Somerville Residents are Happier Than the Happiest Country in the World: Survey

It’s a fundamental question about human existence: are you happy?

Well, the answer for residents in Somerville is a loud and clear “yes.”

According to data obtained from the 2015 Happiness and City Satisfaction Survey, the inhabitants of the city are quite happy: ”happier than residents of the happiest country in the world, Switzerland,” the report said. 

About 500 local residents were randomly asked about their general contentment, and the average response was a 7.8 out of a perfect 10.

“For Somerville, it’s no surprise that a Happiness Index is rapidly becoming a useful tool for measuring progress, both social and economic, for municipalities,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone in a statement.

“If your residents, businesses, and other stakeholders are not satisfied with city services or the quality of their neighborhoods, the community overall will suffer. It’s important that we understand what affects our residents’ quality of life, and use that data to inform how we manage our services and enact policies,” he added.

The findings showed that the locals are pleased with policies, as well as with Somerville as a place to live, and even with the neighborhood aesthetics.

Photo courtesy of Moyan Brenn via Flickr