Behold my stubborn streak.

As I've stated many times before, it is my fervent wish to live in many different places before I die. This is likely the result of having parents who moved a lot, and having lived in six states already I'd say I'm on my way. I am loving life in the South, and would be up for living in another Southern city such as Atlanta, Charleston or Savannah at some point. Also on my to-do list? Living on the west coast - particularly in Seattle, Portland or San Francisco. It might sound funny, since I've never visited any of those cities, but from what I've read, I have a feeling they'd be absolutely perfect for me. Liberal? Check. Artsy-fartsy? Check. Cooler and wetter climates? Love 'em. I would love to live in New York or Boston one day, and if the opportunity ever presents itself for us to move overseas or to a major Canadian city like Vancouver or Toronto, I will not hesitate.

That said, my husband could tell you that ever since he's known me, I've been known to occasionally start ranting and raving about all the places I won't ever live. Period. And it's a sizable list at this point. My apologies if your state is on the list, but hey - it's MY list!

Illinois, Nevada, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Utah, Texas: I don't want to live in a state in which the city I'm in is the only city for miles around that I want to visit. And these are all states that have maybe ONE cool city and that's about it. And don't argue with me on Florida - my mind is made up. Tampa/St. Pete or forget about it.

West Virginia, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Indiana, Idaho, Iowa, Arkansas: There's flat-out nothing there that I would ever want to experience on a day-to-day basis.

Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri: Just too effin' hot. Period.

Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, Minnesota, Wisconsin: Gorgeous, tempting...but just too remote.

Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and upstate New York: Been there, done that.

Connecticut, Delaware: Just plain suck.

#1 Non-Negotiable Most-Hated Place - New Jersey: I hate it with the fire of 1,000 suns.

So basically, that leaves California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii (heck, I could overlook the remote part in this case), Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Maine. And New York City. Those are the places in the United States I'd consider living in at this point in time. And honestly, I'm pretty steadfast about this. Jay knows all too well how seriously I take this stuff.

You may be wondering why I've arrived at New Jersey as my #1 Most Hated Place in the United States. Granted, there are several states I have yet to visit, and I'll allow that my opinion may change after I've seen all 50 - but I doubt it. Jay and I have had several arguments about which is worst, Connecticut, Delaware or New Jersey, and I am holding on to New Jersey as the worst. The people are rude and pissy - and I honestly don't blame them, given the fact that they live in New Jersey. Traffic is awful, the roads suck and people drive like absolute maniacs. Sure, it has a few lovely spots, like the Delaware Water Gap, but they're all choked among the grimy, polluted cities and railways, many of which are falling into decay. I can't tell you the number of times I've been lost and/or nearly died in New Jersey. I could go on but I won't, because thinking about New Jersey always gets my ire up. Sorry to all of you readers who might be from the area, but that place SUCKS. I cannot think of a single thing - not money, not absolute power, not a 100-day orgy with Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt, that would get me to move there.

Which is why I had to laugh today when a friend linked me to the most outstanding graph EVER on GraphJam - it basically sums up my feelings on The Garden State 100%.

Comments

[Jay]

bash Jersey all you want... I still contend, you want something, you're an hour away.

Also, things not on the graph that are glaring omissions:

-Kohr's Custard - I would kill for this stuff right now

-Best-marked section of the AT

-Cape May

-Fully privatized liquor stores

-CHEAP gas (that they pump for you)

-Belmar

[Sarah]

SO! We're gonna have this fight AGAIN!?!?!?! :)

LOVE YOU HONEY!

[Summer]

I didn't even look at the BOTTOM of the chart, and you know what I thought the tall one must be? "LEAVE"

I'm with you - Jersey is hell on earth.

xx,
Philly born & PA raised girl

[a-dogg]

I beg to differ on the Wisconsin front. I would have thought it was a remote state too, but having just been there, I can say that some parts have great access to Chicago and other major cities. And it's got the most delicious CHEESE you've ever tasted!

[Eliza]

oooof. while i respect your right to have your own opinions, i beg to differ.

illinois- chicago is huge. i've been exploring it for a decade, and i still find out new things every day. within easy driving distance (read-weekend trips):
-galena
-dubuque
-milwaukee
-madison
-indianapolis
-springfield

each have much to offer of their own particular flavors. and so many more.

also new mexico? phenomenal. period.

[Sarah]

Where a person decides to live is a very personal choice - so I understand why some readers might be upset if they see their state on my "do not move here" list. But as I said - it's MY list. The places I listed are there for very personal reasons, and in particular, the states I listed as having "only one city I want to see" and "nothing there I want to see."

Illinois, for example - I have never been to Chicago, sadly - one of the few big cities I haven't seen. I'm sure I would love it. But I really dislike the rest of the state, which I have traveled extensively through. It's just not a place where I fit. That pretty much applies to the entire midwest, come to think of it.

I'm sure lots of people love Texas and Florida - but I do not. I don't fit there, and I would never be able to live there, as much as Austin might be the bangin'-est city in the south.

New Mexico is phenomenal - gorgeous. I have driven all through it. But I couldn't live there. I doubt my ability to live in the desert, period, but I left Arizona on the list because I think it's more highly trafficked and I think it would be easier for Jay and I to find work there.

Also, a lot of the places I say are remote are remote for me & Jay - i.e. he couldn't work there, or it's too removed from our friends and family to really be a viable option. I'm sure Wisconsin (and its cheeses) are awesome, but I just can't see us living up that far in the northern-middle of the country. No one would come and visit us - except Adaena! :) But you can rest assured EVERYONE likes visiting North Carolina!

So for example - I love where I live because Charlotte is a great city, and I can rattle off about 12 other REALLY cool cities in the state that rule - Asheville, Blowing Rock, Boone, Raleigh, Wilmington, even Raleigh are all in NC, and then you have Charleston, Savannah, Atlanta and Chattanooga within a reasonable drive. Going just a little further you can add Outer Banks, Birmingham and Nashville to that list. That leads to a lot of low-cost exploring to be done right in our backyard.

I have lots of friends who live in the states I said I wouldn't live in - no offense to anyone, but I was only talking about what was right for ME. I am enjoying hearing people's thoughts on places they like and dislike as well! It's fueling my travel list!

[Cheryl]

Aww, I love that you threw in an "even Raleigh" into your list of cool places in NC. Way to throw us in the state capital a bone.

[wren]

you may recall, New Jersey was one of my pet peeves in our senior year book... and the L train...