Seaside towns are almost exclusively happy places to live. It takes work to be depressed when you have an ocean nearby, supplying your town with a nice sea breeze and an endless source of entertainment. With so many pleasant coastal towns in the US, the question inevitably arises: Which is the the happiest town of all?
Every year, Coastal Living creates a list of the Top 10 Happiest Seaside Towns in America. This list features any town positioned alongside the ocean, Pacific or Atlantic, and for the first time ever, a Florida town has taken the top spot. Stuart, FL, located just North of Palm Beach County, has been given the crown for 2016 and we could not be more proud of our neighbors.
This is how Coastal Living described the town of Stuart in their list:
"Often referred to as a hidden gem just 45 minutes north of Palm Beach, Stuart is an Old Florida–style treasure. Nestled between two rivers and situated on the Atlantic, the town shares its waters with sea turtles, dolphins, and, most famously, the sailfish—its abundant local presence has led to the town’s reputation as the 'sailfish capital of the world.’"
These qualifications were enough for Stuart to beat out coastal towns in South Carolina, Delaware, California, and even Hawaii. Again, this is the first time a Florida town has been awarded Coastal Living’s number one spot, with the next closest being Venice at number two and Delray Beach at number three in 2015.
Stuart Mayor had this to say in a press release:
"This is a huge win for our area, and with our passionate residents and dedicated ambassadors, [we] were able to edge out the competition.”
One Ocean Drive would like to congratulate Stuart on their passion and their victory, and hopefully more and more South Florida towns can work their way onto the list in the years to come.