If misery loves company, I'd like to RSVP.

Last week Forbes Magazine released its annual list of America's 20 Most Miserable Cities. Chicago is listed as No. 7 due in part to high sales tax, violent crime, and Jay Cutler's arm.

Sure, Chicago has its downsides. Thunder snow and 6 degree weather that "feels like -12" aren't exactly mood elevators, nor is the sales tax rate of 9.75%. (At least it's not still 10.25% like it was when I took up residency here, though we are nevertheless tied with LA and Oakland for the highest rate in the US.) There's also the Cubs' 102 year World Series drought to lament, as well as a recent income tax hike thanks to the ne'er-do-well politicians in Springfield. But despite some valid reasons for our rank on the metropolitan misery index, I can't help but feel a little insulted by our spot on the list.

Forbes considers ten quantifiables when creating the ranking. They include unemployment, tax rates, crime, commute times, political corruption, housing prices and foreclosure rates, and the recent success of local sports teams. I suppose these are all valid factors to consider for a ranking like this, but I'd argue that there are significant points that Forbes is overlooking. In my humble opinion as a content Chi-town resident, here are a few reasons why this city is far from miserable:

• Bars per capita. Chicago has more taverns and bars per resident than any other major American city. Not to mention that we've got a microbrewery scene worthy of respect. Hard to be too miserable when you have endless nightlife and libation options.

• Chicagoans love to have fun. We dye our river green for St. Patrick's Day, a holiday with no other significance than an excuse to get shamelessly liquored up sans judgment. I think that's proof in and of itself.

{Jackie, Shannon, and me on St. Patty's day last year.}

• Active young professionals abound. I can't quantify this without the help of the Census Bureau, but based on observation, the fountain of youth may very well be in Chicago. Everywhere you go, there are (mostly) attractive twenty and thirty-somethings shopping, drinking, and out being active. We love sports, are career oriented, and know how to party. What a welcome departure from the cougar-ridden landscape that I left behind in Orange County!

• Summertime. There may not be a data point to reflect it, but there is no better place in the world than Chicago when it's warm. I don't know how anyone could argue differently. You can bronze at the beach, enjoy world class shopping and dining, catch a baseball game at the biggest bar in the world (who cares if the Cubs suck, there's no better way to spend a summer day than drinking beer in the Wrigley bleachers), and enjoy outdoor street and music festivals every weekend (speaking of which, Lolla is going to be amazing this year!)... and all while being surrounded by Midwestern charm. This place has a vibe about it in the summer that no amount of unfavorable data can take away from.

{Kicking off summer 2010 - boating Memorial Day weekend.}

• Sports. Despite frequently enduring heartbreak, Chicago is a great place for sports lovers. Forget about the Cubs choking in 2008 or having Steve Bartman shit on their 2003 World Series berth. Forget about Cutler being too big of a wuss to finish out the NFC Championship game and contributing to a loss against our arch-rivals, the Packers. We've still got the Blackhawks and the Sox (both with recent championships), the Bulls, and plenty of upcoming events to look forward to. And even when our teams underperform, at least their games and stadiums make great drinking venues. It also helps that we've got great sports legacies to sustain us during losing seasons.

{Angels v. Cubs series at Wrigley last year with the Cali kids.}

I doubt my reasons for loving this city will garner much enthusiasm from the middle-aged suburbanite with three kids, a long commute, and an upside down mortgage. But for me- the car-less, fun-loving, night-crawling runner and sports enthusiast- sweet home Chicago is anything but miserable.