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I am applying to colleges and I picked these three states. Which one is best? I currently am in Alabama and I hate it. I want friendly people, nature, and no country hicks. And i like cold, rain, reading, writing, and animals.
Maine is pretty conservative from what I've heard though, but probably not as much as parts of Alabama. so Maine would be good if that's your cup of tea.
Depending on what part of Oregon you went to it'd probably be major culture shock, but in a good way I think. There are quite a few good schools in Oregon, both public and private. Generally people are really friendly, and we've got plenty of nature and (depending where) plenty of rain.
Maybe if you told us a little more we could give you some more specifics.
I am applying to colleges and I picked these three states. Which one is best? I currently am in Alabama and I hate it. I want friendly people, nature, and no country hicks. And i like cold, rain, reading, writing, and animals.
I think Oregon is your best bet. Lots of nature, rain, not to cold and as for "hicks" I guess it would depend on what part of Oregon. Eugene is very nice and I have heard good things about the college there.
Thanks! I will definitely visit Oregon, if I don't go live there. It sounds like a wonderful place.
I don't really want to go to those private colleges, because I HAVE to be in a college marching band. I love it, and those schools don't have that.
I am planning on majoring in journalism, so far. It will probably change at some point.
I would suggest looking at the colleges themselves. Find out which schools in those states have marching bands and good journalism departments. If you like the setting, but the school doesn't work for you, that's a problem, and you can find most of what you're seeking in any of those three states.
That said, to compare those three states for what you're looking for, the reading and writing part you can probably find in all three. There should be a good intellectual community in any state's college towns, and there does seem to be a tendency for writers and artistic types to be drawn to areas with spectacular natural scenery, which all three of these states have.
What kind of animals do you want? All three have interesting large animals, but they vary from place to place. You'll find moose and black bears in Maine, grizzlies and mountain lions in Montana (and they have grey wolves but I don't know how likely you would be to ever get to see one, as they often shy away from human settlement), and probably grizzlies and mountain lions in Oregon, as well as maybe Bigfoot. Then you'll also have the possibility of seeing marine animals in Maine or Oregon.
You can find cold in all three states, but less rain in Montana than in Maine or western Oregon. Be careful about assuming that all of OR is rainy. The eastern part is as dry as the rest of the interior West. Maine will offer the best combination of rain and cold, while in western OR you'll find less severe cold, but still plenty of chilly weather, and more rainy days.
I'd recommend giving a lot of weight to what the colleges in each state offer, but in much of Maine you'll be closer to larger population centers than in the other two states, while still being able to have a less crowded setting immediately surrounding you. If Maine has colleges offering what you need, that proximity to larger cities is something to consider, since it may mean more opportunities related to your major, such as the number and variety of internships available.
If you visit Oregon, definatly check out Ashland! It sounds like a great fit for you. Eugene too.
And don't be so quick to exclude Washington State. Take a drive up I-5 and check it out. Bellingham would work for you perhaps. Be sure to check out the colleges.
Thank you Ogre!
Actually, I live in a college town in Alabama, and there is NOT a good intellectual community, so that isn't always true.
As for animals, I don't really care which kind, as long as there aren't people hunting them and trying to run over them all the time. I want to live in the kind of place that animals can coexist more safely than here. I want it to be a place that recycles and appreciates the environment. I've heard that it's against the law in Oregon to litter styrofoam products or something like that.
I don't want to live in a largely populated town, but I do believe it would be better for college and journalism. I am going to EXTENSIVELY check into all three colleges. They all sound so wonderful!
I have many months to decide though. I guess I'm just an over-excited teenager.
Thanks to everyone for all the helpful advice so far!
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. Then you'll also have the possibility of seeing marine animals in Maine or Oregon. 
