# What are your top 5 favorite states that aren't your own? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 10, 2015, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728 "2015-07-10T03:02:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728/21 "2015-07-10T16:25:42Z")
Washington State Colorado South Dakota Wyoming And this last one may sound kinda weird, but… Iowa ---
**Author:** ![Doyle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doyle/32/439_2.png) [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728/22 "2015-07-10T16:27:31Z")
Colorado Texas California Hawaii Florida ---
**Author:** ![Kiros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/439d5e/32.png) [@Kiros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiros)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728/23 "2015-07-10T16:45:46Z")
New Hampshire (cheap booze, some fun outdoorsy stuff) Vermont (awesome breweries, they at least thought about UHC seriously, some fun outdoorsy stuff) Maine (cheap lobster, Portland is a great long weekend, some fun outdoorsy stuff) Washington (Seattle, some fun outdoorsy stuff) Illinois (Chicago… does Illinois have outdoorsy stuff? I guess the lake counts? But Chicago is awesome enough on its own) (Not eligible: MA, CT, MD) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728/24 "2015-07-10T17:41:45Z")
1. Wisconsin 2. Washington 3. Minnesota 4. New York 5. Massachusetts ---
**Author:** ![Sangahyando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f14d63/32.png) [@Sangahyando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sangahyando)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728/25 "2015-07-10T17:44:24Z")
Can non-US folks participate (obviously, without the “home state” bit)? I’m not American – reckon myself reasonably well-informed about the USA, but have never personally visited the Western Hemisphere. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728/26 "2015-07-10T17:57:58Z")
> [@Sangahyando](#): > > Can non-US folks participate (obviously, without the “home state” bit)? I’m not American – reckon myself reasonably well-informed about the USA, but have never personally visited the Western Hemisphere. Sure, it is just a causal poll for fun. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728/27 "2015-07-10T18:24:28Z")
I’m in Colorado and from California which are my top two states after that I’ll go in the order I am interested in living in other states. Idaho (Coeur d’Alene area) Montana (Missoula area) Washington (Spokane area) New Hampshire (Portsmouth area) Hawaii (Pūpūkea area) Really my first three are really a single area but I start running out of places I’m interested in living if I combine them into a single. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728/28 "2015-07-10T18:53:03Z")
Well, lets see, these are states I think I would enjoy living in. 1. Vermont 2. New York 3. Connecticut 4. New Hampshire 5. South Carolina I’ve never been to any of them, so I might actually hate them, but they appeal to something in me. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728/29 "2015-07-10T19:19:00Z")
Alaska (born and raised) Washington Utah (for the parks and pueblos) South Dakota (Black Hills) Western Montana/Wyoming ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728/30 "2015-07-10T19:36:13Z")
Hawaii California New York Massachusetts Florida ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728/31 "2015-07-10T19:38:06Z")
**Maine** - Some of the best times of my life were spent at a place called Spencer Pond. About 5 miles down a dirt road, through the woods, in Baxter State Park. **Massachusetts** - Because that’s where Boston is. My second home. Go Sox! **Alaska** - I spent several summers in Juneau with my Aunt, when I was a kid. **Florida** - Only because that’s where Disney World is. I LOVE Disney World. **Wyoming** - A dude ranch there has a special place in my heart. I would buy the place if I could. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728/32 "2015-07-10T19:45:54Z")
VERY hard to keep down to 5, but… in no special order: 1. Nebraska (nicest, friendliest people ANYWHERE) 2. North Carolina 3. Hawaii 4. Washington 5. Oregon ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728/33 "2015-07-10T20:00:01Z")
I live in New York, so that’s the one that’s excluded. My top 5 others are: 1. Missouri 2. Hawaii 3. Wisconsin 4. Oklahoma 5. Arizona Almost made the cut (in no particular order): Florida, Kentucky, South Dakota. ---
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728/34 "2015-07-10T20:31:32Z")
In no particular order California Hawaii New York Colorado Oregon ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728/35 "2015-07-10T22:09:37Z")
I’ve been to 34 states. I live in California. I only have three other favorites: Colorado Washington Oregon ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728/36 "2015-07-10T23:36:27Z")
Michigan – somewhere in the northern part of the LP. Maine New Hampshire Vermont Wisconsin would make my list if they hadn’t been so crazy lately – I’m looking at you Walker. ---
**Author:** ![Sangahyando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f14d63/32.png) [@Sangahyando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sangahyando)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728/37 "2015-07-11T09:12:14Z")
> [@Sangahyando](#): > > Can non-US folks participate (obviously, without the “home state” bit)? I’m not American – reckon myself reasonably well-informed about the USA, but have never personally visited the Western Hemisphere. > [@Shagnasty](#): > > Sure, it is just a causal poll for fun. Grand ! My five, then, are: Washington State Oregon (Feel that I can’t choose one and not the other. The Pacific North-West has always been the part of the US which has appealed to me most of all: magnificent, beautiful and extensive seacoast / forest / mountain / other kinds of wilderness areas, great for wildlife [including being the country’s reputed no.1 spot for Bigfoot, if one is credulous enough]. And on the whole, nice people.) Maine – with the traits of the PNW as above, only an eastern version, and minus large hairy cryptids. People reputedly likeable, if on the reserved side. New Mexico – which I’ve found enchanting, since reading _Fire Season_ by Philip Connors – one gathers, much of it a terrific mountain-and-forest wilderness area, of a climatically warmer kind than those mentioned above. And who could resist a region which has a town called Truth Or Consequences? And am inclined to list Nebraska, if only because it seems on the whole so much overlooked – scenically dull, little of particular interest or note – one feel that the state needs somebody to love it. (Though I note that it’s on **astorian** ’s list.) (I’d have liked to include Alaska; but had enough trouble picking five from the Lower 48.) ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728/38 "2015-07-11T12:07:23Z")
1. Hawaii. Because it’s Hawaii 2. District of Columbia - I know it’s not a state, but I’d happily live there if not for the summer heat. If I can’t count DC, then substitute Virginia 3. New York-More for NYC, but I’d visit other areas of the state 4. Massachusetts - Again, more for Boston than the rest of the state 5. Colorado - Great weather. ---
**Author:** ![GoodOmens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@GoodOmens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GoodOmens)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728/39 "2015-07-11T12:11:55Z")
Minnesota, Oregon, Wisconsin, NY. I guess Louisiana for the 5th only because of my visit to New Orleans. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2015, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728/40 "2015-07-11T12:30:41Z")
Delaware New Jersey Ohio Mississippi Oklahoma Wait, no; kidding, let’s start again. Wyoming Arizona Washington Maine Vermont Excluded due to having lived there: Colorado, California, Pennsylvania [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-top-5-favorite-states-that-arent-your-own/724728.md?page=3)