A story by Movoto factors in the number of yoga studios in a small city in determining a city's stress level. (Photo by elidr/flilckr)
By Eric Stock
NORMAL – If you live in Normal and you live a relatively stress-free existence, you are… normal – according to a study.
The town ranks ninth in a listing of the most relaxed small cities in the country among those with a population of between 50,000 and 60,000. Nick Johnson with the real estate brokerage firm Movoto said Normal got high marks for short commute times, a relatively low cost of living and a shorter work week and an abundance of parks and things to do.
"It sounds to me like Normal is a pretty fun place to live, a pretty relaxing and happy place to live," Johnson said.
Johnson said the average Normal resident gets in their car, drives for just 16 minutes, and then proceeds to clock in about 32.5 hours per week.
"They're not working extra hours apparently, they are doing the typical 9-to-5 job, they're not doing the nose to the grindstone," Johnson said.
The study also weighs things like crime, population density and number of spas and yoga studios.
The most relaxed city in the country according to the survey is Richland, Wash. Normal rated among the top 5 happiest cities in the country in another Movoto study last fall.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
