In the past, we've talked about some of New York's coolest and most unusual towns, but now it's time to talk about which one of our charming little destinations is the happiest! According to sites like Zippia, if you look at factors like having a job, short commute to work, a good education, a family, home ownership rates, and poverty rates, you'll find where the happiest places to live are. When it came time to examine where the happiest towns were in the Empire State, there's one place in particular in Schenectady County that came out on top.

Located in the Capital Region area, the town of Niskayuna has long been known for being a great place to live and raise a family.

Zippia looked at towns in New York with a population of more than 2,000 residents, with Niskayuna taking home the prize of being named the happiest town in our state.

Niskayuna's high percentage of residents who are married helped it get recognized as being one of the happiest places in New York, a popular place for New Yorkers to come and raise their families.

Families moving to the area will also be pleased to hear that the town has just recently broken ground on their new splash pad! Right in Blatnick Park, Niskayuna has been working with an award-winning splash park manufacturing company to create a local water extravaganza for residents and families to enjoy.

The town's local high school in the past has been recognized for being one of the best in the nation and is one of the top-performing schools in the Capital Region.

In 2014 Newsweek recognized Niskayuna High School as being the 26th best high school in America. Newsweek looked at college readiness and graduation rates to determine which schools were the best. The acknowledgment came as no surprise to locals!

You'll find that residents of the town are pretty pleased with the area's weather, never having to deal with harsh lake-effect snow or storms swooping in right off the coast.

One thing you might remember is that back in 2008 Niskayuna experienced an awful snow storm. The Capital Region was hit with snow and ice, creating an awful scenery outdoors that left schools in the area closed for days. But fortunately, intense snowstorms don't happen like this too often! Most of the time you'll get to enjoy our beautiful springs, hot summers, and crisp fall foliage.

Another factor that led to Niskayuna being recognized as one of New York's happiest places? The fact that the town has such a high percentage of residents who own their homes.

The area is also abundant with outdoor activities and recreational space, so residents will always have a place to stretch their legs.

Getting outside to enjoy the fresh air and to get some exercise is something that's important for most people when it comes to leading a happy life. Residents of Niskayuna can go explore the outdoors at places like the Lisa Kill Preserve or go for a ride along the town's local bike trail.

You'll have entertainment like Proctor's Theatre right at your fingertips, a place that's always hosting amazing shows and events.

While Proctor's is technically apart of Schenectady, it's just a hop and a skip away from the town of Niskayuna. The local theatre dates back to 1926 and is a landmark of the area that's on the National Register of Historic Places.

And you certainly can't forget about all of the great restaurants that are found in town, it's no wonder these residents are so happy.

You'll have an assortment of choices when it comes to dining in Niskayuna. Local favorites like Mario's Restaurant and Pizzeria are always a hit, while you can't go wrong with visiting places like Thai Thai Bistro either. There's something for everyone!

So, have you ever visited Niskayuna and been won over by the town's charm?

What's your favorite thing about living in this area? Are you surprised at all to hear that this is considered to be one of the happiest towns in our State?

What town in New York would you say is the happiest? To read about more things that will make you appreciate living in the Empire State here's 12 Reasons To Drop Everything And Move To This One New York City!