Tell Us about your State

[chloe]

What is it like to live where you live? Are Property taxes high? How about culture, music, arts? Are people friendly? Is there a dominant religion? What is the main political feel to your city? Average price for a house that isnt in the slums but not ultra rich either?

[chloe]

Utah is a Republican State, Salt Lake City is turning a little liberal. It is primarily Mormon. Houses range between $170-$400. Taxes are cheap. Utah has a huge Meth Problem in the slum areas called Kearns, West Valley City & Rose Park. Rose Park is mostly Hispanic everwhere else is white. There is no diversity here, it is about 98% white. There are alot of Companies and alot of movie people have homes in Park City. Robert Redford started the Sundance film festival here every year it takes place in Jan. Southern Utah has a lot of retirees especially close to the border of Mesquite, Nevada. Moab Utah is a mecca for Mountain Bikers. It is very beautiful scenary wise all over utah. yes we do have Polygamists My Parents are neighbors to a large Polygamist family. There is a small gay community in Sugarhouse near the College Westminster.

[crin63]

Not much to say about California that you guys don't already know. Its been completely ruined and is currently being plundered by Liberals.

[dan]

I live in South Carolina. I don't know about property tax because I don't own any property, but we have a car tax here that's a bit on the pricey side. My biggest complaint about the state is that there's not a ton of culture/arts to it, you have to really dig deep to find any sort of artistic community, and even then it's in maybe two or three cities in the state. The people are very friendly, too much so for me, honestly. Obviously, the dominant religion is Southern Baptist. The state is by far dominated by Republicans, but the town that I live in is a college town, so it leans left a bit more than the rest of the state. No clue on average prices of houses, but I'm guessing it's probably on the cheaper side of the spectrum compared to the rest of the country. My biggest complaint with this state is that we are already scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to education, as compared to the rest of the country, and they keep taking funding away from the schools. And our governor keeps refusing money the national government is offering. I understand his point, but at the same time, it's not like the government is going to use the money wisely if he refuses it, they'll just give it to some other state or something, so why not go ahead and take it? We definitely need it, as my friend the high school teacher who just lost a lot of his coworkers and will now be teaching two extra classes whose average size went from 20 kids to 35 kids, can attest to.

[April15]

California! So much promise and future. The sierra nevada is super for skiers and Yosemite is a wonder all of it's own.
Politically the state has gone bad since late 70's. I think most of it is from the influence of the so. Cal republicans.
With the 1999 repeal of banking restrictions the housing boom went crazy and is now the worst in the nation, except maybe Florida. Homes vary by millions of bucks in just a few blocks. Property taxes are .1% of appraised value. I am lucky to be exempt as I fall under prop. 13 jurisdiction.
Where I reside the people are for the most part friendly. San Francisco is very artsy, street musicians abound. Being I don't do religion all I can say is there are many places of worship if you wish to.
This state has PG&E suppling our utilities and they are very green orientated. Gas and electric average 65 a month. Water is 100 a month. Figure that one? I can't.
All in all it is one fine place to live.

[chloe]

I live in South Carolina. I don't know about property tax because I don't own any property, but we have a car tax here that's a bit on the pricey side. My biggest complaint about the state is that there's not a ton of culture/arts to it, you have to really dig deep to find any sort of artistic community, and even then it's in maybe two or three cities in the state. The people are very friendly, too much so for me, honestly. Obviously, the dominant religion is Southern Baptist. The state is by far dominated by Republicans, but the town that I live in is a college town, so it leans left a bit more than the rest of the state. No clue on average prices of houses, but I'm guessing it's probably on the cheaper side of the spectrum compared to the rest of the country. My biggest complaint with this state is that we are already scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to education, as compared to the rest of the country, and they keep taking funding away from the schools. And our governor keeps refusing money the national government is offering. I understand his point, but at the same time, it's not like the government is going to use the money wisely if he refuses it, they'll just give it to some other state or something, so why not go ahead and take it? We definitely need it, as my friend the high school teacher who just lost a lot of his coworkers and will now be teaching two extra classes whose average size went from 20 kids to 35 kids, can attest to.


Thank you this exactly what I want to know, the personal experiences & opinions of the places you live in along with a few stats ! So SC stinks on education. Is there Racial diversity? I assume there is no religious diversity. Is there a gay community? If you had to say SC's biggest drug problem which would you choose meth or heroin? Thanks !

[chloe]

California! So much promise and future. The sierra nevada is super for skiers and Yosemite is a wonder all of it's own.
Politically the state has gone bad since late 70's. I think most of it is from the influence of the so. Cal republicans.
With the 1999 repeal of banking restrictions the housing boom went crazy and is now the worst in the nation, except maybe Florida. Homes vary by millions of bucks in just a few blocks. Property taxes are .1% of appraised value. I am lucky to be exempt as I fall under prop. 13 jurisdiction.
Where I reside the people are for the most part friendly. San Francisco is very artsy, street musicians abound. Being I don't do religion all I can say is there are many places of worship if you wish to.
This state has PG&E suppling our utilities and they are very green orientated. Gas and electric average 65 a month. Water is 100 a month. Figure that one? I can't.
All in all it is one fine place to live.

Yosemite does look beautiful in the pictures Ive seen. Do all renters carry rental insurance? Does everyone have earthquake insurance? I love that it has plenty of racial diversity, and san fran is a gay mecca which is fun for all my gay friends. But its too inflated in real estate prices & taxes. If you were to say the biggest religion in your city, would you say it is Scientology? Thanks !

[chloe]

Not much to say about California that you guys don't already know. Its been completely ruined and is currently being plundered by Liberals.

What area of Cal do you live in? What state would you like to live in?:cool:

[crin63]

What area of Cal do you live in? What state would you like to live in?:cool:

I live in Los Angeles (So. Cal.). I would move to Prescott, AZ or maybe a little further north. I stay where I'm at because of my church. The weather is terrific, you can do just about anything you want to do from Disneyland, Knotts berry Farm, Magic Mountain, Universal Studios, to surfing, to skiing, to offroading, to hunting and hang gliding all within an hour of where I live.

If it weren't for the Socialistic Liberalization of California I would love it, I did when i was a kid. Now I hate it here, but someone has to stay and try to reach the heathens.

[April15]

Yosemite does look beautiful in the pictures Ive seen. Do all renters carry rental insurance? Does everyone have earthquake insurance? I love that it has plenty of racial diversity, and san fran is a gay mecca which is fun for all my gay friends. But its too inflated in real estate prices & taxes. If you were to say the biggest religion in your city, would you say it is Scientology? Thanks !I have no idea about renters insurance and earthquake insurance would be like lightning strike insurance.
The real estate is high and so are wages, for the most part. Like I said I have a grandfathered tax rate for home but it is high for newbys. I could not even guess as to religion.

[April15]

I live in Los Angeles (So. Cal.). I would move to Prescott, AZ or maybe a little further north. I stay where I'm at because of my church. The weather is terrific, you can do just about anything you want to do from Disneyland, Knotts berry Farm, Magic Mountain, Universal Studios, to surfing, to skiing, to offroading, to hunting and hang gliding all within an hour of where I live.

If it weren't for the Socialistic Liberalization of California I would love it, I did when i was a kid. Now I hate it here, but someone has to stay and try to reach the heathens.Seems to be So. Cal sentiment.

[Kathianne]

Illinois is flat. Flat, flat, flat. Perhaps not as flat as Indiana, but flat.:laugh2:
Chicago is a cultural mecca. Theater, music, museums, all top notch. The Lake is beautiful and the skyline from the Lake is even moreso. Shopping is great, but taxes are very high. Definite blue state, more so every year. Average price for suburban home around $250-300k. Property taxes are high, anywhere in the 5 country area. Mine are over $7400k per year, property worth about $220. Gas prices highest in the nation, today 87 unleaded: $2.69.

Downside, the weather, I doubt there is a city anywhere that so enjoys the few nice spring and fall days. Other than that it's freezing or hot & humid or raining and nearly always the wind is at 30 mph or higher. Today was one of those rare days, low 70's sunny, mild breeze. I met a friend, had lunch outside, went for a walk by the river. Gorgeous!

Did I mention it's flat? ;)

[chloe]

I live in Los Angeles (So. Cal.). I would move to Prescott, AZ or maybe a little further north. I stay where I'm at because of my church. The weather is terrific, you can do just about anything you want to do from Disneyland, Knotts berry Farm, Magic Mountain, Universal Studios, to surfing, to skiing, to offroading, to hunting and hang gliding all within an hour of where I live.

If it weren't for the Socialistic Liberalization of California I would love it, I did when i was a kid. Now I hate it here, but someone has to stay and try to reach the heathens.

when I was a little girl I went to knotts berry farm, then when I got divorced the 2nd time my ex mother in law took me & my kids to disneyland & universal studios it was a lot of fun. The water was too cold for the beach but we slept in front of the beach and the ocean waves sounded beautiful. When i lived in Phoenix we used to visit family that lived in Prescott it was beautiful.

[chloe]

Illinois is flat. Flat, flat, flat. Perhaps not as flat as Indiana, but flat.:laugh2:
Chicago is a cultural mecca. Theater, music, museums, all top notch. The Lake is beautiful and the skyline from the Lake is even moreso. Shopping is great, but taxes are very high. Definite blue state, more so every year. Average price for suburban home around $250-300k. Property taxes are high, anywhere in the 5 country area. Mine are over $7400k per year, property worth about $220. Gas prices highest in the nation, today 87 unleaded: $2.69.

Downside, the weather, I doubt there is a city anywhere that so enjoys the few nice spring and fall days. Other than that it's freezing or hot & humid or raining and nearly always the wind is at 30 mph or higher. Today was one of those rare days, low 70's sunny, mild breeze. I met a friend, had lunch outside, went for a walk by the river. Gorgeous!

Did I mention it's flat? ;)

When I lived in Ohio we drove through chicago on our way to utah. It was huge. I don't like chicago's weather stats but it does have all the great things you mentioned arts, music, culture, diversity. Also mafia. Do you still have a large mafia crime family that runs things behind the scenes? Is the Mafia extinct?

[chloe]

Seems to be So. Cal sentiment.

Is southern & northern california split politically, religiously ? If California were divided up what would be the most liberal & most conservative sections?

[Kathianne]

When I lived in Ohio we drove through chicago on our way to utah. It was huge. I don't like chicago's weather stats but it does have all the great things you mentioned arts, music, culture, diversity. Also mafia. Do you still have a large mafia crime family that runs things behind the scenes? Is the Mafia extinct?

Oh no, the Mob is not extinct here, contrary to the position of an old, banned member. Mostly they run drugs, prostitution, gaming, and construction for the City of Chicago:

http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2009/jan/27/local/chi-family-secrets-sentencing-27jan27


Family Secrets defendant gets 20 years
Paul ‘the Indian’ Schiro is first mobster convicted in the case to learn his fate
By Jeff Coen
January 27, 2009
Convicted mob thief Paul “the Indian” Schiro was like a sleeper agent, a federal judge said Monday, an Outfit associate who did little but lie in wait for years before suddenly getting an order to do something horrible.

When the direction came, it was to help a team of hit men kill his good friend Emil Vaci, and Schiro coldly did as he was told.

“There was no evidence of his hesitation,” U.S. District Judge James Zagel said.

Zagel sentenced Schiro on Monday to 20 years in prison, making him the first defendant in the landmark Family Secrets mob conspiracy case to learn his fate.

A veritable who’s who of the Chicago Outfit—mob bosses James Marcello, Joey “the Clown” Lombardo and Frank Calabrese Sr.—are scheduled to be sentenced within days.

A federal jury convicted Schiro of racketeering conspiracy in the Family Secrets trial in 2007 but was unable to unanimously agree on whether he was responsible for Vaci’s murder in Arizona in 1986.

Zagel found that Schiro was involved in the killing by a preponderance of the evidence, making him eligible for the 20 years, the most he could face on the racketeering count.
....

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-090311-kass,0,4096549.story


John Kass: Author saw it all when book thrown at mob

John Kass

March 11, 2009


If you're interested in understanding the real Chicago -- and there can be no serious understanding of this completely political city without examining the Chicago Outfit -- then you'll soon have a great new book on your shelves:

"Family Secrets: The Case That Crippled the Chicago Mob" (Chicago Review Press) by Chicago Tribune federal courts reporter Jeff Coen.Yes, Coen is a colleague of mine who is well-respected in our newsroom. But the reason I recommend this book is that I've followed Coen's work chronicling this case. His careful eye and clean writing style have produced years of compelling Tribune stories and now this authoritative account of one of the most amazing Chicago Outfit cases in history.

It involves the FBI's turning of Chicago Outfit hit man Nicholas Calabrese into a top witness and informer. Calabrese's access and insight into unsolved murders, offered up at trial by the expert killer and brother of a Chinatown Crew boss, were more than astounding. And, in a creepy but necessary way, illuminating.

Calabrese, a deadly though perpetually terrified hit man, testified against the bosses about more than 18 gangland murders in the federal Family Secrets case. Now mob bosses including his brother Frank, Joey "The Clown" Lombardo and Jimmy Marcello, and fellow hit man Paul Schiro will spend the rest of their lives in prison.

Later this week an Outfit messenger boy -- Anthony Doyle, a former Chicago police officer who worked in the evidence section and who visited Frank Calabrese in prison to discuss the FBI's interest in an old bloody glove -- also will be sentenced.

From the witness stand, Doyle gave Chicago one of my favorite words, "chumbolone," the Chinatown Crew's slang for idiot or fool. He deserves a long sentence. Federal mob watchers consider him to be close to the Outfit's current overall reputed street boss, Frank "Toots" Caruso.
...

[Nukeman]

Illinois is flat. Flat, flat, flat. Perhaps not as flat as Indiana, but flat.:laugh2:
Did I mention it's flat? ;)


Ahh Now you hurt MY feelings. Indiana is not THAT flat. You just have to get out of the northern part, just like Illinois. You get to the souther part of the state (south of Indy) it gets pretty hilly and VERY pretty.

As for the area where Trigg and I live as well as AFbombloader, and Monkeybone, it is pretty nice. Taxes are low for a moderately priced home you could expect to pay between $1000 and $2000 for property taxes. The sales tax is 7% and that was enacted last year to DROP property taxes. I did see a drop of 30% last year YAY!!!

The average price for a home around here depends if you want land or not. A house in a subdivision will run anywhere from 150k to 400k (thats for 2000 sqft upto about 6000 sq ft) if you want land it can be anywhere from 100k to a million. example our neighbors have their house for sale now and are asking 220k with 2 acres(4 bedroom and 3 bath total living sq ft of 3500), we do live next to some very nice lakes....

The predominate religion is Christian, pretty evenly split between Catholic and Protestant.

Indiana as a whole is very CONSERVATIVE although you wouldn't know it by our last election (Obama only won 9 counties out of 92 in this past election) Unfortunately they were the most densely populated counties...

Indiana has some of the BEST colleges in the nation. Notre Dame with its Law and business schools are top notch and will open ANY doors. Indiana University has a tremendous Medical school (one of the best in the country), Purdue University has not only some the BEST engineering programs but they also are one of only a handful of pharmacy programs that also offer nuclear pahrmecy... Rose Holman is another great business school. You can not forget the HIGH SCHOOL of Culver Military Academy (Dick Chaney went there)

AS for culture, Fort Wayne has one of the top 5 libraries for genealogy and it is ranked in the top 10 over all for the nation. Indianapolis has wonderful museums, and art festivals, not mention the Children's Museum of Indy is second to none. There are cultural festivals throughout the summer months, they include German Fest, highland games(Scottish and Irish), Rib fest, Jazz Fest, Three rivers festival, Amish acres a host of others that I can't remember off the top of my head. Fort Wayne has one of the best Children's Zoo's in the country. It really is a very OVERLOOKED area. Most think Indiana is filled with hayseeds yokels that don't know anything at all yet if they only knew what was available here they may be surprised. (we have friends from NY who said they would NEVER go back)


Ft. Wayne still has a large German population in fact the predominate language in the area was German prior to WWII (I will let you figure out why it no longer is). Northern IN has a large Amish population that helps keep the excessive growth you see in other sates under control.

A lot of coastal states call this area of the country "fly over country" You know what, thats fine with me they can keep the High taxes, high cost of living, high property values, and self importance and stay the heck out of my state. It is very refreshing to step outside and realize just how nice of an area you live in. My wife and I have lived from Michigan to Florida and when it came time to start a family we chose to move "home" to Indiana.

Great place
Great state parks
Great summer weather
Nice people
Great education

[Kathianne]

Ahh Now you hurt MY feelings. Indiana is not THAT flat. You just have to get out of the northern part, just like Illinois. You get to the souther part of the state (south of Indy) it gets pretty hilly and VERY pretty.

As for the area where Trigg and I live as well as AFbombloader, and Monkeybone, it is pretty nice. Taxes are low for a moderately priced home you could expect to pay between $1000 and $2000 for property taxes. The sales tax is 7% and that was enacted last year to DROP property taxes. I did see a drop of 30% last year YAY!!!

The average price for a home around here depends if you want land or not. A house in a subdivision will run anywhere from 150k to 400k (thats for 2000 sqft upto about 6000 sq ft) if you want land it can be anywhere from 100k to a million. example our neighbors have their house for sale now and are asking 220k with 2 acres(4 bedroom and 3 bath total living sq ft of 3500), we do live next to some very nice lakes....

The predominate religion is Christian, pretty evenly split between Catholic and Protestant.

Indiana as a whole is very CONSERVATIVE although you wouldn't know it by our last election (Obama only won 9 counties out of 92 in this past election) Unfortunately they were the most densely populated counties...

Indiana has some of the BEST colleges in the nation. Notre Dame with its Law and business schools are top notch and will open ANY doors. Indiana University has a tremendous Medical school (one of the best in the country), Purdue University has not only some the BEST engineering programs but they also are one of only a handful of pharmacy programs that also offer nuclear pahrmecy... Rose Holman is another great business school. You can not forget the HIGH SCHOOL of Culver Military Academy (Dick Chaney went there)

AS for culture, Fort Wayne has one of the top 5 libraries for genealogy and it is ranked in the top 10 over all for the nation. Indianapolis has wonderful museums, and art festivals, not mention the Children's Museum of Indy is second to none. There are cultural festivals throughout the summer months, they include German Fest, highland games(Scottish and Irish), Rib fest, Jazz Fest, Three rivers festival, Amish acres a host of others that I can't remember off the top of my head. Fort Wayne has one of the best Children's Zoo's in the country. It really is a very OVERLOOKED area. Most think Indiana is filled with hayseeds yokels that don't know anything at all yet if they only knew what was available here they may be surprised. (we have friends from NY who said they would NEVER go back)


Ft. Wayne still has a large German population in fact the predominate language in the area was German prior to WWII (I will let you figure out why it no longer is). Northern IN has a large Amish population that helps keep the excessive growth you see in other sates under control.

A lot of coastal states call this area of the country "fly over country" You know what, thats fine with me they can keep the High taxes, high cost of living, high property values, and self importance and stay the heck out of my state. It is very refreshing to step outside and realize just how nice of an area you live in. My wife and I have lived from Michigan to Florida and when it came time to start a family we chose to move "home" to Indiana.

Great place
Great state parks
Great summer weather
Nice people
Great education

Yep, for all the reasons you cited, it's why I'm thinking IL to IN would be a good move. ;)

[April15]

Is southern & northern california split politically, religiously ? If California were divided up what would be the most liberal & most conservative sections?I am not positive but northern and southern California are exact opposits. The north is where I reside and it is moderate in most things. Southern California is, and Crin63 can confirm, conservative as well as religious. This is not to say the central valley has no libs or cons, they do. But mostly it is water rights that divide the state.

Ol Mulholland started the water wars way back in the 20's.

[DragonStryk72]

Well, I live in Virginia, spefically the Hampton Roads area, along the east coast. Most of eastern VA is flat terrain, although we have the Blue Ridge mountains in the west. The moutains were actually used in the book Magic Kingdom for Sale-Sold! by Terry Brooks. The area is also referred to as the Seven Cities, due obviously, to the sevens parts that make up the area: Va. Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, and Hampton. just outside of that is Williamsburg, known for three main things: Colonial Williamsburg, The Budweiser factory (which employs a fair number for Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg, and Farmville), and, of course, Busch Gardens Europe, which has become a regular stop off for most southern Virginians, since VA residents can get a season pass for the same price as a day's admission.

In any case, the area I live is populated by a number of Military, including Army, Navy, Air Force, and dedicated Marine bases, so our economy doesn't tend to fluctuate much around here one way or the other, since the military always gets paid on the first and fifteenth of every month. The number of Vets and mil brats in the area also mean that anyone hoping to run for office here had better understand what goes into military life.

To be honest, as far as the whole gay community thing, there is one, but no one really makes a big deal about it, there aren't any pride parades or anything of that sort. I think it just goes back to this thought we have here that as long as it doesn't involve us, we don't really care too much one way or the other.

The biggest issue in my area is transportation. Our area has several different large bodies of water that make transportation a huge problem. Right now, the best solution on the table is light rail, which would connect all seven cities, as well as unclogging the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge Tunnel, the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, and the Chesapeake Bay bridge tunnel. Of course, there are massive arguments about where the money's gonna come from, but it'll get worked out eventually.

We also have quite the nice oceanfront area around here, making the beach the pricier area to live in, but honestly, housing prices are pretty moderate since we are as stable as we are thanks to the military. Our college crowd is equally diverse, since we have at least one or two colleges per section of Hampton Roads, as well as William & Mary up in Williamsburg.

As far as personal diversity, I don't think it could get much more so at this point. We pull people from all over the country thanks to the military, and then we have the international airports in Newport News, and Norfolk, although there are few distinct ethnic communties for the same reason.

[chloe]

Oh no, the Mob is not extinct here, contrary to the position of an old, banned member. Mostly they run drugs, prostitution, gaming, and construction for the City of Chicago:



I love mafia movies but I wouldn't want to live the reality of one he he.

[chloe]

AS for culture, Fort Wayne has one of the top 5 libraries for genealogy and it is ranked in the top 10 over all for the nation.


Great place
Great state parks
Great summer weather
Nice people
Great education

wow that is great information ! I dabble a little in genealogy, I have a lot of german, swedish, scottish, irish ancestors. Ft Wayne is also the birthplace of Axl Rose. He grew up there and taught sunday school in a Pentecostal Church, he also sung in the Bailey Trio Choir. The only downside is the winters there. Is winter as harsh as wyoming? When i lived in wyoming the winters where so intense it was depressing.

[Kathianne]

I love mafia movies but I wouldn't want to live the reality of one he he.

LOL! It's not the 20's anymore-no St. Valentine's Massacres. In any case, the mafia isn't dangerous to the health of anyone that stays away from them. In fact, they are very good to have as neighbors, as they do not want vice in their own backyards. ;)

[chloe]

To be honest, as far as the whole gay community thing, there is one, but no one really makes a big deal about it, there aren't any pride parades or anything of that sort. I think it just goes back to this thought we have here that as long as it doesn't involve us, we don't really care too much one way or the other.

As far as personal diversity, I don't think it could get much more so at this point. We pull people from all over the country thanks to the military, and then we have the international airports in Newport News, and Norfolk, although there are few distinct ethnic communties for the same reason.

Great to hear ! This is actually one state we are looking at seriously and considering. My mother & daughter will go check it out later this summer on a road trip along with some other states. My daughters best friend is gay and we wouldn't want to move somewhere that has a lot of hate & intolerance when he comes to visit.:cool:

[dan]

Thank you this exactly what I want to know, the personal experiences & opinions of the places you live in along with a few stats ! So SC stinks on education. Is there Racial diversity? I assume there is no religious diversity. Is there a gay community? If you had to say SC's biggest drug problem which would you choose meth or heroin? Thanks !

There can be a bit of racial diversity, yeah, but just like anywhere, if you meet the right people, it's not an issue. On a grander, societal scale, though, I think there's still a lot of tension there.

You will find the occassional Jewish temple, but for the most part, the main religion here is Christianity, more so than other parts of the country, I'd say.

There is a small gay community among the larger cities (Columbia, Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Summerville now that Jackass moved there ZING!), but there's not a community per se, but you would find gay people in most towns in SC, I'd imagine.

Well, neither heroin or meth are a humongous problem here, but meth is definitely more prevalent. But, it's mainly in the more rural areas of towns, the parts most people don't go to anyway.

[actsnoblemartin]

im in san diego

not much to say, the state has some friendly people.

more so here from what i can gather

but this state is the most shallow, superficial etc


What area of Cal do you live in? What state would you like to live in?:cool:

[emmett]

California! So much promise and future. The sierra nevada is super for skiers and Yosemite is a wonder all of it's own.
Politically the state has gone bad since late 70's. I think most of it is from the influence of the so. Cal republicans.
With the 1999 repeal of banking restrictions the housing boom went crazy and is now the worst in the nation, except maybe Florida. Homes vary by millions of bucks in just a few blocks. Property taxes are .1% of appraised value. I am lucky to be exempt as I fall under prop. 13 jurisdiction.
Where I reside the people are for the most part friendly. San Francisco is very artsy, street musicians abound. Being I don't do religion all I can say is there are many places of worship if you wish to.
This state has PG&E suppling our utilities and they are very green orientated. Gas and electric average 65 a month. Water is 100 a month. Figure that one? I can't.
All in all it is one fine place to live.


Especially Oakland huh?

California is the arm pit of the earth. Illegal migrant workers whoring up your job market is what killed your economy slick...not Republicans. Playcating to hollywood eliti9sts and sucking up to money by Lefties didn'y help. My friend's power bill is 250 a month in a two bedroom apt in LA. One can't walk after dark in most of Los Angeles, Oakland or even for god's sake Visalia! Very dangerous place. Murder on the irse like a plague. Taxes, unemployment out of site....government can't pay employees, state tax high as hell....


Try again on that sales pitch dude. I lived there over 4 years of my life. Hated every moment of it.

No I did not mention the highest percentage of the spreadi9ng of AIDS in the nation in San Fran.....I wouldn't do that!

[April15]

Especially Oakland huh?

California is the arm pit of the earth. Illegal migrant workers whoring up your job market is what killed your economy slick...not Republicans. Playcating to hollywood eliti9sts and sucking up to money by Lefties didn'y help. My friend's power bill is 250 a month in a two bedroom apt in LA. One can't walk after dark in most of Los Angeles, Oakland or even for god's sake Visalia! Very dangerous place. Murder on the irse like a plague. Taxes, unemployment out of site....government can't pay employees, state tax high as hell....


Try again on that sales pitch dude. I lived there over 4 years of my life. Hated every moment of it.

No I did not mention the highest percentage of the spreadi9ng of AIDS in the nation in San Fran.....I wouldn't do that!

I can't say why you didn't enjoy yourself, but millions of others do! I live across the bay from Oakland but have no problem going there.
The illegals are hired by the bigger corps to work at very low wages and substandard conditions with out fear of reprisal that a citizen would have access to and use.
I Remember Ronnies first stint at Governor. What a fucking disaster. Closed mental institutions and created the biggest homeless problem since the great depression. Stopped all road work because of monetary problems caused by putting the road tax paid on fuel into the general fund so he could get a pay raise.
The the stupids voted in George Dukemajian, another wanta be repuk. And then Pete, the I hate anyone who isn't white, Wilson. Finally a Dem, gray davis gets voted in and the Bush Administration refuses to have FERC punish Duke and Enron Energy corps for churning the electricity the state purchased out of state. Nah! It is all the dems!
By the way the southern part of California is powered by Southern Edison. the same of three mile island fame.
If your friend is scared to walk outside at night he needs to take the pointed white hood off!
Now as for georgia, Sherman should have finished the job.

[Mr. P]

....
Now as for georgia, Sherman should have finished the job.

:laugh2:

He did, but the State came back on it's own...unlike California which is looking for a Federal bailout from a self inflected suicide.

[crin63]

Illinois is flat. Flat, flat, flat. Perhaps not as flat as Indiana, but flat.:laugh2:
Chicago is a cultural mecca. Theater, music, museums, all top notch. The Lake is beautiful and the skyline from the Lake is even moreso. Shopping is great, but taxes are very high. Definite blue state, more so every year. Average price for suburban home around $250-300k. Property taxes are high, anywhere in the 5 country area. Mine are over $7400k per year, property worth about $220. Gas prices highest in the nation, today 87 unleaded: $2.69.

Downside, the weather, I doubt there is a city anywhere that so enjoys the few nice spring and fall days. Other than that it's freezing or hot & humid or raining and nearly always the wind is at 30 mph or higher. Today was one of those rare days, low 70's sunny, mild breeze. I met a friend, had lunch outside, went for a walk by the river. Gorgeous!

Did I mention it's flat? ;)

I spent a week in Chicago in November 2006. The things that made the biggest impression on me was the racial segregation and the city is laid out on a grid.

I have never experienced racial segregation like I saw in Chicago. During the day you go someplace and its mostly white, you go back at night and its all black. In the week I was there I only saw someone black and someone white together talking one time. Everyone stayed in their color coded little groups. The black folk I talked to seemed to be blown away that someone white was talking to them.

I did enjoy the Fields Museum while I was there as well.

[crin63]

I can't say why you didn't enjoy yourself, but millions of others do! I live across the bay from Oakland but have no problem going there.
The illegals are hired by the bigger corps to work at very low wages and substandard conditions with out fear of reprisal that a citizen would have access to and use.
I Remember Ronnies first stint at Governor. What a fucking disaster. Closed mental institutions and created the biggest homeless problem since the great depression. Stopped all road work because of monetary problems caused by putting the road tax paid on fuel into the general fund so he could get a pay raise.
The the stupids voted in George Dukemajian, another wanta be repuk. And then Pete, the I hate anyone who isn't white, Wilson. Finally a Dem, gray davis gets voted in and the Bush Administration refuses to have FERC punish Duke and Enron Energy corps for churning the electricity the state purchased out of state. Nah! It is all the dems!
By the way the southern part of California is powered by Southern Edison. the same of three mile island fame.
If your friend is scared to walk outside at night he needs to take the pointed white hood off!
Now as for georgia, Sherman should have finished the job.

The problem we had with the power generation industry was that California tried to take the profit out of producing energy with partial regulations. It was the governments fault. When the companies like SCE and AES couldn't make a profit like they should have they used the regulations that were imposed upon them by the heavy handed government to sell the power to neighboring states. Yes it caused the outages and rolling blackouts as well as higher energy costs because the government was screwing them.

[Kathianne]

I spent a week in Chicago in November 2006. The things that made the biggest impression on me was the racial segregation and the city is laid out on a grid.

I have never experienced racial segregation like I saw in Chicago. During the day you go someplace and its mostly white, you go back at night and its all black. In the week I was there I only saw someone black and someone white together talking one time. Everyone stayed in their color coded little groups. The black folk I talked to seemed to be blown away that someone white was talking to them.

I did enjoy the Fields Museum while I was there as well.

Chicago has always been defined by 'neighborhoods', it certainly has always been 'segregated,' which is why it had a twenty some year descent decree slapped on by the feds. Funny thing, quite a few of the judges noted that the 'segregation' wasn't by race as much as ethnicity. Still is so. All the orders in the world wouldn't change the 'neighborhoods.' Part of that is the 'grid', it makes boundaries that are recognizable. I'm not saying it's good, but it is what it is. There's China Town, Greek Town, Humbolt, Canaryville, Bronzeville, Austin, etc.

However, move into certain neighborhoods and it's quite diverse, same with nearly all the suburbs. Sounds to me like you stayed only in the 'city' part of the city?

[jimnyc]

What is it like to live where you live? Are Property taxes high? How about culture, music, arts? Are people friendly? Is there a dominant religion? What is the main political feel to your city? Average price for a house that isnt in the slums but not ultra rich either?

I live in New York, about 15 miles north of NYC. Although I am considered to be living in an "affluent" or "ritzy" area, I don't find it very impressive at all and I am surrounded day and night by democrats who are looking to suck my blood and spit out the bones. It must be like 98% democrat supporters in NY. I hate it here and would love to move back to Central NJ where I can handle the nipping at my heels by the politics down there.

Property taxes are disgusting. We paid somewhere around $13k last year. We paid $300k for our house back in '99 and it was valued at around 700k in 2004. Thanks to our wonderful leaders and politicians, it has dropped to around 400k now. Local and state taxes are also disgusting and all I get in return is higher priced goods from the local illegal immigrant community, who are employed at every other store, own the landscaping industry and illegally park their damn cars all over my road. I try to run them down when they cross the road, my friend told me I get 10 points for each one.

People around here can be ok. They will cut you off and flip you the bird for allowing them to do so. They will hold the door for you until you get about 3 feet away and let it slam on your nose. Every merchant will give you the incorrect change in the hopes that you don't count it. Seriously though, people are quite nice in my area. Drive about 10 miles south though, into the S. Bronx, and you better have your doors locked when you hit a red light!

I'm not a huge follower of religion around here and wouldn't have a clue as to which one dominated. I know the Muslim community presence here is very large. I'm petitioning the state to stop selling large steak knives and small saws. I like my head.

The main political feel is sickening and undigestable, which I doubt is even a word. It's liberal paradise rammed down your throat till you have to lock yourself in a small room to purge the evil, and stay there as long as possible. Serious again, EXTREMELY liberal here Dems basically have been running NY for years, and putting me on 4 different medications daily after being here since '96 (lived in Queens first).

Average prices for homes in my city are 300-1mil - unless you want the waterfront, which starts at about 10mil and you get a lovely view of the likely polluted Long Island Sound. Looks nice, feels nice, but I can't image it being very clean when every other illegal immigrant is peeing in it just down the road.

Lots of hot women around here though!!! And if you don't mind them without brains, you're in!!

**disclaimer - no offense to NY'ers that might get offended. I'll love you again once I move!

http://thm-a02.yimg.com/image/b1a9cca48aae63de

[crin63]

Chicago has always been defined by 'neighborhoods', it certainly has always been 'segregated,' which is why it had a twenty some year descent decree slapped on by the feds. Funny thing, quite a few of the judges noted that the 'segregation' wasn't by race as much as ethnicity. Still is so. All the orders in the world wouldn't change the 'neighborhoods.' Part of that is the 'grid', it makes boundaries that are recognizable. I'm not saying it's good, but it is what it is. There's China Town, Greek Town, Humbolt, Canaryville, Bronzeville, Austin, etc.

However, move into certain neighborhoods and it's quite diverse, same with nearly all the suburbs. Sounds to me like you stayed only in the 'city' part of the city?

I stayed in downtown at the Hilton I think a couple blocks from the Sears tower but I was driving through the neighborhoods around the 2 universities UIC and UIL. Me and my son were simply blown away by the segregation but also how the black folk I said, 'Hi' to were shocked that I was just talking to them.

It was a whole new world for us after living in Los Angeles. Everybody is mostly integrated here, its just those who want to use the color of their skin, ethnicity, sexual preferences to be put on a protected specie list or something so they can get special rights end up causing most of the divide.

I was talking to some of my friends the other day and we all noticed that there has been quite a change in the attitudes of our older (30+) black friends since Obama was elected. They have all become more black and less friendly to white folk. They have become more cliquish than they used to be.

[PostmodernProphet]

self inflected suicide.

curious what the other types of "suicide" might me......

[crin63]

I can't say why you didn't enjoy yourself, but millions of others do! I live across the bay from Oakland but have no problem going there.
If your friend is scared to walk outside at night he needs to take the pointed white hood off!

I guess when you live in a lily white and not to bright city like Burlingame that is more than 50% white you don't have much to worry about walking around at night.
Here in the suburbs of Los Angeles where the population is diverse and under 20% white if you walk around on the streets at night you better expect to be held up at gun point, shot at because you look like someone else, harassed by thugs or beaten by thugs because you accidentally looked at them. Here if you make eye contact with a thug its a direct challenge so long as he has 3 or 4 friends with him.

[Kathianne]

I stayed in downtown at the Hilton I think a couple blocks from the Sears tower but I was driving through the neighborhoods around the 2 universities UIC and UIL. Me and my son were simply blown away by the segregation but also how the black folk I said, 'Hi' to were shocked that I was just talking to them.

It was a whole new world for us after living in Los Angeles. Everybody is mostly integrated here, its just those who want to use the color of their skin, ethnicity, sexual preferences to be put on a protected specie list or something so they can get special rights end up causing most of the divide.

I was talking to some of my friends the other day and we all noticed that there has been quite a change in the attitudes of our older (30+) black friends since Obama was elected. They have all become more black and less friendly to white folk. They have become more cliquish than they used to be.

I'm not sure which universities you are referring to? UIC=U of I/Chicago. Were you by University of Chicago-Hyde Park? That is very diverse/integrated. Actually same with UIC, as the only housing around there is college apartments for UIC and UIC Med. Center-Rush.

DePaul/Loyola too are integrated areas, Northwestern is in Evanston, also integrated.

[Mr. P]

curious what the other types of "suicide" might me......

:laugh2: Thought the same thing after I read what I posted..it was too late to edit though. Chit happens.

[April15]

I guess when you live in a lily white and not to bright city like Burlingame that is more than 50% white you don't have much to worry about walking around at night.
Here in the suburbs of Los Angeles where the population is diverse and under 20% white if you walk around on the streets at night you better expect to be held up at gun point, shot at because you look like someone else, harassed by thugs or beaten by thugs because you accidentally looked at them. Here if you make eye contact with a thug its a direct challenge so long as he has 3 or 4 friends with him.All I can say is it is nice that you at least know exactly how it is where I live! I would imagine you then know of East Palo Alto or San Mateo. Neither bother me even with the reputation they carry. I must say though that I don't walk much the last few years.
Last time I was in Los Angeles was 1955. I do vaguely remember alvera street.

[Trigg]

I guess when you live in a lily white and not to bright city like Burlingame that is more than 50% white you don't have much to worry about walking around at night.
Here in the suburbs of Los Angeles where the population is diverse and under 20% white if you walk around on the streets at night you better expect to be held up at gun point, shot at because you look like someone else, harassed by thugs or beaten by thugs because you accidentally looked at them. Here if you make eye contact with a thug its a direct challenge so long as he has 3 or 4 friends with him.

I find it interresting that you talk about the benefits of diversity and are "shocked" by Chicago, and yet post that it's dangerous to walk around at night if your white in your neighborhood.

Call me crazy, but I'd rather live in a safe "segregated" area than a dangerous "intergrated" one anyday.

[chloe]

Jimnyc new york sounds outrageous to live in financially. I have visited NYC a few times and loved its glamour and diversity culture and show ! But I guess I wouldn't want to live there. i t was alos overwhelming and scary to me. Some dude kept following me and my aunt in central park it was so weird and uncomfortable. Utah is very white mormon and boring. We have some small clsuter of Tongans who moved here after converting to mormonism and some hispanic, but not much. It is almost like living in the 1950's era. There are some bad neighborhoods that have crime & violence , mostly poor areas with a high Meth population. Meth is a HUGE problem in Utah. Where I live is close by my mother and so Im more near the polygamists and very mormon neighborhoods. The taxes are very low, Utah is for th most paert except salt lake city, very conservative very republican.

[Kathianne]

I find it interresting that you talk about the benefits of diversity and are "shocked" by Chicago, and yet post that it's dangerous to walk around at night if your white in your neighborhood.

Call me crazy, but I'd rather live in a safe "segregated" area than a dangerous "intergrated" one anyday.

I must agree with you Trigg. There are neighborhoods in Chicago I wouldn't walk or drive through in daylight, much less night. However, most are fine. Downtown, meaning State, Michigan Ave, Rush, no problem. U of I or UIC, used to be 'Little Italy' and right in the area was Maxwell Street. UIC killed those 'neighborhoods.'

As I said, Chicago has always been 'segregated', yet maintained the ability for the diversity to will out.

[chloe]

Montgomery, AL

N Little Rock, AR


Los Angeles metro North [Monrovia], CA

Sacramento metro [Roseville], CA


San Francisco, CA


Chicago, IL


Indianapolis, IN


Des Moines metro West, IA


Sioux City, IA


Elizabethtown, KY


Lexington, KY


Boston metro North [Lexington], MA


Mankato, MN

Minneapolis metro [New Hope], MN


Billings, MT

Omaha, NE


Middlesex County [Jamesburg], NJ


Oklahoma City, OK


Portland metro [Lake Oswego], OR


Sioux Falls, SD


Memphis, TN


Nashville, TN


Austin, TX


Lubbock, TX


Salt Lake City, UT


Seattle, WA


Eau Claire, WI


Orange County [Mission Viejo], CA


Los Angeles metro West [Culver City], CA


Madison metro [Middleton], WI


Mt. Vernon, IL


Detroit metro [Livonia], MI


Albuquerque , NM


Baton Rouge, LA


Dallas, TX


Denver metro [Greenwood Village], CO


Houston, TX


Jackson, MS


Knoxville, TN


Cedar Rapids metro [Hiawatha], IA


Fargo, ND


Kansas City , MO


Grand Island Area, NE


Springfield, MO


Columbia, MO


St Louis , MO


Hays, KS


Wichita, KS


Shreveport, LA


Baltimore metro [Columbia], MD


So My mom put my stepdads resume up online for a job and these are the places he can choose for the field he is applying for. My mom asked me to help her pick which ones we want first for him to try for. Geez. I don't know what to put first. But I gather California & Chicago is too expensive. My Parents could afford those 2 places it but I couldn't. Does anyone know about any of these places listed? Indianaopolis, & Kentucky sound good to me.

[crin63]

I find it interresting that you talk about the benefits of diversity and are "shocked" by Chicago, and yet post that it's dangerous to walk around at night if your white in your neighborhood.

Call me crazy, but I'd rather live in a safe "segregated" area than a dangerous "intergrated" one anyday.

I love the diversity of different cultures. I particularly like the Armenian and Chinese cultures that I have been exposed too. I have many Armenian friends, allot of which grew up in the Soviet Union. Its only the black and hispanic thugs that are a problem in my area. We just don't go out walking much at night and if we do I carry my .45 if I feel like it. My city is about 19% White, 10% Black, 40% Latino, 10% Asian and the rest is a mix. We had so many shootings going on for a while that we had police and sheriffs from 6 or 7 different cities patrolling. I only stay here because of my church otherwise I would be in AZ.

[hjmick]

Montgomery, AL

N Little Rock, AR


Los Angeles metro North [Monrovia], CA

Sacramento metro [Roseville], CA


San Francisco, CA


Chicago, IL


Indianapolis, IN


Des Moines metro West, IA


Sioux City, IA


Elizabethtown, KY


Lexington, KY


Boston metro North [Lexington], MA


Mankato, MN

Minneapolis metro [New Hope], MN


Billings, MT

Omaha, NE


Middlesex County [Jamesburg], NJ


Oklahoma City, OK


Portland metro [Lake Oswego], OR


Sioux Falls, SD


Memphis, TN


Nashville, TN


Austin, TX


Lubbock, TX


Salt Lake City, UT


Seattle, WA


Eau Claire, WI


Orange County [Mission Viejo], CA


Los Angeles metro West [Culver City], CA


Madison metro [Middleton], WI


Mt. Vernon, IL


Detroit metro [Livonia], MI


Albuquerque , NM


Baton Rouge, LA


Dallas, TX


Denver metro [Greenwood Village], CO


Houston, TX


Jackson, MS


Knoxville, TN


Cedar Rapids metro [Hiawatha], IA


Fargo, ND


Kansas City , MO


Grand Island Area, NE


Springfield, MO


Columbia, MO


St Louis , MO


Hays, KS


Wichita, KS


Shreveport, LA


Baltimore metro [Columbia], MD


So My mom put my stepdads resume up online for a job and these are the places he can choose for the field he is applying for. My mom asked me to help her pick which ones we want first for him to try for. Geez. I don't know what to put first. But I gather California & Chicago is too expensive. My Parents could afford those 2 places it but I couldn't. Does anyone know about any of these places listed? Indianaopolis, & Kentucky sound good to me.

I've lived in Houston, may be living there again soon. Not bad, I like the area but would need to live outside of Houston proper. Dallas is nice, another location I'm considering. I would move to Memphis in a heart beat. Three words: Third and Beale. Albuquerque is a place I could live, but I would need to buy in the foothills. If it were me, I'd take Billings hands down.

[Kathianne]

I'm considering IN if I could find a job there. Close enough to 'big city' far enough to be less expensive. Truth is I go into the city 3 or 4 times a year, most years.

[PostmodernProphet]

Does anyone know about any of these places listed?

I'm familiar with the following....

Des Moines metro West, IA....not bad as medium sized cities go, but not near the top of your list....

Sioux City, IA ,,,,,,I would rank this in the bottom ten percent of your list

Mankato, MN ,,,,,, college town, not very large, pretty country side....not much else....

Sioux Falls, SD......no.....

Madison metro [Middleton], WI.....not a bad thought.....within a couple hours drive of a dozen places that people go to spend their summer vacation, not far from Chicago.....

Detroit metro [Livonia], MI.....the rotting corpse of an ugly animal.....

Cedar Rapids metro [Hiawatha], IA....a step up from Des Moines, but it's a long way from anywhere......

[Kathianne]

I'm familiar with the following....

Des Moines metro West, IA....not bad as medium sized cities go, but not near the top of your list....

Sioux City, IA ,,,,,,I would rank this in the bottom ten percent of your list

Mankato, MN ,,,,,, college town, not very large, pretty country side....not much else....

Sioux Falls, SD......no.....

Madison metro [Middleton], WI.....not a bad thought.....within a couple hours drive of a dozen places that people go to spend their summer vacation, not far from Chicago.....

Detroit metro [Livonia], MI.....the rotting corpse of an ugly animal.....

Cedar Rapids metro [Hiawatha], IA....a step up from Des Moines, but it's a long way from anywhere......

Madison is pretty pricey too. WI has high taxes, about the same as IL.

[Kathianne]

One reason that I'm becoming more determined to get out of IL:

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/05/temporary-income-tax-hike-surfaces-in-springfield.html


Originally posted: May 29, 2009
House Democrats call it a day; income tax a question
UPDATE: 5:36 p.m. House leaves for the day

...

With lawmakers scheduled to adjourn by Sunday, Quinn called today "D-Day" for approving a new state budget.

House and Senate Republicans have been reluctant to go along with an income tax hike, saying Democrats who control the governor's office and the legislature got the state into the current mess. Democrats could pass a tax hike and budget without Republican votes, but are struggling to round up the support for Quinn's plan.

The maneuvering suggested lawmakers could vote today on the proposal for a two-year increase in the personal income tax to 4.5 percent from the current level of 3 percent. The tax hike would begin this July 1 and end June 30, 2011.

Businesses also would see their tax rates rise 50 percent, hitting 7.2 percent instead of the current 4.8 percent.

House Republicans are concerned that a temporary income tax hike may generate as much as $3 billion but still leave a multibillion-dollar hole in the budget.

Without an income tax hike, Quinn would be faced with cutting as much as $5 billion to $7 billion, based on some lawmaker estimates....

Business does not pay taxes, the consumers pay those. IL is already one of the highest taxed states, not too mention corrupt. Now they want to kick them up over 50% on the 'little guy.' I've got to get out of here!

[Mr. P]

I can't think of any "temporary" tax hike that didn't become permanent.

[KitchenKitten99]

Mankato, MN.. agreed, college town. However there are issues with lots of section 8 housing people down there too. Mostly low income area unless you live in the northern part. There's lost of problems with underage drinking down there and people often find their yards or property vandalized or stolen after football games. Nice area by the river though.

Minneapolis metro [New Hope], MN.... If you are looking at New Hope specifically, working there is pretty good. Living there is low to lower-middle class in most areas, a few areas are nice. The city is getting better at issuing "fix it or be fined" tickets to problem houses.
If you are looking at other metro areas, look at the demographics of each town and the towns around them. For instance, there is a vast difference between living in Bloomington and Eden Prairie, even though they are right next to each other. Expect to pay taxes for everything you do if you live, work, or even visit Minneapolis. This is not an exaggeration, I am fully serious.

I currently am staying in Brooklyn Park, MN, and that city is 95% nice neighborhoods, good people, friendly communities. Next door is Brooklyn Center, which is 80% section 8 housing and even the retail company i work for closed their store in Brooklyn Center because of high theft. I normally live in Anoka, which is more to the North. Anoka is an older, more historic town. There are some lower income areas, but most is middle-to-higher income and 99% of the city is very nice and well-kept, even the lower-income spots.

Minnesota is a love/hate state for me. I love it here because summers are wonderful, lots of fun, but I hate the cold & snow.

I hate that we are #6 when it comes to over-all highest taxes.

I like that we rank very high on education.

I hate that as a state we spend 58% of our budget on education and the liberal whiners complain that it STILL isn't enough.

I love the colors in the fall, and taking the drive up North to see my grandparents that time of year is always a treat for scenery.

I hate that the cold weather here lasts from mid-September to late May.

Diversity of areas is really a matter of opinion of what diversity really is.

There are sections of Minneapolis that are almost solidly populated with Hispanic/Latinos and very few other races. Is THAT diversity? How about South St. Paul almost solidly populated with Asian/Island Pacific people. Is THAT diversity? Most of Minneapolis residents are of other races than white. White people are minorities there (except during working hours M-F, when many commute into the city to work)... so is that considered diversity? How about the suburbs and rural areas that are populated with mostly white people? That is the same situation as Minneapolis and St. Paul where the ratio is almost the exact opposite. So what is the solid, non-challenged definition of diversity?

I guess I would say diversity would be where all races were represented equally in numbers, within any community/city. But that isn't realistic because it is human nature to gravitate towards people of your own kind.

[crin63]

I'm not sure which universities you are referring to? UIC=U of I/Chicago. Were you by University of Chicago-Hyde Park? That is very diverse/integrated. Actually same with UIC, as the only housing around there is college apartments for UIC and UIC Med. Center-Rush.

DePaul/Loyola too are integrated areas, Northwestern is in Evanston, also integrated.

I was at The University of Chicago and University of Illinois at Chicago and the surrounding areas.

[Mr. P]

Stay away from Georgia!!!

We have lots of BIG BUGS and SNAKES!!!!

[Kathianne]

I was at The University of Chicago and University of Illinois at Chicago and the surrounding areas.

The 'old' neighborhood of UIC, would fit the segregation claim, when it was 'Little Italy' and had Maxwell Street, but those were gone in the 70's. It is very integrated, though mostly outside of college housing and the university itself, razed.

Hyde Park has been integrated since before the 1920's, U of C is in Hyde Park, so I am unsure of what you think you observed.

China Town- http://www.chicago-chinatown.com/cgi-bin/view.cgi?li=26

There is segregation, just not where you seem to have observed it.

http://www.chicago.com/neighborhoods/Bucktown/

[DragonStryk72]

Great to hear ! This is actually one state we are looking at seriously and considering. My mother & daughter will go check it out later this summer on a road trip along with some other states. My daughters best friend is gay and we wouldn't want to move somewhere that has a lot of hate & intolerance when he comes to visit.:cool:

I do warn that Portsmouth tends to be the closest thing we have to a ghetto (I say this having grown up in NY), and right now there's a very big back and forth going over schools. Teachers here are tired of all the extraneous tests they've been saddled with giving since the All- I mean, No Child Left Behind Act came into effect. So far, it looks as though they're going to drop the history exam (Parents became worried when stress balls were being given to their 8 year olds). We aren't the BEST schools, but we do fairly well.

If education is really a big deal for you, then I would suggest Williamsburg to live in. It's really a beautiful town, and their college, William & Mary, has been there through both the Revolutionary and Civil War, and was once the capital of Va. itself.

[DragonStryk72]

Jimnyc new york sounds outrageous to live in financially. I have visited NYC a few times and loved its glamour and diversity culture and show ! But I guess I wouldn't want to live there. i t was alos overwhelming and scary to me. Some dude kept following me and my aunt in central park it was so weird and uncomfortable. Utah is very white mormon and boring. We have some small clsuter of Tongans who moved here after converting to mormonism and some hispanic, but not much. It is almost like living in the 1950's era. There are some bad neighborhoods that have crime & violence , mostly poor areas with a high Meth population. Meth is a HUGE problem in Utah. Where I live is close by my mother and so Im more near the polygamists and very mormon neighborhoods. The taxes are very low, Utah is for th most paert except salt lake city, very conservative very republican.

Well, upstate NY isn't as bad, but people tend to forget that it exists because of NYC. Albany, where I grew up, is a fairly good area to live in, and doesn't have too high a cost of living.

[chloe]

Stay away from Georgia!!!

We have lots of BIG BUGS and SNAKES!!!!

I'll keep that in mind.....I don't see alot of snakes in utah where I live.

[chloe]

Well, upstate NY isn't as bad, but people tend to forget that it exists because of NYC. Albany, where I grew up, is a fairly good area to live in, and doesn't have too high a cost of living.

I would like to visit other places in new york besides new york city. I imagine its beautiful. My Aunt and cousins live in delaware & pa. Whenever I visit them we always go to nyc, or dc, or maryland sightseeing its fun. She gets a summer rental in some part of va where wild horses are ona beach. I haven't been on that trip yet.

[chloe]

I do warn that Portsmouth tends to be the closest thing we have to a ghetto (I say this having grown up in NY), and right now there's a very big back and forth going over schools. Teachers here are tired of all the extraneous tests they've been saddled with giving since the All- I mean, No Child Left Behind Act came into effect. So far, it looks as though they're going to drop the history exam (Parents became worried when stress balls were being given to their 8 year olds). We aren't the BEST schools, but we do fairly well.

If education is really a big deal for you, then I would suggest Williamsburg to live in. It's really a beautiful town, and their college, William & Mary, has been there through both the Revolutionary and Civil War, and was once the capital of Va. itself.


Thanks for the information I'll pass it along to the rest of my family too.

[Kathianne]

I got a start on getting 'out from under' here, first step out of the state. Realtor came and looking to get house on market by 7/1.

[Mr. P]

I got a start on getting 'out from under' here, first step out of the state. Realtor came and looking to get house on market by 7/1.

On the market by 7/1? What's the hold-up?

[chloe]

I got a start on getting 'out from under' here, first step out of the state. Realtor came and looking to get house on market by 7/1.

Thats very exciting I can't wait to see where you end up relocating to and how you like it, and how different that state experience is from what your used to in chicago.

[Kathianne]

On the market by 7/1? What's the hold-up?

I'm not out of school until next week. Lots to clear out of here, like all my parents things that are in the basement from when we sold their FL house. Some basic repairs need to be done, but will take a few weeks. If I had the money, I'd call a crew in, but alas...

[Abbey Marie]

Very exciting and very nerve-wracking, too. I know you will keep us posted on the journey.