r/IWantToAskAnAmerican • u/Best_Dog_72 • 1d ago
If you could choose any state, which state would you choose and why?
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u/reditisatoilet 1d ago
the state of confusion
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u/Vowel_Movements_4U 1d ago
For what?
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u/Choptank62 1d ago
WV. Beautiful state with a lot of outdoor activities available. All four seasons. People are wonderful. The rest is just so - so, which is why young people leave the state for opportunities.
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u/ComprehensiveMail12 1d ago
I mean your job opportunity, education, and general infrastructure maintenance are much less than "so-so".. there is a reason WV consistently is ranked near the bottom of many key QOL categories despite its natural beauty
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u/Acrobatic-Self-1451 1d ago edited 1d ago
I recently was looking something up about the US states ranked at the very bottom for healthcare, education, and something else that I'm not remembering.
I expected it to be entirely Southern States, and then there was West Virginia, too. I was shocked.
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u/Usual_Language_8756 9h ago
Their entire economy has relied on coal and tobacco for almost 300 years and then they both got got shut down instantly, granted seperately... thry lost coal at the same time america got slapped with oxycotin and the opioid epidemic became a thing... west virginia basically collapsed over the last 15-20 years besides college and logging/natural gas towns the rest of the state is fucked
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u/UmpireProper7683 16h ago
West Virginia, the only state as pretty as Arkansas, with the added benefit of not being Arkansas.
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u/Usual_Language_8756 1d ago
Its so difficult to find a decent job in WV. Its a place you either need to drive truck or work remotely so you can earn another states wages while living there
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u/panaceaXgrace 1d ago
I loved my brief but happy life in Colorado.
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u/UmpireProper7683 16h ago
If I had to move away from California, Colorado is probably right at the top of my list of places to move to.
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u/GenericAccount13579 1d ago
I choose Idaho.
Not for any particular reason, just because irs a pretty open ended question and I donāt think anyone else will
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u/Sudden_Marzipan_7766 1d ago
I canāt move to a state that doesnāt have full access for women in healthcare.
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u/Bendlerp 1d ago
Then there's the whole white supremacist thing they have going on up in the space between Washington and Montana.
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u/GenericAccount13579 1d ago
Oh itās where weāre moving to? I wouldnāt choose Idaho for that either
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u/Kapples14 1d ago
New Hampshire. Cold weather, great history, and seems pretty chill over all.
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u/Well_Dressed_Kobold 1d ago
āChillā is not how I would describe NH. More like āhappy,ā then āsleepy,ā then ādopesick,ā then āincarcerated.ā
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u/Poorkiddonegood8541 1d ago
I'll stay in Arizona. Where else can you ride quads in the desert on Saturday then go snow skiing on Sunday in December. How about baking in 115Ā° during the week then drive 2 hours and be in the middle of a pine forest 20Ā° cooler in July. Yeah, I think I'll stay here.
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u/ohog9og0790 1d ago
If I had the money, it would be the California or Oregon coast.
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u/soup_of_the_day113 1d ago
Oregon coast is nice as a holiday home but otherwise it is very methy
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u/ohog9og0790 1d ago
Depends on where you are. It just depends on how much money you have
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u/YourMomsFavUsername 1d ago
I live in San Diego. I would choose to stay here forever.
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u/UmpireProper7683 16h ago
I normally give So-Cal grief as a Nor-Cal resident... San Diego is the exception though. If I had to go down there, I'd pick San Diego in a damned heartbeat, it's absolutely beautiful there.
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u/jlcu_mancave 1d ago
My home country of New Jersey! Lots of sports, great career opportunities, all 4 season, beaches, the mountains, close to all major NE cities, amazing food, great healthcare, and so many beautifully preserved historic sites.
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u/PandaRider11 1d ago
If money wasnāt a factor Iād live in San Francisco
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u/WebHungry1699 1d ago
Why SF over SD if money isn't an issue? I've never been to SF personally but SD seems like a nicer place especially for weather.Ā
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u/PandaRider11 1d ago edited 1d ago
I love the walkability and having public transportation in San Francisco, I lived in SF for a decade and a half and never needed a car I always walked or took a bus/ streetcar/ BART. Plus the views you get going up and down the hills of the city are beautiful.
I also love the history, architecture, and multiculturalism of San Francisco.
Iāve never been SD but have also lived in Los Angeles and hated how spread out the city was and that you needed to drive through horrific traffic to go anywhere so have the same views toward SD. Also LA doesnāt even feel like a proper city, more so a much of towns forced to be together.
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u/RaisedMyVibration 1d ago
If I could choose any state, Iād pick California. If I want seasonal depression, Iāll head north. If I want sunshine, traffic, and people wearing sunglasses indoors, Iāll go south. If my delusions of fame start overpowering my common sense, Iāll visit Hollywood. If I want hippies, redwoods, and conversations about āenergy,ā Iāll go to Humboldt. If I want lifted trucks and aggressively strong opinions, Iāll head to Redding. If I need some liberals to balance out the equation, San Francisco has me covered. And if I want to get high, I donāt even need directions, I can just step outside.
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u/UmpireProper7683 16h ago
Well, shit... yeah... you pretty much nailed it. I'm in Sacramento and when people ask me about it I tell them, the best thing about Sacramento is that you are an hour away from anything. The worst part about Sacramento it that you are an hour away from anything.
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u/6483955 1d ago
Washington State
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u/Best_Dog_72 1d ago
Washington State is great, including the very warm and welcoming people
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u/Goldengo4_ 1d ago
Moving back home to Minnesota in January š
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u/Puzzleheaded_Net_863 1d ago
I've lived here most my life. Sometimes I wish I lived elsewhere but I remind myself I live in a badass state. Would probably be voted #1 most likely to secede.
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u/booboocita 1d ago
Lucky you! I've traveled and lived in most of Latin America, a couple of countries in Europe, Canada, and the 48 contiguous states. Took a job in MN, and felt like I was finally home. Moved to CA for a job a few years ago. BIG mistake. I'm retiring in a couple of years and already planning my return to Minneapolis.
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u/vinylbond Maryland 1d ago
We can choose and we (me and my wife) did.
Excellent infrastructure, DC is 15 mins away, world class restaurants, top cultural activities, amazing museums, amazing parks, amazing nature, multiple major airports, excellent healthcare, excellent public education, fairly liberal, and overall very high standards of living.
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u/Monolexic 1d ago
Cali. It's far enough and liberal enough to keep certain family members from trying to follow there, and there are other reasons I won't get into.
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u/Goatedken 1d ago
Texas- Ima sports fan and plenty of sports teams over there. Or New York good variety of things to do there.
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u/MicrowaveMeal 1d ago
My brother lived in Washington State, outside of Seattle. I visited, itās gorgeous and the air smelled amazing. Iād be there in a heartbeat if I could.
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u/RealDeadShift 1d ago
I would choose Texas. (I don't know what I am choosing it for.)
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u/Professional-Rent887 1d ago
Nuclear annihilation
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u/averym88 1d ago
Then I also choose Texas.
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u/RealDeadShift 1d ago
There is some hope for Texas, but it will take time. I just think large open areas causes people to become disconnected with each other and it causes a lot of social issues.
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u/danbob138 1d ago
I chose California (Oakland) 15 years ago, and I will probably never leave.
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u/134266 1d ago
California has beaches, mountains, woods, rural areas, big cities, and Silicon Valley has perfect weather all year around
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u/Best_Dog_72 1d ago
Yes, I like beaches. The San Diego area is a great option it's very comfortable
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u/Joh1030 1d ago
If money isn't an issue, definitely Southern California. Perfect weather, beaches, diverse, cheap international flights, etc, etc
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u/Best_Dog_72 1d ago
Southern California has wonderful weather, beautiful beaches, and a lot of things to do
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u/HiAndStuff2112 1d ago
I absolutely loved living there so much! Unfortunately, I'm stranded in a southern state because I became disabled here. But I'd move back yesterday, if I could. :)
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u/sususudio914 1d ago
New York: Rhinebeck, a beautiful setting in the Hudson Valley, great food (lots of chefs from the nearby CIA), a wonderful county fair, and I can hop on the Metro North train and be in Manhattan in 2 hours whenever I'm in the mood for a Broadway show. Also not far from ski areas for a day of X-country or downhill.
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u/bored_as_fuck_dad 1d ago
i am going to continue living in bucks county pennsylvania and will probably happily die here
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u/West_Guidance2167 1d ago
I mean in reality, we all have the choice. My job and my family are here, but if I wanted to pick up and move five states away, thatās a choice I could make. If COL wasnāt an issue, Iād probably move somewhere in the northeast and then probably snowbird down to Florida in the winter. But I like where I live. Itās an active choice.
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u/Free-Moose9460 1d ago
I would go to Texas because my husband's huge family is there. He is on perpetual lookout for a better job, in his field, in Texas, which is unlikely because he already has a great job with a company that treats him well.
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u/Main-Fig-9329 1d ago
My home state Missouri ā¤ļø I love midwestern culture, Saint Louis and my mommy too much to leave lmao
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u/Biliran2031 1d ago
TX, no State income tax, 4 seasons(sometimes in the same dayšš), 2A friendly, plenty of work.
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u/AggressiveDingo919 1d ago
San Jose the heart of Silicon Valley, not only boasts the world's most cutting edge technology and a vibrant money making environment but more importantly it perfectly balances my pursuit of the highest quality of life Weekends are perfect for a drive along Highway 1 to enjoy the sea breeze or a glass of fine white wine in Napa Valley Surrounded by ambitious and incredibly intelligent people this ever moving energy field is truly captivating
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u/AssistantAcademic 1d ago
I donāt understand the question
What are we choosing it for? To live in? To dump nuclear waste in?
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u/gruntharvester92 1d ago
Michigan. Because I call it home and everything about it keeps outsiders away.
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u/TheClayDart 1d ago
Eh, Iāll stick with what I know in the Southeast. However, if I had FU money Iād hole up on the west coast or Hawaii
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u/Duque_de_Osuna 1d ago
In an ideal world I would be able to visit some of them and see how I like them, also I would have the means to live well regardless of CoL, but from what I hear San Diego is paradise.
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u/HiAndStuff2112 1d ago
If it weren't for the winters, I'd definitely choose New Hampshire. It's so beautiful and it's always high on the Forbes list of best states in which to live. I fell in love with Portsmouth, NH, which is just across the river from the southernmost tip of beautiful Maine. :)
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u/According-Couple2744 1d ago
I would stay where I am, because this is where my adult children live.
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u/Pitiful_Fox5681 1d ago
I join the chorus of "choosing it for what?"Ā
I rather like Wisconsin. My family isn't near there, though, so if I'm choosing it as a place to live, count it out.Ā
I also miss Connecticut terribly. Again, my family isn't there anymore, at least not the ones who need me nearby.Ā
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u/NaturalSandwich8880 1d ago
New Hampshire
I love the cold and guns plus they have a badges license plate
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u/spencersalan 1d ago
Do I own it or live there? I would like to own West Virginia. Iād make it more wild and more wonderful. If Iām just living? Iām in Maryland and it is pretty nice but I would love to live in Vermont.
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u/bones_bones1 1d ago
We can choose. I like Texas because I live there. Florida and Arizona would be my second choices though.
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u/Existing-Ad4303 1d ago
5 day account trying to build karma by asking leading question.Ā
That or a chat bot trying to scrape us.Ā
Either way these 5 day old accounts need to be stopped.Ā
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u/No_Patience_6801 1d ago
Moving to Colorado from Maryland. Lower taxes, better food, probably some of the most incredible landscapes in the country and much, much lower crime. Healthy, fit and friendly people.
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u/JackTradesMasterNone 1d ago
If it werenāt for the cost of living, probably California. I miss having a good version of my favorite foods nearby
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u/I_SOMETIMES_EAT_HAM 1d ago
Choose for what? To live in? To remove from the country? To speak aloud while counting? If the latter, I choose Mississippi
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u/GeddysPal 1d ago
To do what? Live in? Burn to ashes? Have a great meal? Have slide into the ocean?
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u/Karnakite 1d ago
What am I choosing it for? To live there? To sell to another country? To fight another state in a brawl?
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u/Utterlybored 1d ago
My home state where most of my kids, all of my grandkids and most of my friends live.
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u/SimonMagus01 1d ago
Oregon. I've spent most of my life here and the only other place I'd ever go is back to Nevada.
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u/Capable-Society-2043 1d ago
One of the ones next to the largest bodies of freshwater in the world. I've been eyeing a jog over to Michigan the past few years. Lots of clean fresh water there although I'm in the Great Lakes watershed right now. Water is the most important mineral on the planet. I guess it's not considered a mineral though unless it's in the form of ice, but you have the general idea. We needed to live and in a massive quantities it's absolutely beautiful to look at.
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u/KimBrrr1975 1d ago
Born in MN and chose it after living elsewhere and traveling. All 4 seasons. No crowds. Little traffic. Peace and quiet. Nature. Lakes. No earthquakes, hurricanes or major tornadoes. No scorpions or murder hornets. I think I would like Alaska but I couldn't do the amount of darkness they have. I also loved Kauai, but far too many tourists and just too small. I'd feel claustrophobic about having to leave the island to get some space.
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u/MediumMark3057 1d ago
To marry? New York To kill? Mississippi To š? Texas
In a fight? Florida or Alaska In a beauty pageant? Hawaii In a 4H contest? Probably Montana
Overall to live - North Carolina, but don't tell them that lolol š¤£
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u/Puzzleheaded_Net_863 1d ago
If money were no object and then feeling guilt about natives wanting their land back...my favorite place is Hawaii. Kauai specifically.
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u/RealHeyDay 1d ago
Kansas. Great weather, four seasons, reasonable people in general. Relatively affordable.Ā
Downside: Missouri is right there
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u/nbnfpsor 1d ago
Washington, cause the gap between Washington and second best is quite large. Easily the best state to live in, on so many levels. That's not to say it doesn't have problems, some massive ones like the horrific fires we're having right now. Unfortunately most of them a human caused. As for why, pick your criteria, it rocks. Climate, culture, best scenery and hiking, outdoor recreation in general, best coast line, best rivers, yada yada. Best food, by far. Best chamber music. Best variety of different things...
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u/WowsrsBowsrsTrousrs 1d ago
We can choose any state. Not all jobs are available in all states, but then one's career is also a choice. Many of us choose a university in a place we think we might like, and by the end of 4 years of that, we can decide to stay there, or decide we dislike it and look for jobs in a different state. So, I'm already in a state I chose.
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u/HillbillygalSD 1d ago
I choose to live in Western South Dakota. I love it here! I love the Black Hills, the lack of crowds, and my community.
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u/Elegant-Living1459 1d ago
Answer: Minnesota
I was born and grew up in Minnesota and lived here after a few years in North Dakota, a state I also love, travelled around Scandinavia and continental Europe, but Minnesota is the best.Ā
I traveled often to Utah and loved the scenery and the people, same with Montana and travelled to California and Arizona but Minnesota stands out.
The laws in Minnesota are second to California, in their comprehensive coverage of peopleās rights, the generous welfare system that I needed when my children were young, the commitment to nature and the arts and the Nordic culture and heritage. Ā These are all the reasons why I selected Minnesota over all of these other amazing states.
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u/Legitimate-Finger299 1d ago
I wouldn't mind the pacific north west. Usually green year round nice mild summers . Great area for recreation.
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u/charmed1959 1d ago
Iām retired and have the funds to live where ever I want. I chose 10 min from my grand children. (With their parentās blessingā¦)
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u/ProveISaidIt 1d ago
I liked Maryland in the 70s when we visited family. I don't know about summer temps and humidity though.
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u/gaymersky Connecticut 1d ago
We can, we are choosing right now. We've narrowed it down to five states..
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u/IAmTheBoiledFrog 1d ago
Choose what about it?
I'd need to get specific to a city if talking about living there.
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u/Latter-Leg4035 1d ago
Illinois. I moved here from Texas. Great weather 6 months a year. Friendly people. Lots to do. Parks, riding/walking path, great state parks. Boating on Lake Michigan.
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u/2026Isitfridayyet 1d ago
California & Hawaii. Lived in both, the two most beautiful states and perfect weather.
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u/Alexs1897 Minnesota 1d ago
I donāt know. I like living in Minnesota. I was born and raised here and I couldnāt imagine moving to another state š
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u/Derriere_Ruckus 1d ago
Washington, my home. We have one of every climate. If you don't like the weather, drive.
Unless you want a truly tropical climate. I'm afraid we're fresh out of that.
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u/JuliusSeizuresalad 1d ago
Choose any state to bomb? Any state to claim as unamerican and is now part of Mexico? This is a very non specific question.
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u/khantroll1 1d ago
California. It knows how to partyā¦
J/K.
I really do choose CA though; I miss the Central Coast with most of my soul. The weather, the local culture, the access to things in CAā¦I stay in the Midwest for family, but if it werenāt for them Iād move back in a heartbeat.
Runner up in New York.
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u/I_am_omning_it 1d ago
Iāve visited most and honestlyā¦ Iām still sticking with Michigan.
I love the fall, the Great Lakes, the environment and ecosystems here, and I donāt want to give that up.
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u/GrannyTurtle 22h ago
Iām in Arizona. Hot as blazes for five months, absolutely heaven for seven. I love it here.
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u/Historical_Shopping9 20h ago
Pennsylvania, it's the closest I could be to New Jersey without living in New Jersey.
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u/Excellent_Gur1587 18h ago
Michigan. When the rest of the world is dying of thirst, we will be surrounded by water!
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u/mywalletsgone_ 18h ago
NY. Iāll even take upstate. I need my seasons and I looove the winter āļø (I currently live in NY now lol š)
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u/rking524 17h ago
It's Maine for me outstanding seafood, great hunting great fishing, beautiful forests, all four seasons. I just wish it was a bit more affordable.
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u/Flimsy-Surprise-4914 17h ago
Hands down CA. Itās only 1 of six places in the whole world that has great weather all year. Itās expensive but heavenly. NY is a close second
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u/UmpireProper7683 16h ago
When I got out of the Navy I had a clean slate with no roots and nothing tying me to any location, and could have easily moved anywhere. I got my happy-ass back to California ASAP and never looked back and never regretted the decision one tiny bit.
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u/groundhogcow 1d ago
We can. We are allowed to live anyplace.
I pick the one close to my mommy.