“Some people are not happy unless everyone else is as miserable as they are.”
So it turns out that, at least according to Boston.com readers, the recent WalletHub survey got it right: People here are pretty happy. But the people who are unhappy … Boy, do they have reasons.
“My property taxes increased 63% this year, increasing my monthly mortgage payment by $1,200/month; traffic is worse than ever; the cost of living is the highest it has been in my lifetime here; my whole neighborhood smells like weed, and rats run around in the daytime now,” lamented Bill from Brighton, who rated himself as “fairly unhappy.” “I plan on renting my home and moving to New Hampshire.”
That said, Bill is in the minority: A full 54% of respondents said they were happy here, with 13% classifying themselves in the “over the moon” category. But it seems fitting that most of the happy people rated themselves as just “reasonably happy,” which feels like a very Massachusetts thing to consider yourself. (We tend to distrust people who are too positive about anything.)
Jack M. from Lynn summed up the pros: “Access to top schools and hospitals, beaches, mountains, small towns, and even farmland. Boston offers all of the amenities found in a major city: great restaurants and nightlife, a variety of museums, and a thriving entertainment scene that includes numerous music venues and championship sports franchises. You really can’t ask for much more, other than better weather.”
But housing costs are keeping people here from achieving ultimate happiness, it seems. “I love the educational system afforded to my children living in Mass, the healthcare is amazing obviously, but the cost of living is OUT OF CONTROL,” wrote Anto from Natick, apparently echoing the thoughts of many. “Home ownership is increasingly unaffordable in this state and rents are ridiculous!”
As for the 26% who classified themselves as “fairly unhappy” or “miserable,” they are definitely half-glass-empty types. “The ridiculous taxes, terrible road conditions, gray, dark winters for months, rainy springs, too many liberals, terrible traffic worsened by masshole drivers equals lots of reasons to leave, which is what I am in the process of doing!” wrote one reader who only identified themselves as “BYE” from “Liberalville.”
But in general, readers’ feelings about the joys of living in Massachusetts may have been best summed up by MaryAnn from Haverhill. “I love that we are a primarily blue state that looks out for people. No, Massachusetts isn’t perfect. But it’s pretty darn great,” she wrote.
“What I’ve noticed is that the people who complain about Massachusetts are generally miserable people and will always manage to find something to complain about,” MaryAnn continued. “I’ve discovered life is easier and happier when you focus on gratitude for what you have, rather than focusing on what you don’t have. Not everyone has figured that out.”
Below, some highlights from Boston.com readers in each of the happiness categories.
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Over the moon:
“I grew up in Cambridge, Mass. This is my home and I am so happy to be a Bostonian. I am proud to have that Bostonian accent. Nobody will keep me away from Massachusetts.” — Kathy, Cambridge
“Boston is a beautiful city! It’s so clean and well manicured. Walks in the public garden always lift my spirits. Everything I need is within walking distance. I feel safe here. Every season is beautiful. People are friendly. Old-world charm. There are no downsides! Very livable, walkable, vibrant. Young people are always around due to the high number of universities. Don’t want to live anywhere else!” — Christi, Back Bay
“Massachusetts is tops in most things, which makes me happy. And I am made even happier that I don’t live in one of the red [states] on the map.” — Peter, Cape Cod
Reasonably happy:
“Healthcare, education, solid social safety net. If we could get rid of the NIMBYs killing affordable housing — or any housing — construction I’d be over the moon!” — “Roadrunner,” “Noth Shoa“
“Love living here and near the ocean (North Shore) and access to southern Maine and New Hampshire. Although, easy to say in early September. When asked in February and March and it’s dark at 4 p.m. I’m less happy.” — Alice, Newburyport
“The cost of living is cause for a dip in happiness; however, that’s balanced by all of the other factors present in the state.” — Jack M., Lynn
“Massachusetts is great because it’s relatively safe (not because of our politicians, but because of regional affluence and the dominance of universities), the ocean and the mountains of New England are not far away, the summers are not terribly hot like in other parts of the country, the winters are benign (IMO), and it’s possible, depending on where you live, to function without a car and be able to walk places. I rated the Bay State a 4 on the scale, currently, because the local job market is very tough.” — Chris, Newton Corner
As happy as the next person:
“I miss the slower pace, lakes, and mountains of upstate New York. Plus a lot less traffic, especially on Fridays, since the entire state of Mass. seems to want to exit the state then.” — AW
“Weather is nice half the year; the pay is better than many places, but it’s expensive to live here; people are generally educated but there is a nice mix. So it’s a true halfway score.” — Doc, Stoughton
“Some people are not happy unless everyone else is as miserable as they are.” — Debbie D., Boston
Fairly unhappy:
“Roadways are awful and instead of making travel easier, people in charge are making it more congested on the roads by eliminating travel lanes. In addition, traditions are being removed through elimination of cultural events, mascots are being redone, and the [state] flag is being replaced to look like every other flag in the world. New England towns are being remodeled to look like every other town in America. It is as if someone has systematically set out to destroy everything that was great in Massachusetts.” — Anonymous
“I am a single, childless person living in a fairly affluent small town (where I grew up) and being driven out by families voting to constantly increase property taxes for an already bloated public school system so their children can get ‘the best’ education. These are the same people who constantly cry for fair education for all, but their kids must always have better than everyone else … What they don’t realize is, the more they drive out seniors and childless adults, the more they hurt themselves … Unless you have children, it does not make any financial sense to live in this state.” — Erica F., Dunstable
“Horrible weather 10 months a year, overpriced, overhyped, a lot of self-entitled people. Bad roads, overspending money on unnecessary projects.” — Anonymous
“I lived in Europe for 15 years. I miss Europe. I’m fortunate enough to visit Europe every winter; however, my choice would be to live in Portugal or Italy forever. Europe is much more relaxed and civilized. Our politics has ruined our country. Our healthcare system is even politicized. Our state politics is starting to be taken over by our federal government. I’m not comfortable with that. Massachusetts will never be the same. Or any other state for that matter.” — Virginia M., Nantucket
“Getting taxed to death from the moment I wake up in the morning doesn’t really give me the warm fuzzies.” — Anonymous
Miserable:
“High taxes, high fees, high housing costs. A state where political felons get a month and a day for kickbacks. Where traffic takes how many years off our lives? Hmmm … Take me away, Calgon.” — Rita, Boston
“High taxes, rude people since COVID. Entitled non-tax-paying people.” — Anonymous, Stow
“The City of Boston has gone way downhill in the 15 years I’ve lived here. The state is overall too expensive, taxes too high, too congested, the infrastructure is crumbling, terrible weather. Unfortunately I have to be here for family reasons but I can’t wait to move out of state.” — Sophia, Boston
“Blue states suck. The list is bogus.” — Anonymous
Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.