What State do you Appreciate?

[nyyfanatic85]

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]

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]

Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming - No income tax.

[YanksFan1992]

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.

[Ram Man]

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.

[YanksFan1992]

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.

[TheYankee]

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.

[Bub]

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.

[nyyfanatic85]

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.

[JDPNYY]

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.

[TheYankee]

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]

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]

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'.

[JL25and3]

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.

[BxBomber44]

Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming - No income tax.

What about Tenn?

[TheYankee]

What about Tenn?

They tax dividends and interest income.

[bobbymagee]

confusion.....

I appreciate the New England states: Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and just a little of Maine ( too many banjos.... )

New York , upstate and Long Island.
Honorable Mention: Colorado,Montana, and Illinois (greatest people on earth).

[Dave Visbeck]

The most? Rhode Island for me.

[Casey37]

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.

[xxltaco]

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]

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.

[fredgmuggs]

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?

[gdn]

The residents of CT are the highest taxed citizens in the US. Still want to move here?

That's a lie.

[fredgmuggs]

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/200...s-list-of.html

[Hitman23]

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]

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.

[TheYankee]

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'.

[xxltaco]

The Iowa Hawkeyes suck. Just sayin'.

that's cold, yo!

[TheYankee]

that's cold, yo!

Here's something else for ya. Go Cyclones.

[Sam18]

New York for being the home of the world class Sam18.

[Bub]

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]

New Jersey

/endthread

[SalingerNY]

Denial.

[TheYankee]

Denial.

You're going to have to show me where that is on a map.

[SalingerNY]

You're going to have to show me where that is on a map.

Look just North of Oklahoma.

[TheYankee]

Look just North of Oklahoma.

Get out.

[CptCrunch]

You're going to have to show me where that is on a map.

Pretty sure it's in Egypt.

[Ssacco08]

South County of Rhode Island. Absolutely love it. Cannot wait to move back to RI.

[Yankee Tripper]

Inebriation

[BxBomber44]

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]

Charleston, South Carolina and Isle of Palms ....of course.

[Retire21]

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.

[Ram Man]

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.)

[nyyfanatic85]

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.

[IronCaballo4]

Charleston, South Carolina and Isle of Palms ....of course.

That is the absolute truth right there

[Maynerd]

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.

[xxltaco]

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.

[Steve Dalkowski]

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.

[Maynerd]

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.

[RYMASTER or Ryan_Yankees]

New Jersey.

That's all.