Which states would you rather live in? (transplants, home) - City-Data Forum

EclecticEars · 04-03-2008, 10:16 AM

There are many great places to visit, but few that genuinely call out to me as a place to live.

I have only five states that I can definitely say I would ENJOY living in. I currently live in Kentucky and don't enjoy living here at all. I mean, I don't go on in public, at work, around friends, etc. about how little I like it here, b/c that would be inappropriate. (Although, I've done it a couple times in the last couple of months here on C-D.) But, I don't like the culture, inconsistent weather, lacking job market, terrible public school system, burdensome tax structure commensurate to peoples' salaries, and even the annoying twangy accents. I guess I like Ale-8-1 and the UofL Cardinals, but that's about it.

These are my top five states to live in, in order:
1. Texas, by a longshot! The friendliest folks I've met have been from TX. Native Texans love to talk to total strangers, that's for sure, and they're a hard-working, pride-filled bunch (the latter not in a bad way.) I love the state pride demonstrated, for example, by flying the state flag at the same level as the U.S. flag--or, sometimes, even higher. Oh God, I could go on and on all day. The only part of Texas I've ruled out is rural east Texas, but the western 85% of the state I'm willing to try. Some states appear to be better suited for certain types of people. But in Texas, one can grow up, party hard, live a great single life, marry, raise kids in a safe neighborhood, work a comfortable job, and retire happily.

2. Georgia, as long as it's near Savannah or Atlanta. The native Georgians are also very nice. I went to ATL last March and expected to hate it there, but found a very endearing, helpful group of natives who are talkative and smiling. The city is beautiful and green (west of the Chattahoochee and east of I-75, anyway.) Shopping is great, and the ladies are really the prettiest I've ever seen. I really love ATL!

3. North Carolina, but only Charlotte. A very fast growing city with plenty of transplants who are trying to make friends and start a brand new life there. The next 20 years will be booming economic times for the city.

4. Washington, but only Seattle area. Yes, I'm politically conservative, so I'd have to live out in the burbs. But, if only for just 2-3 years, how cool would it be to have the Puget Sound, Lake Washington, and Cascade foothills right at my fingertip? To have Mt. Rainier only 90 minutes away, skiing even less than that? To have hiking in the largest temperate rainforest in the U.S. only two hours away? The culture looks very "outdoorsy" and as a place where people are genuinely nice but leave you with enough room to "find yourself." (But with that, I'm not so sure it would be easy to make lasting friends, hence the 2-3 yr. limit.)

5. New York, but only NYC. A stark contrast from the other four choices (goes w/o saying,) but hey...$1200/mo. will get you some studio in the capitalist and cultural capital of North America, if not the world. Obviously, the tax structure is not people-friendly, but I might be willing to put up with it for 2-3 years to just sample what NYC has to offer.

I'll post a poll. Please choose up to five states. Thanks!

green_mariner · 04-03-2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcm1986

There are many great places to visit, but few that genuinely call out to me as a place to live.

I have only five states that I can definitely say I would ENJOY living in. I currently live in Kentucky and don't enjoy living here at all. I mean, I don't go on in public, at work, around friends, etc. about how little I like it here, b/c that would be inappropriate. (Although, I've done it a couple times in the last couple of months here on C-D.) But, I don't like the culture, inconsistent weather, lacking job market, terrible public school system, burdensome tax structure commensurate to peoples' salaries, and even the annoying twangy accents. I guess I like Ale-8-1 and the UofL Cardinals, but that's about it.

These are my top five states to live in, in order:
1. Texas, by a longshot! The friendliest folks I've met have been from TX. Native Texans love to talk to total strangers, that's for sure, and they're a hard-working, pride-filled bunch (the latter not in a bad way.) I love the state pride demonstrated, for example, by flying the state flag at the same level as the U.S. flag--or, sometimes, even higher. Oh God, I could go on and on all day. The only part of Texas I've ruled out is rural east Texas, but the western 85% of the state I'm willing to try. Some states appear to be better suited for certain types of people. But in Texas, one can grow up, party hard, live a great single life, marry, raise kids in a safe neighborhood, work a comfortable job, and retire happily.

2. Georgia, as long as it's near Savannah or Atlanta. The native Georgians are also very nice. I went to ATL last March and expected to hate it there, but found a very endearing, helpful group of natives who are talkative and smiling. The city is beautiful and green (west of the Chattahoochee and east of I-75, anyway.) Shopping is great, and the ladies are really the prettiest I've ever seen. I really love ATL!

3. North Carolina, but only Charlotte. A very fast growing city with plenty of transplants who are trying to make friends and start a brand new life there. The next 20 years will be booming economic times for the city.

4. Washington, but only Seattle area. Yes, I'm politically conservative, so I'd have to live out in the burbs. But, if only for just 2-3 years, how cool would it be to have the Puget Sound, Lake Washington, and Cascade foothills right at my fingertip? To have Mt. Rainier only 90 minutes away, skiing even less than that? To have hiking in the largest temperate rainforest in the U.S. only two hours away? The culture looks very "outdoorsy" and as a place where people are genuinely nice but leave you with enough room to "find yourself."

5. New York, but only NYC. A stark contrast from the other four choices (goes w/o saying,) but hey...$1200/mo. will get you some studio in the capitalist and cultural capital of North America, if not the world.

I'll post a poll. Please choose up to five states. Thanks!

We agree on Texas and Washington. I have lived in both and like both. I would disagree with you on GA with a passion. I live there and I am trying to get out. North Carolina sounds like a better bet than GA.

My pick: Washington, Texas, Minnesota. A few I haven't been to but would like to live in: Colorado, Alaska, and a possibilty for Illinois(Chicago).

EclecticEars · 04-03-2008, 11:56 AM

Yeeeeee-es! Texas is in the lead thus far.

And what's sad is that Alabama actually has two votes. Alabama?!!! I guess the Gulf Shores area is the only appealing area of the state. Still, the fact that people would vote for that before Kentucky reeeee-eally says something.

cpg35223 · 04-03-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcm1986

Yeeeeee-es! Texas is in the lead thus far.

And what's sad is that Alabama actually has two votes. Alabama?!!! I guess the Gulf Shores area is the only appealing area of the state. Still, the fact that people would vote for that before Kentucky reeeee-eally says something.

Don't know much about Alabama, do you? We moved to Birmingham from Chicago. It's pretty much heaven on earth here.

Steve-o · 04-03-2008, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpg35223

Don't know much about Alabama, do you? We moved to Birmingham from Chicago. It's pretty much heaven on earth here.

Im the opposite. Chicago to Birmingham would be the ultimate nightmare for me.

I chose my home state, Illinois, naturally. Then I chose New Mexico (love Santa Fe), Pennsylvania (so beautiful and lots of cities to choose from), California for its weather and diverse topography, Missouri because I love SW MO.

David Alleyne · 04-03-2008, 03:23 PM

I chose Maryland, California, and Florida. Maryland has two good cities to choose from and I can see myself living there someday. I think FL and California are very good states for me. I didn't vote for these states but I really liked Jersey City,NJ and I grew up in Atlanta, so add New Jerz and GA to my list too.

Scraper Enthusiast · 04-03-2008, 03:37 PM

1. Georgia (My home state. Quality of life is tops in metro Atlanta, as long as you're in the right area. Mountains are closeby, a weekend beach trip. Lots of ammenities, favorable climate, lush vegetation, respectable cost of living, great aesthetics).

2. North Carolina: (Almost like a second home. My wife's family comes from North Carolina, and I find it very similar to Georgia, in growth, accents, religion, topography, vegetation, population, etc.)

3. Virginia (Nice, beautiful state)

4. Alabama (The southern Birmingham suburbs are really nice, particularly Mountain Brook, Vestavia Hills, and Homewood)

5. Oregon (I really like the Keizer/Salem area. More conservative, not insanely liberal like Eugene, or even Portland. Close access to the fantastic, rugged coastline and mountain ranges, as well as Mt. Hood, the Cascades, and the vast forests to the east.

Honorbable mention: Ohio, Kentucky, Washington, Florida, West Virginia, Wisconsin

metro223 · 04-03-2008, 03:38 PM

Iowa, Nebraska, & Kansas are my top 3. I love this region, and plan on staying.

Otherwise I'll just go a little bit further south to Oklahoma & Texas. Another great region.

Scraper Enthusiast · 04-03-2008, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcm1986

Yeeeeee-es! Texas is in the lead thus far.

And what's sad is that Alabama actually has two votes. Alabama?!!! I guess the Gulf Shores area is the only appealing area of the state. Still, the fact that people would vote for that before Kentucky reeeee-eally says something.

Don't let Hollywood shape your image of Alabama.

dxiweodwo · 04-03-2008, 03:45 PM

1. Minnesota: love cold, snowy weather and beautful scenery.

2. Maine- especially the northern part of the state

3. New Hampshire- around Pittsburg it seems to have BEAUTIFUL scenery

4. Alaska- the area between Fairbanks and Coldfoot has the coldest winters in the nation and STILL average over 80 inches of snow. STUNNING SCENERY!!!

5. Wisconsin- the northern part of the state around Rhinelander.