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Just a simple question to get some discussion going. What does the midwest have to offer that is wholly unique and special that can't be obtained on the west and east coast metropolitan areas? What do you consider special(terrain,people, dining scene,outdoors ect?)
Just a simple question to get some discussion going. What does the midwest have to offer that is wholly unique and special that can't be obtained on the west and east coast metropolitan areas? What do you consider special(terrain,people, dining scene,outdoors ect?)
In some cases, a lower cost-of-living, a less frenetic pace, a change of seasons ( in contrast to the West Cost), perhaps more of a sense of tradition..
Careers in agriculture and ranching. Not to say that those professions are completely absent from the coasts, but they are definitely less common there.
Probably what MassVt said. I've never been (except Chicago which I don't really count) but I imagine it attracts lots of traditional, conservative-type folks. And again, the low cost of living. Given the choice between living in Omaha without worrying about money or LA/NYC and living paycheck to paycheck, I'd take Omaha.
Oh, I don't know. Let's see: fewer gangs, fewer pretentious types, houses that people can actually afford, good school districts, minimal air pollution, and fabulous cities with historic architecture and plentiful cultural offerings that aren't completely yuppified.
In terms of aesthetic appeal: the Great Lakes, rolling hills, lush green forests, snow, windswept prairies, and pleasant summers.
IDK if the snow is an advantage, didn't they offer a tax credit this year to people who lived in parts of Nebraska because of insane snowstorms? I mean they must have been some really crazy storms to make the IRS give people tax credits.
Oh, I don't know. Let's see: fewer gangs, fewer pretentious types, houses that people can actually afford, good school districts, minimal air pollution, and fabulous cities with historic architecture and plentiful cultural offerings that aren't completely yuppified.
In terms of aesthetic appeal: the Great Lakes, rolling hills, lush green forests, snow, windswept prairies, and pleasant summers.
To me, it's all about attitude, pace of life, soul!
Believe it or not, middle America, even the parts FAR from the great lakes, has great, rich history throughout.
The city of Detroit has been held by 4 different nations and led the way for America's rise into an industrial superpower. It's also produced some major cultural icons.
The city of Chicago is the major financial center of the Great Lakes/plains region. You can thank it for making progress in the scientific, economic, political, and social realms. It's also produced some major artists, thinkers, musicians, leaders, etc.. A big city feel with more of an emphasis on the working man rather than the playing man.
Other major metros that have contributed greatly to America and have a lot of appeal due to rich culture, opportunities, and lifestyles:
Cleveland, Twin Cities, Omaha, Kansas City, Sioux Falls, Cincinnati, Columbus, Indianapolis, the major Illinois cities south of Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, Duluth, Fargo, St. Cloud, Des Moines, Topeka, Akron, Toledo, Youngstown, Dayton
It's not all just empty flat meadows!
Illinois has some hilly areas, as does Iowa. Ohio has several mountains in the southeastern corner. The Mississippi/Missouri rivers carve the region. The Great Lakes have LONG defined the economy of the area as well.
The area is an intellectual hotspot, with many public ivies including 2 of the original 8 (Miami of OH and Michigan):
Miami (OH)
Michigan
Iowa
Indiana
Illinois
Michigan State
Ohio State
Minnesota
Wisconsin
The South, by comparison, has 3 public ivies, the West coast including the UC campuses as public entities matches it with 9.
The East coast has 10, but also a far higher population and longer history of establishment.
The Midwest is a great place to live. Imagine stepping out onto your back porch with a ham and maple biscuit and a hot cup of coffee, it's a brisk 55 degrees and the sun is rising over the blue waters of Lake Michigan on a clear morning. The calm sound of the waves washing against the shore is broken only by the birds chirping in the background. You don't worry about your finances because your lakeside home cost under $200k and is in perfect shape. Your job is laid back, relaxed, and puts little pressure on you, typical 9 to 5, you don't need to work overtime. You can drive a nice car and have room to drive said car as the streets in most cities in the region don't reach gridlock like the east/west coast (Chicago is an exception here). You have no worries, no problems and you're a part of one of the most beautiful scenes on the planet, every morning.
It's kinda like this, but not just limited to one state. It's a spiritual thing!
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