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NORTHERN NASTY AND NICE (United Way ranks quality of life: Southern states are the worst)
Providence Journal ^ | 11/22/01 | Robert Whitcomb

Posted on 11/23/2001 5:25:09 AM PST by LarryLied

Despite the "friendly" Sunbelt's purported ease and opportunity, the "unfriendly" North continues by far to have the best quality of life.

The United Way now reports that Minnesota (of which I am genetically half a native, which may undermine the good data here) is the best state, in economic well-being, education, health, civic engagement, safety and the environment. Having visited this Midwest Finland, I am not surprised. And I find New Hampshire's Number 2 rating apt, too, having inhabited that rocky realm of rectitude, responsibility and (usually) reasonableness for four years.

Ditto the others in the top 10: Connecticut (even with Hartford!); Massachusetts; Vermont; Maine; Wisconsin; Iowa; New Jersey, and, yes, even Rhode Island, hardly a state at all!

Meanwhile, the bottom 10 are all in the Sunbelt, the worst New Mexico, and then Louisiana.

Maybe it's mostly the weather. The North's bracing and wildly variable climate energizes people and encourages planning and careful citizenship. And it's probably better for you, because cold is bad for bugs. Even the post-war wave of air-conditioning hasn't let previously soporific Southern schools, offices and factories overcome the North's paradoxical climatic advantage.

And Northerners tend to be less mobile, and so less likely to slide into that appalling anomie in which the American Dream is pursued by folks wandering the roads in search of pots of gold that turn out to be tin, and leaving no forwarding address. But then, it is easier to wander about where the weather is warm. Thus the pervasive trailer parks in the Sunbelt, and enough social problems to make you ask if the Sunbelt's growing national power is a good thing. (Don't show this to my Tennessee relatives.)



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To: Gil4
I totally agree. I grew up in the mid-west, lived in CT and now in AZ.

I do miss the curbs, however, and sidewalks. This is the wild west with dirt and chip-seal roads!

When I visit the mid-west, I love it, but it is always in the late spring. My husband thinks about us moving back, but I remind him that we are on vacation when we visit and it is at the very best time of the year for the weather there.

I have no desire to go back east. The people there were very good to me, but the weather, traffic,cost of housing, and liberals keep me here.

41 posted on 11/23/2001 6:37:08 AM PST by GWfan
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To: LLAN-DDEUSANT
We give up...you are right....the North is the only place to live and we sincerely hope you stay there.
42 posted on 11/23/2001 6:38:03 AM PST by JD86
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To: glc1173@aol.com
The United way (by the way- loves Jesse Jackson) picked states that support their cause the most i.e. "every liberal screwed up cause, you can imagine"-in Minnesota the big fight for years is the Crips and Vice Lords forming "Community - Outreach Centers!." will you see one article from either newspaper critizing this? The United Way then comes out with this PHONY study saying how great these states are-B.S. What the United Way wants is your money--so poney up you southern states or we will put you dead last on next years list. -- By the way I will move south when I retire, can't afford the taxes up here.And can't stand the DEMONRAT party that runs Minn.
43 posted on 11/23/2001 6:40:29 AM PST by mj1234
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To: Savage Beast
Try driving Interstate 94 across "climatically advantaged" Minnesota anytime from about now right through early to mid March......
44 posted on 11/23/2001 6:40:59 AM PST by ErnBatavia
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To: cynicom
Gentlemen such as this see not with their eyes that which is within their own backyard, rather they view the world from the narrow confines of their mind.

That is the truth! I am from upstate NY and my wife is from Long Island. We met in college in Buffalo. Upon my graduting from college a year after she did we immediatly moved to Raleigh NC. My mother in law and brother in law came to visit us a while after we moved. While driving around town (about 4 miles from our house) my brother in law spotted a field with cows in it. He proceeded to make fun of us for living in a "cow town." I pointed out to him that what he saw was part of a Vetrenary college. It made no difference to him. He kept making fun of us for living in "the country" and with "cows along the road." My mother in law finally spoke up a few hours later. "Marc, we got cows along the road back home too. Ever notice that farm on Jericho parkway?"

While it is not nice to say, many of the "natives" here in NC are absolute morons and uneducated boobs. Whenever a native asks me where I moved here from i reply "New York." Without fail they immediately ask me "what part of the city?"

Look you backwood, tobacco chewing, sister banging redneck hick, there is far more to NY than the fucking city! In fact, there is as much back wood redneck areas of NY as there are NC!

45 posted on 11/23/2001 6:42:40 AM PST by Phantom Lord
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To: viligantcitizen
You must live in Cobb co.

Nope, I live one mile from the NC state line. But at the rate it's going around here most of Cobb county, along with Fulton, Gwinnet, and Dekalb will be up here before long. Of course that doesn't include the Florida yankees, but at least most of them go back from about October till May.

46 posted on 11/23/2001 6:44:34 AM PST by epow
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To: viligantcitizen
Sorry about format but WHAT CLIMATE ADVANTAGE?!?

I enjoy white Christmases and crisp Autumns. The good thing about cold weather is that sometimes it's fun to warm up. :^) 12 months of the same weather would get boring. But I can understand all the old retirees wanting to go to the South and West. I'm a long way from retirement, though. If cold weather sucks so much why do so many go to Yellowstone and Aspen for winter sports? Our tough winters up here keeps people more responsible, like the author says. Everyone has things they prefer. I prefer more variety than you, I guess.

47 posted on 11/23/2001 6:45:38 AM PST by #3Fan
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To: rebelyell
We have enough of their kind here already and they are DEGRADING our quality of life.

If you consider the addition of indoor plumbing and reduction of outhouses a "degrading" of quality of life.

Ha! I couldnt help it. I am a yankee moved south (NC). And I like to point out to natives that NC leads the nation in outhouses. Yes, its true. NC leads the nation in outhouses. And SC is jealous!

48 posted on 11/23/2001 6:46:35 AM PST by Phantom Lord
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To: LarryLied
..planning and careful citizenship..

Another term for controlling government..

49 posted on 11/23/2001 6:46:49 AM PST by aimhigh
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To: cynicom
As for the quality of life, those socialist people of the northeast can wallow in their own poverty that bedevils every city.

So Atlanta is a conservative city?

50 posted on 11/23/2001 6:47:38 AM PST by #3Fan
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To: viligantcitizen; Exeter
This Yankee moved south (NC) weighed heavily the year round golf when making his decision.
51 posted on 11/23/2001 6:47:58 AM PST by Phantom Lord
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To: Phantom Lord
Look you backwood, tobacco chewing, sister banging redneck hick, there is far more to NY than the ******* city! In fact, there is as much backwood redneck areas of NY as there are NC!

And you make the point so eloquently.

52 posted on 11/23/2001 6:48:12 AM PST by JD86
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To: LarryLied
I grew up and lived in NJ most of my life. Had to sell my property because the area became a toxic superfund site. Most of my neighbors who remained have died of leukemia and other disease. Housing is expensive and property taxes high. Same lousy roads and pollution problems. We now live in Florida. The air is cleaner. The taxes lower. Cost of living lower. The sun shines almost every day. And they can keep New Jersey.
53 posted on 11/23/2001 6:48:27 AM PST by LizM
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To: LLAN-DDEUSANT
You are simply wrong. The South before 1860 was doing much better than the North economically.

There was no government dole at the time. I have no idea what your source for that info is but it is wrong.

I once did extensive research on census records while researching one of my ancestors. I can't remember if it was 1850 or 1860 but one of those listed a persons personal wealth.

It was surprising (maybe even astounding) how many wealthy people lived in many of those Southern Counties.

The reason the South was poor after 1860 was obvious, much of it destroyed and what was left was raped by carpetbaggers. Some Southern States did not finish paying off bonds passed by crooked reconstruction governments until the 1960's.

54 posted on 11/23/2001 6:49:14 AM PST by yarddog
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To: LLAN-DDEUSANT
and what we see today are the residuals of the long dark night, even though most of the lights are now on.

Because yankees moved south and brought with them a much needed element... ELECTRICTY! Sorry, couldnt help it.

55 posted on 11/23/2001 6:50:03 AM PST by Phantom Lord
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To: epow; viligantcitizen
Thanks, e! *sticking out tongue at vil*
56 posted on 11/23/2001 6:51:22 AM PST by Savage Beast
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To: Fraulein
I have 2 words for you regarding the situation Atlanta is in... BILL CAMPBELL!
57 posted on 11/23/2001 6:51:33 AM PST by Phantom Lord
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To: Phantom Lord
I am a yankee moved south (NC).

Once a yankee, always a yankee....and I am sure the natives of NC really appreciate your degrading opinion of your adopted state.

58 posted on 11/23/2001 6:52:24 AM PST by JD86
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Well.
Seems to me anyone living south of the Mason-Dixon Line could send the United Way a message about their, "rating system" quite easily, eh?
Then again; this statement of their's might reflect the United Way's feelings concerning people who've already rejected their scam by telling 'em to, "Take a hike"?
~Sour grapes, if you will?

The people running that organization have to be among a very elite group comprised of the absolute biggest ignoramus' this world will ever know.

59 posted on 11/23/2001 6:53:28 AM PST by Landru
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To: cynicom
ALL... Geez, I feel like a fugitive or alien or sumpin. Hope you all not going to deport me back north????? Waaahhhhh

I agree. The bigoted posters of this thread are fine examples of that "good ole southern hospitality". LOL

60 posted on 11/23/2001 6:54:04 AM PST by #3Fan
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