How would you feel about moving to a state with a bad stereotype?

[Guest]

I had a lady ask me where I lived and when I told her she screwed up her face and said "Oh isn't that where all the poor people live?"

So apparently wealth doesn't always buy you tact and good manners

 

I don't mind living here - I'm can't afford to live in a wealthy suburb and honestly I don't think I would want to because from what I've seen you need expensive baby strollers and designer diaper bags and brand name clothes for your kids - and I'm not buying that for my kids who ruin everything

 

Good grief! :svengo:

 

I agree with your second point. There is a particular public school district not far from me where a friend was coveting sending her kids because it's such a "good" school. My thought was just like you've said, "I wouldn't want to send my kids to that school, because all the kids there 'have' to have an iPhone and Ugg boots and a North Face jacket!" :tongue_smilie: Sure enough, now her little girl is clamoring for an iPhone. :tongue_smilie:

[DarlaS]

Ha! I live in Michigan and while I didn't know it at the time (when I moved here) Michigan is the center of the universe. Just ask anyone who grew up here!

 

I have no idea what opinion outsiders have of Michigan. I know I never gave it a second thought when I lived elsewhere.

 

Everyone knows Michigan is cool. :thumbup1:

 

Especially right now. It's 38 degrees outside!! :leaving: <--- This is me--turning blue and looking for my slippers.)

[T'smom]

Well, there is a subset of rural, Mid-Michiganders who have gone to rural, agricultural schools that are SERIOUS about those State History classes! :lol:

 

I don't know about what outsiders think, but is it wrong to hope that next year some other state gets the nod of "most violent"????? :001_huh:

 

And yes, recently at a school board meeting, there was very big frackus about the virtues of using sand vs. salt when it's icy out.

 

Faith (Ducks head inside closet before revealing anymore zany Michigan antics)

 

I wondered about the most violent thing, so I looked it up. I couldn't find Michigan listed in the top 15. Although Detroit and Flint are listed in the most violent cities. So there is hope!

Edited October 9, 2012 by T'smom
Typo

[Guest]

Really? I would have thought the cop did an eye roll and said "oh boy, another Texas whack-a-doodle thinks she owns the road". :lol: Texas is just not at all on my radar as "cool"? I've spent many many hours driving across it. I do really like Hill Country, San Antonio, and Austin. I had fun walking across the border far south. I'm not sure I'd chose to live there though. My parents used to winter there and they almost seemed embarrassed about it. Now they brag about wintering in Mesa, AZ.

 

:lol::lol: Either way, I talked him out of giving me a citation by saying, "Hey, I'm just from Maryland. We don't have any of these 70mph roads over dere, like."

 

I live in Alabama. We rank in the bottom of almost of everything, except obesity. So what? There are lovely things about my state. Not everyone is an idiot that thinks football is the ultimate reason for living.

 

hahaha! I didn't see what was right above.

 

:lol: Posting serendipity!

[1bassoon]

I live in Alabama. We rank in the bottom of almost of everything, except obesity. So what? There are lovely things about my state. Not everyone is an idiot that thinks football is the ultimate reason for living.

 

hahaha! I didn't see what was right above.

 

:waving:

 

There are lovely things about AL, that's true! Like NO SNOW!! :D

[catz]

:lol::lol: Either way, I talked him out of giving me a citation by saying, "Hey, I'm just from Maryland. We don't have any of these 70mph roads over dere, like."

!

 

ROFL! :lol: Good strategy, northerner! Ya sure, you betcha! Love it!

[Dinsfamily]

So, which are the coolest states? I think these:

 

Texas

Oregon

Colorado

Washington

Virginia

Wyoming

Florida

California

Massachusettes

Pennsylvania

Arizona

Montana

New Mexico

Rhode Island

Connecticut

 

Maybe, perhaps North Carolina. Texas is so much cooler than any other state it's the front-runner by three-fold. :D

 

ETA: Of course! AK and HI! But they are so cool, we forget we get to call them our own!

 

I've spent the majority of my life in your top 3...does that make me really cool? :tongue_smilie: I'm from Oregon and would put NC in my top 5. I loved living there. Massachusetts too.

[Guest]

I've spent the majority of my life in your top 3...does that make me really cool? :tongue_smilie: I'm from Oregon and would put NC in my top 5. I loved living there. Massachusetts too.

 

You're so cool, I can't even be in the same zip code as you. ;)

[GSOchristie]

When we lived in KY, everyone was so careful to say, "I'm from Louisville,", like we were a different state or something:confused:. My family did make fun of us when we moved there, but we didn't care :tongue_smilie:.

[T'smom]

Everyone knows Michigan is cool. :thumbup1:

 

Especially right now. It's 38 degrees outside!! :leaving: <--- This is me--turning blue and looking for my slippers.)

 

Oh, we're a balmy 43 here!

[GWOB]

I live in Nebraska. Obviously I don't care if I live in a dorky state:lol:. When we travel and tell people we live in Nebraska, they just kinda look at us like:001_huh:. I think people are shocked that there are people living here:tongue_smilie:. Our claims to fame include Johnny Carson and Kool-Aid. Oh, and Cornhusker football, which is the main religion in the state. Oh wait! You remember a few years ago when a state senator sued God? He was from Nebraska. We have more cows than people. A traffic jam is when you get stuck behind a combine/tractor. I stay to class up the place;).

[QueenCat]

They won't even let my state be a state. But it's super cool anyway. Even if we don't have the right to vote.

 

Every time that comes up, I still can't believe it is still that way.... it is past time for that to change!

[Audrey]

I live in a dorky province, but it's a little cooler because I live here. ;)

 

Actually... to be entirely fair and honest... most people never notice the province in which I live. It flies under every radar. Even aliens can't seem to land here. When people envision a map of Canada, my province isn't on it -- even if they are also Canadians -- and sometimes even when they are actually from this province. When I tell people what province I live in they usually say something like, "is that in Michigan/Nebraska/Minnesota/Alabama?" When people are driving across the country and hit my province, they think they've taken that wrong turn and are halfway into the States, and wonder if they'll get arrested for having skipped the border sans entry port. My province is that place that when planes fly over it the pilot says... nothing, because he can't remember the name of it anyway and when the co-pilot, who will be from my province says "hey, we're flying over my home province" the pilot says "what? I thought you were from Michigan/Nebraska/Minnesota/Alabama."

Edited October 9, 2012 by Audrey

[QueenCat]

True. I was born in a dorky town. I don't think Maryland really hits anyone's radar screen as either cool or dorky, but I lived in a made-fun-of town in Maryland. Dats right, hon. :tongue_smilie:

 

LOL.... I have family in Mt. Airy, grew up in Columbia, and can think of several towns in your county that people could make jokes about (in relation to the town names).

[sunnylady303]

When we lived in KY, everyone was so careful to say, "I'm from Louisville,", like we were a different state or something:confused:. My family did make fun of us when we moved there, but we didn't care :tongue_smilie:.

 

:lol::lol: They did that so as to discern themselves from the country hicks that populate all the rest of KY. And that would be us. :lol: I think KY is a pretty dorky state. So many jokes about KY and I get to hear them all from my oh-so-cool Cleveland-er in-laws. We aren't native to KY but we've lived here 14 years and I'm thinking we're staying.

 

And you know what? The tobacco growing, trailer living, junk everywhere, cock fighting, everyone in each other's business, slightly ignorant stereotypes are often true. But you know what else? I've lived in FL, CA, and VA and never found people as friendly, community centered, ready to help each other, down to earth as the people here in my little rural KY town. So give me dorky any day.

 

Also the homeschooling laws are good.

[momtoamiracle]

I live in the state with the best food. Usually everyone loves Louisiana food! I'm not talking the over spiced stuff, but real Louisiana cooking can't be beat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'd never consider Texas to be cool. Driving across it to Get to New Mexico is awful..

[Violet Crown]

Lots of jealousy of Texas going on here. :D

 

This is clearly the most awesome city in the most awesome state. Beautiful, laid-back, apparently recession-proof (nearly), multitudes of homeschoolers ... Say, is that the Austin City Limits Festival getting started over there? Why so it is.

[Desert Rat]

I've lived in "Sin City" in the state full of brothels and gambling halls for over 25 years. I love it here. I love the mountains. I love 24 hour Walmarts and Walgreens. I love the colors of the desert and the mild winters. Many people have preconceived notions of Vegas and Nevada in general. They are all true to a certain extent. But, I've never seen the inside of a brothel. Red hatters I know recently toured one. And I peed in a truck stop slash brothel once in Beatty. Don't ask.

I don't gamble. My dh does though. His winnings were enough to make the down payment on the house we live in.

We don't live near the strip nor do we visit often. But we do love the aquarium at Mandalay Bay.

I like the privacy we have because people are standoffish here. We know our neighbors pretty well but that is rare here.

I don't like the lack of culture here. But, it's a baby city, barely 100 years old. It takes time to build good museums and such. Luckily we have some crazy rich casino owners who buy amazing works of art and put them on display in the their hotel/casinos.

[Spy Car]

Four strong winds that blow lonely, Seven seas that run high,

All these things that don't change, Come what may.

But our good times are all gone,

And I'm bound for moving on.

I'll look for you if I'm ever back this way.

Think I'll go out to Alberta,

Weather's good there in the fall.

Got some friends that I can go to working for,

Still I wish you'd change your mind

If I asked you one more time,

But we've been through that a hundred times or more.

[Wendi]

Now I will be up all night wondering if Arizona is cool. :001_huh: :glare: :D

 

Wendi

[Wendi]

Jersey has such a bad reputation. I promise you we are not all like Snookie or Teresa Giudice (Jersey Housewives). ;)

 

I love living in Jersey. It's perfect...except the property taxes :blink:

 

Everyone thinks Jersey is all like the Newark airport or something. Seriously, it's called The Garden State for a reason, people. (My dh is a native of Bergen County.) :001_smile:

 

Wendi

[sassenach]

I'll live anywhere once, and some places twice! I'm a gypsy at heart. My only regret is that there are too many places to live in one lifetime

[gaillardia]

I live in a cool state and will live wherever I choose; I'll turn a dorky state cool by being there.

 

Texas is not cool from mid-May through September.

I would live in Virginia if I could.

[dansamy]

I live in AL. At least we're not MS! ;)

[sassenach]

I live in AL. At least we're not MS! ;)

 

I think that's the state motto of LA, GA, AR and maybe a few other southern states.

[dansamy]

I think that's the state motto of LA, GA, AR and maybe a few other southern states.

 

Yup! We all point to the charts and proudly declare "We're not dead last! MS is!"

[Jpoy85]

I live in Ohio. Im not moving. Im a dork. :001_smile:

[dsmith]

Jersey has such a bad reputation. I promise you we are not all like Snookie or Teresa Giudice (Jersey Housewives). ;)

 

I love living in Jersey. It's perfect...except the property taxes :blink:

 

:iagree::iagree:

I've lived here all my life and I have yet to meet anyone who acts even remotely like the people on Jersey Shore or Housewives. Now, there are places in NJ that I avoid like the plague, but there are places in other states I would avoid too. I'm pretty open to living anywhere. I don't put much stock in reputations. I'd have to visit for a few weeks to really know if I could live in a place.

[DawnM]

I am not getting the joke.

 

What am I missing?

 

I wouldn't move to WV. I don't want to be a homeschooler who cuts hair at home living in WV. It has too much joke potential.:D

 

 

:lol::lol:

 

(I'm just kidding. Sort of.)

 

;)

[DawnM]

Honestly, I have no idea what states are cool and what states are not.

 

There are certain states I would prefer not to live in, but mostly due to location. North Dakota and South Dakota and Montana make the list......way too cold and way too far away from everything (beaches, etc...) In fact, many of those middle states would not be my choice.....Wyoming, Iowa.....again, due to location, not because they are dorky.

[Donna]

Jersey has such a bad reputation. I promise you we are not all like Snookie or Teresa Giudice (Jersey Housewives). ;)

 

I love living in Jersey. It's perfect...except the property taxes :blink:

 

:iagree: I think there are people living happily in every state in the US and also people who are unhappy no matter where they live...so it doesn't matter to me what the reputation of the state is.

[lisamarie]

I'm not going to vote because I have no idea if I live in a dorky state or not (is Indiana dorky?).

 

 

Yes. It is.:lol::lol::lol: But then, I'm from Michigan, so what do I know? I'm guessing others consider it a dorky state as well.

[stripe]

"is that in Michigan/Nebraska/Minnesota/Alabama?"

What a range! Especially throwing in Alabama.

 

It could be worse. People do this with my name. :glare:

[The Girls' Mom]

Well, all of the states I have lived in have had bad reps for one reason or another.

 

Minnesota: known for weird accents and never ending winters. (both of which are only slightly exaggerated IMHO :lol:)

 

Tennessee: my home state, known for hillbillies and lack of education. Both of which can be pretty accurate depending on the town.

 

Texas: Well, it's Texas. I could make a list.

 

Thing is, I've loved living in each one, despite any preconceptions I had. (well, I have no preconceptions about TN, it's just life for me.)

[stripe]

And don't worry, people make fun of Californians and Oregonians, too. Not to mention all the rest.

 

It may be like hating the popular kids in the class with their perfect hair, but, believe me, there are plenty of stereotypes on both sides.

[elegantlion]

I live in Nebraska. Obviously I don't care if I live in a dorky state:lol:. When we travel and tell people we live in Nebraska, they just kinda look at us like:001_huh:. I think people are shocked that there are people living here:tongue_smilie:. Our claims to fame include Johnny Carson and Kool-Aid. Oh, and Cornhusker football, which is the main religion in the state. Oh wait! You remember a few years ago when a state senator sued God? He was from Nebraska. We have more cows than people. A traffic jam is when you get stuck behind a combine/tractor. I stay to class up the place;).

 

I have very fond memories of two summers in the middle of nowhere Nebraska. I took vacation for one week with a friend and we stayed at her grandma's house. I think we were 18. *sigh* those were some good times.

 

 

Oh and you have Pioneer Village, loved that as a kid. Chimney Rock too.

[Guest]

I live in a dorky province, but it's a little cooler because I live here. ;)

 

Actually... to be entirely fair and honest... most people never notice the province in which I live. It flies under every radar. Even aliens can't seem to land here. When people envision a map of Canada, my province isn't on it -- even if they are also Canadians -- and sometimes even when they are actually from this province. When I tell people what province I live in they usually say something like, "is that in Michigan/Nebraska/Minnesota/Alabama?" When people are driving across the country and hit my province, they think they've taken that wrong turn and are halfway into the States, and wonder if they'll get arrested for having skipped the border sans entry port. My province is that place that when planes fly over it the pilot says... nothing, because he can't remember the name of it anyway and when the co-pilot, who will be from my province says "hey, we're flying over my home province" the pilot says "what? I thought you were from Michigan/Nebraska/Minnesota/Alabama."

 

:lol:

 

LOL.... I have family in Mt. Airy, grew up in Columbia, and can think of several towns in your county that people could make jokes about (in relation to the town names).

 

Well, Mt. Airy is cool and Columbia is uber-cool. Think Pasadena, or Glen Burnie. I can't help my un-cool roots. At least I moved!:D

 

Lots of jealousy of Texas going on here.

 

This is clearly the most awesome city in the most awesome state. Beautiful, laid-back, apparently recession-proof (nearly), multitudes of homeschoolers ... Say, is that the Austin City Limits Festival getting started over there? Why so it is.

 

See? I knew it.

 

Now I will be up all night wondering if Arizona is cool. :001_huh: :glare: :D

 

Wendi

 

Arizona is cool.

 

And don't worry, people make fun of Californians and Oregonians, too. Not to mention all the rest.

 

It may be like hating the popular kids in the class with their perfect hair, but, believe me, there are plenty of stereotypes on both sides.

 

Interesting simile. I think you have a point there.

 

I am not getting the joke.

 

What am I missing?

 

Well, WV...you know. People have notions about WV. About how the family trees don't fork. Trailer homes. Teeth gone missing. Hun'in' season. And no cell phone reception, let alone high-speed internet.

[craftyerin]

I moved from an uncool city in a very cool state (Houston) to the coolest city in a very uncool state (New Orleans). Overall, I'd say it's a wash. ;) I know both cities have their own stereotypes, good and bad, but really--both are nice places to live.

[GWOB]

I live in AL. At least we're not MS! ;)

 

I think that's the state motto of LA, GA, AR and maybe a few other southern states.

 

:lol: I grew up in LA. We are very thankful for MS. They keep us off they bottom;).

[GWOB]

I live in a dorky province, but it's a little cooler because I live here. ;)

 

Actually... to be entirely fair and honest... most people never notice the province in which I live. It flies under every radar. Even aliens can't seem to land here. When people envision a map of Canada, my province isn't on it -- even if they are also Canadians -- and sometimes even when they are actually from this province. When I tell people what province I live in they usually say something like, "is that in Michigan/Nebraska/Minnesota/Alabama?" When people are driving across the country and hit my province, they think they've taken that wrong turn and are halfway into the States, and wonder if they'll get arrested for having skipped the border sans entry port. My province is that place that when planes fly over it the pilot says... nothing, because he can't remember the name of it anyway and when the co-pilot, who will be from my province says "hey, we're flying over my home province" the pilot says "what? I thought you were from Michigan/Nebraska/Minnesota/Alabama."

 

Wait a minute! You mean people have actually heard of Nebraska?!?! We mustn't be as dorky as I thought.

[Dmmetler]

I live in Memphis-so not only does my state have less than ideal reputation, so does my city. It's a cheap place to live, I homeschool so I don't deal with the schools (and so do a LOT of other folks, so homeschool activities abound), and it works for us.

[DawnM]

But how does that relate to cutting hair in your home?

 

I cut all of my boys' hair, including DH's.

 

Am I dorky?

 

 

 

Well, WV...you know. People have notions about WV. About how the family trees don't fork. Trailer homes. Teeth gone missing. Hun'in' season. And no cell phone reception, let alone high-speed internet.

[Tutor]

I live in AL. At least we're not MS! ;)

 

 

Excuse me. We are now referred to as "the landmass between Mobile and New Orleans."

 

I grew up in NJ (when people find out, they ask why I don't have an accent then proceed to speak to me in a Long Island accent... I'm getting better at not sighing) and now live in MS (which the other 49 states pretend doesn't exist unless something negative is said about them then point to us and say. "Well, at least we're not Mississippi.") I've loved living in both places (as well as in PA, DC, and MD) and feel sorry for those who won't let go of their stereotypes to see the good here.

Edited October 9, 2012 by Tutor

[Guest]

But how does that relate to cutting hair in your home?

 

I cut all of my boys' hair, including DH's.

 

Am I dorky?

 

I'm guessing that goes along with poverty/low-income/DIYers. I used to cut all of my boys' hair, including DH, until they started having important opinions about it.

[MeaganS]

I live in NW Arkansas. It is different than the rest of Arkansas, and I love it! It has a low cost of living, lots of amenities, and a fairly low unemployment rate compared to the rest of the country. I don't know if anyone has gushed about it already because I didn't read the rest of the thread, but it is awesome. And I didn't grow up here or anything. I just like it.

[momtoamiracle]

I'm guessing that goes along with poverty/low-income/DIYers. I used to cut all of my boys' hair, including DH, until they started having important opinions about it.

 

 

 

 

I cut my husbands hair. I do a better job, and frankly my husband would rather me do it.

 

 

 

I don't cut my sons because he really needs a professional to do it, but if I had the ability I would cut it. It is more convenient to do it at home, that is for sure.

[Jeannie in NJ]

my dh's cousin married a man with the same first name as an adult cousin of my kids so to avoid confusion when my dc were little, we had them call female cousin's husband Uncle D. So now we have Cousin M married to Uncle D. We all just say that they are really from West Virginia. (sorry to all you West Virginians out there but it really is funny)

 

But living in New Jersey, and at the shore, we get our share of Jersey Shore comments. When we went to Disney last year, my teen dd met a family from Quebec that had 2 teen sons. They were amazed that dd was not like Snookie. They actually thought that people from NJ were all like Jersey Shore.

[dansamy]

Excuse me. We are now referred to as "the landmass between Mobile and New Orleans."

 

I grew up in NJ (when people find out, they ask why I don't have an accent then proceed to speak to me in a Long Island accent... I'm getting better at not sighing) and now live in MS (which the other 49 states pretend doesn't exist unless something negative is said about them then point to us and say. "Well, at least we're not Mississippi.") I've loved living in both places (as well as in PA, DC, and MD) and feel sorry for those who won't let go of their stereotypes to see the good here.

 

I hope y'all know I'm teasing. I've bounced back and forth from AL to MS my whole life and rural MS is a pretty nice place to live.

[justLisa]

I live in SEattle. We are pasty and drink snobby coffee. It is true.

 

But I do not hug trees. Well maybe I have one picture of hugging a tree but it was just to get perspective on one of the biggest tree trunks in the world

[Spy Car]

Almost heaven, West Virginia

Blue Ridge Mountains

Shenandoah River -

Life is old there

Older than the trees

Younger than the mountains

Growin' like a breeze

 

Country Roads, take me home

To the place I belong

West Virginia, mountain momma

Take me home, country roads