Good Housekeeping says Charlottesville is happy.
Charlottesville, Virginia, is the happiest city in America, according to the study. The University of Virginia college town narrowly beat Rochester, Minnesota, Lafayette, Louisiana, and Naples, Florida.
I’m assuming they’re including Albemarle County in their metrics.
Update 28 July 2014 – This link has been making its rounds on social media – The Guardian has picked up on Charlottesville’s happiness.
Succinctly put:
“It’s small, and it’s surrounded by beautiful country, but it has all the things you’d want from a big city,” says Donnie Glass, chef at a leading restaurant, Public Fish & Oyster.
(I have yet to make it to this new restaurant. Darn it. But I’ve heard it’s quite good.)
This photo is about a 15 minute bike ride from Downtown Crozet, itself about 20 minute drive from Downtown Charlottesville.
I would be interested to see how they rate a city as being “happy.” What qualifies? Having low property taxes, crime or pollution? A Starbucks on every corner? A park in every suburb? A chicken in every pot?
Re PF&O, we’ve been once. Good stuff, but definitely make a reservation for weekends or busy times.