Louisiana citizens are happy folk –i n fact, according to a recent survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), they are the happiest people in America! The pleasant, sunny climate mixed with a lifestyle that includes great cooking and Dixieland music beat out near rivals Hawaii, Florida, Tennessee, and Arizona.
Economists Andrew J. Oswald of the University of Warwick, England and Stephen Wu of Hamilton College in Clinton, NY then matched the CDCP results with studies that rated states on criteria such as climate, crime rates, air quality, schools, local taxes, commuting time, and the availability of public land. Their report found that people who perceived their quality of life as good also report themselves as “happiest.” Even though part of the research was done before Hurricane Katrina and part after, the findings hold up.
Oswald noted: "We wanted to study whether people's feelings of satisfaction with their own lives are reliable, that is, whether they match up to reality — of sunshine hours, congestion, air quality, etceteras — in their own state. And they do match." Perception is reality!
Among the lowest states in satisfaction are New York (50th) and California (46th). The researchers theorized that people moved to these states assuming they would be great place to live but congestion, housing prices, taxes increases, and corruption offset the advantages and made people unhappy with their environment.
The research findings are played out in our recent blogs about the Greater Baton Rouge area:
The economy in Baton Rouge is growing despite the recession.
Baton Rouge is among the hottest housing markets.
The home buyer’s tax credit will get you plenty in Greater Baton Rouge and Ascension.
Area schools are among the top performers in the state.
Sandy Ogburn-Sandlin and her team at RE/Max Excellent Properties can share more reasons to be happy with you, as well as show you the best new and resale homes in Ascension Parish as well as neighboring cities in the Baton Rouge market. It’s likely that homes will move quickly with the new incentives in place, so contact Sandy's Team today to jumpstart your housing search!