine, a state with relatively few, but choice, golf courses that are a lot closer to each other than those in Montana, finished in the 10^th spot.

South Carolina is the 9th happiest state in the land, according to a just released study.  Those who live in the Myrtle Beach area are happy about year-round access to more than 100 fine golf courses, including Grande Dunes in North Myrtle Beach.

 

        The happiest state, Louisiana, is a surprise, given the devastation and lingering effects from Katrina

on the southern half of the Bayou State.  Another mild surprise:  Despite its first net population loss in five decades, the folks in Florida seem quite content at #3.  Maybe no state income tax equates to happiness there and in Tennessee (#4), or maybe it is because the Volunteer State is so narrow that its residents enjoy the close proximity to other happy states, like Mississippi (#6) and Alabama (#9).  In spite of a disastrous housing market, Arizona tips the scales in the 5^th position.  Year round golf there is certainly a compensating factor in our eyes.

        And I was pleased, although a little perplexed given the state’s jobless rates, that South Carolina

made the list at #9.  We own a second home near the coast in Carolina.  My primary state of residence, Connecticut, was tabbed as the second least happy state in the research.  As I write this, we anticipate a foot of snow tonight and tomorrow.  The Pawleys Island, SC, forecast for tomorrow is low 50s with a scant chance of rain, zero chance of snow and lots of opportunities to play any of dozens of excellent golf courses.

        The unhappiest state is New York, a designation I take a little personally (I was born in New York City).  I have been trying to convince my wife for the last few years that we can afford the place in South Carolina and a little pied-a-terre in New York City in our upcoming retirement.  Maybe South Carolinians are happy because they don’t have the distractions of hustle, bustle and public transportation, but I need my urban fix a few months a year.

        That said, and as a public service for our Empire State readers, here are some cost of living comparisons between a few cities in New York and some allegedly “happier” places (data from Chart of Living Costs in Where to Retire magazine).  Those of you who live in Boston, Chicago and other high-cost cities can extrapolate from the data.

 

Reductions in cost of living expenses by moving south

 

New York City (Manhattan) to:

 

Aiken, SC                 58%

Austin, TX                 56%

Charleston, SC         55%

Hilton Head, SC        46%

Myrtle Beach, SC      57%

 

Nassau County to:

 

Asheville, NC             29%

Flagstaff, AZ               21%

Knoxville, TN              38%

Mobile, AL                   35%

Panama City, FL         28%

Rochester to:

 

Charlotte, NC                7%

Ft. Myers, FL                 4%

Roanoke, VA                 3%

San Antonio, TX            6%

Savannah, GA               6%

 

If you are considering a move, please contact me for ideas.  We can discuss your requirements (by email or phone) and consider your next state of happiness.  There is never a charge for my advice, counsel, research and referrals to professional, highly qualified real estate agents.

 

-- Larry