NationStates Jolt Archive

Hi ya'll. I was just thinking about how different people in the US are. The folks on the other continents don't really seem to grasp the geographic cultural variety in the US. It is not a homogenized colection of Democrats or Republicans. Not only is it ethnically diverse in a beautiful way which no other nation has been able to replicate (in fact many can't even come close) but the US STATES also each have a rich and colorful identity all their own. (Some have several)

There is no doubt that Hawaii has a much different culture than say, Kentucky which is very different from New Jersey. It is a beautiful spectrum which spans the continent.

I am curious; which of the fifty US states is YOUR favorite? Why? Please share.

(poll coming)

Louisiana ... more specifically, southern Louisiana .... even more specifically, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Why? If you have to ask, you'll never know, my friend.

Greatest city on the planet and nobody can ever prove otherwise.

I just hope that hurricane doesn't wash away too much of it. I have family there. :(

Either California or Washington. Large, growing high tech sectors, plenty of jobs, low unemployment rates, and progressively Democratic.

Least favorite: Michigan (for economic reasons)

West Dakota

Canada.

Louisiana ... more specifically, southern Louisiana .... even more specifically, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Why? If you have to ask, you'll never know, my friend.

Greatest city on the planet and nobody can ever prove otherwise.

I just hope that hurricane doesn't wash away too much of it. I have family there. :(

The way things are looking right now it is about to become the Sea of New Orleans.... Good luck to them - I've been there. (note my sig)

Either Florida or New York.

Either Florida or New York.
Considering that New Yorkers have flooded South Florida, they are basically the same, except for the weather.

The Lone Star State works for me, but I wouldn’t expect it to appeal to everyone.

Delaware!!!

Small but badass.

Ok. I'll take back my earlier answer. I have been to New York, Missouri, Nevada and California... I'd hate to say some of those was my favourite. I'm saying Minnesota. Yeah. I think I'd feel at home there.

Considering that New Yorkers have flooded South Florida, they are basically the same, except for the weather.

The Lone Star State works for me, but I wouldn’t expect it to appeal to everyone.

In Florida it is a subtle insult. When someone does something rude (like cut in line), you ask 'You from New York? how long you been here?"

You'd be AMAZED how many people say "How'd you know? I moved here last month!".

Texas rules. No contest (our politics suck in some ways, but whatever)

Montana is definitely the finest state. It is a curious melange of cultures, fine arts, environments, sports, recreation, and the finest people you could wish to meet.
From the incredible Rockies in the West to the rolling hills and vast flatlands in the east, from the multitude of artist's studios and galleries to the exquisite Native American Art, from 2 pound steaks to Japanese cuisine, from boating, fishing, and swimming in the cold clear lakes and rivers to skiing and hiking in the beautiful parks and mountains, from the millionare cattlemen in old cowboy hats and boots eating at the local diner to the bartender serving up a cold one in Moose's saloon, you simply cant beat Montana.

Alaska is my favorite state. I just love its pristine environment and its wildlife. I am a small town girl, and I enjoy the simple life. Not the hustle and bustle of the city.

Louisiana ... more specifically, southern Louisiana .... even more specifically, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Why? If you have to ask, you'll never know, my friend.

Greatest city on the planet and nobody can ever prove otherwise.

I just hope that hurricane doesn't wash away too much of it. I have family there. :(
New Orleans is one of my favorite places in the world to visit, but I don't think I would want to live there.

Colorado!!!
Beautiful mountains...great sunrises and sunsets...rolling planes...great city of Denver...wonderful football, basketball, and hockey teams (and a baseball team that tries)...the only thing that's missing is an ocean...but we still have plenty of lakes:D

F-L-O-R-I-D-A
Florida Where else is there Themparks Beaches and Swamps 3 miles apart? not to mention the Keys with the beautiful coral reef and warm tropical waters how could you beat florida?

Northern Virginia! I swear it's a separate state. Some Southern VAers hate it when we from the North say that, but really the culture is so different just in that one state that it merits its own borders. Politically charged atmosphere, rich and diverse ethnic community, nice suburbia-type area, but a big city 15 minutes away if you prefer that. Plus the Atlantic is a quick car ride away!

Illinois. The state with the silent s. Big cities, AND corn as far as the eye can see. Gotta love it.

Illinois for me, hands down... I was born in Chicago and raised in a northern suburb. The diversity of culture is a true example of the melting pot of America. Illinois, pronounced ill-a-noy, has everything. Large city life and rural america. It's a very long state and mostly rural after you get 70 miles south of chicago.

Considering that New Yorkers have flooded South Florida, they are basically the same, except for the weather.

The Lone Star State works for me, but I wouldn’t expect it to appeal to everyone.

I've never been to Texas. My cousin is a New Yorker, and I have had some cracking times in that city, despite what people say,

Florida has some great beaches. And yes, Key West is as much fun as it looks.

I've also been to the west coast, and while I liked it, it wasn't as friendly as the east. At least from my experience that is.

maine
new mexico
idaho
hawaii

I'll stick to Florida, myself. ;)

California, man! 'Frisco fucking rocks!!

Arizona
California
New York
Vermont

Of course, I'm biased since I do live in AZ, but we've got the Grand Canyon. And Alice Cooper ;)

Vermont, the longer i'm away the more i realise it's not such a boring or bad place to live.

and Texas. you can't deny Texas.

New York.

Washington and Oregon are my fav.

California - second only to the state of "Other."

Colorado!!!
Beautiful mountains...great sunrises and sunsets...rolling planes...great city of Denver...wonderful football, basketball, and hockey teams (and a baseball team that tries)...the only thing that's missing is an ocean...but we still have plenty of lakes:D :)

California.

We've got everything. From Hollywood to hobos.

Where is the option for "I hate all of them"?

Where is the option for "I hate all of them"?
You'll probably like Alaska.

Well, I have to go with "Joisy" even though the normal people from my state don't talk like the Sopranos.

Reasons why my state is the best:

Sports. New Jersey Devils hockey and both of the "New York" football teams.

Atlantic City. Gambling, Miss America, Monopoly... what's not to love?

The Jersey Shore. That's right, it's the Shore. Not the beach, but the Shore. And we're the only ones who can get away with it.

We're the only state you can not say the word 'New' and people still know where you're talking about.

Jersey produce. Jersey fresh corn and tomatoes just can't be beat.

There's a few others, but I want to keep this list short. And not even the people who live here call it 'Joisy'. Just the guido wannabes who've been watching one too many eposides of the Sopranos.

New Jersey is the best.

Here's a good quote:
"I am from NJ. I curse... a lot. I say "yo", and I say it often. I never had school on Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur. I sure as hell don't pump my own gas. I know what real pizza tastes like, and I know that a bagel is much more than a fuckin' roll with a hole in the middle. I judge people by what exit they get off the parkway. I can navigate a circle--with attitude. All good nights must end at a diner--preferably with cheese fries. It's a sub, not a hoagie or, worse yet, a hero, and I wash it down with soda, not pop. Two words... "mother fucker." I don't go to the beach, I go down the shore. And boardwalk brawls are just a part of the atmosphere. Yes, I drink cawfee. I know that 65mph really means 80. I've always lived within 10 minutes of a mall. When someone cuts me off, they get the horn AND the finger. And they expect it. I am from New Jersey, and damn proud of it."

~author unknown

::feels jersey pride:: :D

i feel happy! my 2 fav states were on the poll texas and illinois. since im currently a resident of texas i voted for it. illinois is my original state, and it gave me a good childhood. snow=essential before you are old enough to shovel :D but when we moved to texas, i was happy to leave the snow, cuz i hated having to shovel. But i do miss looking out the window at big plump snowflakes falling down for the first time of the year. It really makes you smile. But texas springs pwn.

California should be forced to Seceed.

New Jersey, first off. We are next to 2 citys, so its fun too drive to either philly or NY city. Allso, we can go to the beach(atlantic city). In the winter we have snow, we dont get to much or to little. We still get hot weather, but not too hot. We have some Mt's in north jeresey. You gota love it :)

WASHINGTON!! : The perfect mix of hicks and hippies... and Trrreeeeesss!

Trees and rocks and rocks and trees and trees and rocks, and rocks and trees, and WATER!

It is an over looked state, and when you tell someone you're from Washington they say, "Oh, D.C.?"

That kills me everytime...

Oregon. Cannon Beach > all.

Minnesota. Quiet, *polite*, friendly without being pushy or phony, generally very progressive, and full of sexy Scandanavians. ;)

Texas.

My homestate (I was actually born in CA, but don't laugh at me..I got here as soon as I could)

We have laws in the making that RESTRICT eminent domain after the New London vs. Kelo
We have VERY FEW gun laws, which means if it doesn't explode, detonate, blow up, or pretty much operate in an unsafe manner, it's legal
GREAT weather
Friendly people

Florida-where I reside for school. Great place to live, almost as good as Texas. Everything above applies to Texas except the restriction of Eminent domain.

My last pic would be Montana, because they filed suit against the ATF to be exempt from Federal gun laws...

Arkansas - Where schools close for the first day of deer and duck season, where the Ozarks begin, where the Razorbacks rule, where history counts, where Bill Clinton proved a small town nobody can become president, where the horses and dogs race, where the delta's dutch have the best bakery, where only the best pulled, pork barbeque exists and where you can go to a family reunion and scope out the babes every week.

(ok, the last was a joke :) )

California.

We have the deserts, the oceans, the forests, the fields, the mountains, and the BABES.

New York, of course. Why choose anywhere else?"

Washington, clearly. The worst in my oponion is Florida, only old people live there and hurricanes around the clock.

New Hampshire. I've never been there, but I hear their state motto is "live free or die". How can you not love a place with that sort of attitude?

Australia. Heh.

Oh, sorry! 50 states. Being the 51st, we're excluded from the poll. Damn!

Um...um....philadelphia pennsylvania, such a good spread on biscuits.

Australia. Heh.

Oh, sorry! 50 states. Being the 51st, we're excluded from the poll. Damn!
What are you talking about, we're the 53rd state...after mexico and Britain.

What are you talking about, we're the 53rd state...after mexico and Britain.

Excuse me, Mexico is a protectorate and Britain is a dependency. Hmph.

Hehehe.

your mom :eek:

Massachussetts for being the first to legalise SSMs.

Excuse me, Mexico is a protectorate and Britain is a dependency. Hmph.

Hehehe.

Sure-ure-uuure it is....haha Britain having something to do with Mexico...that's so foolish it makes me larf. *lifts up Earl Grey Tea and dips in a Taco and looks around with shifty eyes*

Arkansas - Where schools close for the first day of deer and duck season, where the Ozarks begin, where the Razorbacks rule, where history counts, where Bill Clinton proved a small town nobody can become president, where the horses and dogs race, where the delta's dutch have the best bakery, where only the best pulled, pork barbeque exists and where you can go to a family reunion and scope out the babes every week.

(ok, the last was a joke :) )


I'm with you! Here in the Little Rock area you're a scenic drive away from mountains, Mississippi delta, swamps with real gators, trout fishing, and some of the most beautiful lakes in the world. And how can I fail to mention, we have the Blues and bar-b-q to die for. At some time in your life you have to go to West Helena for the King Biscuit Blues Festival, grab a plate of ribs, kick back in your lawn chair, and treat yourself to a pleasure that is almost orgasmic.

http://www.kingbiscuitfest.org/

Wooooo-pig-sooooeeeeee----RAZORBACKS!!!

TEXAS!!!

HOOK'EM HORNS!!!

And hometown of Lance Armstrong.

And NO he didn't Dope!!!

TEXAS!!!

HOOK'EM HORNS!!!

And hometown of Lance Armstrong.

And NO he didn't Dope!!!

Texas....Arkansas' finest suburb. :p If I didn't live in Arkansas, Texas or Wyoming would be my second choice.

Of course he didn't dope!! I find it interesting that they are claiming a drug that is used to treat anemia following chemo therapy....which he had 4 (?) rounds of. Anyway, off topic...Texas is a diverse culture all to itself. Everything can be found in Texas.

I'm with you! Here in the Little Rock area you're a scenic drive away from mountains, Mississippi delta, swamps with real gators, trout fishing, and some of the most beautiful lakes in the world. And how can I fail to mention, we have the Blues and bar-b-q to die for. At some time in your life you have to go to West Helena for the King Biscuit Blues Festival, grab a plate of ribs, kick back in your lawn chair, and treat yourself to a pleasure that is almost orgasmic.

http://www.kingbiscuitfest.org/

Wooooo-pig-sooooeeeeee----RAZORBACKS!!!

Cool, you're in LR and I'm in Fort Smith. - Send some Dixie Pig ribs and a few pounds of pulled pork from the Whole Hog my way, would ya' ? :D

North Carolina, without a doubt. I've lived in Pennsylvania, New York ( Upstate ), Maryland, Virginia, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, and Illinois, and visited almost all the rest, yet I chose North Carolina to live in.

Photographs really don't do the State justice; you have to see it for yourself, but just to give you some idea:


http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/3116/ncmountains8xw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/5158/nccentral9ap.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/4065/nccoast8gj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/2365/nccoast26rb.jpg (http://imageshack.us) ............ http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/1833/ncmountains26vf.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/2624/ncleaves1hy.jpg (http://imageshack.us)




Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/7207/ncbiltmore10hi.th.jpg (http://img296.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ncbiltmore10hi.jpg) ............ http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/491/ncbiltmore21kq.th.jpg (http://img296.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ncbiltmore21kq.jpg)

I hate all parts of the USA but if I was to pick the least worst state it would be Vermont because it elects Bernie Sanders.

Alabama, mainly because I live here and I love rural areas and pristine countryside. Even if I live 12 miles away from the heart of Birmingham :D

I hate all parts of the USA but if I was to pick the least worst state it would be Vermont because it elects Bernie Sanders.
Get over it. Don't visit, either. Stay away.

I have five favorites, in this order from greatest to least.

Alaska - breathtaking landscape, glaciers, lakes, rolling hills, mountains, rapids, rivers, solitude, laid-back atmosphere, freshest air in the world, unique wildlife, small and friendly towns.

North Carolina - You have mountains, white water rapids, and great beaches all in the same area.

Hawaii - Exotic wildlife, best beaches in the world, volcanoes, friendly people.

Louisiana - Cajun food, New Orleans (best city in the world), swamps and marshes, friendly people.

Oregon - Most diverse landscape including desert, beaches, valleys, mountains, majestic forests of redwoods.

Gosh, that's a hard question. Like Eutrusca I have lived in many states including New York, but I chose North Carolina too. Great economy, great weather, great fun. It is alot like Texas - but without the overwhelming religious fanaticism and MUCH better scenery.

(and before you Texans tell me I don't know what I'm talking about, I lived in Corpus, Dallas, Denton - which is now Dallas, East Texas, and Abilene for a total of 20 years!)

Ohio - and as a good little Buckeye fan I must say I resent that you listed "that place up north" as a choice and did not list us - death to the wolverines LOL

Um... Idaho. No, not the rural areas that grow potatoes like crazy. Sorry, but I'm a city guy. I like the Treasure Valley metropolitan area, because it's a big city, and actually family-oriented! Yes, a nice big city! Very rare these days. Haven't gotten honked at since I moved here a little over a year ago. Even better than Canada, there I got honked at in one day!

Cool, you're in LR and I'm in Fort Smith. - Send some Dixie Pig ribs and a few pounds of pulled pork from the Whole Hog my way, would ya' ? :D

Whole Hog.....mmmmmmmmmmmmm. Had a BBQ salad from there last week. Dixie Pig has the best ribs without a doubt. But, if you ever make it up to Kansas City, you have to try Arthur Bryant's BBQ at 17th & Brooklyn. My God!! that is heaven in the mouth.

I think just about anyone who has ever visited New Orleans will agree that it is the most amazing city in the US....maybe the world. I can't think of another city that even approaches the uniqueness (is that a word?) of the Big Easy. I just pray that Hurricane Katrina doesn't tear it up too bad, but it's looking like NO will just about be wiped out in a few hours. If you live there, what the heck are you doing on here? Get out!!!

If you live there, what the heck are you doing on here? Get out!!!

I'm leaving in a couple hours to go help set up and do volunteer work at some of the shelters. Hopefully I'll be able to get ahold of my family who've already evacuated.

To all: If you're within a 5 hour drive of New Orleans and can help, get in your car and come help! There's gonna be millions of displaced people and with so much of the National Guard overseas, they're gonna need all the help they can get.

Edit: Yes! A couple of my cousins and friends are at the Superdome, so that's where I'm headed. Doubt I'll have internet access, but I'll try to update when I can.

Sorry, but I'm a city guy. I like the Treasure Valley metropolitan area, because it's a big city, and actually family-oriented! Yes, a nice big city! Very rare these days. Haven't gotten honked at since I moved here a little over a year ago. Even better than Canada, there I got honked at in one day!
You're definition of city and my definition of city are two very different things. For example, my town has about 12000 people. Here it's a small town, in Idaho it would be a big city.

I live in New York, but my favorite state is Jersey. This is mainly because New York seriously sucks once you go more than 50 miles north of the city. New Jersey has a very unique character, it has a sense of humor about itself. It has great shore, and ignoring the North-East corner (which is ugly and smells bad) it's a beautiful state.

I'm leaving in a couple hours to go help set up and do volunteer work at some of the shelters. Hopefully I'll be able to get ahold of my family who've already evacuated.

To all: If you're within a 5 hour drive of New Orleans and can help, get in your car and come help! There's gonna be millions of displaced people and with so much of the National Guard overseas, they're gonna need all the help they can get.

Edit: Yes! A couple of my cousins and friends are at the Superdome, so that's where I'm headed. Doubt I'll have internet access, but I'll try to update when I can.

Keru, you be careful. I'll keep you and the other folks down there in my thoughts and prayers. One thing to note, those who thought your accent was faked just need to listen to the mayor's announcements to find out what cajun/creole sounds like. He sounds just like you. Be safe with God.

WASHINGTON!! : The perfect mix of hicks and hippies... and Trrreeeeesss!

Trees and rocks and rocks and trees and trees and rocks, and rocks and trees, and WATER!

It is an over looked state, and when you tell someone you're from Washington they say, "Oh, D.C.?"

That kills me everytime...

yup, I'm with you Pencil! I'm south of Seattle in blue collar heaven...Tacoma! I just can't seem to get out of this place.

So yes, you have your big cities, suburbs, some rural farms and beautiful rocky coastline, you have your temperate rainforests and amazing sealife...sail out into Puget Sound and if the season is right you might see an orca pod. Go scuba diving under the Tacoma Narrows bridge and see if you can come face to face with the giant Red Pacific Octopus or rare six gill shark! Now, up out of the Sound and into the air and see if you can spot the resident raptors; bald eagles, red tail hawks and tiny falcons. Then, make the trek to the Cascades. Check out the Mt. Saint Helens Crater, and see how a forest comes back from the dead. Look into a field of wildflowers in bloom at the foot of Mt. Rainier. Cross the Cascades into Central Washington and get some great apples, pears, peaches and cherries. If you're lucky the reservoirs and lakes won't be dried up, and in the blistering heat of a Central Washington summer you can dive into a lake that's pure snowmelt. Brrrrr! Keep going to Eastern Washington and experience the vastness of prairies and the overwhelming size of the sky when there's no trees to break it up. Wait for nightfall and camp out and you will see breathtaking meteor showers without the light pollution from the cities. Sigh.

Sorry to be waxing poetic, but I've lived here since I was three. :)

I've lived in Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, and Maryland. And I've visited most of the US and I must say that I love Kansas the best. It's my home and it's full of great people. Before you all start to hate it's been the home of Alf Landon, Langston Hughes, William Allan White, Amelia Eirheart, Dwight D Eisenhower, Wyatt Earp, Walter Chrysler, Bill Kurtis, Charles Lingbergh, Jack Kilby, John Ingles, John Brown and many others. It's also the state that elected the first woman major and is considered to be one of the more progressive states on women's rights.
It's also has plenty of natural beauty, which you have to leave the interstate to see, but few actually do. After living in the east coast for a while I really appreciate the friendliness of Kansans and the fact that they know how to drive. A close second to Kansas is Montana, then Wyoming, and New Mexico.

Either Nebraska, cus you get all the cool gun-totting drinking hicks with massive corn fields, or North Carolina cus I have family there.

Hmm. Perhaps Arizona? The deserts and mountains of the Southwest are pretty darn cool, but I haven't really visited any of the others. I'm sure I'd also love Alaska and Hawaii, but I've never been to either. And then, of course, there's Massachusetts, which is a very nice place but also where I live. (so it gets a few bonus points :) )

I'm probably alone in this, but I would have to say Nebraska. There's just something about it I really like......

A close second would be Colorado, there's a lot of really beautiful scenery there.

Which of the US states is your favorite...?


Puerto Rico

:D

"I'm from Connecticut. Not New York, not Boston, and sure as hell not Jersey. Connecticut. We don't have parkways here, they're highways and as far as I'm concerned, its 84, 91 and thats it. We don't go to bars in highschool. We drive 65 mph in our SUV's to Bridgeport to go to the "packy". Not the liquor store but the package store and we make damn sure we get there before 9. We dont have stupid accents and we lock our doors when we go to New Haven. We love nothing more than watching our Huskies own shit in March. We enjoy a good party in the woods and afterwards we go to our diners because everything else is closed. We don't get bunked, hammered, smashed, or plastered here. No no, we get Cocked and we're damn proud of it. I'm from Connecticut and I fuckin love this place."

after CT, I'd have to say Hawaii, Maine, Vermont, and Mass

Saudi Israelia

Washington.

By far the most beautiful state of them all, we get wonderful summers (and not just in the eastern half), for all that people think it rains constantly. We have our own rainforest, the site of what was once the largest waterfall in the world, and some of the coolest canyons anywhere (you don't beleive me? Search for the Scablands)

Sure the Eastern half has pretty crappy politics, but western washington is wonderful.

Canada.

:sniper: :sniper: :sniper: :D

Hmm. Perhaps Arizona? The deserts and mountains of the Southwest are pretty darn cool, but I haven't really visited any of the others. I'm sure I'd also love Alaska and Hawaii, but I've never been to either. And then, of course, there's Massachusetts, which is a very nice place but also where I live. (so it gets a few bonus points :) )
...Ugh, ****ing Arizona.

Went to Phoenix, nothing but heat. Way less to do than here in California. So dull and everyone seems to be over the age of 50.

Either Illnois, Texas or the one with Mount Rushmore
Texas is most like Australia geographically, Illnois has the blues brothers and Lincoln, and Rushmore is bloody impressive

I like Arkansas. Because I thought it was pronounced like Kansas with a pirate "ARRR" before it.

Wisconsin

Known for:

Great cheese/dairy products (Wisc is America's Dairyland)

Cows

Beer

Bratwurst

Woods

Lakes

Alaska.

Just the sheer magnitude of nature that is there--it's awesome.

Alaska.

Just the sheer magnitude of nature that is there--it's awesome.
Don't get too attached...we plan to make Alaska our fourth territory.

In Florida it is a subtle insult. When someone does something rude (like cut in line), you ask 'You from New York? how long you been here?"

You'd be AMAZED how many people say "How'd you know? I moved here last month!".

Which is funny cuz here in New York, we ask people who have moved from Florida to our state "Got sick of having all your stuff blown away?" Youd be amazed at how many people say "How'd you know?" ;)

And PR as a favorite area? Uh... ew. Im from there and wouldnt want to move back. Ever.

OHIO definately, we are the swing state.

Plus it contains Cincinnati. Which has been noted that if the world ends we should all be in Cincinnati cause everything happens ten years later here.

Don't get too attached...we plan to make Alaska our fourth territory.

What? When you ditch Quebec? :D

What? When you ditch Quebec? :D
Quebec, the province, may decide to ditch itself.

We're coming Alaska....and we're riding caribou...

Quebec, the province, may decide to ditch itself.

We're coming Alaska....and we're riding caribou...

<horns sound in the distance....then the rumbling begins....>

OHIO definately, we are the swing state.

Plus it contains Cincinnati. Which has been noted that if the world ends we should all be in Cincinnati cause everything happens ten years later here.

Plus cincy is the home of Skyline Chili, featured on the Food Network.

Plus cincy is the home of Skyline Chili, featured on the Food Network.
Our beloved Skyline chili. Sorry rest of the world. WE KNOW! ITS NOT REAL CHILI!!!!

I've been to many states and, for me, Massachusetts is the best of the lot. Why?

We have seashore, mountains on a human scale, wonderful people who mind their own business but will protect your right to do as you please. We have a variety of peoples - Irish, German, French, Russian, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Greek, African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Puerto Ricans, Brazilians, etc. and all are wonderful and have contributed and are contributing immeasurably to us all. We welcome people of all beliefs from Christian to Jewish to Moslem to Buddist and all are treated with respect. We have houses and towns older than most states in the union, four distinct and wonderful seasons (our autumn would take your breath away); we have the nation's finest universities and the best medical facilities. And the native produce (from Hadley asparagus to corn to apples, etc. is among the world's best. The only downside is our imbecile governor who will be voted out in the next election. ;)

All but 26 of you make me sick. Californ-i-a!!!!! But if i had to choose a second best state, it would be New York or Virginia. Probably Virginia.

Oh, and by the way, Oregon.....the Mounties are coming for you! You too, Alaska!

Don't look at me like that, Alaska.

Maine, especially the area around Old Orchard Beach, or Rockland, Portland, Freeport, Bar Harbor, Kennebunk, anyplace along the coast. It's beautiful, the people are friendly and the seafood terrific! We vacation there about every other year. I'll admit I've never been there in the winter, though, and I've heard that their winters can be pretty harsh, so I guess it's only my favorite summer place. :)

OHIO definately, we are the swing state.

Plus it contains Cincinnati. Which has been noted that if the world ends we should all be in Cincinnati cause everything happens ten years later here.

More than ten years later! They're just now starting to get 1960s-style race riots! :p

1. Maryland. It's the state where I was born and there's a rich maritime history in this state. It's also the home of the USS Constellation, the last all-sail warship built for the United States Navy.

2. Maine. I lived there for a year and a half when I was in high school, so I consider this state a second home at times. When I think of my time in high school, that's the school I consider my alma mater.

1. Maryland. It's the state where I was born and there's a rich maritime history in this state. It's also the home of the USS Constellation, the last all-sail warship built for the United States Navy.

2. Maine. I lived there for a year and a half when I was in high school, so I consider this state a second home at times. When I think of my time in high school, that's the school I consider my alma mater.

Funny, Maine was my first choice and Maryland would probably be my second, at least the Annapolis area. I don't think I'd want to live in Baltimore, though.

Which is funny cuz here in New York, we ask people who have moved from Florida to our state "Got sick of having all your stuff blown away?" Youd be amazed at how many people say "How'd you know?" ;)

And PR as a favorite area? Uh... ew. Im from there and wouldnt want to move back. Ever.
That's funny, because here in Florida, we kinda believe there's an exchange program going on. Floridians who are sick of the heat, hurricanes and beach life move to New York. New Yorkers who are sick of the cold, crowds, snow and fast life move to Florida. Seems like 3 out of every five people I meet here are from New York. The others are from Michigan. :D

Washington.

I miss it very much now that I'm teaching at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. I've only been here two weeks and I miss my evergreen home.

Yes, traffic in the I-5 corridor sucks, our politicians haven't been anything to shout about since Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson and Warren Magnuson in the mid 70s, and our sports teams have a lock on mediocrity (except the 1979 Supersonics and the 2004 Storm -- GO STORM!) -- but all that aside, I love my state. Not just the wet side, either. I went to school on the dry side, Ellensburg in eastern Washington. The two halves are as night and day, yet still form a cohesive whole. From my home in Everett, in two hours you can be in:

-- A temperate rainforest
-- An alpine meadow / skiing (depending on the season)
-- Canada
-- A cultivated desert (wheat, onions, asparagus, etc.)
-- Apple groves, strawberry patches, raspberry rows and wineries
-- The Microsoft campus
-- The biggest building by volume in the world (Boeing 747-777-787 plant about two miles from my old home
-- A boat catching salmon (among other yummy fish), or viewing orcas and lots of other sea life
-- A ship in the nation's largest ferry system
-- A native longhouse during a potlatch
-- Pike Place Market
-- Some of the best-tapped taverns in the nation

...forgive the travel brochure, but I'm homesick.

NEW YORK ROCKS in tons of ways, from culture to nature to people. GO NYC!
I'm also fond of (Biased list of places I've been)
MD.
Mass.
Wis. (Cows are my homeboys)
AZ. (MMMMMMMM, prickly pear jelly candy)
Illinois, but mostly Chicago

yup, I'm with you Pencil! I'm south of Seattle in blue collar heaven...Tacoma! I just can't seem to get out of this place.

So yes, you have your big cities, suburbs, some rural farms and beautiful rocky coastline, you have your temperate rainforests and amazing sealife...sail out into Puget Sound and if the season is right you might see an orca pod. Go scuba diving under the Tacoma Narrows bridge and see if you can come face to face with the giant Red Pacific Octopus or rare six gill shark! Now, up out of the Sound and into the air and see if you can spot the resident raptors; bald eagles, red tail hawks and tiny falcons. Then, make the trek to the Cascades. Check out the Mt. Saint Helens Crater, and see how a forest comes back from the dead. Look into a field of wildflowers in bloom at the foot of Mt. Rainier. Cross the Cascades into Central Washington and get some great apples, pears, peaches and cherries. If you're lucky the reservoirs and lakes won't be dried up, and in the blistering heat of a Central Washington summer you can dive into a lake that's pure snowmelt. Brrrrr! Keep going to Eastern Washington and experience the vastness of prairies and the overwhelming size of the sky when there's no trees to break it up. Wait for nightfall and camp out and you will see breathtaking meteor showers without the light pollution from the cities. Sigh.

Sorry to be waxing poetic, but I've lived here since I was three. :)

God bless you for that oration. How I miss Washington, my home.

Either Illnois, Texas or the one with Mount Rushmore. Texas is most like Australia geographically, Illnois has the blues brothers and Lincoln, and Rushmore is bloody impressive

Sheesh, would it have killed you to click your mouse a couple of times and figure out that it's South Dakota? Yeah, the Black Hills are lovely, and Rushmore is impressive, but it all pales in comparison to the state that very nearly lost a political bid to change its state song to "Louie Louie." That'd be Washington...I haven't seen a Western Red Cedar in three weeks and it's starting to get to me.

My question: How the heck could seven people vote for Joisey as their favorite state?

Hawai'i rules. Most beautiful state, bar maybe Alaska. It gets the nod because the surfing is better. Hard to surf when the ocean is frozen.

Hawai'i rules. Most beautiful state, bar maybe Alaska. It gets the nod because the surfing is better. Hard to surf when the ocean is frozen.

Hawaii and the left coast are nice, but if you want a real surfing challenge, go to Montaulk, Long Island..the best surf on the East Coast

I'm going to say New Orleans, Louisiana - and as has been already said, if you need to ask why then you've never been there or you'll never understand ^_^

In other news the Hurricane "grazed" past to the east, though there are still reports of neighborhoods underwater. To the roofline.

Fingers crossed we have a home to go back to.

Naturally, because I was born and raised in Charleston, I vote for South Carolina. Our state is widely misunderstood as a bunch of racist, backwards-type of people. That is so far from the truth, but I won't argue that here.
Charleston has been voted the most friendliest city in the nation time and time again by visitors to this fine city.

I have LOVED every state that I have visited with the exception of Arkansas and possibly Alabama (sorry guys).

Montana could quite possibly be the most beautiful place on earth second to only the gorgeous sunsets on our beaches.

Hawaii and the left coast are nice, but if you want a real surfing challenge, go to Montaulk, Long Island..the best surf on the East Coast

North shore of Oahu in the winter is my favorite. Damn, you get some killer swells.

its all about California since i live here :) so yah i sure hope that people in new orleans dont get hurt badley from hurricane katrina :(

Naturally, because I was born and raised in Charleston, I vote for South Carolina. Our state is widely misunderstood as a bunch of racist, backwards-type of people. That is so far from the truth, but I won't argue that here.
Charleston has been voted the most friendliest city in the nation time and time again by visitors to this fine city.

I have LOVED every state that I have visited with the exception of Arkansas and possibly Alabama (sorry guys).

Montana could quite possibly be the most beautiful place on earth second to only the gorgeous sunsets on our beaches.

Just like any state, there is a dichotomy of "viewpoints" present in SC. Charleston is a wonderful city. However, drive much to the west and all of a sudden you're a "Yankee". Friendlieness drops quite a bit. Just my personal experience in your state (and much of the rest of the South). Don't worry, we have the same problem here in PA. Reminds me of a joke. Pennsylvania is Pittsburgh on one end, Philly on the other, and Alabama in between.

Just like any state, there is a dichotomy of "viewpoints" present in SC. Charleston is a wonderful city. However, drive much to the west and all of a sudden you're a "Yankee". Friendlieness drops quite a bit. Just my personal experience in your state (and much of the rest of the South). Don't worry, we have the same problem here in PA. Reminds me of a joke. Pennsylvania is Pittsburgh on one end, Philly on the other, and Alabama in between.

You know, funny thing is, now that I see another point of view in print, I tend to agree with you. The friendliness does drop off so to speak. We're probaly only really nice when you are in a jam or other personal crisis. We sure love to "rescue" people down here. BTW, my Father was born in PA. I like your joke....I'm going to have to steal that one.

OHIO definately, we are the swing state.

Plus it contains Cincinnati. Which has been noted that if the world ends we should all be in Cincinnati cause everything happens ten years later here.

I recently drove through Cincinnati on my way to Kentucky, which is a far more entertaining state, and noticed how close everything is to the river there. I noted that everything in Cincinnati looked that way because it was trying to escape to Kentucky. Can't say I blame them...been trying to escape to another state for 23 years and I think I have my ticket out of here in a couple of years.

In any case, I rather like Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, and California just because it has nice weather. I can't stand living in Ohio and wish I wasn't tied down here...the weather is awful 10.5 months of the year, our governor is a criminal (although that's true of a lot of governors, but this guy's a mega-dweeb who's partly responsible for the high cost of college in Ohio), and there's pretty much nothing to do here unless you have money or like getting drunk, neither of which applies to me.

Joisy
WTF'ing Hell?!?! Nobody here fricking calls it Joisy. It's New Jersey!!!

Anyway, I live in the Garden State(with polluting refineries up north! :D)

-- The Microsoft campus



I've never understood the obsession with the Microsoft Campus. I've been by a few times in my life, and it's ugly! Except for two flowerbeds by signs, the apartment complex across the street from it is prettier.

But the rest of that post is so true... Though I have to admit that I'm not as much of a fan of the east as the west.

Virginia ya'll

Pheonix, AZ!!!! I love that place which is ironic because I dislike the sun. Second has to be Austin, TX because my family live their, I think its a nice place and I am told its suppos3ed to be anti-Bush and Hippish!

But I really love my hometown of Leixlip, Co,Kildare, Ireland. You cn't bate your oul' home!

Well I'll tell you its NOT Oregon....

*grumble*

Minnesota, baby, YEAH!!!! :D

California. Sure the whole liberal politics thing sucks a bit but its my home.

Just like any state, there is a dichotomy of "viewpoints" present in SC. Charleston is a wonderful city. However, drive much to the west and all of a sudden you're a "Yankee". Friendlieness drops quite a bit. Just my personal experience in your state (and much of the rest of the South).

I don't know about that....I definitely have to dispute it. I've been to several cities and towns in SC, and have yet to run into one person that wasn't at the least, cordial.

I have more of a midwest, newscaster accent, as opposed to the "Fargo" accent (just used that because anyone who's seen Fargo instantly pegs it), but I was never called a yankee (to my face anyway). Everyone was polite and friendly. I've been through a few times (five or six).