Pembroke Pines among happiest U.S. cities, survey finds

Smile Pembroke Pines, you're the happiest city in South Florida.

That’s according to a new study by Wallet-Hub which ranked the most content cities nationwide for 2019.

The southwest Broward city of 170,000 residents ranked No. 28 on the list, the only municipality in South Florida to crack the top 50.

For its analysis, the personal finance website looked at 182 of the largest cities nationwide. Researchers focused on three key dimensions - emotional and physical well-being, income and employment and community and environment. And then they evaluated those categories through 31 metrics such as depression rate, income and employment.

Plano, Texas led the list, followed by Irvine, California, Madison Wisconsin, Fremont, California and Huntington Beach, California.

At the bottom of the list, ranked 181 and 182 respectively are Toledo, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan.

We think Pines may have scored so well because it’s known for its small town feel with big city features. You don’t really need to leave the city to run errands. You can find bakeries, grocery stores, restaurants and plazas all along Pines Boulevard.

Then there’s the 35,000 square-foot Charles F. Dodge City Center Pembroke Pines bringing concerts and music events to the city since 2017.

And you also have the manicured lush lawns along Pines Boulevard and the majestic flowing fountains that bedeck developments and the city is a short hop from the Stephen L. Josias Dog and Equestrian Park in nearby Southwest Ranches.

Other Florida cities that made Wallethub’s list were Cape Coral at No. 24, Fort Lauderdale at No. 53, Tallahassee (No. 78) and Orlando (No. 83). Miami was No. 101 and Hialeah, which was recently named the most stressed city, was No. 112.

While South Florida communities don’t rate particularly high on the “Happy Cities” list, they are well-represented on WalletHub’s “Lowest Depression Rate” list — even stressed out Hialeah, which tied for the number one spot! Hialeah shares that ranking with Miami, Fort Lauderdale and the aforementioned happy Pembroke Pines. It must be the weather.