View Full Version : What State do you Appreciate?
nyyfanatic85
06-03-09, 11:55 AM
I started this thread as a "favorite state" thread but decided that would be much too difficult. So I thought it would be a good idea to have a thread that commemorates our states in a sort. The goal here is to hopefully get a wide variety of travel experiences, what you found unique, different places you've been, etc. so we get to know our states better.
Things you can take into account:
- geography
- climate
- culture
- restaurants
- cost of living
- people
I'll start with my home state of Illinois. I enjoy the endless miles of cornfields, the sheer beauty of Chicago (Navy Pier, Shakespeare Theater, Lake Shore Drive), interstates that we don't really need, and a whole bunch of little-known secrets. I'm drawing a big blank right now but I'll post more as it comes to mind.
So how 'bout it? What state do you appreciate?
xenadanielle
06-03-09, 12:07 PM
I appreciate my home state of New Jersey for many things but mostly because people think the worst of us whereas I can smugly know the truth. And I like the mythology/mentality of "only the strong survive." Or something.
I appreciate the state of Florida for its warm weather and crazy crap that seems to happen there.
I appreciate the state of Wisconsin because in the 4 years or so I lived there I had many good times, saw lots of pretty places, and met tons of awesome and nice local folks.
TheYankee
06-03-09, 12:34 PM
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming - No income tax.
YanksFan1992
06-03-09, 12:40 PM
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming - No income tax.
Sorry for going all Political Soapbox on this thread, but the lack of an income tax here in Washington is slowly but surely running the state into the ground.
I appreciate Washington for the beauty and overall awesomeness of Seattle, and I appreciate New York for the beauty of the Adirondacks and most importantly, being the home of the Yankees.
xxltaco
06-03-09, 12:40 PM
iowa for being open minded enough to allow gay people to marry (each other), and a black man to be president of the united states.
plus i went to college there. iowa city is a beautiful place to visit, especially during home football games.
Hitman23
06-03-09, 12:41 PM
I have to say CT. it's a beautiful state and gambling is legal. I kinda regret moving back to NY I lived there for a couple of years.
New York for being the home of the world class Sam18.
TheYankee
06-03-09, 12:54 PM
iowa for being open minded enough to allow gay people to marry (each other), and a black man to be president of the united states.
plus i went to college there. iowa city is a beautiful place to visit, especially during home football games.The Iowa Hawkeyes suck. Just sayin'.
Ram Man
06-03-09, 01:18 PM
Sorry for going all Political Soapbox on this thread, but the lack of an income tax here in Washington is slowly but surely running the state into the ground.
That isn't why it is going into the ground. That is at least one of the reasons why it isn't in the ground yet.
Take a look at the list of states without income taxes and compare their relative economic conditions to those with the highest income taxes. There is a correlation.
Now ... back to the subject at hand. I appreciate Texas for the aforementioned lack of income tax, the great weather (most of the time, especially if you like long, hot summers) and for the fact that it is big.
TheYankee
06-03-09, 01:21 PM
Sorry for going all Political Soapbox on this thread, but the lack of an income tax here in Washington is slowly but surely running the state into the ground.Or, it could be that the state government is spending more than they have.
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming - No income tax.I haven't been to Alaska or Washington, but I've been to South Dakota. Even if they paid me I wouldn't live there. I'd rather pay a high tax to live in a nice area with culture and versatility than live in some creepy place that has no tax.
That being said, and considering most would just rather live where they are, me included, I'd have to pick Hawaii as a state I could appreciate being in full time. It's a very soothing place, consistent warm weather, not humid, not buggy, equal amounts of light and darkness, and very scenic. Not a lot of diverse culture and no change of seasons there, but I could deal with that, especially as I get older.
chanman7483
06-03-09, 01:36 PM
New Jersey
/endthread
SalingerNY
06-03-09, 01:39 PM
Denial.
TheYankee
06-03-09, 01:49 PM
Denial.You're going to have to show me where that is on a map.
SalingerNY
06-03-09, 01:52 PM
You're going to have to show me where that is on a map.
Look just North of Oklahoma. :P
TheYankee
06-03-09, 01:54 PM
Look just North of Oklahoma. :PGet out. :lol:
Ssacco08
06-03-09, 01:56 PM
South County of Rhode Island. Absolutely love it. Cannot wait to move back to RI.
CptCrunch
06-03-09, 02:06 PM
You're going to have to show me where that is on a map.
Pretty sure it's in Egypt.
nyyfanatic85
06-03-09, 02:16 PM
I haven't been to Alaska or Washington, but I've been to South Dakota. Even if they paid me I wouldn't live there. I'd rather pay a high tax to live in a nice area with culture and versatility than live in some creepy place that has no tax.
Hmm I have to disagree with you here, Bub! I went to South Dakota last summer to go prairie dog hunting with my dad and cousin and loved it. The Black Hills are amazing, Mt. Rushmore was cool, and SD was full of great, down-to-earth folks who made us feel like we were at home.
I didn't think it was creepy either, and the cool part was how space did not limit relationships that people had with each other. Granted, your nearest neighbor in northwest South Dakota might be 10 miles away, but the people that we stayed with in bed and breakfasts seemed to know everyone from every town within a 100 mile radius. I wouldn't mind going back.
Yankee Tripper
06-03-09, 02:28 PM
Inebriation
TheYankee
06-03-09, 03:12 PM
I haven't been to Alaska or Washington, but I've been to South Dakota. Even if they paid me I wouldn't live there. I'd rather pay a high tax to live in a nice area with culture and versatility than live in some creepy place that has no tax."Creepy?" I actually thought South Dakota was a nice place.
Steve Dalkowski
06-03-09, 03:19 PM
I haven't been to Alaska or Washington, but I've been to South Dakota. Even if they paid me I wouldn't live there. I'd rather pay a high tax to live in a nice area with culture and versatility than live in some creepy place that has no tax.South Dakota is a beautiful state.
Maynerd
06-03-09, 03:20 PM
I haven't been to Alaska or Washington, but I've been to South Dakota. Even if they paid me I wouldn't live there. I'd rather pay a high tax to live in a nice area with culture and versatility than live in some creepy place that has no tax.I lived in North Dakota for five years. When we wanted culture and versatility, we went to South Dakota. Just sayin'.
BxBomber44
06-03-09, 03:23 PM
Born in NY (Love the diversity, and ALL of my family is there)
Moved to CA when I was 10, grew up there. Very fake society, beautiful though (weather/climate/geography)
Go to school in CO now (have for two years) and the people are genuine, the weather is better than it gets credit for, and the geography is special. I appreciate Colorado, although am not sure it is where I want to spend the rest of my life.
montrealer
06-03-09, 03:25 PM
Charleston, South Carolina and Isle of Palms ....of course.
Maynerd
06-03-09, 03:25 PM
Climate -- Colorado (four seasons, none too harsh).
Skiing -- Utah (by just a whisker over CO).
Beaches -- Hawaii.
Food and Drink -- Louisiana.
Nostalgia -- New Jersey.
Pizza --New Jersey.
Seafood -- New Hampshire.
Scenery -- Hawaii.
Cultural opportunities -- New York.
Baseball -- New York.
RYMASTER or Ryan_Yankees
06-03-09, 03:29 PM
New Jersey.
That's all.
Retire21
06-03-09, 03:33 PM
The great state of Nebraska. As the state motto goes, Nebraska is "The Good Life." People in in the Midwest tend to be more plain-spoken than the rest of the country. No spin here.
My hometown of Omaha is home to the College World Series, Creighton Blue Jay basketball, the AAA Omaha Royals, the Qwest Center brings in a plethora of huge name concerts (Springsteen, Sting, etc.) not to mention the Men's NCAA basketball 1st round regionals as well as US Olympic swim trials, a world-class zoo, and good old-fashioned Midwest values. And we're 45 minutes away from Nebraska football- the greatest football fans in the country. A city of 500,000 that plays with the big boys.
BxBomber44
06-03-09, 03:36 PM
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming - No income tax.
What about Tenn?
xxltaco
06-03-09, 03:36 PM
The Iowa Hawkeyes suck. Just sayin'.
that's cold, yo!
xxltaco
06-03-09, 03:39 PM
Climate -- Colorado (four seasons, none too harsh).
Skiing -- Utah (by just a whisker over CO).
Beaches -- Hawaii.
Food and Drink -- Louisiana.
Nostalgia -- New Jersey.
Pizza --New Jersey.
Seafood -- New Hampshire.
Scenery -- Hawaii.
Cultural opportunities -- New York.
Baseball -- New York.
utah's champagne powder and proximity of mountains to each other make it my choice for skiing any day over CO...however, utah is also the site of my skiing injury, which led to back surgery, which led to me not skiing ever since...breaking a 35-year stretch of hitting the slopes every season.
JL25and3
06-03-09, 03:41 PM
I lived in North Dakota for five years. When we wanted culture and versatility, we went to South Dakota. Just sayin'.I've driven all the way across North Dakota, and I believe you.
jlw1980
06-03-09, 03:44 PM
Maine. Mountains, forests, and ocean. Beautiful beaches. Lighthouses. Quaint little towns with dozens of antique shops.
New Hampshire and Vermont. Every kind of beautiful tree imaginable. Houses with white picket fences. Really old churches with steeples. American flags on almost every porch (and this was the month before 9/11).
California. San Diego. Great beaches and beach towns. Ocean breezes. Palm trees. Disneyland.
Wisconsin. Beautiful scenery: trees, lakes, strawberry fields. Friendliest, most generous and down-to-earth people I've ever met.
New York. The Yankees. Museums. Broadway shows. Times Square. Rockefeller Center. Statue of Liberty. Baseball Hall of Fame (though I've yet to visit that).
Colorado. Gorgeous scenery and not too far from family. The Rocky Mountains. Four seasons.
xenadanielle
06-03-09, 03:49 PM
New Jersey.
That's all.
I knew you would say this. :)
fredgmuggs
06-03-09, 03:54 PM
I have to say CT. it's a beautiful state and gambling is legal. I kinda regret moving back to NY I lived there for a couple of years.
The residents of CT are the highest taxed citizens in the US. Still want to move here?
fredgmuggs
06-03-09, 03:55 PM
I'm partial to New Hampshire. I think that's where me and the mrs. will end up in our twilight years.
YanksFan1992
06-03-09, 03:58 PM
That isn't why it is going into the ground. That is at least one of the reasons why it isn't in the ground yet.
Take a look at the list of states without income taxes and compare their relative economic conditions to those with the highest income taxes. There is a correlation.
Now ... back to the subject at hand. I appreciate Texas for the aforementioned lack of income tax, the great weather (most of the time, especially if you like long, hot summers) and for the fact that it is big.
Sorry, but to say that a lack of an income tax is improving the economic condition in Washington is a bit of a reach. Yes, state spending could be reduced, but the state doesn't bring in enough money to properly-fund many needed things, especially education.
Steve Dalkowski
06-03-09, 04:05 PM
Climate -- Colorado (four seasons, none too harsh).
Skiing -- Utah (by just a whisker over CO).
Beaches -- Hawaii.
Food and Drink -- Louisiana.
Nostalgia -- New Jersey.
Pizza --New Jersey.
Seafood -- New Hampshire.
Scenery -- Hawaii.
Cultural opportunities -- New York.
Baseball -- New York.
Is this a joke?
New Hampshire has 18 miles of coastline. There's a good chance any seafood you ate there was imported from Maine or Massachusetts.
TheYankee
06-03-09, 04:07 PM
What about Tenn?They tax dividends and interest income.
TheYankee
06-03-09, 04:08 PM
that's cold, yo!Here's something else for ya. Go Cyclones.
YankeePride1967
06-03-09, 04:10 PM
In the summer, Maine and New Hampshire, Florida all year and Yankee Stadium and Cooperstown I appreciate in NY.
West Texas
06-03-09, 04:14 PM
I appreciate Wyoming.
fredgmuggs
06-03-09, 04:16 PM
I appreciate Wyoming.
Is that where Jenn is starting her militia to overthrow the government?
YankeePride1967
06-03-09, 04:19 PM
Also Las Vegas in Nevada, Colorado and Myrtyle Beach in SC.
Barb51850
06-03-09, 04:20 PM
I love my state of NY. There are big cities, small cities, big towns & small towns, mountains, lakes, rivers and beautiful forests. I live just outside of Manhattan, however, in 3 hours or less I can be in the mountains or at the ocean.
PS - IMO, all of our states are beautiful in their own unique way.
Ram Man
06-03-09, 04:24 PM
The great state of Nebraska. As the state motto goes, Nebraska is "The Good Life."
As a native Nebraskan, I have to agree. :)
(Although I don't miss the tornadoes, 100+ degree summers with 25-30 mph winds, the howling winter snowstorms, etc.)
fredgmuggs
06-03-09, 04:24 PM
I love my state of NY. There are big cities, small cities, big towns & small towns, mountains, lakes, rivers and beautiful forests. I live just outside of Manhattan, however, in 3 hours or less I can be in the mountains or at the ocean.
PS - IMO, all of our states are beautiful in their own unique way.
New York is a wonderful state, it has such a variety to offer. (fredgmuggs was raised in Western NY))
jlw1980
06-03-09, 04:34 PM
Is that where Jenn is starting her militia to overthrow the government?Wow, not nice.
JL25and3
06-03-09, 04:42 PM
Wow, not nice.Put muggs at the top of the list.
fredgmuggs
06-03-09, 05:05 PM
Put muggs at the top of the list.Don't encourage her. First muggs and then the government.
(you know I love you, Jenn.:) )
jlw1980
06-03-09, 05:07 PM
Don't encourage her. First muggs and then the government. Please stop.
fredgmuggs
06-03-09, 05:11 PM
Please stop.
Since you put that way - OK. Sorry, Jenn.
jlw1980
06-03-09, 05:14 PM
Thanks. I just don't want people to get the wrong idea or impression. :)
SalingerNY
06-03-09, 05:32 PM
The state of Inebriation is very nice.
West Texas
06-03-09, 05:49 PM
The state of Inebriation is very nice.
I truly appreciate that state.
The residents of CT are the highest taxed citizens in the US. Still want to move here?That's a lie.
fredgmuggs
06-03-09, 06:16 PM
That's a lie.Not really. (And I'm not accustomed to being called a liar. Not even on a message board)
I'm going by a statement from Tax Foundation (http://www.taxfoundation.org/about/) in calculating their tax freedom day by each state. The date in 2009 when the average the resident of each state reaches payment of their tax burden in a calender year..... "The residents of Connecticut will celebrate last, as usual, working until the 120th day of the year, from January 1 to April 30, before earning enough to pay all their taxes." http://www.taxfoundation.org/files/sr165.pd Sounds like the most taxed citizens to me.
Forbes calculates CT as the 3rd most taxed state behind Hawaii and Vermont of all places (who knew?). So if being the third highest taxed state makes you feel better, knock yourself out. http://www.speakoutca.org/weblog/2009/04/forbes-list-of.html
Not really. (And I'm not accustomed to being called a liar. Not even on a message board)
I'm going by a statement from Tax Foundation (http://www.taxfoundation.org/about/) in calculating their tax freedom day by each state. The date in 2009 when the average the resident of each state reaches payment of their tax burden in a calender year..... "The residents of Connecticut will celebrate last, as usual, working until the 120th day of the year, from January 1 to April 30, before earning enough to pay all their taxes." http://www.taxfoundation.org/files/sr165.pd Sounds like the most taxed citizens to me.
Forbes calculates CT as the 3rd most taxed state behind Hawaii and Vermont of all places (who knew?). So if being the third highest taxed state makes you feel better, knock yourself out. http://www.speakoutca.org/weblog/2009/04/forbes-list-of.htmlI'm not sure I understand.
Does this have anything to do with CT also being the home of some of the highest incomes in the State? So, the theory being, the more you earn the higher your tax liability even if the tax rate is low? Because most of our neighboring states have higher tax rates than CT.
Does this include sales tax, gas tax, cigarette tax, etc.?
Hitman23
06-03-09, 06:32 PM
The residents of CT are the highest taxed citizens in the US. Still want to move here?If that's true it's still cheaper than living on Long Island. I hate it here.
CptCrunch
06-03-09, 06:33 PM
If that's true it's still cheaper than living on Long Island. I hate it here.
I hate it here, too. Let's run away together.
fredgmuggs
06-03-09, 06:38 PM
I'm not sure I understand.
Does this have anything to do with CT also being the home of some of the highest incomes in the State? So, the theory being, the more you earn the higher your tax liability even if the tax rate is low? Because most of our neighboring states have higher tax rates than CT.
Does this include sales tax, gas tax, cigarette tax, etc.?
They said it was due in part to the higher average salaries in CT and residents paying higher federal income tax because of that. I'm sure that fact coupled with our sales tax, income tax, local property taxes, and all the other luxury taxes adds up to give the residents of CT the highest average tax burden by their calculations.
The other article from Forbes calculates CT at the 3rd highest... so however you look at it, we pay taxes in CT.
They said it was due in part to the higher average salaries in CT and residents paying higher federal income tax because of that. I'm sure that fact coupled with our sales tax, income tax, local property taxes, and all the other luxury taxes adds up to give the residents of CT the highest average tax burden by their calculations.
The other article from Forbes calculates CT at the 3rd highest... so however you look at it, we pay taxes in CT.I can see that. I'd like to know where we rank in terms of take-home income.
nyyfanatic85
06-03-09, 07:12 PM
The great state of Nebraska. As the state motto goes, Nebraska is "The Good Life." People in in the Midwest tend to be more plain-spoken than the rest of the country. No spin here.
My hometown of Omaha is home to the College World Series, Creighton Blue Jay basketball, the AAA Omaha Royals, the Qwest Center brings in a plethora of huge name concerts (Springsteen, Sting, etc.) not to mention the Men's NCAA basketball 1st round regionals as well as US Olympic swim trials, a world-class zoo, and good old-fashioned Midwest values. And we're 45 minutes away from Nebraska football- the greatest football fans in the country. A city of 500,000 that plays with the big boys.
That's great you said that, because in all my times driving I-80 across Nebraska I always wondered how I was going to survive the 470 miles to Cheyenne or 500-so to Denver! I agree with what you said about the Midwest values and plain-spoken-ness- I love it and wouldn't trade it for the world.
BonusCantos
06-03-09, 07:14 PM
I appreciate New York because things don't close here early like in New England, but I doubt I can stay here forever.
nyyfanatic85
06-03-09, 07:17 PM
Utah has got to be the most underrated state. Colorado is famous for its scenery and mountains, but I've seen just as beautiful - if not more pretty - scenery along I-70 and the back roads of Utah.
Along with Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Arches National Park, you've got the Great Salt Lake, the salt flats, and Lake Powell. It's definitely a sleeper.
4bronxbombers
06-03-09, 07:25 PM
I hate it here, too. Let's run away together.
:lol:
#1PaFan
06-03-09, 07:27 PM
ANY state that GDN is NOT in!!! :gulp:
MaineSoxFan
06-03-09, 07:50 PM
I'm partial to New Hampshire. I think that's where me and the mrs. will end up in our twilight years.
Very nice.
Coney36
06-03-09, 09:42 PM
If you ask my bf, Washington is Eden and New York is hell. I'm trying to talk him off the cliff.
I appreciate Michigan for being the home of my alma mater. I appreciate NY for being my home and where I grew up the last 19 years and for its diversity. I appreciate Pennsylvania for its rolling hills and relatively lower cost of living.
I appreciate my current home of Virginia, I just don't like big parts of it
yankeeschic12324
06-03-09, 10:22 PM
New York without a doubt.
I'd appreciate California a bit more if I didn't have relatives I'm ashamed of, living there.. :lol:
philleotardo
06-03-09, 10:22 PM
Utah has got to be the most underrated state. Colorado is famous for its scenery and mountains, but I've seen just as beautiful - if not more pretty - scenery along I-70 and the back roads of Utah.
Along with Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Arches National Park, you've got the Great Salt Lake, the salt flats, and Lake Powell. It's definitely a sleeper.Nice to look at, but keep driving.............it sucks to live here.
nyyfanatic85
06-04-09, 07:17 AM
Nice to look at, but keep driving.............it sucks to live here.
Why is that?
Maynerd
06-04-09, 09:30 AM
Is this a joke?
New Hampshire has 18 miles of coastline. There's a good chance any seafood you ate there was imported from Maine or Massachusetts.My exposure to New Hampshire is greater than it has been to Maine. And, in that exposure, I've found a couple small, out-of-the-way, fresh seafood places in NH, while in Maine I've been more limited to tourist traps. One of my favorite places in the whole country is that 18 mile stretch of coastline in NH. I like it more than any coastal stretches I've discovered in Maine. I'm sure they're there; I just haven't had the chance to find them.
marcus51
06-04-09, 02:36 PM
There is no place quite like Vermont. Montpelier, in particular, is a very nice small city (I grew up in New York City).
philleotardo
06-04-09, 07:17 PM
Why is that?A population that looks, thinks, acts, walks and talks the same. Very Stepford-like. Among the things Utah has led the nation in are:
-clinical depression
http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:M4GofzMsMmQJ:www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22044451/+depression+rankings&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
-prescription drug dependency
http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:hDH2WqI-pK4J:www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,660200893,00.html+prescription+drug+abuse+utah&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
Hmm I have to disagree with you here, Bub! I went to South Dakota last summer to go prairie dog hunting with my dad and cousin and loved it. The Black Hills are amazing, Mt. Rushmore was cool, and SD was full of great, down-to-earth folks who made us feel like we were at home.
I didn't think it was creepy either, and the cool part was how space did not limit relationships that people had with each other. Granted, your nearest neighbor in northwest South Dakota might be 10 miles away, but the people that we stayed with in bed and breakfasts seemed to know everyone from every town within a 100 mile radius. I wouldn't mind going back.
Try spending 15 minutes there in the winter.
IronCaballo4
06-05-09, 07:35 AM
Charleston, South Carolina and Isle of Palms ....of course.
That is the absolute truth right there
bobbymagee
06-06-09, 09:11 AM
confusion.....
I appreciate the New England states: Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and just a little of Maine ( too many banjos....:uhh: )
New York , upstate and Long Island.
Honorable Mention: Colorado,Montana, and Illinois (greatest people on earth).
WashingtonYankee
06-06-09, 02:22 PM
I appreciate: Alaska, my home state. I was born and raised there. I also appreciate the state I've been living in for a while, Washington.
New York, Connecticut & Vermont (except the snow). I know there are a few others but right now those are my tops.
mjdlight
06-06-09, 02:31 PM
New Jersey, always.
Vermont is nice too, maybe I could retire there.
Dave Visbeck
06-06-09, 05:16 PM
The most? Rhode Island for me.
Casey37
06-06-09, 05:27 PM
California, or more specifically, LA.
I had the privilege of spending a month there and I was totally mesmerized by it. Given the opportunity, I'd move there at the drop of a hat.
4bronxbombers
06-07-09, 09:04 AM
California because I love the weather and it's beautiful. If it wasn't so far from Yankee Stadium, I'd move there (if I could).
Hawaii because to me, it's the most gorgeous state and i have very fond memories from when I lived there.
New York because there is so much to do, I love the tall buildings, NYC and of course the greatest stadium in the world is there.
Connecticut because it's where I call home and it's accessible to many cool places.
allybear
06-07-09, 08:29 PM
The state of Inebriation is very nice.
Holy carp - we agree on something! :giveup:
OK, now that I've awakened from that small passing out incident, on to the question.
I haven't been to that many states, but I appreciate:
New York, because it has everything: beaches, mountains, cities, small towns, and of course, the Yankees (and me).
North Carolina, because the seasons are a little more moderate than New York, but there are seasons, and because it also has a little of everything (and not that many large insects).
California because you can't beat the weather in San Diego or the beauty of the San Francisco area.
Texas because of the sheer size of the spaces you have to go anywhere and because everyone I met there was just plain nice.
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