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I won't pick my state because that's a given and uninteresting and IMO picking your own state is a waste of a pick.
It's hard to pick my favorite states. I like aspects of everywhere I've been, and I love some states that I haven't extensively traveled, so I love them based off of a small area within them, which makes my opinion on them narrow but nonetheless I'll share. In no particular order, I like:
New York. Really only for the city, but the city is so relevant in my life that I can't NOT pick New York. Parts of upstate are great, too, including the Adirondacks. A family friend has a house in Lake George and it's really beautiful up there.
Maine. This is an example of a state I love but haven't traveled much. I've never been north (or west) of Ogunquit, of the extreme southern coast. I've spent a few summers vacationing in York Beach and fallen in love. I love the look of the rockier coast, it's a nice change, and the New England coastal look and feel in general. I love Maine's lighthouses and the coastal vibe there in the summer. I have fond memories and a fond connection there, as my mom's family grew up vacationing there every single year and close family friends from that time still live there and we still see them, so I think the connection and love I have for Maine is more emotional than anything. I really want to go to Acadia National Park some day as well.
Florida. *Sigh.* Florida is for sure a weird place where weird things happen and weird people seem to flock to but I can't help but love it. I really only love it for its beaches, because I am a beach-oriented person and like white sand and warm, clear blue water and a more topical atmosphere. I can do without the humidity but it's more bearable when you're on the beach. Florida reminds me of relaxing and warmth and a more tropical setting. I think of palm trees and a relaxed lifestyle. Stereotypical and not realistic if you live in Florida (unless you live right near the beach), yes, but this is what I think of and when I go to Florida this is what I do. I feel an odd connection with Florida, being from NJ, considering many older people retire down there or live their winters down there and the rest of the year up here. You know at least one person who now lives in Florida when you're from this part of the Northeast.
This was hard. Runner-ups included Massachusetts and Virginia because I'm a sucker for colonial history. I didn't want to be lame and pick MA (close fourth, practically a tie for third) because then I'd pick all Northeastern states and seem biased or not well traveled or something.
I completely agree about the weird part, its such interesting place to live I mean news outlets have so much material to report because you can bet something crazy has happened.
I've only been to the eastern side of the country, with the exception of Vegas, so my selection is a bit more narrow than some of yours. I'd say my favorite states, based on the beauty of the landscape, things to do, and general atmosphere, would be Virginia, Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
I havent explored very many states unfortunately but heres the favorites.
Tennessee - mountains, nashville, quiet country life
Florida - beaches, disney, lots to do, good food, really love south FL
Arizona - beautiful dessert near sedona, grand Canyon, lots of history
I have always liked what iv heard about s carolina and virgina but havent visited enough to really make them faves.
Please note that I am asking for your PERSONAL OPINION so I'd hope people can refrain from debating and arguing - I'd like to keep this thread positive!
My three favorite states - in order of preference - are:
Virginia
Texas
And....
OK, the third one was tough because I have several favorite states that could be #3, but I finally settled on...
North Carolina
Here are my reasons:
Virginia - Virginia has everything I like - four pretty evenly spaced seasons, many historical sites, beautiful beaches, gorgeous mountains, lots of pleasantly meandering rivers and rolling hills and valleys, Southern charm, vibrant metro areas, close proximity to states with more of the same, enough transplants to keep the culture shifting and interesting, great food traditions, and it's nostalgic to me because not only did I live there as a child, but my daughter and her family also lived in the very same area for several years - AND our ancestors actually settled in Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown in the 1600s and 1700s (one of our ancestors was Nicholas Martiau who was the main city planner for Yorktown. So I feel a lot of personal connectivity with the state.
I love the Tidewater region especially. Seafaring and living near a coast are both in my blood and I spent many a childhood day laying in the bottom of a flat bottom boat dozing among the cattails as the boat drifted along the little tidal pools and eddies.
One of my earliest childhood memories is of standing at the water's edge on a windswept Virginia beach, looking eastward and thinking, "My ancestors came from that direction." My parents instilled a love of family history early!
Texas - I freely admit - I didn't like Texas at ALL the first year or two that I lived here! In fact, I hated it with a passion. I think it started with my alarm at waking up to the morning "Livestock report." What the heck was I doing living in a place that necessitated a livestock report???????? I couldn't get my head around the whole cowboy persona of the state. But one day I realized, "It's not so bad here." Then a year or so later, I realized, "I really like it here." Within three years I was LOVING ME SOME TEXAS.
I love the people of this state - the heady mixture of cultures. Here in East Texas we have a good mixture of Anglo, African American, and Mexican influences and I'm a big fan of the results. The Texas mentality seems to be friendly but independent - Texans are more than willing to help anyone, as long as that person is trying their best. I like that mentality.
I really like that native Texans are quick to share their state - and the title of Texan - with anyone who appreciates and respects the state. You don't have to have been born here to be considered a Texan.
I love the big Texas cities - Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin and Houston are some of my favorite destinations. I also really like the different landscapes in Texas (with the exception of south Texas - not too fond of that scruffy look) - from the green, rolling hills and pastures of East Texas to the striking beauty of the Texas Hill Country, to the windswept western plains of Texas. I like it all - and everywhere I go I see that gorgeous canopy also known as the Big Texas Sky.
I love love love love East Texas winter, spring and fall. I tolerate Texas summers - but since I'm southern born and bred, the heat doesn't really get to me till July and August. Small price to pay for these gorgeous, mild, mostly sunny winters!
I also love that my family is close by. After many nomadic years, we're all settling down in Texas and building our lives here and I love having my parents, my kids, and my grandkids close by. Well - relatively close - Texas is a big state!
North Carolina - I love NC for many of the same reasons I love Virginia. NC strikes me as the country cousin of an elegant Virginian. And I mean that in a good way. I really like the atmosphere of rural North Carolina - especially the Appalachian influences. But NC also has some very fine metro areas which manage to combine the best elements of urban and southern cultures. Great mix.
Your turn!
Texas because its home and i have too many other reasons to list.Arizona.I fell in love it with when i went to the Grand Canyon years ago.I have always loved New Mexico.
I live in Texas now but I wouldn’t have it in my top 3.
Top 3:
New York- I was born upstate. It’s beautiful. I kayaked and hiked all the time, which is something that’s difficult to do in Houston. Upstate NY is close to mountains and farms, but also close to 4 major cities (~4 hour drive): Montreal, Boston, Philadelphia, New York City. Right now in Houston, TX the only places I can reasonably drive to are just other Texan cities and maybe NOLA. I almost feel stuck unless I hop on an airplane.
North Carolina: has 4 seasons but a less severe winter. Has mountains and a coast line. Low cost of living but with a major biotech hub (Raleigh) which is my field.
Washington or California: both gorgeous places with lots of outdoor activity, but expensive as hell
Minnesota, Oregon, and Alaska in no particular order.
All three have large stretches of forest wilderness and a social love of the outdoors. I also think all three tend to be misunderstood and not very well known beyond cheesy stereotypes.
1. MI- I love the upper peninsula, it's spectacular, especially in the fall. I love all the lakes and rivers, the beaches and dunes and forests, the white birch and the quaking aspens, the farms and orchards, going camping from May to September or October.
2. TN- the mild four seasons with just a bit of winter snow, the mountains, lakes, rivers and waterfalls, the ability to hop on the interstate and visit so many other nearby areas, the easy COL
3. FL- I don't want to live there again but it's easily the place I'd love to go back to visit again and again because the beaches are great, the springs and swamps, and just such a variety of things to see and do. BUT, I have yet to visit any New England states so my preference might change once I do that!
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