State of Mind: The 11 Happiest Cities in Michigan
If wild changes in weather and questionable road conditions are all you need to be happy, you, my friend, have found the World Capital of Bliss in the state of Michigan. However, if you require more to reach peak happiness, like short commutes, restaurant options, living wages, and low crime, you've come to the right place. Using 7 different criteria, CreditDonkey has discovered Michigan's happiest cities.
Related: Feeling Depressed? Why Michigan Ranks Low For Happiness in the USA
What makes a Michigan city a Happy Michigan City," you ask? While free milkshakes and puppies for all might make some happy, the study focused on the daily inconveniences and stressors that can bring us down.
What Makes a Population Michigan's Happiest City
Everyday inconveniences can hinder happiness, so the study examined how often they occur in each city. Things like the average commute time and when communities leave for work were taken into consideration because nothing can be more detrimental to joy than a slow crawl to or from work.
Keeping time in mind, another experience that can suck the joy out of a pleasurable night out is waiting forever to be seated at a restaurant. Therefore, the number of bars and restaurants per person was also calculated as part of the study's happiness quotient.
While they say money doesn't buy happiness, a lack of funds can be miserable, so the average median wage and housing costs were also figured in. Another unique insight used to calculate Michigan's Happiest Cities is the divorce rate in each of these locations.
Related: Michigan City Named 'Smartest In America': Full 100 City Listing
So, are you living in one of the Mitten's most joy-filled towns? Let's find out as we count down the 11 Happiest Cities in Michigan.
Joy in the Mitten: The 11 Happiest Cities in Michigan
Gallery Credit: Scott Clow
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