It really depends who you are and what you like and what your values are and what your income is.
That said, as a progressive software engineer who grew up in CA and now lives in Boston: Massachusetts for sure has its issues, and the cost of living in the city proper is ludicrous, but it’s probably the most European-ish city in the US. Many jokingly call it the People’s Republic of Massachusetts, but it’s one of the better states in terms of social safety nets and all that sort of stuff, and is generally pretty fun. Decent amount of shows, and the restaurant scene is honestly quite delicious and varied, once you get hooked into the scene a bit and learn a bit about which neighborhoods are good for what. And -gasp - a (usually) functioning mass transit system that has heavy and light rail as a major component, along with pretty good commuter rail that you can take all the way to the state border north or south (idk about west - western mass is considered to be a fictional location by many Bostonians). Basically, better mass transit than pretty much anywhere in the states I’ve ever been besides NYC, and maybe Chicago.
You could not pay me enough money to live in Oklahoma.
And as close second for “nope”, the gulf coast is pretty goddamn awful imo, even putting aside the politics (which are predominantly pretty heinous) and racism (because we never really fully put down the confederacy) - largely economically depressed, horridly humid, no real winter (I like the cold), tons of petrochemical industry.
arotrios@lemmy.world 2 hours ago
Best - California. Even the worst parts of the state are better than most other places in America, and the best parts are literally world wonders (Yosemite, Redwoods, Sequoias, Death Valley, Joshua Tree). Pricey AF, but you get what you pay for, and it’s all here - mountains, deserts, ocean, lakes, Hollywood, Silicon Valley, big cities, little towns, pretty much any kind of life you could want, you can live it here if you’ve got the means to afford it.
Worst - Texas. It’s where the worst of America decided to throw an endless rodeo and most of their trash. Yeah, other states may be stupider, or more racist, or more desolate… but nobody nowhere is louder and prouder of being a drunken pain in the ass than a Texan. Florida man comes in a close second if he’s methed up enough, but Florida actually has cool shit like the Everglades and Miami and manatees and alligators.
Texas has Buc-ess and lot lizards.
Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 1 hour ago
it also have alot of rare mycoheterotrophic plants that live in those areas you mentioned. if you ever see one its quite a treat.