Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: rural Indiana - IND
Programs: airline agnostic, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Jelly of the Month, DL defector, formerly NWA Plat (RIP)
Posts: 964
There is such a wide variety and difference between areas that you need to narrow down what you are looking for. Is weather a priority? Do you prefer large cities? Beach? Mountains? Access to arts and entertainment? Outdoor activities?
Depending on what you are used to, Florida (and most of the south) is extremely humid in summer. But you have mild winters (even non-existent compared to Minnesota). Yes, Florida and the Gulf coast can have hurricanes. The middle of the country can be tornado prone, especially in spring. California has the occasional earthquake.
Las Vegas, and the southwest, can be extremely hot, but without the humidity.
Also take into account that states have different tax rates (both income and property tax). Some, like Florida, Texas and Tennessee have no state income tax. If your goal is to buy a house, then real estate prices would also be a consideration. Again, there can be a huge difference for the same house from one area to another.
I have lived in several states/ares over the years and they all have their positive and negative qualities.
You have to decide what is most important to you and what your priorities are.