Ohio is the most “uncanny valley” state to me because the scenery and the infrastructure are a lot like Upstate NY but different enough to seem “off” somehow. I still prefer it to the scorching south and lower midwest.
Best local food – New Orleans.
Best international food – New York. Most fun way to spend a day walking around, urban – New York.
Cheapest museums/destinations – Washington DC (most museums and the zoo are free).
Easy, California. It literally has everything any of the other regions claim.
one popular group used girls as a metaphor for what’s best about each area, and I’d have to agree with them:
Well East coast girls are hip
I really dig those styles they wear
And the Southern girls with the way they talk
They knock me out when I’m down there
The Mid-West farmer’s daughters really make you feel alright
And the Northern girls with the way they kiss
They keep their boyfriends warm at night
And their conclusion: I wish they all could be California girls
And California girls be like totally, for sure, whatever.
My son lived in Harlingen for a couple of years, and would definitely agree with you.
Cost of living would also need to be considered. Much of California impresses me as wonderful, but I couldn’t afford to live there in anywhere near the style I live in the Chicago area. Of course, I knew some young people who lived and worked in Honolulu. They lived in a tiny dump, but said all they did was sleep there. Because the weather was so perfect all year long, they lived outside in paradise.
My job would allow me to transfer to office in just about any state. But I have not chosen to do so for a couple of reasons.
-First, one of my kids and my only grandkid live 10 minutes away. But that is irrelevant to this discussion.
-I like having ready access to high quality fresh water. I wonder what (if anything) is going to happen to cities in the SW of So Cal.
-I like that our climate will not kill you. No hurricanes/earthquakes/rare tornadoes… The worst we have is a cold snap where you stay inside for a day or 2.
-I am 20 min from OHare - from which I can fly anywhere direct. So while we lack natural beauty, I can get to it readily.
-IL is sufficiently liberal to satisfy my politics.
-Cost of living is very affordable.
-The nearby city provides any culture/resources I might wish.
I have considered either the NE or NW. But considering all factors, none was sufficiently attractive to make me pull up roots.
We just flew out to Utah and back. Looking out the window at Wyoming, Nebraska - didn’t imagine much out there that would appeal to me. I’d probably consider much of the Great Plains to be the worst for me. Followed closely by parts of the arid SW, and deep south. Would greatly prefer not to live somewhere that was strongly religious and conservative. And as much as Chicago winters suck, as I get older I think I would have difficulty with really hot summers.
Are you going to Toledo? Don’t go to Toledo. Toledo’s the worst. The whole northwest is rubbish*. I hate driving to Xichigan too because Toledo’s in the way. Nothing but farms and highways. When you get to the center of the state and eastward, where the glaciers were, it’s nothing but beautiful rolling hills, fertile valleys and babbling brooks, I tell ya.
*I kid. I can make fun of it because it’s in my state. Like picking on your kid brother.
Florida is a Shit-Hole.
Yeah, any place with natural disasters is right out. I think the NE is probably best for this.
Nothing against the people, but hot and humid places are right out. That eliminates most of the south.
I like to be able to get to the ocean when I want to. That eliminates the middle of the country. I also like to be within driving distance of a big city. That also eliminates much of the country.
I live in the NE, and like it quite a bit, though where I live the summer is still a bit too hot and humid.
If I didn’t have to care about money (was independently wealthy), maybe Hawaii. However I did feel some isolation setting in even in the short time I was there.
I think if money was no object I’d probably pick somewhere in Southern California, within driving range of a big city but not too close. Not a fan of Earthquakes but the weather would more than make up for that.
NY City is my choice for best. Hands down. If I could afford a decent place to live. Up until Nov. 7, 2016, I was seriously considering moving there. Worst? Maybe Mississippi.
The Best: any blue state
The worst: any red state
And yes, I do feel that strongly about it. I’m changing jobs because I can read the writing on the wall and see most of my company’s growth will be in Texas and I refuse to live there.
Another consideration would be how is any particular place going to do in the coming years of climate change. Hard to predict but I would stay out of the really hot states if it was me.
Whatever you do do not move to WA state, it’s horrible here. Horrible I say, just stay away 
Y’all are so predictable.
dale is legion?
Yes, because the ENTIRE state of Texas is full of redneck Trump voters. :rolleyes:
I’m sure the hidden republicans in the blue states are out to get the libs too.
I know lots of people love Florida and many retire there, but having lived there 18-ish years, I grew to hate the state. The only reason I return now is to visit my husband’s parents.
I know there are people who love the desert or love the mountains, but I’d hate having to live in either. I like being near substantial bodies of water. Currently, that would be the Chesapeake Bay, and barring unforeseen circumstances, that is my last home. I grew up in the Baltimore suburbs, so there’s history to my preference for this area. Honestly, I can’t think of any other area I’d rather reside.
No, I’m pretty sure that my vote for Gary was tallied for Gary, and not for Trump. I’m not aware of any election fraud of this type having taken place in Michigan.
Eh, I’ve lived in Delaware for 20+ years. I haven’t so much as lost power from a Hurricane. I live a fair bit inland though.
My votes personally would probably go for either Northern New Mexico/Southern Colorado, or Pacific North west.