a question about red states' livability....

[steve2470]

I live in Florida, which has been a red state frequently. However, I've always lived here, so I'm inured to its weaknesses.

Other DU "redstaters", what makes your state worth living in ? Thanks.

[Endangered Specie]

1. like the weather, love the food, plenty of jobs, and now a swing state

NC is my home :)

[Warpy]

2. I've lived in NC

and it had some of the prettiest areas in the country. There were times after I fled to Boston that I really missed it, especially in a typical Boston spring when it was 40 degrees and drizzling for weeks.

I think that made living in a sea of right wing Baptists acceptable to a lot of people.

[SharonAnn]

21. I live in TN went for McCain. Also, State Senate and House went GOP yesterday, first time since

reconstruction. That means the constitutional offices (Secretary of State, comptroller, etc. will become GOP appointed positions. Also, all the county Election Offices will switch to GOP appointees). We're in for a rough ride, but I'm retired and my checks get mailed to me. I work on computer repair for extra income and there's a steady need for my services.

Well, Tennessee is apparently about 25-30 years behind the times.

I live in East TN, close to the Smoky Mountains, and it's geographically beautiful country. Other than that, it's pretty much a wasteland.

Full of "red state goobers" as my friend from Maryland called it before she moved back to Maryland.

Unfortunately, despite the presence of University of Tennessee, the average education level is pretty low. I've never before lived in a place where not only is education not valued, is at least suspicious and at worst looked down upon.

Quote from parent of a high-school student who wanted the student to drop out of school at 16. "I didn't finish no high school and it didn't hurt me none."

Hard to know how to respond to that.

[RoyGBiv]

3. Hmmm ...

Sorry. I got nothin' ...

Actually, when I lived in Oklahoma, what made it livable was pretty much the same thing that a lot of people hate. Except for OKC and Tulsa (and even them when compared to large cities elsewhere) everything is spread out. Lots of room. Few people. The ability to go get lost and really GET LOST.

Unpolluted lakes, streams, "cricks," fresh air, hills, caves even ... lots and lots of trees in the part of the state where I lived. And, gopod help me, I liked the people. Lots of right-wing idiots, but for most part they were keep-to-yourself right wing idiots where I'm from. Lots of liberals too where I was to hang out with.

I find myself missing it more and more all the time.

Or maybe I just miss my childhood.

[ipfilter]

6. How long have you been gone?

This place is my home and I have my family roots here. Other than that, I would love to live somewhere else.

[RoyGBiv]

7. A year ...

The culture shock has been breathtaking, and I still have not adapted.

I was all ready to get out. I'd been wanting out for awhile and finally got the opportunity. I may simply have picked the wrong spot to go to.

[ipfilter]

11. I came back here in 1994 after doing four years in the Navy.

I'm still going through the culture shock. I lived in Oak Harbor, Washington while I was in the Navy and loved it there. I have no idea why I came back to NW Oklahoma after living in such a beautiful place. I grew very accustomed to Washington State and I still can't stand the hokey attitude here...and I from here.

[RoyGBiv]

15. Ah ...

Well, I might not be able to take NW Oklahoma. I've been there a few times, and it's like a foreign territory compared to SE Oklahoma ... not that people are all that more intelligent, but they seem to have a different attitude overall.

And that's where the trees are. :)

I dunno ... I think I might have done better had I moved to Virginia, which was the other possibility at the time. I've been there many times and love it. I start to feel out of place in Northern climes, but I get sick of the zealous bigotry on so many levels in the South. It all sorta seems to merge in Virginia, and you can go back and forth as you need.

Of course that's kinda like what my hometown was like ... had an interesting settlement pattern to it. Lots of old world backward thinking, but a lot of progressive thought too. One just found a niche.

[ipfilter]

18. True. SE and NW Oklahoma are worlds apart.

But both still have 3.2 beer.

[RoyGBiv]

23. That's the real reason I moved ...

:)

I ran a booze shack for several years, so it wasn't so bad. I got regular octane imports at wholesale. After that, blech. Piss water.

[supernova]

4. North Carolina is naturally beautiful

You can live in the middle and are 1/2 day's drive either to the mountains or the beach. :D

We have 4 distinct seasons, you don't have to miss the rythmns of Mother Nature to have a beautiful climate.

People are friendly everywhere. I don't have a problem with my *-voting neighbors (though they are a whole lot rarer today. :rofl: ) And we are becoming more diverse. All hues to be had. And it sure feels wierd to hear a say Russian or Spanish-accented utterance ending with a hearty "y'all"! :rofl:


We have a thriving arts community, both visual and performing. :D And we have always been neck-deep in writers. I personally belong to two writing groups.

So, lots to love about NC. :loveya:

[sweetpotato]

14. Sounds almost like South Carolina - my home

Only the drive to mountains or beach from the center of the state is only 2 hours at most.

And we aren't quite the artist's mecca.

But still pretty - with all four seasons and hardly ever any snow or ice. Maybe once every 3 years or so.

The South Carolina low country is absolutely gorgeous with huge live oaks covered in spanish moss. The marshland is wonderful to watch as well.

I live in Columbia, and the city went pretty blue yesterday - even my county went blue. We need to get some help with organizing next time - we're close enough to flip - if we can educate the people.

[KSDiva]

5. We have an amazing quality of life in Kansas

Esp. Wichita. Big city comforts, small town commutes and atmosphere. Good weather comparable (apparently) to Tuscany. Hot summers, enough snow to enjoy the winters but not hinder driving often, beautiful springs and falls. Good people with good sensibilities. Mostly old-school Pukes that don't believe everything that Limpballs spouts and would like to have their party back, to be frank. Only a few nutballs, but even blue states have them.

Totally worth being the blue minority here.

[AndyTiedye]

8. Isn't It Getting Harder to Live in a Red State Now?

Several of them have just turned blue!
GOOD WORK, FORMER RED-STATERS!

[lonestarnot]

9. Only the fucking weather, serious, and in the summer even that is unbearable!

I think I've gotta get outta here. :hurts:

[codjh9]

10. Remember, most red states have 'blue pockets', which can be much more liveable than the rest

of the state. I don't live in Austin, but I have before, and it's a primo example.

[ipfilter]

12. Not Oklahoma.

Not one blue county.

[stray cat]

13. Houses for less than 350,000 for a one bedroom fixer upper

low crime, beautiful scenery, a brand new 2500 square foot home overlooking a lake in the woods 5 mins from town for under 250,000.

[sinkingfeeling]

16. Not sure. I lived in 7 states. Born in Ohio. Then FL, NC, AZ, MN, TX, and AR. I love

my 150 year-old Victorian house and think Arkansas has some very beautiful, natural places. I'm kind of immune to its 'red side' since I live in the most progressive small town here and work for its biggest university.

About every 6 months or so, I'll read or see something that drives me over the edge. I have a friend here who will let me rant on the 'ignorance' or 'racists' or 'self-righteousness' that I detect and I go on for another 6 months.

[MadinMo]

17. I've lived in Missouri most of my life. It is home.

However the part of Missouri (SW corner) I'm living in now is pretty difficult. Lots of rabid fundies and non-thinkers who enjoy their ignorance. Its hard on my kids, too.

There are more like minded folks in the cities, but I don't want to live in a city. I prefer a rural area. So I guess I have to take the good with the bad. There are SOME like minded folks here, but they are not plentiful.

I tell my children that they have to take me with them when they grow up and move away (kidding, but not kidding, you know?).

[Lex]

19. In central NC, I'm 2 hours from beautiful beaches, 2 hours from Blue Ridge Mtns.

Great universities, great college sports, and the cities are very 'blue' and the democrats control the state legislature and the governorship usually.

[panzerfaust]

20. Texas: Family

No other reason on earth to live in this god-loving, mostly flat, red-necked and violent state.

Born here. Moved back a few years ago from the Pacific Northwest when my father became ill.

He died last Christmas, but I'm too old myself to be able to change jobs and move back up there, especially with the current LACK of jobs.

Sigh.

[road2000]

22. I've always lived in red states.

Alabama all my life, then the last 11 years in the southern suburbs of Cincinnati, which are located in Kentucky. At least I now work in a blue state!

But I still miss Mobile, with its Mardi Gras, seafood and proximity to Gulf beaches. The weather sucked (too hot and humid almost year-round, the barest of winters). I find the people equally nice in both places, but NKY is far more right-wing and Bible-thumping, and the rednecks here seem angrier. I was once run off the road with a Gore sticker (and my elderly mother in the car), and this year, my two-year-old car was keyed in a Kroger parking lot two days before the election.