The Happiest Towns in America Outside publishes the definitive list of the best places to live for an active, happy lifestyle. September 18, 2023 Boulder, Co. – As the world rethinks how we work and live, people are searching for a better quality of life and a strong sense of community. That’s why Outside devoted the 2023 Best Towns franchise to finding the country’s happiest towns. “I love it when The World Happiness Report comes out with its happiest countries in the world each year,” says Outside’s Travel Director Mary Turner. “So we thought: why not apply that lens to our Best Towns package in the U.S.?” What constitutes a happy town? It comes down to things like ample outdoor access, affordability, a safe environment, diversity, and freedom for residents to be who they are. With those criteria in mind—and an obsessive amount of research—we whittled a preliminary list of 300 contenders down to 15 winners. The list includes small towns like Hood River, Oregon, where life revolves around outdoor pursuits like windsurfing and mountain biking, as well as surprises like New Orleans, Louisiana, where “only a special magic could bind people to a place so vulnerable to rising seas.” In between you’ll find towns in every region of the country that all share one thing in common: very happy residents. “It’s easy to live here,” says a local in Charlottesville, Virginia. “This kind of quality of life is eye-opening when you come from another city. You don’t want to leave.” America’s Happiest Towns FinalistsAnchorage, Alaska Charlottesville, Virginia Cincinnati, Ohio Frederick, Maryland Glenwood Springs, Colorado Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Hood River, Oregon Madison, Wisconsin Minneapolis, Minnesota New Orleans, Louisiana Plano, Texas Reno, Nevada St. Petersburg, Florida Tacoma, Washington Wilmington, Delaware About Outside Outside Interactive, Inc. is the premier destination for active lifestyle enthusiasts and home to leading brands in the endurance sports, outdoor, and healthy living spaces. Each month, Outside reaches 80 million of the most active consumers in the world across its 30+ media, digital, and technology platforms, creating an experience for both longtime adventurers and those just getting started. Outside’s mission is to get everyone outdoors, experiencing healthy, connected, and fulfilling lives. Outside’s membership offering, Outside+, bundles best-in-class storytelling, videos, gear reviews, mapping apps, online courses, discounted event access, magazines, access to NASTAR courses, and more. Learn more at OutsideInc.com. Related News Pocket Outdoor Media Closes Major Acquisitions, Rebrands as Outside February 22, 2021 New On Outside Streaming This Spring; Docuseries, Events and More March 15, 2022 Outside Interactive & Brooks Running Launch Personalized Content for Runners April 12, 2024