Ava
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Post by Ava on Apr 10, 2013 18:48:46 GMT -5
In your opinion, what's the best U.S. state to live and why? What do you take into account? Being geographically close to family, weather, job opportunities, etc. Do you currently live in your "dream" state? Do you plan to move there, or have you lived there in the past?
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MarleyKeezy78
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Post by MarleyKeezy78 on Apr 10, 2013 19:08:17 GMT -5
I have to admit, I used to think it was California but growing up in Michigan (lived in Cali for two years) and now back in Michigan for many years, I love it here. I live in a really nice little town but can drive to the D for some big city or drive a few hours north and get some nice woodsy time, Traverse City for Cherry Fest. Mackinac Island, west to Lake Michigan and Ann Arbor for some fun college town times We also have Kid Rock and Eminem Oh and Motown! ETA: And Bob Seger! Among some cool actors (Tim Allen, Jeff Daniels) and more I can't think of right now!
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MarleyKeezy78
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Post by MarleyKeezy78 on Apr 10, 2013 19:13:57 GMT -5
I also meant to say that we really don't have tornados, earthquakes, no hurricanes or some rough stuff like that, we have a lot of snow sometimes but is worth it
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2013 19:15:28 GMT -5
I've only lived in PA? It's ok. I don't think I could give an opinion based on better or worse as I have no real comparison?
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Apr 10, 2013 19:18:35 GMT -5
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shelby
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Post by shelby on Apr 10, 2013 19:27:07 GMT -5
I think we will all be partial, but I love the Seattle area minus the rain. We have a decent sized city with good restaurants, culture, festivals, music scene, decent economy, a relatively young population to make it feel lively and energetic. The area is beautiful with lakes the ocean nearby you only have to drive about an hour to get to the mountains for camping, hiking, skiing, fishing etc. etc. The weather is decent if you don't mind rain the winters are mild maybe a week at most of snow that never sticks around for long. The summers are nice 70s to 80s and it really makes the rain (well almost) worth it. I have traveled to many different states and really they never compare to home. So if we could just cut the rain and cloudy down in half it would be perfect. ETA: did I mention the rain
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2013 19:32:25 GMT -5
I've loved Seattle when I've been... But of the 8 days it rained once? ... I know I wouldn't be able to take it under 'normal' conditions...
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Apr 10, 2013 19:46:23 GMT -5
I think we will all be partial, but I love the Seattle area minus the rain. We have a decent sized city with good restaurants, culture, festivals, music scene, decent economy, a relatively young population to make it feel lively and energetic. The area is beautiful with lakes the ocean nearby you only have to drive about an hour to get to the mountains for camping, hiking, skiing, fishing etc. etc. The weather is decent if you don't mind rain the winters are mild maybe a week at most of snow that never sticks around for long. The summers are nice 70s to 80s and it really makes the rain (well almost) worth it. I have traveled to many different states and really they never compare to home. So if we could just cut the rain and cloudy down in half it would be perfect. ETA: did I mention the rain other than the rain (which I could deal with, if I had an appropriate haircut) I wonder why I haven't already moved out there. are there any pharmaceutical companies in the Seattle area? I'm in biotech now, but what I do would transfer across the whole Pharma field. I'm in automation with a PLC/HMI/SCADA concentration. serious question, I'm looking at unloading my condo in the next few weeks. other than nostalgia and being "home" there is really nothing tying me here right now.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2013 19:48:28 GMT -5
How about my sister just paid 400k for a fixer upper she basically gutted ... Seattle isn't a cheap place to live.
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shelby
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Post by shelby on Apr 10, 2013 19:55:25 GMT -5
I think we will all be partial, but I love the Seattle area minus the rain. We have a decent sized city with good restaurants, culture, festivals, music scene, decent economy, a relatively young population to make it feel lively and energetic. The area is beautiful with lakes the ocean nearby you only have to drive about an hour to get to the mountains for camping, hiking, skiing, fishing etc. etc. The weather is decent if you don't mind rain the winters are mild maybe a week at most of snow that never sticks around for long. The summers are nice 70s to 80s and it really makes the rain (well almost) worth it. I have traveled to many different states and really they never compare to home. So if we could just cut the rain and cloudy down in half it would be perfect. ETA: did I mention the rain other than the rain (which I could deal with, if I had an appropriate haircut) I wonder why I haven't already moved out there. are there any pharmaceutical companies in the Seattle area? I'm in biotech now, but what I do would transfer across the whole Pharma field. I'm in automation with a PLC/HMI/SCADA concentration. serious question, I'm looking at unloading my condo in the next few weeks. other than nostalgia and being "home" there is really nothing tying me here right now. I am not familiar with the industry so I cannot say but a quick search turned up 7 companies.
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Apr 10, 2013 19:58:53 GMT -5
I've only ever lived in Pennsylvania. It's okay; there are worse states and there are better states. But I love the Philadelphia area, Philly is definitely home to me. It's not cheap to live here, but it is cheaper than NYC or DC, and the 2-3 hour proximity to a lot of different regions (urban, mountains, shore, rural) is a plus. It's fucking cold in the winter and fucking hot in the summer, but spring and fall rule!
ETA: Career-wise, I'm in medical editing and Philly has a good amount of work in the medical publishing/testing field. Chicago would be another good city for this particular industry.
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Apr 10, 2013 20:01:12 GMT -5
I haven't lived there, but if I didn't have any family or work ties to my current area, I think Colorado would be nice. Then again, I'm a person of moderate tastes, so to me there's no one area (at least of the US) that stands out as "best." If I absolutely loved snow or oceans or mountains or 90 degree weather, I might be more strongly drawn to a specific area. Indiana as a state has its good and bad points, but I do love my city - low COL, lots of activities, (relatively) diverse population, decent job market, and lots of rivers and parks. Good thing, since I'd be reluctant to move away from family and it would suck to be stuck somewhere I hated just because my ancestors decided to breed here
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Apr 10, 2013 20:03:04 GMT -5
I live in upstate NY. If my family wasn't here, I probably wouldn't live here. Freaking cold in the winter and economically distressed. However, it's just about paradise in the summer. Aka july.
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Peace Of Mind
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Post by Peace Of Mind on Apr 10, 2013 20:11:21 GMT -5
Florida because it's one of the best states EVAH! But only certain parts of it. You know. Like where people have their teeth and stuff. Ha! Swamp may disagree with that after her "vacation".
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chiver78
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Post by chiver78 on Apr 10, 2013 20:18:22 GMT -5
How about my sister just paid 400k for a fixer upper she basically gutted ... Seattle isn't a cheap place to live. that doesn't give me a warm and fuzzy feeling
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Apr 10, 2013 20:30:15 GMT -5
I was raised as an AF brat, so moved a LOT as a child. As an adult, I've worked in 4 different states.
My mom always said a place is what you make it. If you are going to be miserable, then you're going to be miserable regardless of the weather and what there is to do. So each place I lived I took the good and discarded the bad. When I lived in upstate NY, the weather most of the year was crap and it was freaking cold. But I learned how to ski and the summers are gorgeous. When I lived in Boston, it was still cold but I took advantage of as many things to do as I could. When I lived in TX, the weather was miserably hot but I still found ways to live and enjoy it. In KY, the weather was more moderate but it has some of the best bike riding I have found in the nation.
Where ever I go, and whatever I will do, I will figure out a way of making the best of something....because life is too short to worry about living in the perfect state.
JMHO
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2013 20:34:03 GMT -5
I don't think California is a great state, but it is where San Diego is located so I have to say California.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Apr 10, 2013 20:52:28 GMT -5
I was born and raised in California, but I moved away almost 40 years ago when I went into the Air Force. I have lived in Maryland for about the last 35 years, and I like it here very much. It is expensive, and the taxes are considered on the high side, but currently probably most of the tax money is being spent on services and infrastructure (it wasn't always that way). The roads are good, at least in my part of the state the police and fire services are good, the schools are good, and the economy has weathered the recent economic woes fairly well. There are several highly regarded hospitals and some very good medical schools here, so there is access to good healthcare. There is a lot to do very nearby and within less than a one-day drive. It's a pretty good place to live. I have no really close family left, so I don't have that to draw me to any other location. I am happier here than I was in California. I feel that I fit in better here, and the professional opportunities available to me here were a better fit for my skills.
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zibazinski
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Post by zibazinski on Apr 10, 2013 20:58:26 GMT -5
I've lived in Michigan, Oregon, and Florida. They all are beautiful in their own way but Florida has nice winters and warm water. It's home, all others are just places.
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Apr 10, 2013 21:30:58 GMT -5
My mom always said a place is what you make it. If you are going to be miserable, then you're going to be miserable regardless of the weather and what there is to do. So each place I lived I took the good and discarded the bad. When I lived in upstate NY, the weather most of the year was crap and it was freaking cold. But I learned how to ski and the summers are gorgeous. When I lived in Boston, it was still cold but I took advantage of as many things to do as I could. When I lived in TX, the weather was miserably hot but I still found ways to live and enjoy it. In KY, the weather was more moderate but it has some of the best bike riding I have found in the nation.
Where ever I go, and whatever I will do, I will figure out a way of making the best of something....because life is too short to worry about living in the perfect state.
Mich; I admire your attitude, it's very positive. The idea of the thread is just to discuss something that, to me, is fascinating; the fact that this country is so diverse. Compare, for instance, New Orleans, LA, and New York, NY. You are still in the same country. Compare Hawaii and Alaska, again, you are still in the same country. Don't you think is fascinating?
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Apr 10, 2013 21:41:19 GMT -5
I disagree. I LOVED the city where I was born, I missed it terribly when we left. I lived in MD for about 15 yrs and HATED it. We lived in MA for about 3 yrs - I couldn't get out fast enough.
Now, I love where we are.
Yes, you can take the good and disregard the bad, but it doesn't mean that if you don't like it somewhere, it means that you are going to be miserable everywhere.
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cronewitch
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Post by cronewitch on Apr 10, 2013 21:41:38 GMT -5
Seattle and other Western WA places is my first choice/only choice. I was born here so most of my family is here. I love the overcast sky not sun, sun is too bright for me. Weather is good, no snow this year usually only a day or two a year. Earthquakes but not often. seldom any volcanos actually erupting no other natural disasters to speak of. Employment has always been pretty easy to find with good benefits. Recreation abounds, Puget Sound, Pacific Ocean, lakes, rivers everywhere so free seafood everywhere. Mountians where you can visit the snow and plenty of forest nearby. Cruise ships are right downtown so you can take a cruise without taking a plane to get to the ship. You want hot weather go to Eastern WA in the summer, want cool weather go to the mountians of ocean beaches anytime.
I don't do night life or culture so even when I was single and wanted to go out at night I would just go fish off a pier in the Sound.
I have lived in AZ, AK, GA, MI, CA, OH, FL but didn't care much for them. I don't like flat, sunny, dry places.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Apr 10, 2013 21:52:49 GMT -5
I don't particularly like to travel and I've lived in the same suburb all my life so I'm kinda a "home body". I know I really like Big Cities. I live near (and work) in one. The little bit of travel I have done I've mostly enjoyed going to other Big Cities. I like to be surrounded by millions of people even though I'm an introvert and a tiny bit antisocial. So, if I didn't have to move somewhere else, I think living near Chicago is the best place to be... lots of sports, a nice lake front, music, cool stuff to do year round. The 'Burbs have lots of stuff going on too. There's always something to do somewhere - or just chill out at home or at relatives or friends all within an hour or less drive (or train ride).
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Ava
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Post by Ava on Apr 10, 2013 22:17:35 GMT -5
I love big cities! Rural, small town, OK for a while, or to take a break.
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Knee Deep in Water Chloe
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Post by Knee Deep in Water Chloe on Apr 10, 2013 22:55:05 GMT -5
I've only ever lived on the west coast. I've lived in California and Oregon. I've traveled throughout Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and California. I cannot imagine living anywhere besides the west coast. I couldn't give up the Pacific Ocean. I can't afford to live in California, so we live in Oregon. I do think Washington would have too much rain for me. Oregon is an incredibly poor state though, and that can be tough.
I'm excited for retirement because our plan is to explore the rest of North America.
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MarleyKeezy78
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Post by MarleyKeezy78 on Apr 10, 2013 23:16:26 GMT -5
I do think the west coast is beautiful, all the way up to Seattle. The Keys are very pretty and I would love to go to Maine because it looks so pretty But Michigan has my heart
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susanb
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Post by susanb on Apr 11, 2013 1:27:42 GMT -5
In your opinion, what's the best U.S. state to live and why? What do you take into account? Being geographically close to family, weather, job opportunities, etc. Do you currently live in your "dream" state? Do you plan to move there, or have you lived there in the past? When looking at a place to live, I want: 1. COL 2. An international population - Interacting with people from different cultures is very important to me. I am also inspired by all of the business owners who are first generation immigrants. In Las Vegas, there is a chain of liquor stores owned by Hae Un Lee. When he arrived in this country, he didn't speak English. The business school at UNLV is the Lee business school because he donated 15M. Being surrounded by stories and energy like that is very motivational for me. 3. Weather - no snow for months and months on end for me. 4. Food - I want to be able to have amazing Cuban, Thai, American, Peruvian, etc... food. 5. Energy - I love the energy of a city. There are more possibilities and opportunities than I could ever take advantage of. 6. Traffic - This is where the conflict lies. It is hard to find a LCOLA/MCOLA with a large international population and great food with reasonable traffic. So, for me, I think a city is a better fit than a small town and I have dream cities more than dream states.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 11, 2013 2:20:00 GMT -5
I am from Michigan, but I am not a fan at all of the cold winters so I do not want to retire there. I do love the D, but I seriously hate the cold.
I don't know where we will choose to retire. I know I am an oddball. I LOVE the big cities, but most of the big cities I love are in cold places in the states. I love the heat of the south, but I haven't experienced very many big cities. I am not a rural person at all. I would probably go crazy living out in the country.
I have found that I love Europe. I love the culture, the cities, the countryside...everything. I have never felt more at home than I do here. Right now we are visiting Barcelona and I am absolutely in love with this city. I wish I could find "Barcelona" in the states.
If we retire in the states I need to be around culture, diversity, etc.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Apr 11, 2013 10:12:57 GMT -5
I disagree. I LOVED the city where I was born, I missed it terribly when we left. I lived in MD for about 15 yrs and HATED it. We lived in MA for about 3 yrs - I couldn't get out fast enough. Now, I love where we are. Yes, you can take the good and disregard the bad, but it doesn't mean that if you don't like it somewhere, it means that you are going to be miserable everywhere. Since I said that I was an AF brat and this was how I was raised, you really need to consider the mindset. We had NO control of where we lived for my entire life, we went where the AF sent us. If you go into a place with the mindset that you are going to be miserable, you WILL be miserable. You can either figure a way to not be miserable or to take the good of a place and let the rest of the crap roll off your back. I have more favorite and less favorite places that I have lived. But I was not going to be miserable because of a location.
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HoneyBBQ
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Post by HoneyBBQ on Apr 11, 2013 10:21:12 GMT -5
I've lived in many different states, traveled quite extensively around the world.... and moved to Seattle (Washington state) because of it's beauty, nature, culture, vibe, etc. It fits well into my persona. I'm a crunchy outdoorsey type person, and it just melds with me. Zooming (or creeping) down I-5 to work and seeing the Olympics on my right, the Cascades on my left, and Mt Rainier in front of me... it just takes my breath away. I'm like Heidi... 'where are the mountains '
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