This Washington City Is One Of The Happiest In The Country, And You'll Want To Visit
By Jessica Wick|Published August 19, 2018
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Jessica Wick
Author
Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
It probably comes as no surprise to learn that Washingtonians are some of the nation’s happiest people. Our state has diverse landscapes, beautiful cities and towns, an overall healthy economy, and the best apples and cherries (and pears, and beer… we could go on) ever.
Recently, WalletHub compiled a list of the happiest cities in the country for 2018, using data like depression rates, average leisure time spent per day, and income and employment potential. And while several places in Washington made the list, one of the most pleasant surprises to see was Vancouver.
It must get a little old having to constantly specify that you're not Canadian when you say you live in Vancouver, but this mid-sized city is worthy of its own identity.
Being a neighbor to Portland, a famous beer city, certainly helps. Final Draft Taphouse, Double Barrel Taphouse, and Trap Door Brewing are just a few options for a tasty cold local brew.
On a summer day, there's no better place to be than the patio at McMenamins On The Columbia...
Fort Vancouver was once a 19th century fur trading post. These days, it's a U.S. National Monument that has been perfectly preserved for those who want to learn about local history.
Another reason Vancouver is a happy city is because of its strong economy.
While the unemployment rate here is slightly higher than the national average, Vancouver has seen the job market increase by 2.8% over the last year. Future job growth over the next decade is predicted to be 38.8%, which is fantastic.
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The community also comes together for a lot of local events.
