This Utah Town Is One Of The Happiest Places In America
Utah Valley is often called “Happy Valley,” and now there may be proof that the nickname is accurate. According to a recent study conducted by National Geographic writer Dan Buettner and Gallup, Provo/Orem Utah is the seventh happiest town in the country (yes, we know that Provo and Orem are in fact two separate cities, but this study grouped them together).
The Provo/Orem Metropolitan Statistical Area includes about 585,000 people. Since the cities are next door neighbors, it's realistic to look at both as the same community, at least as far as this study goes.
The area has been called "Happy Valley" for a long time, and apparently that's fairly accurate. People in both towns reported overall feelings of safety, health, well-being and happiness.
According to Dan Buettner, easy access to outdoor recreation is one of the biggest factors of happiness. The Provo/Orem area definitely has that covered, with its many hiking trails and parks.
Another factor in the study? The availability of fresh, affordable food. With several local farmers markets, along with local orchards and farms, people in Provo/Orem get their five servings of fruits and vegetables without having to spend too much money.
The study also found that non-smokers were much happier than those who smoke. Overall, Utah has the lowest rate of smokers in the nation. With its high percentage of Mormons, Provo/Orem has a particularly low rate of smokers.
Happy people frequently socialize with others, feel as though they're reaching personal goals consistently, and feel safe and secure. People in Provo/Orem who were surveyed said that all of those factors applied to their lives.
Residents of Provo/Orem also reported that they were able to take vacations and that they felt financially secure - both important factors that contribute to overall happiness, according to Buettner and the study's researchers.
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
