Chicago Stressed Out, Miami Super Chill

Coming from Chicago, I completely agree. We're streesed because of the crooked politicians, ridiculously high taxes on everything from cars to candybars. The middle class is being taxed right out of this city.

Chicago has world-class cultural venues, fabulous and diverse dining and great shopping. The setting is gorgeous along the lake and there are plenty of green spaces. The people are the best--truly salt of the earth, friendly, helpful and courteous. BUT... The traffic, parking, cost of living and weather made me delighted to leave my hometown after 28 years. It's almost 30 years later and I go back strictly to visit family. Lexington? Horrid, unfriendly, narrow people loaded with insecurities--for good reason! If I could transplant Chicagoans to Lexington and Lexingtonians to Chicago, the result would be Heaven on earth! Nashvillians are wonderful people, too! Have traveled a great deal and found Kentuckians to be the coldest. Talk about stress...

I hope no one tries to blame it on Obama and the rest of the corrupt Democrats. Just because Chicago Democrats run the most corrupt city in America doesn't make it Obama's fault. That's just not fair.

Did you ever try to drive around Chicago? Of course they're stressed...it would have been a nightmare if the city had been awarded the Olympics.

I am also a former Chicago resident who moved to Kentucky for 9 surreal years. What a bizarre experience-the Bible Belt is unbelievable! I miss the midwest!

I hrew up 60 miles outside of Chicago, and live in Tennessee now. Boy did I ever laugh when I read this, because it is the truth. I am amazed when we go visit our family up there because it's like watching a live race!

Chicago more "stressed out" than New Yorkers?

I think the term "stressed out" is, perhaps, incorrect. Chicago is upset over the sale of its parking meters and lots, the poor showing of its teams (in some cases) and its highest-in-the-nation sales tax. Then, in a recent announcement, cones the news that the Mayor is bound and determined to cancel Venetian Night,

So, maybe we're not "happy campers," but we're much less stressed than the East coast.

We now have a headline type story based on something Princess Cruise researched' Look at that list. Every city on there with the possible exception of Detroit is a bucks up city. Any chance Princess Cruise skewed their research to encourage people with money to spend it on a cruise?

cre8iveace: I thought of that, but Tampa and some of the other cities are not in the best shape.

the survey was only limited to 23 big cities.

Although I've traveled quite a bit I've lived nearly all my 60+ yrs. in & around Chicago. In addition to our friendly people & cultural & recreational attractions it's VERY EASY TO GET AROUND once you learn our ways. Yes, we Chicagoans are stressed out, mainly because of our cold winters which really begin about Nov. 1 & end about Apr. 1. (So just buy some decent boots, hat, scarf, mittans & overcoat & stop complaining will you?)

Our traffic may be bad in some places, but we have an excellent public transit system, METRA, so smart people use trains & buses to get around. (It also helps to learn the shortcuts & back alleys.) We have a logical, well laid-out grid street system, so it's very easy to find where you're going.

Personally I think New Yorkers are more stressed, especially because of their high cost of living & small apartment living. Californians have high mortgages, but they seem happier because they live in a sunny climate.

In NE Illinois our money goes further than in NY or CA. You can still buy a new 4 BR, 3 bath single family home in the $300s in the Chicago suburbs. Can you do that in NY or CA?

Having lived in Birmingham, Al, Atlanta, Oconomowoc, Wi, and now near Lexington, KY, I'd have to say if someone isn't willing to reach out to people and make friends, one very well could find any place wouldn't suit you. To have a friend, you've got to be one. Get out there and make the effort, my friend, and you'll probably change your tune.

Live in Cheyenne Wy for a year and you will see what stresssssed out is

At least Newark isn't in the top ten people are plenty foul in LA

I find it hard to believe that San Diego made the top ten. I am sitting here typing this and my window is open to a perfect 70 degrees and a crystal blue sky. It makes everything less stressful!

I have to call a shenanigans on this, New York City did not make the list, but Portland, OR did. Yeah Portland may have a lot of unemployment but most people are so laid back no one really notices. Seriously though, I would love to know how Portland made the list.

I grew up in Chicago and moved away after 31 years of living there. I go back every 3 to 4 years to visit the rest of my family that still lives there. I moved to north central Louisiana where if they have a traffic jam on the interstate, it's because somebody did something stupid like lose control of their vehicle and slid off the road. What makes here different is the people will talk to you, even if they don't know you. In my last visit to Chicago in September of this year, I took my southern mentality to use. I spoke to everybody I came within 10 feet of. If they didn't speak back, oh well, it's on them for not being friendly. Down here, if you say, "Good day," you might get a lengthy conversation from a total stranger, which might turn out to be a pleasant experience. In Chicago, not everybody had a "What do you want" attitude, but it wasn't like here in the south. One thing is for sure, No matter where you go and live, we all have one thing in common. We all live in this world and we all have to deal with the economy in the world. I say, keep a positive attitude no matter what the news about the economy is. As a matter of fact, laugh about it, because if you stress yourself out about it, you'll cause your health to deplete faster than you want. I moved away to marry a lady from the south and don't miss the rush hour traffic jams, the cold and snowy winters, the high taxes, the little or next to nothing city services, and last but not least, the battle for keeping my car in shape after hitting a pot hole while driving down most streets in Chicago.

I totally disagree with the survey, Minnesota is the most stressed out and they are out to make everyone residing there the same way.
I am originally from Chicago and when I first moved to Minnesota in '97, I would call home and tell my friends and family that I was in another world-so to speak. I see the actions of Minnesotans as jealous, prejudice, mean and destroyers of minorities (and yes, I am also Caucasian!
Through the years I have discovered the M.O. of Minnesoatans in positions of power abuse their power against minorities, they hire them (just to meet their quota,and keep posting their "Equal Opportunity Employer logo), make their job environment a living hell,m write them up and then fire them in a short amount of time. So Minnesotans should've been at the top of the list. As many of us say, not only is the weather in Minnesota cold-so are the people!

New York was #15 out of 23.

With Cook County politics and their loyal son, Messiah Obama at the helm of the country, Chicago should not be stressed out with all the opportunity for graft. Corruption does not bring stress, only unearned wealth. Crooks usually have it easy. Whats up? They know the people are catching up with them!

Your correct about Chicago. My wife and I went downtown Chicago and ate at Gino's pizza on Superior Street. Great food except for the crazy parking prices that Mr. God Daily sold out for a few cents on the dollar. Two hours cost $26 which use to be half that amount..........