In today’s fast-paced world, finding moments to relax and simply be happy can feel like a luxury. For many, vacations and trips become essential escapes that rejuvenate our spirits and boost our happiness. Interestingly, though, Fremont—a city voted for being the happiest—ranks among the lowest for staycation satisfaction.
This raises a compelling question: why don't Fremont residents choose to stay for vacations when they are otherwise so content with living in this vibrant city? A deeper look into such a question reveals the truth behind Fremont and what it has to offer.
Illustrated by Angie Che
By Viviana Chen, Alyssa Gong
Edited by Catherine Qin
But first, what is a staycation?
A staycation is a vacation spent in one’s home city or nearby, enjoying local attractions, activities, and relaxation without the hassle and expense of travel. Ideal staycation spots offer a variety of leisure options such as parks, museums, entertainment venues, restaurants, and hotels with amenities that make residents feel like they’re on a getaway, all while staying close to home.
According to WalletHub’s study, Fremont’s staycation ranking plummeted due to several key factors. Firstly, the city lacks the abundance and variety of entertainment options typically found in top staycation spots. While Fremont boasts beautiful parks and a family-friendly environment, it falls short on nightlife, cultural events, and diverse dining experiences that make for an exciting staycation.
However, Fremont's urban design is more residential and suburban, with fewer attractions that draw in tourists or locals seeking a vibrant city experience. The city’s amenities are spread out, making it less convenient for a seamless staycation experience where one can easily walk from one activity to the next.
Fremont’s top ranking as the happiest city is driven by the same factors that make it a below-ideal place for a staycation: suburban and family-friendly. According to WalletHub, Fremont is also ranked the 17th safest country in terms of crime. Besides low crime rates, factors including low divorce rates, high median income, excellent schools (such as Mission San Jose High School which ranks as one of the top 80 high schools nationwide), and a strong sense of community contribute to an overall high quality of life and satisfaction among residents.
WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe said, "One contributing factor is that the city has the highest share of households with an income above $75,000, at nearly 80%... Money can buy happiness to a certain degree because a stable income is essential for a person’s physical and mental wellbeing.”
Money buys happiness, but…
One thing about Fremont that money cannot buy is its sense of community. Their sense of community is reflective of the city’s official initiatives to hold community events: water park fun at Aqua Adventure, volunteering opportunities, open houses at the Nature Learning Center, a summer concert series to shine a light on diverse talent, Fremont Street Eats, and so many other events that hatch a tight-knit city. Teacher and former student at Mission San Jose High School (MSJ) in Fremont and Fremont resident for 34 years, Mike Jan adds, “We have one of the best lakes, a huge mountain to hike, the bay which brings in good weather, little Yosemite, Alameda Creek, and Ardenwood. Fremont in terms of geography is the most not boring part of Fremont.”
Fremont’s views along the hiking attraction Mission Peak in addition to Lake Elizabeth being located at the city’s core also enhance its reputation as an environmentally safe space. What’s more is that places like Niles, the historic silent movie neighborhood, and Mission San Jose, a preservation of Spanish colonial heritage, greatly contribute to Fremont's cultural diversity—not to mention the city’s strong Asian community that makes up 61.79% of the city’s population. Undoubtedly, the city’s green spaces, family-oriented spots, and cultural diversity allow Fremont to be an ideal place to live and raise children. Ranking as the happiest city in America makes sense right?
Inserting high schoolers into the picture
However, one group of people doubt this ranking: high schoolers. Irvington High School senior Amanda Lai says, “The metrics that were measured to determine Fremont as the happiest city don't really impact high school students directly. I would say the typical day for high school students differs drastically from older generations…because of the school stress.”
Another high school student, Alice Sun, a Junior at MSJ says, “Despite the ranking and privileges of Silicon Valley, the pressure we get from school and the whole, fast-paced environment gnaws away from the subjective well-being amongst FUSD students. Most high schoolers I know want to get as far away as they can for college, and similarly, they would never plan a ‘staycation’ here…but it definitely depends on other demographic factors like age.”
The pressure students face can be attributed to their parents wishing them to live a stable life (such as the ones they might be living in Fremont), manifesting as a firm expectation for these students. However, Jan, who is an MSJ alumni, explains, “Our parents were overly scared and protective because they just don’t know how the world works.”
Although this ranking may overlook these students’ perspectives, Jan clarifies that the stress students receive from school does not carry on to their post-high-school lives, “You realize how fake it all is when you grow up.”
Undoubtedly, agreement towards the ‘happiest city’ and staycation ranking is influenced by the resident’s age. As teenagers tend to be thrill-seekers and adults tend to seek stability, the perspectives of different age groups give clarity to why these rankings are so polarized. Students might associate their academic stressors with the city itself, resulting in a low ranking for staycations. On the other hand, adults who look for a suburban, residential life feel content as they have everything they need in Fremont.
Fremont excels in long-term livability and daily satisfaction but lacks the concentrated amenities and attractions that make for a great short-term recreational experience. The city's strength is in the stability and comfort it provides to its citizens. Its emphasis on safety and community fosters a nurturing environment; but, this same emphasis may contribute to its less exciting staycation appeal. Cities that rank high for staycations frequently have a bustling metropolitan core with attractions meant to entertain and amuse in the short term, which Fremont's more tranquil and residential aspect does not appeal to as well.
Fremont’s paradoxical rankings by WalletHub reveal the diverse metrics that can define a city’s appeal. While it may not be the go-to destination for a thrilling staycation for younger generations, Fremont’s strengths lie in fostering long-term happiness and peace in a well-lived life. As older residents continue to thrive in this nurturing environment, they may find that the essence of happiness is not usually the excitement of a vacation, but rather the deep, enduring joy found right at home.
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