Probably not a good way to do it. But... https://twitter.com/Robillard/status/1382042516594307073?s=20
What's your top 10?
What's your top 10?
I feel like there’s not enough guidance/parameters here. There are plenty of states that I’d rank differently for visiting versus living in. For instance, Hawaii is very high on my list of states I’d like to visit, but the incredibly high cost of living, high cost to travel to other places, etc., lowers it substantially on my list of places I’d like to live. Other states like Wyoming are similar. Awesome national parks and other places great to visit, but general lack of other cultural activities and lack of access to top notch medical resources lower it considerably for me as far as places I’d prefer to live.Probably not a good way to do it. But... https://twitter.com/Robillard/status/1382042516594307073?s=20
What's your top 10?
I suspect that may have been intentional.I feel like there’s not enough guidance/parameters here.
I have traveled to different parts of Missouri - Kansas City, St Louis, Hannibal, Herman, and really enjoyed what I saw. I agree that it's very underrated.Missouri is a much better state than it is given credit for. Tons of outdoor activities, two mid-sized cities with history, culture and sports and is usually in the 20's in every state metric that exists. I consider it the most middle state of the country.
I'm not saying it is top 10, but it is a far cry better than #43.
I've been all over Kansas and spent significant time in Wichita and the KC suburbs. Outside of the latter, Kansas is whole lot of nothing. Wichita is a crappy city, Topeka is a hole, Lawrence is just KU's campus, Hays is in BFE (don't get me started on the whole of western Kansas), Emporia and Pittsburg are small, old and uninteresting. You don't have any mountains, few rivers, no caves, no forests, no lakes, etc. Just a bunch of fields and nothingness.My top ten, by tier taken as a whole (* indicates we've lived there). This is only states I feel confident giving an opinion about.
1. Tennessee*, North Carolina*, colorado
2. Kansas*, Michigan*, Georgia, virginia*
3. South Carolina, ohio, kentucky
I think we'd really enjoy Washington, idaho and Oregon.
I live in Northern Virginia and I think VA is pretty overrated at #3. I love the history aspects (lots of Civil War battlefields, Mount Vernon, Monticello, etc.) and Shenandoah National Park is nice (although pales in comparison to national parks out west). In terms of living, there are a lot of job opportunities, but cost of living is pretty high. It is not a bad state, but #3 seems pretty high for it.I feel like Virginia is either super densely populated really expensive areas mostly in the north, or more rural very “southern” living in the south of Virginia. Personally, I’m not sure either appeals to me a lot.
But that could largely be colored by:
a) my general distaste of the greater DC area and
b) my irritation at the traffic on the 95 corridor between Baltimore and Richmond every time I drive down to my family’s beach house in NC.
I don't actually disagree. But clearly couldn't put Missouri on my list.I've been all over Kansas and spent significant time in Wichita and the KC suburbs. Outside of the latter, Kansas is whole lot of nothing. Wichita is a crappy city, Topeka is a hole, Lawrence is just KU's campus, Hays is in BFE (don't get me started on the whole of western Kansas), Emporia and Pittsburg are small, old and uninteresting. You don't have any mountains, few rivers, no caves, no forests, no lakes, etc. Just a bunch of fields and nothingness.
Missouri is light years ahead of Kansas.
Fair points. We lived in Charlottesville, and I spent 4 months near Richmond, other than that we've spent time near norfolk. Which are all pretty decent. which probably overly influences my opinion.I feel like Virginia is either super densely populated really expensive areas mostly in the north, or more rural very “southern” living in the south of Virginia. Personally, I’m not sure either appeals to me a lot.
But that could largely be colored by:
a) my general distaste of the greater DC area and
b) my irritation at the traffic on the 95 corridor between Baltimore and Richmond every time I drive down to my family’s beach house in NC.
Can't really speak to the Dakota's, but I'd like to read a well reasoned argument for the state of SC over NC. I'll take the best of NC over SC, and the worst of NC is way better than the worst of SC. although we'll probably spend a lot of retirement in SC.Interesting that both "North" states outrank their "South" partners.
Texas is right about where I would expect it.
Its already been ruined by too many people. My parents/siblings live in the Denver area and it is too crowded now. It sucks driving to fishing, hunting, or skiing. Either it is too far away or too much traffic.Colorado is crappy. Really. Don't move here. I hear Kansas is nice.
This was my first thought. This list way overrates Colorado. It has become California with better mountains. Or as I like to say Colorfornia.Its already been ruined by too many people. My parents/siblings live in the Denver area and it is too crowded now.
Wyoming, Montana, etc >>> Colorado.
That was my first thought, too. It seems like Idaho is the mecca for everyone wanting to leave California, around here.Don’t understand Idaho low ranking when they have the highest population growth from people moving there.
that's what I've been saying for like 30 years. The problem with Colorado is all the Californians who moved there.This was my first thought. This list way overrates Colorado. It has become California with better mountains. Or as I like to say Colorfornia.
The funniest thing is that Californians want to leave because of the people and then they all move to the same place with the same people and try to turn the new place into California.that's what I've been saying for like 30 years. The problem with Colorado is all the Californians who moved there.
GA and TX are too high, but not nearly as much as Nevada.I'm a little surprised at Georgia's ranking (#9) and I can't objectively rank it as I've lived here my entire life. I do think if you are in metro Atlanta area it's a pretty great place to live (minus the traffic).
Just curious why you think Georgia is too high - not saying I disagree but curious your perspective.GA and TX are too high, but not nearly as much as Nevada.
Seriously - #4 for Nevada? I mean, Vegas is a fun town, but the rest of the state...geesh.
THANK you.
- New Hampshire/Vermont - same state, as far as I'm concerned.
I'd put Georgia lower because of the weather. Too hot and humid. But I'm a pale redhead who burns up if I'm in the sun for more than an hour (and would take cold weather over hot weather), which may be why my list was partial to New England and northern states (and NM, which is high desert).Just curious why you think Georgia is too high - not saying I disagree but curious your perspective.
For me....
Pros: Weather is pretty solid (4 separate seasons unlike a lot of areas); COL is pretty good - not sure where it ranks but last I looked it wasn't bad; Atlanta isn't a top-tier major city but I'd say it's in tier 2 and has all the things you would expect - sports teams, museums, restaurants/bars; Atlanta suburbs are a great place for work and raising kids - lots of large companies in Atlanta across several industries; Major airport/hub; great location to get to all kinds of things - beach, mountains, lakes; Diversity - we have fairly large AA, Hispanic, LGBT and Indian populations - at least in metro area.
Cons: Traffic - it can be brutal if you are stuck going in certain directions/locations; Education - public schools are kind of crappy; UGA; Matt Ryan
Again, I can't objectively rank it but I see good arguments for it being in the 7-15 range somewhere.
Understood but as I mentioned, Georgia really is one state that gets 4 distinct seasons - especially in the northern third of the state. Definitely avoid June-August. And also, if you like cold and snow - you aren't getting that here either, unless you live in the mountains.I'd put Georgia lower because of the weather. Too hot and humid. But I'm a pale redhead who burns up if I'm in the sun for more than an hour (and would take cold weather over hot weather), which may be why my list was partial to New England and northern states (and NM, which is high desert).
I know. I was shocked they beat out DC too.we're #50!
There's no place I'd rather live right now, with kids in school. (Madison city schools, near Huntsville) but please keep the "secret"
Love living in Northern Virginia. Seasons, lots of stuff to do, many cultures, jobs, schools, parks, easy access to beaches and mountains. DC is in the best condition it has ever been when you go downtown. Traffic sucks but it always does where people actually want to live. You want no traffic, sure, head to the middle of Kansas.I feel like Virginia is either super densely populated really expensive areas mostly in the north, or more rural very “southern” living in the south of Virginia. Personally, I’m not sure either appeals to me a lot.
But that could largely be colored by:
a) my general distaste of the greater DC area and
b) my irritation at the traffic on the 95 corridor between Baltimore and Richmond every time I drive down to my family’s beach house in NC.
Yup. Definitely a thing.That was my first thought, too. It seems like Idaho is the mecca for everyone wanting to leave California, around here.
You think Georgia should be lower or higher?I'm a little surprised at Georgia's ranking (#9) and I can't objectively rank it as I've lived here my entire life. I do think if you are in metro Atlanta area it's a pretty great place to live (minus the traffic).
Solid list with some odd additions in there. NM at #2? Haven't been there but eager to get there someday. RI and NE at 9/10 - you've gotta be freaking kidding me.1. Cali - before it got crowded, it truly seemed like a gift from God. bleak as Hell, moist as love, tall as a good idea. from sea to shining sea all in one state.
2. New Mexico - keeps one humble. you can go to places that make you feel like a fleck of dust and the reason for it all at the same time.
3. Maine - raw dog paradise, if you hit it between the snow & the bugs
4. Oregon - if it didnt rain, we'd all be there
5. New York - love Manhattan, love the Hudson Valley & Finger Lakes & Montauk, loved the Woodstock & Ithaca music scenes backinaday, loooove Lake George
6. Wyoming - i'll take my Rocky Mountain paradise with 11 murderous jackholes instead of 1000s of blissjunkies like Colorado, thank you.
7. Vermont - honest, rugged, ancient
8. Wisconsin - fountain of blondes
9. Rhode Island - Boston without the pain-in-the-asses
10. Nebraska - the state that was most decent to me in my travels, both as a hippie hitchhiker when that was a Martian thing to them and when i drove Rte 20 from coast to coast as a grownup. And the Platte River breaks and Sandhills have very special beauty
my wife was from Beloit and she and her people were all damn near translucent. first time i ran away from home (13-14yo?) i made it all the way from Salem MA to the Dells before i gave in. all i remember is blonde people helping me and non-blondes being jackholes. i stick by my fountain theorySolid list with some odd additions in there. NM at #2? Haven't been there but eager to get there someday. RI and NE at 9/10 - you've gotta be freaking kidding me.
Wisconsin at #8, love it. Except....it's not a fountain of blondes. I grew up there. You are confusing it with Minnesota.