Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Kansas (living, best, state, people)

[PhillytoCincy]

I don't know, there is something about the Great Plains states that have my interest as of late. Originally from Philadelphia, and now living in Cincinnati, I do not hear much about these states, and they seem like mostly foreign lands. I have been to Des Moines, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska each one time. I have been to Missouri many times, and OKC and Tulsa each one time. But I am curious as to what you think of each state. I went to Des Moines and Omaha on business dreading the thought of even visiting, and ended up loving it. Des Moines had a dense feeling downtown, and Omaha had some great venues throughout the city.

Even though these states may be fly over states to most of us; they actually have some great ammenities and cities. So what do you think of each state? And which state do you like the best?

Nebraska has underrated cities in Omaha and Lincoln. Omaha has a diverse economy, and a developing riverfront. Lincoln is a great college town too, and their capital building is really nice.

Iowa is home to some awesome universities and college towns. Des Moines, Davenport, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City are underrated cities to say the least. Eastern Iowa had some nice rolling hills in the eastern half of the state.

Kansas.... what's Witchita like? lol

Oklahoma has two extremely underrated cities, Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Tulsa a bit rundown, had some cool neighborhoods. Oklahoma City was really investing in their downtown which I was suprised by. Had planned on spending my whole night going over my speech for the next day, but ended up exploring Bricktown and having a good time. The Thunder have seem to of brought a new energy to the city, and the new Devon Tower will be a great addition to the skyline.

Missouri is probaly my favorite because of St. Louis. The southern part of the state has scenery that is really unmatched by the other states. Columbia is a nice college town as well as the capital.

So out of the states, which one do you like the best? As I have already stated, I know these states are "fly over" to a lot of people, but they do hold a lot of great attributes. Why do you like a certain state so much, or one over the other? Do you like their cities? People? Colleges? etc...

[Trimac20]

I would say Missouri definitely. It has the Ozarks, St. Louis, KC, a bit of southern culture, history (Mark Twain, Old man river).

[Joy333]

I would say Missouri. St. Louis and Kansas City are awesome, Branson and the Ozarks are beautiful. Columbia is growing leaps and bounds but it's not the capital, Jefferson City 30 miles south is. So much to do from Mark Twain, Laura Ingalls Wilder to dinner at the plaza.

[PhillytoCincy]

Originally Posted by Joy333

I would say Missouri. St. Louis and Kansas City are awesome, Branson and the Ozarks are beautiful. Columbia is growing leaps and bounds but it's not the capital, Jefferson City 30 miles south is. So much to do from Mark Twain, Laura Ingalls Wilder to dinner at the plaza.

Thank you. I was putting it in the same sentence with the University of Missouri.

[Gnutella]

Missouri has the most variable culture, the most diversity, the most interesting geology, and a pair of major cities. It's also where my parents grew up, and where much of my extended family still lives.

[feconi]

I would rank them as follows:

1) Missouri (by far)
2) Oklahoma
3) Nebraska
4) Iowa
5) Kansas

[Omahahonors]

1) Nebraska
2) Iowa
3) Missouri
4) Oklahoma
5) Kansas

[eddie gein]

Originally Posted by Gnutella

Missouri has the most variable culture, the most diversity, the most interesting geology, and a pair of major cities. It's also where my parents grew up, and where much of my extended family still lives.

I'd say Oklahoma has more diverse "geology" than any of the other states mentioned.

In fact Oklahoma has 11 distinct ecoregions which is the most of any state except Alaska, and California. It is tied with Texas on this.

Missouri is unique though in that the cultures in the state are vastly different. River, Ozark, KC, northern Missouri and Central. Oklahoma has this as well but the cultures are not nearly as developed.

Oklahoma is a little bit warmer than the the other states weatherwise.

[Trimac20]

Originally Posted by Omahahonors

1) Nebraska
2) Iowa
3) Missouri
4) Oklahoma
5) Kansas

What on earth puts Nebraska and Iowa ahead of the others? The others have everything those two have and more, except Kansas.

[Omahahonors]

Originally Posted by Trimac20

What on earth puts Nebraska and Iowa ahead of the others? The others have everything those two have and more, except Kansas.

First, Omaha/Lincoln is about the same size as OKC (900,000 + 300,000) while having more stable and more diversified economies and has my type of climate (as similar as they all are, however). Even though the legend of Nebraska is all grass and flat, the geology of the state is very intriguing with the sand hills, loes hills, badlands, many rivers and lakes, forests, prairies, barren/arid landscapes etc..

I have nothing against Oklahoma, Missouri or Kansas. As a matter of fact I think they are some of the best states in the nation. I just find it funny that the first person that put Iowa and Nebraska at the top is suddenly questioned about their motives, lol.