discussion Underrated and overrated U.S. states

[Bears01]

22 minutes ago, Blue Jeans said:

Excuse me. Carmel is nice. The Beverly Hills of Indiana

Indiana also has the dunes national park and some very unique hikes in the south

Carmel is about the most fake, plastic, bougie place I can possibly think of (yes, it’s “nice”, but the rest of us hate you). And yes, I live in the region of the dunes. Stunning 

[Oktober Knight]

Overrated:

Florida - just awful people, awful laws, awful drivers, and it's too damn humid. 

 

Texas - Snoozefest and the state is wayyyy too spread out. 

 

New Jersey - like no girl, get out of that ghetto mess. Congested AF and not safe. 

 

 

Underrated:

North Carolina - it may be a red state but it's so beautiful and the people seem pretty chill. 

 

Michigan - it's an outdoor adventurer's dream, especially northern Michigan. 

 

Connecticut - sure it's pricy but the greenery is great and the northern part of the state has the nicest people I've ever come across in the US. 

[Phaunzie]

16 hours ago, Ash12345 said:

New Orleans is in Louisiana though. I think Louisiana might be my favorite of that region (LA/AR/MS/AL).

Only realized after I typed it out, however I had something to do so I didn't get to change it

[Ash12345]

On 4/26/2023 at 8:18 PM, BletaRexher said:

Wyoming underrated af but I doubt any of you have even been there 

Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana and Idaho all seem really nice. I haven't been though, so that's just from what I've seen online, although I've been to Alberta which has similarities.

[BletaRexher]

1 hour ago, Ash12345 said:

Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana and Idaho all seem really nice. I haven't been though, so that's just from what I've seen online, although I've been to Alberta which has similarities.

All those states are beautiful. South Dakota is super underrated as well. The Spearfish area was honestly more beautiful than most places in Colorado. 

[zasderfght]

I can only speak on Illinois because I have lived here all of my life, and I have been to the Chicago-land suburbs, downtown/the Loop, some of the seedier suburbs, etc. 

 

If you've only lived in a state (or have only been to a huge city or visited a few times), I don't think that gives an accurate view of a state. 

 

That being said, Illinois is underrated. 

 

Yes, Chicago is overrated in terms of its tourist-y attractions (Millennium Park/the bean, Navy Pier, Wrigley Field-- although, admittedly, I'm not a sports fan). However, the northwest part of Chicago is where it's at. It hinges on conservative/pro-police, which blows, but they are surprisingly okay with LGBTQ+. Can't speak on behalf of POC since I'm white. But cost of living is not nearly as expensive, Elmwood Park is a very nice suburb with great transportation (Metra is vastly superior to the CTA), quite, lots of greenery, and is located by several forest preserves. 

 

If you're into cannabis, it's legal at the adult-level, and there are TONS of online providers who will write you a medical-card-script if you pay for the session. 

 

Our healthcare is actually pretty great. You need a specialist, GP, or psychiatrist? There's probably one within 5-miles of you, even if your insurance is an ***. 

 

There are parts of Chicago, like Boystown, that are VERY LGBTQ+ friendly and offer clinics/shops that will test you for HIV or a standard STI-panel that's entirely free. 

 

I've spent some time in California, Wisconsin, Ohio, Missouri, and Tennessee, and I can tell you, TN and Missouri are absolute bores, but I've only been to Milan, Memphis, Columbia, Jackson, and Kansas City. 

 

Downtown Milwaukee is OK, but if you're not a drinker and obsessed with cheese, Chicago is just way better. I'm sorry. 

 

With Ohio, they have Cedar Point, which is awesome, but outside of that, Crocker Park, and this one Simon mall I am absolutely blanking on are pretty decent, but these are your typical suburbanite malls. 

 

Also, O'Hare is a great airport/terminal. It lacks Delta, which blows, but United is a good close second. 

 

I absolutely loved the Malibu/Venice Beach/rich side of Cali, but it is so expensive, being in constant debt, despite being on like heaven-on-Earth would drive me crazy. 

 

 

[Mezter]

Underrated:

Minnesota: Very Beautiful state with all the lakes and greenery. The Twin Cities are cooler than I think people know

Illinois: Just for Chicago alone. I don’t know a more underrated city

Utah: Gets clowned a lot for Mormons but the scenery is a serve. Salt Lake City is very nice

 

Overrated:

Colorado: From here and it pains me to say it because I love my home but it’s the product of outstanding PR. A lot of nice parts but grew too much too fast

California: Love it but it’s the Adele of states. Has no choice but to be overrated. Plus it’s stealing all the water in the West

Florida: Also love it but that climate really is unfortunate. Miami and Orlando would be so nice with less heat/humidity. And the politics turn me off more and more by the day

Edited April 29, 2023 by Mezter

[Stellar1103]

North Carolina is underrated. The mountains are beautiful. The beaches are beautiful especially the Outer Banks.