Interesting question, and one that I've actually thought a lot about recently. With several people having recently committed to purchasing housing in New England, the topic is definitely fresh in my mind. While living close to everyone I know is great, I think I'd be happier in an area that doesn't generally infuriate me.
That being said, I can only speculate on the best places in the US for me (while moving to New Zealand may be an option someday, I can't see doing it in the next 10 years). Colorado certainly has its appeal, and the fact that a number of migrants from Texas and California live there speaks volumes (positively). It's sort of an island within the US, because how often do you plan on visiting Wyoming, Utah or Nebraska?
My time in Kansas City spoke positively about that region. I didn't get the feeling that there were any neighborhoods, though. Basically: city city city country county country(x1000). And the strip malls were eeeeeverywhere. But fantastic people and good weather, outside of tornadoes.
But California's too expensive, Florida's too hot, humid and full of old people, New Englanders are jerks and the infrastructure sucks, and the traffic in Virginia/DC is horrid. Houston was nice... can't really think of any specific drawbacks, but I'm not sure I could see living there. I'd like to visit the Pacific NW, Arizona/New Mexico, and Michigan/Wisconsin.
But based on all of that, sure, I'd say Colorado would be in a top 3.
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That being said, I can only speculate on the best places in the US for me (while moving to New Zealand may be an option someday, I can't see doing it in the next 10 years). Colorado certainly has its appeal, and the fact that a number of migrants from Texas and California live there speaks volumes (positively). It's sort of an island within the US, because how often do you plan on visiting Wyoming, Utah or Nebraska?
My time in Kansas City spoke positively about that region. I didn't get the feeling that there were any neighborhoods, though. Basically: city city city country county country(x1000). And the strip malls were eeeeeverywhere. But fantastic people and good weather, outside of tornadoes.
But California's too expensive, Florida's too hot, humid and full of old people, New Englanders are jerks and the infrastructure sucks, and the traffic in Virginia/DC is horrid. Houston was nice... can't really think of any specific drawbacks, but I'm not sure I could see living there. I'd like to visit the Pacific NW, Arizona/New Mexico, and Michigan/Wisconsin.
But based on all of that, sure, I'd say Colorado would be in a top 3.