Is THIS Why NJ Ranked #2 HAPPIEST State to Live… ?
I saw an article recently where New Jersey was ranked the #2 happiest state behind Hawaii.
Recently, another article ranked New Jersey as the #2 best place to live, behind Idaho.
I won't get into the incongruity of comparing Hawaii and Idaho in these respective lists. I'll just focus on how NJ is ranked here.
On the "best place to live" list, it cited the usual factors: proximity to transportation, jobs, parks, the beach, and food.
On the "happiest place" list, emotional and physical well-being ranked as #1.
It goes on to mention that NJ has the lowest depression rate of all 50 states (and that's including Hawaii in this category).
As Jersey people, I know what we're thinking when we hear this...
How can NJ be the #2 happiest state and ranked #1 for emotional and physical well-being, and at the same time MUST BE at least in the top 3 for "Most F-Bombs Thrown Per Capita"?
My take: That's actually WHY.
Here in Jersey, we all know people tell it like it is. We can be nice and polite, but even the 80-year-old crossing guard will chew you out if you're not acting right.
And I believe this freedom of expression, even if it means a couple of cusses are thrown here and there, is part of the reason we are so happy.
We don't hold much back.
Your neighbor will tell you exactly what they think about your new fence. Your aunt will tell you that you look tired. The guy at the diner will tell you the Jets are never winning anything. And somehow, after everyone has said their piece, you all move on with your day.
There is something to be said for that.
Jersey also has a funny way of forcing you to interact with people. We stand around talking at the bakery. We run into someone we know at the ShopRite. We argue with strangers about traffic, sports, parking spots and whether that pizza place everyone loves is actually any good.
We complain constantly, but we also show up.
When someone's house floods, a neighbor is there. When someone gets sick, food starts appearing. When someone is moving, suddenly six people are standing in the driveway carrying furniture. When your kid has a fundraiser, you're buying the overpriced wrapping paper whether you want to or not.
Maybe happiness isn't always about being relaxed.
Maybe it's about being connected.
And that's something New Jersey has plenty of.
So the next time someone makes fun of New Jersey, you can remind them that apparently we're doing something right.
We're healthy. We're happy. We're close to the beach. We're close to New York. We have some of the best food in the country.
And apparently, we're also really good at telling people exactly how we feel.
I'll raise a cawffee to that.
Just don't cut me off on the Parkway.
Why do you think NJ is ranked #2 happiest state? Do you agree with it?
