Fellow Americans, Which state do you think is the best/worst?

[Al-Bundy-da-G]

I'm not American but I do live there and out of all the states I've been to (Oregon, California, Washington, Nevada and Arizona) I have to say Oregon has the nicest people but California has the best landscapes.

I'm not qualified to say which state is 'best' though

Are you a citizen or on work visa? After you get your citizenship...

one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us

 

[neonsword13-ops]

Rural Missouri is nice.

Why?

Because nothing happens. It's all sunshine and lollipops except for the occasional christian nut ball walking down the streets spouting the word of god (we live right next to a church).

Maybe too much Sunday service... ehh, no matter.

 

[Jesse Willadson]

Dude its Iowa. THERE IS NOTHING THERE! The most I can remember about that state (beyond corn fields) is a casino that looked like a barn with neon lights on it

 

[TehCookie]

I can see where this is going.

"MY STATE IS THE BEST"

"NU-UH, MY STATE IS THE BEST!"

I think people will generally go for where they came from/live/lived previously or a great place they went on holiday....

Spoiler: Because I totally think I live in the best state!

I still wish I had a pic of one of the serial stabbing headlines "Man stabbed in eye socket scared to death."

I agree with OP that Michigan is the worst state to live in.

I agree with you, but one change: Southern Michigan is the worst. Stagnant economy, dysfunctional legal system, and skyrocketing crime. All compressed into Lansing, parts of Ann Arbor, Flint, and Detroit.

The north just has tourism, fishing, and farming.

Best? Possibly West Virginia or Pennsylvania. Beautiful Land, kind people.

And lots of snow. I hate snow. The UP is great in summer but I'd freeze in winter.

 

[Sleepy Sol]

Mississippi resident here. Our state sucks ass in just about every way possible. Would I really say it's the worst? Eh, there's a few I would put before it...but maybe that's just because I've lived here all my life. I also live in a less stereotypically redneck area of the state (Gulf Coast area), which might affect my views a little.

As for best...I dunno. I haven't been to many states in my life. Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee, Michigan, Pennsylvania...not really the best list to choose from.

...I guess I'd take Florida, but only because of Disney World, the most magical place in existence.

 

[Brixton6]

I feel that Michigan is the worst state in our union. That is not to say it is a "bad" state, but given it's economic situation, it gets cold as balls up there, and the education seems to be sub-par, it is not a place I enjoy visiting or would want to live.

Hey now, good sir! You can make true statements about our economy. You can read the weather reports and make accurate assumptions about the temperature during 10 months of the year. But don't insult our wonderful education system!...well okay, my high school was a little "meh" (the only computer class we had taught us how to use Excel and Powerpoint, thanks for teaching me things I've known about since I was 10). But Michigan Tech is a great school!...for being out in the middle of nowhere.

The northern part of the state really is beautiful...in the summer months...when ice chunks aren't hitting you in the temples. You should visit some time.

 

[Scipio1770]

Alright guys, well here's the lastest Human development stats for the US (2010-2011):

And here's the full ranking by state:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_American_Human_Development_Index

Not surprisingly, the northeast is by far the best place to live on average (although colorado and minesota did surprisingly well). Deep south is by far the shittiest, and west virginia takes the cake for the worst state in the union (this shouldn't come as a surprise for those of us who've have to drive through that sad excuse of a state).

 

[DustyDrB]

Best: Colorado or South Carolina. I live in Charleston, SC. I'm pretty much in love with this city. Lovely beaches, cool history and architecture, good music, a fantastic medical school, and a minor baseball team with a nice park (that is part owned by Bill freaking Murray, who spends a ton of time here). The rest of the state is shit, but we just like to pretend the rest of the state doesn't exist. I'm never bored here. I like Colorado too, though. Lots of fun outdoors activities, good music again (I'm big on many different types of folk, if you're wondering why the hell I think these places have good music), and the New Belgium Brewing company. Mmmmm...beer.

Another note about Charleston: They could probably rename it New Ohio. I have no clue why, but about half the people I meet are from Ohio. What's up with that?

Worst: Louisiana. My aunt and uncle have lived in New Orleans for decades (he's an oil tycoon. But he's a good guy, I swear!). The city had some charms before Katrina, but even then I always felt like I was gonna get stabbed there. Then, when I was a kid, my family and I happened up a dead body just lying on the street (the infamous Bourbon Street, actually). I didn't really know what was going on then, since they shielded me from it. But they told me years later. And that was over ten years ago. Since then, things have gotten exponentially worse.

 

[loc978]

Alright guys, well here's the lastest Human development stats for the US (2010-2011):

Spoiler: spoilsnipped for space

And here's the full ranking by state:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_American_Human_Development_Index

Not surprisingly, the northeast is by far the best place to live on average (although colorado and minesota did surprisingly well). Deep south is by far the shittiest, and west virginia takes the cake for the worst state in the union (this shouldn't come as a surprise for those of us who've have to drive through that sad excuse of a state).

Well yeah, but the HDI says living in an apartment with four other people making minimum wage and sharing a car is better than living off the land and sleeping in a tree. This is clearly not the case.

 

[JoesshittyOs]

If the United States was a High School, Vermont would be the pretty chill dude who kinda hangs back and keeps out of all the crazy shit we do.

Arizona kinda sucks because of the people (I live here). I can't really say from experience of other States, but I feel like we have a slightly higher number of douchebags and stupid slutty girls here. The average person is just kind of an asshole. Oh, and it sucks to run Cross Country here, seeing how they hold the sport during the worst time of the Summer.

But for the actually shittiest state? Uhh, Kentucky sorta sucked. It's pretty racist in the parts that I've been too.

 

[rednose1]

For best state, I would have to say New York. More there than just NYC. Lived in Ballston Spa for a bit, and was just awesome. Nice, friendly, rural type of town. A quick train ride takes you to NYC when you feel like it, or head up Canada's way and enjoy our wacky neighbors to the North. Then there is the awesome snowboarding/skiing to be had.

As for worst, I would have to go with Tennessee. Never have I had a good time there, and can get pretty redneck-y, which I'm not fond of.

As for my (current) home state of Arkansas, its all NASCAR, hunting, and fishing. Seriously, that's it. If you don't like those, you'll get bored here in a hurry.

 

[Scipio1770]

Spoiler: spoilsnipped for space

Alright guys, well here's the lastest Human development stats for the US (2010-2011):

And here's the full ranking by state:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_American_Human_Development_Index

Not surprisingly, the northeast is by far the best place to live on average (although colorado and minesota did surprisingly well). Deep south is by far the shittiest, and west virginia takes the cake for the worst state in the union (this shouldn't come as a surprise for those of us who've have to drive through that sad excuse of a state).

Well yeah, but the HDI says living in an apartment with four other people making minimum wage and sharing a car is better than living off the land and sleeping in a tree. This is clearly not the case.

ehhhh, I don't think the bear grylls life is all it's hyped up to be.

 

[aba1]

I'm Canadian and as far as the provinces go I really think it depends on the person and what they want you can get just about any landscape somewhere in Canada. I also don't think there is a worst I do think Quebec gets a lot of flak some of which they bring on themselves some of which I think is more jokes than anything. They always want to separate and not join in and there is nothing wrong with recognizing your heritage and differences but at the same time stand proud with the rest of us too.

 

[loc978]

Spoiler: spoilsnipped for space

Alright guys, well here's the lastest Human development stats for the US (2010-2011):

And here's the full ranking by state:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_American_Human_Development_Index

Not surprisingly, the northeast is by far the best place to live on average (although colorado and minesota did surprisingly well). Deep south is by far the shittiest, and west virginia takes the cake for the worst state in the union (this shouldn't come as a surprise for those of us who've have to drive through that sad excuse of a state).

Well yeah, but the HDI says living in an apartment with four other people making minimum wage and sharing a car is better than living off the land and sleeping in a tree. This is clearly not the case.

ehhhh, I don't think the bear grylls life is all it's hyped up to be.

It's far from perfect (and ol' Bear wouldn't last without his camera crew, Les Stroud is what you meant, I think)... but better than inner city poor folk living any day of the week. Done both. I'd choose no civilization over the bottom rung of our current one.

 

[thiosk]

California is the best state in the union.

It is also the worst state.

It is a superposition of states.

 

[emeraldrafael]

...

Best: Hmmm, I wanna say Texas because I'm from there. It certainly brings a lot to the table, what with a ton of fortune 500 companies, number 1 in wind energy, and Red vs Blue... still, it is pretty warm down there. ...

I wouldnt want to live in texas. The border troubles you have are discerning to say the least, not to mention the potential repeat of the Galveston Hurricane.

... Plus you have the Bush family, so yeah.

OT: I'd say the worst is probably Arizona, but I could be wrong. Well, maybe Alaska. the weather is a definite deterrent unless youre used to it, youre cut off from the other states by a country so any time you wanna go see the other states you have to take a plane or deal with two boarder patrols (well four for back and forth).

I dont know the best. Id say PA but im biased and i know we have our problems. Both Philly and Pittsburgh are pretty bad in the crime areas, though pittsburgh been voted most livable city twice if that means anything. and we have Lancaster (the amish, and you know they're good people), hershey, altoona. the middle of the state is actually pretty nice really. Plus we have a little bit of everything for everyone.

Though I were pressed id say tennessee cause thats where id love to live if i didnt live PA

 

[Aethren]

Washington is the best. You get sunlight in winter, hail in spring, summer draughts, extreme humidity in autumn, and rain all year long! You simply cannot beat that. Worst, probably New Jersey. It's pretty much a New York wannabe, and shares a name with Jersey Shore.

 

[GrimTuesday]

Washington is the best. You get sunlight in winter, hail in spring, summer draughts, extreme humidity in autumn, and rain all year long!

Gotta love that erratic weather, although I disagree with the humidity in the autumn, its not that bad, I've heard its a lot worse in the south. Maybe its just where you live.

The worst is Mississippi, according to all the statistics, it is the worst for basically everything.

 

[El Dwarfio]

I'm not American but I do live there and out of all the states I've been to (Oregon, California, Washington, Nevada and Arizona) I have to say Oregon has the nicest people but California has the best landscapes.

I'm not qualified to say which state is 'best' though

Are you a citizen or on work visa? After you get your citizenship...

one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us one of us

Work Visa, I'm not going for a citizenship so don't worry

We were in Vegas the other week and considered getting married so I could get an easy Green Card, but we decided against it

 

[Rednog]

Worst: Illinois.
It is pretty much just Chicago and the rest is farm land.
For being the 3rd most populated city, Chicago doesn't get anything.
All cons, events, and whatnot just skip over Chicago completely.
It really sucks being a nerdy person and never getting to experience something like Comic-con, PAX, etc.
I remember wanting to see Attack of the Block when it came out, it only played in a single damn theater and it was an hour+ drive.