Ten Happiest Cities in the World

Do a trip report here....go to another city and want to relate it to what KC is doing right or could do better? Give us a summary in here.
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FangKC
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Ten Happiest Cities in the World

Post by FangKC »

A list of the 10 Happiest Cities in the World
The U.S. is a pretty unhappy place compared to Europe, Australia, and South America. That’s according to a survey of 10,000 people in 29 countries from market research company GfK Custom Research. Conducted in 2009, the Anholt-GfK Roper City Brands Index, claims that San Francisco is the only U.S. city to crack the list of the 10 happiest cities in the world. Who else came out on top, and why?
If Kansas City wants to attract growth and residents, it should emulate these cities, and not copy cities like Phoenix, Denver, Minneapolis, and Dallas. Cultural amenities, shopping, and outdoor activites help create attractive, healthy cities that people want to live in. Several of the cities on the list are known for their history, art, architecture, and street life as well as entertainment, theatres, museums. and parks. Amsterdam, Rome, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Buenos Aires, and San Francisco are also known for their beauty.

The other thing to note is that many of them are popular for their architecture and built environment. A city doesn't necessarily have to be in the sun belt. Paris and Amsterdam have weather similar to the Midwest. Their residents endure cold and dreary days.

I would like to see the day when "short commute time" and "high number of highway miles per capita" is not among of the main things that the Metro touts as one of the great advantages of living here.

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Re: Ten Happiest Cities in the World

Post by kboish »

FangKC wrote: I would like to see the day when "short commute time" and "high number of highway miles per capita" is not among of the main things that the Metro touts as one of the great advantages of living here.
Amen.
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Re: Ten Happiest Cities in the World

Post by aknowledgeableperson »

FangKC wrote: I would like to see the day when "short commute time" and "high number of highway miles per capita"
I understand your comment on highway miles but shouldn't "short commute time" be a blessing in that one is able to live close to work?
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Re: Ten Happiest Cities in the World

Post by FangKC »

Well, it's nice, but it should not be among the top attributes that is used to describe and promote a city.
Last edited by FangKC on Tue Feb 12, 2013 1:06 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Ten Happiest Cities in the World

Post by KCMax »

Judging by the mere attractiveness of women in Rio, Sydney, Barcelona, and Amsterdam, they have good reason to be happy there.
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Re: Ten Happiest Cities in the World

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KCMax wrote:Judging by the mere attractiveness of women in Rio, Sydney, Barcelona, and Amsterdam, they have good reason to be happy there.

Max, you have nailed a commonality for each of the ten.

If so, Miami must be number 11.
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Re: Ten Happiest Cities in the World

Post by Highlander »

loftguy wrote:
KCMax wrote:Judging by the mere attractiveness of women in Rio, Sydney, Barcelona, and Amsterdam, they have good reason to be happy there.

Max, you have nailed a commonality for each of the ten.

If so, Miami must be number 11.
Doesn't that make only half the people happy?
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Re: Ten Happiest Cities in the World

Post by Downtowner »

One KC strength that never shows in these surveys is the fact that it's a beautiful city--esp. by American standards. It's easily the most beautiful midwestern city. I hear this all the time from visitors. The Plaza + fountains+hilly, green terrain+ good architecture is a great mix. And I'd have to say there are a lot of eclectic, interesting things about the city from museums to buildings. Contrast that with cities that are merely functional like Dallas. No one's ever described Dallas as beautiful. Sadly, KC has never promoted itself in this regard. I was in Chicago recently and Midway and the train had tons of signs promoting a weekend in Louisville...really? Something about a bourbon getaway. While I like Louisville, it hardly merits leaving Chicago. I will say my friends from Chicago love it here for the all the differences it delivers...Meanwhile, KC guards its status as the best kept secret.
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Re: Ten Happiest Cities in the World

Post by FangKC »

I think Cincinnati and Pittsburgh are also beautiful cities. Cincinnati has a lot of beautiful architecture. It also has a lot of its' historic built environment left. I wish Kansas City had as many beautiful old buildings as Cincinnati. Both cities are also hilly and wooded--similar to Kansas City.
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Re: Ten Happiest Cities in the World

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Downtowner wrote: I was in Chicago recently and Midway and the train had tons of signs promoting a weekend in Louisville...really? Something about a bourbon getaway. While I like Louisville, it hardly merits leaving Chicago.
Well, that's your opinion. A lot of people in Chicago love the exposure to a quasi-southern city that's an easy 5 hour drive away. It's not like St. Louis (especially St. Louis) and Kansas City where people are overly negatively reactionary to southern culture. I personally enjoy Louisville.

KCs problem is that it isnt proximate to most of the midwest. You end up with a city like Indy which is like Kansas City - lite as being touted as some kind of darling just because it's perceived as being less rustbelty (and I feel they are kind of snooty towards St. Louis :P ).
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Re: Ten Happiest Cities in the World

Post by IraGlacialis »

Judging from what I hear from even French guys, I would not call Paris a "happy" city.

But in any case, the list does make a point of what things a city can trump-up to make itself more attractive.
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Re: Ten Happiest Cities in the World

Post by KCMax »

Downtowner wrote:. I was in Chicago recently and Midway and the train had tons of signs promoting a weekend in Louisville...really? Something about a bourbon getaway. While I like Louisville, it hardly merits leaving Chicago.
This reminds me of New Yorkers who never leave New York (or their borough) because, what other city could possibly offer what New York has to offer?
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