The 25 best cities to move to if you want to be happy

The 25 best cities to move to if you want to be happyThe 25 best cities to move to if you want to be happyWould you be happier if you lived somewhere else?According to a new survey of a half-million people across the nation, those who call Boulder, Colorado home reported being the happiest in the country - based on 15 different categories ranging from physical activity and healthy eating to vacation time and financial stability.The list of the 25 Happiest Places in the United States, produced by National Geographic in connection with author Dan Buettner - whose book Blue Zones of Happinessshares advice from happy people around the globe - and national polling organization Gallup, lays out the top places where you can be surrounded by chipper, cheerful people.Here are the 25 happiest places in the countryBoulder, ColoradoPhoto leistungspunkt Rex Brown via FlickrBolstered by a sense of community, access to nature, sustainable urban development and preservation policies, and perhaps even that clean mountain air, Boulderites overwhelmingly feel active and productive every day, National Geographic concluded. Per capita, more people walk to work in Boulder than in any other city in the U.S. Low rates of smoking and obesity, and high rates of exercise, contribute to the satisfaction locals feel.Looking for an inspiring way to start your day? Sign up forMorning MotivationIts our friendly Facebook ? that will send you a quick note every weekday morning to help you start strong. Sign up here by clicking Get StartedSanta Cruz-WatsonvillePhoto credit Dale Cruse via Flickr.With the nations oldest amusement park and extensive coastal access, Santa Cruz is a paradise for surfers and beach-goers. Its also a short distance from the areas breathtaking redwood forests.Charlottesville, VirginiaCarter Mountain Orchard, Piedmont Monticello, VA. Photo Credit Eli Christman via Flickr.Recent controversial protests notwithstanding, Charlottesville ranked high on the National Geograph ic/Gallup poll in terms of overall happiness - both for its educational outposts of the University of Virginia as well as its access to the picturesque and hike-friendly Blue Ridge Mountains.Fort Collins, ColoradoPhoto credit Ed Ogle via Flickr.Fort Collins has a wealth of natural beauty, including Arapaho national forest, the Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, with waterfalls, and abundant hiking, biking and water sport activities. In addition, according to National Geographic, Fort Collins Old Town storefronts inspired the creators of Disneylands Main Street, U.S.A.San Luis Obispo, CaliforniaIrish Hills Reserve. Photo credit Thor Liland Larsen via Flickr.With endless hiking trails, artists studios and outdoor markets - as well as a famous Bubblegum Alley where the walls are covered with, you guessed it, chewed bubblegum - San Luis Obispo is a hub of happiness.San Jose, CaliforniaAlum Rock Park. Photo credit Melissa McMasters via Flickr.The epicenter of Silicon Valley, San Jose fea tures a host of outdoor recreational facilities as well as the legendary Winchester mystery house, wildlife habitats and museums.Provo, UtahAmerican Fork Canyon. Photo credit Don LaVange via Flickr.Provo boasts access to picturesque mountains, waterfalls and ample hiking, as well as museums and dining options.Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, ConnecticutPhoto credit Paul Sableman via Flickr.This metro area is just 40 miles from NYC, has plentiful public transportation, and features the highest concentration of corporations in the nation, according to National Geographic.Barnstable Town, MassachusettsPhoto credit Kevin Rutherford via Flickr.Located on Cape Cod, Barnstable Town is a recreational paradise where residents and visitors can whale watch, boat, golf, check out wildlife sanctuaries and visit museums and historical sites.Anchorage, AlaskaSand Lake, Anchorage, Alaska. Photo credit Paxson Woelber via Flickr.In addition to being one of the happiest cities, Anchorage also was recently named one of the fruchtwein hard working cities in the nation.Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FloridaPhoto credit Roman Boed via Flickr.This coastal town is known as much for its high-end real estate as for its pristine beaches, not to mention its upscale shopping. It also features botanical gardens, zoos and state parks.Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CaliforniaPhoto credit SachinDaluja via FlickrThe coastal town is flanked by the Santa Ynez mountains, features architecture dating back to its former Spanish inhabitants and has a stretch of beaches and quick proximity to a host of California wine tours.Salinas, CaliforniaPhoto credit Alcides Sorto via Flickr.Located just south of the Bay area, Salinas was home to author John Steinbeck and boasts a museum in his honor, along with a number of parks, zoos and gardens.North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FloridaCa dZan, the mansion owned by the Ringling family, in Sarasota, Fla. Photo Credit Walter via Flickr.Honolulu, HawaiiPhoto credit Wilson Hu i via Flickr.Honolulus reputation as a paradise is borne out by its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, as well as by abundant natural treasures including volcanoes, parks and hiking.Ann Arbor, MichiganPhoto credit Sharon VanderKaay via FlickrAnn Arbor is home to the University of Michigan and a collection of museums, botanical gardens and arboretums.San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CaliforniaSan Francisco, CA. Photo credit Mrs Airwolfhound via Flickr.The picturesque west coast city - which has been the set of countless movies and TV shows - offers abundant recreational options for those who love the outdoors as well as rich culinary and cultural offerings.Colorado Springs, ColoradoGarden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO. Photo credit Rennett Stowe via Flickr.The stunning natural beauty of Colorado comes through again in Colorado Springs, located at the base of the Rockies and near the glacier-carved Pikes Peak. The town also boasts the Garden of the Gods, a park with red sandstone rock formations.Manchester-Nashua, New HampshireManchester, N.H. Photo credit Pinfante via Flickr.The riverfront town is home to The Currier Museum of Art, which lays claim to original Picasso and Georgia OKeefe works,a Frank Lloyd Wrightdesigned building, and historic sites tracing the towns history as a manufacturing and textile hub.Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CaliforniaCentury Movie Theater in Ventura, CA. Photo credit Joe Wolf via Flickr.This coastal town has beaches for sunning, surfing and windsurfing and an historic main street with churches that dates back to 1809. You can also take an easy day trip to Channel Islands National Park, where wildlife including seals, foxes and birds await along with caves to explore.Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, District of Columbia/VirginiaThe White House. Photo credit John Haslam via Flickr.While its role as the seat of government gets all the attention, the greater Washington D.C.-Virginia area is a walkable city with many hik ing, biking and walking trails and access to nightlife and dining. Locals are surrounded by museums, historical sites and public transportation.Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota/WisconsinWalker Art Center sculpture garden. Photo credit Paul VanDerWerf via Flickr.Home to the Mall of America, the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington area also includes a sea life aquarium, football, hockey and cultural hotspots including the Walker Art Center sculpture garden.San Diego-Carlsbad, CaliforniaCarlsbad flower fields. Photo credit Jason Rosenberg via FlickrThe coastal city is home to a collection of surfing beaches,gorgeous flower fields with acres of seasonal wildflowers, and a Legoland California theme park.Portland, MaineCredit Lucy Orloski/FlickrThe port city is a hub of culture, history and natural treasures, from a host of parks and water activities including kayaking and boating to easy access to skiing and beaches.Austin, TexasKatzs caddy. Photo credit Gino via Flickr.R ounding out the list is Austin, where the annual South by Southwest festival has catapulted the southern town into the forefront of music, art, film, food and tech. Homegrown artist and Boyhood writer/director Richard Linklaterhas set up his production shop Detour Filmproduction in town and University of Texas-Austin keeps a steady flow of young students cycling through the city.