Comments about ‘Happiest place? Survey says … Utah!’

I love Utah and I live in another state! We have lots of unhappy people here.

Looks like the "unhappy" in the state are already out on the message board. I don't put a lot of stock in these type of polls and surveys (especially when there is so little variation in their "happy score" across states), but I have noticed that Utah is full of people who seem very happy with their lives... much more so than other places I have lived.

Sour Grapes!

ranking and have heard of the past pill usage but I will switch gears and give credit where it is due . . . happy place? Absolutely, in fact I always wonder if all these problems that the haters in Utah experience are really true or just disgruntled folks who have nothing better to do.

Fact is I do not fall in the predominant religion but by in large have always found the LDS to be friendly. Additionally I have found my community of Protestant's to be very friendly as well.

I do agree that people probably feel more pressure here and as much good as there is because of the nature of the state and the religion people definitely jump all over it if we mis-step (see Porn issue).

All that said I love this state and enjoy the outdoors. I do not presribe to any health code but do my best to exercise and limit alcohol consumption which regardless of what faith you are is wise advice.

So as one who enjoys ribbing Utah I have to be one to chime in and SAY CONGRATS UTAH, I'm glad you are happy because I am as well:)

It's amazing to me that as soon as a positive story comes out about Utah there is a line of cynical and jaded people that can't wait to add their sarcasm to the mix. If Utah is such a miserable place to live because of the LDS influence (which founded the state) why not move to a more "enlightened place like San Francisco etc. I lived in a place I didn't like so I moved. No one is forcing you to stay. I say Move or move on.

I am extremely happy living on the west side of Salt Lake City. My family, friends and neighbors, likewise are satisfied with their lives.

I enjoy working hard, dedicating long hours to worthwhile endeavors, and overcoming negative social conditions, financial shortages, or other challenges without alcohol or drugs.

Your reap what you sow!

I was not at the BYU forum given by Arthur Brooks mentioned in the article, but heard it on the radio later in the week. I was just changing stations, but the talk was so good that I just sat there and listened to the whole thing. It was very inspiring, regardless of your beliefs and I highly recommend it to all.

When is being known nationally for scandal grand?

I went to BYU but moved to New York for grad school. I didn't realize how nice of a place Utah was until I left. It is a very clean and safe state. There is a ton to do outdoors in all seasons and most people I ever met were nice and fun. New York is very different. You can't leave or enter a school building without having to walk through a gang of smokers, most of my neigbors smoke and that makes everything reek, the taxes are outrageous and are mostly used to fund the social welfare programs (a lot of people are on welfare, food stamps, etc.), no good skiing at all, people are hands down not as nice here (it might be an east coast thing), and the list goes on. I look forward to moving back to the West as soon as i can to a state like Utah.

I miss Utah. I moved to the Midwest several years ago. I want to move back to Utah. All of you unhappy trolls -- feel free to leave. The rest of us plan to be happy in Utah.

So Utah has a higher number of its people on anti-depressants, so what? I doubt any one of you criticizing that fact can offer one good reason why that would make any legitimate difference in this poll. I'm sure gallup knew full well that Utahns were on anti-depressants, they did poll on that too a few years back.

I absolutely enjoy Utah, its pleasant enough even for me to just disregard the trite comments posters like BeeGee constantly place every chance they get.

Are we talking about fake smiles? I sure hope so, because most Utahns I interact with, once you get to know them you'll realize that their smiles and happy lives is just a front!

Oh, sorry Dan M to offer dissenting viewpoints. I know folks like you love to savor your myopic worldview, but the world doesn't work that way. Utah's great, but stop trying to make it a bubble of perfection, which it clearly has proven not to be. Self-deception and delusion does not equal happiness.

A few months ago, there was a survey everyone was talking about that told how Utah was #1 in depression, now this, what is going on?

I've been away from Utah for a decade or so. Recently moved back and will never move away again!

I've been other "happy" places, but I've also seen VERY unhappy ones. I'll take Utah ANY DAY!!!

Man, I love this state! It's a great state! I'm an immigrant from the Pacific and I love this place absolutely 100%. I see happy people every where and I love the 4 seasons baby!

I think its really a fine place to raise children and develop family values in but horrible as far as pay scale for employment is concerned.

I am proud to represent this great state and especially BYU!

I like it here except for the nasty snippy people who keep saying "if you don't like it move" if you suggest in any way that this isn't a perfect paradise. No place is a perfect paradise, and there are lots of nasty snippy cliquish bully type people ready to snark and attack if you dare say a peep about it.

There appear to be many who are not happy living here, sorry about that. I have lived here since 1998 and love it. What a great place to live. Sure there are problems but most people I know are doing their best to help others. I am as happy as I have ever been, not without problems, but happy nonetheless.

I have lived in a lot of states and countries. Utah is the best place in my book. I can't wait to retire and move back to Utah.

Those who rip on Utah should go elsewhere and be unhappy with a lot of other people.

I am from Europe and I am not LDS, I want to let you know that the time I spent living in Utah as student was one of the happiest time of my life. I love Utah and its friendly and happy citizens. For Utahs happiness is their main goal and they work very hard to achieve it.