The Happiest City In America Is...

Suzy Strutner
Updated

To boost your happiness, you might want to move to one of National Geographic’s 25 happiest cities in the U.S.

To create the list, Dan Buettner, a NatGeo fellow who writes about longevity and health, enlisted the help of Dan Witters, research director of the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index. Witters designed an index of 15 metrics that contribute to happiness, including how often people visit the dentist, take vacations and receive recognition for improving their communities. Then, he analyzed 250,000 interviews ― conducted between 2014 and 2015 in 190 metropolitan areas ― to see how each city measured up.

Boulder was the clear winner, partly due to its strong sense of community and access to nature, followed by Santa Cruz and Charlottesville. Most of the happiest metros were in the West and along coasts, and lowest-ranking areas were in the eastern central part of the U.S.

See the the 10 happiest cities below and head over to NatGeo for the rest.

Anchorage, Alaska

Residents of Anchorage "take very good care of themselves," Witters told HuffPost. The city has the second-highest exercise rate in the nation, according to his research.
Residents of Anchorage "take very good care of themselves," Witters told HuffPost. The city has the second-highest exercise rate in the nation, according to his research.

Barnstable Town, Massachusetts

Oral health is a <a href="https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/DataStatistics/SurgeonGeneral/Report/ExecutiveSummary.htm" target="_blank">closely linked to overall wellbeing</a>, and this&nbsp;Cape Cod city&nbsp;ranked third in the nation for how frequently its residents visit the dentist, according to Witters. Many residents also report "feeling active and productive every day," he added.

Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, Connecticut

Witters&nbsp;says&nbsp;this <a href="https://datausa.io/profile/geo/bridgeport-stamford-norwalk-ct-metro-area/" target="_blank">metro area</a>&nbsp;ranks within the top five percent of cities nationwide for&nbsp;residents&nbsp;who say they have "someone in their life who encourages health."

Provo, Utah

This <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/provo-utah-instagram_us_59dbf3fde4b0208970cf2b55">beautiful city</a> has the lowest smoking rate in the nation, according to Witters' research.
This beautiful city has the lowest smoking rate in the nation, according to Witters' research.

San Jose, California

More than in any other metro, residents in San Jose said they had "enough money to do everything they want to do."
More than in any other metro, residents in San Jose said they had "enough money to do everything they want to do."

San Luis Obispo, California

Residents in SLO told Witters that they "eat healthy every day."
Residents in SLO told Witters that they "eat healthy every day."

Fort Collins, Colorado

Fort Collins residents exercise often, and the city ranked&nbsp;second for how "safe and secure" its residents feel.&nbsp;
Fort Collins residents exercise often, and the city ranked second for how "safe and secure" its residents feel. 

Charlottesville, Virginia

Charlottesville&nbsp;ranked second&nbsp;overall for&nbsp;percentage of residents who said&nbsp;they've received "recognition for helping to improve their city or area" in the last year.
Charlottesville ranked second overall for percentage of residents who said they've received "recognition for helping to improve their city or area" in the last year.

Santa Cruz-Watsonville, California

Residents of this&nbsp;coastal city&nbsp;stay mentally active: They're "the best in the nation at learning new and interesting things daily," Witters&nbsp;said.
Residents of this coastal city stay mentally active: They're "the best in the nation at learning new and interesting things daily," Witters said.

Boulder, Colorado

Residents in Boulder reported exercising more than in any other city, according to Witters.&nbsp;
Residents in Boulder reported exercising more than in any other city, according to Witters. 

Also on HuffPost

Bozeman, Montana

Bozeman is a haven&nbsp;for nature lovers, as about <a href="http://time.com/money/collection/best-places-to-live-2017/4924118/bozeman-montana/" target="_blank">14 percent of residents bike or walk</a><strong>&nbsp;</strong>to work, according to Money magazine's research. Some say the&nbsp;city <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/love-letters/kevin-michael-connolly-loves-bozeman_b_2719791.html">feels&nbsp;more cosmopolitan than others</a>&nbsp;in <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/topic/montana">Montana</a>, thanks in part to&nbsp;the local&nbsp;<a href="http://www.montana.edu/" target="_blank">university</a>.

Schaumburg, Illinois

This <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/topic/chicago">Chicago</a> suburb <a href="http://time.com/money/collection/best-places-to-live-2017/4924117/schaumburg-illinois/" target="_blank">offers cultural resources</a>&nbsp;like a performing arts center and gallery, Money&nbsp;reports. Locals can also hit up the <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g36669-Activities-Schaumburg_Illinois.html" target="_blank">sculpture park, comedy club and&nbsp;minor league baseball games</a>.

North Arlington, New Jersey

<a href="http://time.com/money/collection/best-places-to-live-2017/4924116/north-arlington-new-jersey/" target="_blank">A 15-mile commute</a>&nbsp;from <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/topic/new-york-city">New York City</a>, this pleasant suburb offers great schools and a massive&nbsp;public park with sports, nature and <a href="http://www.northarlington.org/2016/06/10/free-concert-series-at-riverside-park/" target="_blank">special events</a> galore. <a href="http://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/north-arlington/2017/09/19/north-arlington-named-one-10-best-places-live-america/676968001/" target="_blank">You might recognize</a> the&nbsp;local pizza joint from the opening credits of&nbsp;"The Sopranos."

Lone Tree, Colorado

This outdoorsy <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/topic/denver">Denver</a> suburb serves up&nbsp;<a href="http://time.com/money/collection/best-places-to-live-2017/4924114/lone-tree-colorado/" target="_blank">plenty of&nbsp;sporting&nbsp;opportunities</a>&nbsp;with breathtaking&nbsp;mountain views. <a href="http://cityoflonetree.com/visitors/visit_lone_tree" target="_blank">The arts center</a>&nbsp;includes&nbsp;a 350-seat outdoor theater that keeps both locals and visitors entertained.

Dickinson, North Dakota

<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/21/north-dakota-oil-and-gas-boom-costs_n_5600691.html">North Dakota's recent oil boom</a>&nbsp;strengthened&nbsp;<a href="http://time.com/money/collection/best-places-to-live-2017/4924113/dickinson-north-dakota/" target="_blank">the local economy</a>&nbsp;in Dickinson, Money reports.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ndtourism.com/cities/dickinson" target="_blank">Residents enjoy museums, rodeos</a>&nbsp;and proximity to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/a-park-to-honor-a-president-theodore-roosevelt-national_us_58c81827e4b0d06aa6580510">Theodore Roosevelt National Park</a>.

Olive Branch, Mississippi

<a href="http://time.com/money/collection/best-places-to-live-2017/4924111/olive-branch-mississippi/" target="_blank">Southerners flock to this small town</a>&nbsp;for a break from&nbsp;the hustle of nearby <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/topic/memphis">Memphis</a>.&nbsp;<a href="http://time.com/money/collection/best-places-to-live-2017/4924111/olive-branch-mississippi/" target="_blank">Olive Branch offers good schools</a>, a safe environment for families with kids and <a href="https://www.bbonline.com/articles/mississippi/olive-branch/5-must-see-desoto-county-attractions-near-olive-branch.html" target="_blank">plenty of cultural activities</a>, too.&nbsp;

Franklin, Tennessee

<a href="http://time.com/money/collection/best-places-to-live-2017/4924110/franklin-tennessee/" target="_blank">Franklin is high on Southern charm</a> and historic places. The city <a href="http://time.com/money/collection/best-places-to-live-2017/4924110/franklin-tennessee/" target="_blank">has a solid array of job opportunities</a>, and it's been called <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-10-best-and-10-worst-cities-to-retire-in-america_us_576d3c09e4b0f16832393d4c">one of the best places to retire</a> in America by&nbsp;Bankrate.com.

Monterey Park, California

This hideaway&nbsp;in <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/topic/los-angeles-county">Los Angeles County</a> is just eight square miles, so&nbsp;it has&nbsp;<a href="http://time.com/money/collection/best-places-to-live-2017/4924109/monterey-park-california-2/" target="_blank">a delightfully small-town feel</a>. Visit the local farmers' market or <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/31/best-new-coffee-shops-la_n_4525499.html">take a seat in a coffee shop</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;feel a world away from Downtown.

Allen, Texas

If you don't know about Allen yet, you likely will soon: <a href="http://time.com/money/collection/best-places-to-live-2017/4924869/allen-texas-2/" target="_blank">The city is a huge destination&nbsp;for tech companies</a>&nbsp;looking to expand out of nearby <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/topic/dallas">Dallas</a>, according to Money. Here, you'll find job opportunities along with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tourtexas.com/destinations/Allen-attractions" target="_blank">awesome leisure spots</a>&nbsp;like a&nbsp;wakeboarding park, golf course and historic heritage village.

Fishers, Indiana

<a href="http://time.com/money/collection/best-places-to-live-2017/4924106/fishers-indiana-2/" target="_blank">Current residents&nbsp;say</a> this quaint spot is full of young families, and local business are starting to boom.&nbsp;The central <a href="https://www.visithamiltoncounty.com/cities/fishers/" target="_blank">Nickel Plate District</a> is a hub for outdoor concerts and festivals.

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.

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