My point is this, love where you are and admire the beauty you have around you. I can always take a trip to the mountains, or the desert southwest, or the east coast, etc (you get the point), but even though these places are beautiful in their own way, south louisiana is home for this coonass. But I do appreciate ALL the other areas of this world for what they have to offer. So instead of condemning what you haven't experienced, just go out and see the country. Take it all in like you are a 7 year old when everything is amazing. You may see some things that blow you away, and you will always have the memories to keep as your own when you get back to wherever HOME is.
Paulie my man, you said it best. Bottom line, this is a beautiful country we live in, with so much to offer on all coasts and in between.
Of course everyone one is going to have a different ideal or preference on where they would like to live. Those of us who are fortunate enough to be able to decide to live where we want get to do just that. Many people are not able to do this due to certain factors in life; income, social status etc. Yet another good many decide they like it just where they're at. They choose to travel and see the world.
What it comes down to is choice, as Schroman put in capital's in one of his posts. We get to
choose where we want to live, and this is what's great about living here.
There is good and bad everywhere, and if you're going to down some places and take the stand of "oh, not in my backyard" , then you're just being close-minded and opinionated. I must say I took offense to surfer's comments, as I will agree with RM that there is a certain mindset of many Californian's. But that can be said about any city or state.
Misconceptions? , of course we will have misconceptions, when we only see a tv or hollywood version of a certain location.
I moved out West (AZ) from NY in July, and I gotta tell you, I love it here. Do I miss things about NY, of course, who wouldn't, it's where I grew up. But I do love the mountains and desert out here, love the beautiful sunsets, the palm trees, etc.
I could go on and on, but coming back to the point, it's all about choice,
choosing where you want to live, what you want for your family. That's what matters, guys.