Top 5 Happiest Cities for Jobs

With the country beginning to emerge from a very challenging recession, Americans are now able to take more than just a job offer into consideration. Factors like growth opportunities, salaries, and the ability to create a happy and well-balanced life are now being considered in order to find the best jobs available. Read on to find the five happiest cities for jobs.

San Jose, California

California is known for fantastic weather and a population that regularly enjoys itself. However, weather is only one of many reasons why San Jose ranked highest on Forbes list of happiest cities for work. The key to the success of this region may mostly be a result of its tech-centric economy. The job base in San Jose attracts a very well educated population, which results in high salaries, nice benefit packages, and a better work-life balance. With an overall feeling of job security and a climate conducive to being outdoors, the people of San Jose are feeling pretty good about life.

Raleigh, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina is one of the few cities in the eastern United States that ranked well in job growth and work-life balance. This city, along with the neighboring city of Durham, gets a major boost from the three superior universities that are located in the area: Duke University, the University of North Carolina, and North Carolina State. The combination of a well-educated work force and low business costs makes this city very attractive to big employers and businesses, such as First Citizens Bank and Progress Energy. When the people of Raleigh are not working, they are able to enjoy a huge variety of activities, ranging from highly competitive university sporting events to fine dining and cultural experiences.

Boulder, Colorado

The stunning mountain backdrops and blue skies of Boulder, Colorado are just two of the many wonderful qualities this city has to offer its residents. The citizens of Boulder are among the healthiest in the nation, mostly because of their ability to incorporate plenty of outdoor activity into their regular work and life schedules. In addition to its healthy and happy population, Boulder has also been grabbing some attention for its vibrant economy and small business growth opportunities.

San Antonio, Texas

The state of Texas was one of the last economies to surrender to the recession and has been one of the fastest to recover. This is mostly due to Texas's low cost, pro-business, and low regulatory environment. While many cities in this Lone Star State are score well in the work-life balance, San Antonio may be the city with the most to offer. San Antonio is one the country's leading cities in creating and sustaining employment. In addition, the city’s salaries have also been on the rise over the past five years. As a result of the increase in job stability and salary pay, the people of San Antonio are happier and are incorporating more living into their lives.

Washington D.C.

With a growing need for savvy information technologists in our nation's capital, Washington D. C. is adding some extra security to our country, as well as to their work force. Washington D. C. has an especially high population of well-educated people, mostly in the twenties, thirties, and forties age range. These intelligent, young people may work in a city that seems to never sleep, however, they still manage to find time for each other, as well as many of the other perks D. C. has to offer.