I realize that every state includes the haves and have nots, but don't let my poor wording and lack of illustrative words deter from the fact that the poverty level in Arkansas is the worst I've seen in person (in 2010), and Mississippi not too far behind. I never expected to see so many under-clothed, and malnourished kids rotting away in slums. Brought my girlfriend to tears, so damn depressing.
In terms of the three states that I've lived in for long periods (Texas, Utah, Arizona), I would say that drivers in Utah are the worst, and it isn't close. That always annoyed me. Also, Arizona has the best highways in terms of cleanliness and (lack of) construction.
I was born in Houston, went to high school in San Marcos, got undergrad #1 in West Texas, and I've visited most everywhere in between. Everywhere I've lived in Texas has run the gamut from massive and diverse, to the beautiful hill country, to redneck West Texas and Jesus-crazy Abilene. So, I'm pretty familiar with how a given area has its good points, bad points, and points you just roll with and see where you wind up. I spent two years in Oklahoma for undergrad #2, which is two years longer than anyone needs to spend in Oklahoma. I met some great people and wound up having a good time for the most part, but Oklahoma is just a strange place. I was 32 at the time, and I'd never once in my life felt old....until I moved to Oklahoma. It felt like everyone I met had kids, and I'm talking early-20-something undergrads, not people my own age. Norman was fun; typical college town....I know it's sacrilegious to say this, but Norman reminded me of Austin 15 or so years ago. Stillwater was fun, as was OKC (Bricktown in particular), but Oklahoma in general was just an odd place to be and it evidently has the most fertile women on the planet. Though I have no interest in ever going back, I don't hate it. But the wind....eff that crap. California is staggeringly beautiful, and I met some nice folks out there on the many occasions I've visited, wow have I met some some god-awful, terrible people out there, as well. There for a awhile, it felt like they blamed Texas in general and Houston in particular for the Enron mess, their rolling blackouts, etc. Some good friends of mine moved from Houston to Cardiff-by-the-Sea (I think that's right....Cardiff-something), a really nice area/burb of San Diego. One of their "neighbors" spray-painted "Texas Whores" on the realty sign at the front of their house. That was shocking, in a word. Things have settled down since then, and like I said, I met some really nice people there and generally always have a good time, but I also met some of the rudest people I've ever met, anywhere, in California. As to Arkansas, all I can say is that in my one time there, I had one of the greatest weeks of my life back in the summer of 1994. I was in Mt. Ida, which is a tiny, TINY town. The population on the "Welcome to" sign read 948, if memory serves, and literally every single person I met was somehow involved in the drug trade, but they were all some of the nicest, most chill group of awesome country-folks I'd ever met. The entire week was comprised of illicit substances, guns, and dynamite, and general displays of redneck mayhem. In short, I had a blast in Arkansas. I've been to most of the 50 states at one point or another. They all have their good and bad. Anyway. That's all I got.
For sure. By wilderness I didnt mean outdoorsy tastes, I meant "nothing". I think even with all the organic movements and revivals, its my opinion most people prefer urban to rural lifestyles. Then again its all the urban areas that have the media to influence the standards, so that can be inaccurate. But like I told a friend here in CA, when he mentioned all the "cool" things you can do in CA compared to other's "hick" style living. I said you can't define really definine surfing and skateboarding as being any better for well being than tractor driving or hunting even in remote areas.
Bingo. It's why there are happy poor people and unhappy rich people. With all that money, they can live anywhere and do anything, but are still not content whereas Gomer in the hills is happy hunting deer and being with his family every weekend - damn the malls, theaters, beaches, etc.
I have seen good things in most all states listed. I have yet to see it in Louisiana. Sorry LA natives but I just don't see it.
