If you didn't live in the Midwest, what part of the country would you live in and why?

[EC609]

Which would you prefer ? Near the Ocean? Desert? Mountains? Colder than where you live? Warmer? Or somewhere else in the Midwest/Lakes/Ohio Valley?

[A-L-E-K]

putting weather, people, and COL aside, the bay area is the most beautiful place in the world and adjacent to even more, a few hour drive into the sierras just crushes wisconsin or michigan or whatever we can muster

that said, extremely content and happy here and will likely live within a mile or two of where i am now for the rest of my life

[michsnowfreak]

I love living in Michigan. Like ALEK, I plan to live here the rest of my life. 

However, if I had to live somewhere else it would be northern New England.

[weatherbo]

NW Montanna-Coastal Louisiana-W Wyoming-Mountains of WV and many other places.  But will likely die here looking out the window watching it snow. 

[EC609]

I've lived in 8 states. Illinois rn. From AZ to FL to SC, VA, WV, MD, and PA. I love the change of seasons. WV mountains and Western Maryland are beautiful but just a little too much Winter. I considered a home in Northern Lower Michigan at one point. Would probably end up in Pennsylvania's northern tier or somewhere in Virginia at elevation. Some nice areas up above 4000'. I grew up in Northern Virginia about 30 miles west of DC.

[CHItoMKE916]

Personally would love living in OR and WA. Really enjoyed my trips to Portland and Vancouver the last couple years. I would trade the boring weather in any home base in those States for the extreme change in climate/weather going on treks to the local mountains. Obligatory if I stayed in the Midwest would love to be in MI.

[EC609]

I think Michigan is the prettiest Midwestern state. 

[WxMatt21]

I'm from the Seattle area (Kitsap Peninsula) and enjoyed seeing Mt Rainier across the water every morning ... well, in the summer, anyway, when it hardly rains  Got the weather bug as a kid, so the PNW has plenty of excitement in that regard. But COL made it difficult to raise a family. 

Next best for what my spouse and I would like (two introverts, fans of winter weather, hate extreme heat) would be New England - Vermont/New Hampshire/Maine. Not sure Indiana will be forever, even if it has been longer than expected at 12 years!

[OrdIowPitMsp]

I’d like to live in western Montana, somewhere within 90min of a quality ski resort. Spent two summers in college living in Dillon Montana and loved exploring that area and especially points north. 
 

Would also be very content in/nearby Grand Marais MN with Lutsen for my winter skiing habit, a reliable water source and imo high quality and vastly underrated hiking and camping opportunities everywhere. 

[OrdIowPitMsp]

6 hours ago, A-L-E-K said:

 the bay area 

Sister in law lives in SF. Truly an incredible region. We try and visit at least once a year, always something new and wonderful to do. 

[cyclone77]

Probably Colorado.  Blizzards, nice mild stretches during winter, no humidity, and short trip to high plains tornado/landspout action.

[nvck]

I don't think I'd mind living in really any state, but the southeast quarter of Wyoming really catches my eye... Winter wx, close to beautiful nature, tons of spring/summer supercells with big hail and tornadoes. Would def need a good windbreaker, though

 

[pen_artist]

Honestly at this stage in my life I really do enjoy more urban areas. My go would be in NYC area, not quite the city but close enough.

[EC609]

7 hours ago, pen_artist said:

Honestly at this stage in my life I really do enjoy more urban areas. My go would be in NYC area, not quite the city but close enough.

My grandmother once live in a high rise condo in New Jersey with unobstructed views of NYC. Needless to say it was tough to sleep at night for a 12 year old with the lights of the city just through the bedroom window...lol

[Stebo]

If I had to leave here it would probably be for somewhere in New England. But I don't ever see myself leaving Michigan, I love this state too much.

[Brian D]

Living in God's country already. I'm just fine  

[michsnowfreak]

2 hours ago, Stebo said:

If I had to leave here it would probably be for somewhere in New England. But I don't ever see myself leaving Michigan, I love this state too much.

Almost my response exactly!

[SolidIcewx]

Born and raised in and around the Detroit area. Had to move this past December to the DC area for work and education. After being out here for a while I can say I really enjoy the Appalachians for hiking and camping. DC area is pretty cool and has its own perks. But overall Michigan is my home and being by water is what helps soothe my soul. Potomac and the Chesapeake is not too viable for swimming. Having access to lakes within 30-45 mins of me is the best. And i have full intention on coming back to MI in a few years once my career gets for straightened out. But if I had to pick an area it would be within 30 mins of an ocean. COL aside like FL. Plus side of tropical systems minus the damage.

Edit: Cant forget about my beloved UP of MI where i spent a-lot of time in growing up and into my adulthood. The hiking is unreal.

[BeastFromTheEast]

Love the ebbs and flows of the 4 distinct seasons locally.

only other places I can think of with enough variety would be Maine or upstate NY. 

[TheNiño]

I was born and raised in the Midwest but have lived all over. My favorite was probably in the mountains near Durango Colorado. Stunningly beautiful and nature every direction you look. The summers were incredible. Perfect weather and no mosquitos or annoying bugs due to the altitude I was at (about 8,000ft). The mountains created almost daily little thunderstorms. By little, I mean you could legit actually walk around them. Almost every afternoon around 3pm you could plan on it. It was very cool. Fire danger wasn’t cool though and the winters could get a little depressing. The mountains made the sun disappear by 2pm so it was just cold and dark most of the time.

I also enjoyed San Diego. Absolutely amazing beaches and pretty much perfect weather daily. But I really started missing changing weather and season changes. Going 6 months without rain was something I could never get used to. I heard thunder maybe twice in those 6 years I lived there. I know it’s weird to complain about perfect weather all the time, but the lack of variety was torturing me as a weather weenie.

As with most of you, I’m just a midwesterner through and through. I’d like to move to the northwoods of Wisconsin someday as I don’t mind the cold and snow and move it up there, but the job market keeps me further south. Maybe I’ll retire up there someday.

But as someone who has lived all over the country and travelled it extensively (49/50 states multiple times), there are many places I love to visit, but the Midwest has always been “home.” I will likely spend the rest of my life here.

we are very fortunate to live in this big, beautiful country though. Anything you want, we got it.

photo of one of the Durango thunderstorms I was talking about…