
Press Release: Western Trends
For Immediate Release: March 10, 2009
Media Contacts:
Dadascope Communications
Dana Smith
510-524-2066/m: 510-682-3141
dana@dadascope.com
Jennifer Spoerri
415-563-2363/m: 415-577-0171
jennifer@dadascope.com
HEALTHIER, WEALTHIER AND WISER: COUNTRY AGREES THE WEST IS (STILL) BEST, NEW SUNSET MAGAZINE POLL REVEALS
South Recognized as Most Traditional and Religious; Northeast Most Cosmopolitan
Menlo Park, CA – A new survey commissioned by Sunset Magazine (www.sunset.com), the premier guide to life in the West, reveals that Westerners believe they have a leg up on the rest of the country when it comes to…well, just about everything.
According to the survey conducted by AngusReid Strategies, which polled more than 2,000 US residents in the Fall of 2008 right after the presidential election, people living in the Western United States are more likely than the rest of the country to claim they are:
It’s not just the West that appreciates the West. In fact, the country overall recognizes the West as tops in many desirable areas. The West took first-place honors in categories ranging from the most physically-fit and the most trendsetters to the most exciting part of the country and the place where the “beautiful people” live.
Categories the West didn’t fare as well in included most religious, most traditional, and most cosmopolitan. The South was voted most traditional and religious while the Northeast was voted most cosmopolitan.
“These findings prove what we’ve suspected for a long time: People living in the West have an indomitable sense of optimism and confidence,” said Katie Tamony, Sunset’s editor-in-chief. “The West seems to have a secret to staying upbeat, even during the recession. In fact, 75% of all Westerners surveyed reported that keeping a positive attitude is important in their daily lives.”
A report conducted by Sunset in 1998 revealed similar findings, suggesting that Westerners’ sense of confidence is enduring.
According to the survey, factors that may contribute to the positive Western outlook and sense of confidence include climate, scenery, engaging in cultural activities, a sense of adventure, a commitment to service, a healthy lifestyle, and focus on work/life balance.
It’s no surprise that Westerners are happy where they are with over 80% reporting that they would like to stay in the region.
To help people capture a Western sense of optimism and confidence no matter where they live, the editors of Sunset magazine have put together a variety of tips, including:
***Editors available for interviews.
Sunset magazine is the premier guide to life in the West, covering the newest and best ideas in Western home design and landscaping, food and entertaining, and regional travel in 13 Western states. Sunset and sunset.com are part of the Lifestyle group of magazines and websites published by Time Inc., the largest magazine publisher in the U.S., and a leading publisher in the U.K. and Mexico