Politics aside- would you rather live in a blue state or a red state?

[old timey villain]

Forget about wanting to live in a state where politicians and policies you support are dominant. There are also a lot of quality of life indicators that correspond generally to red and blue states. Again, these are GENERAL trends and you can find exceptions to all of them.

Blue State Pros:
-more government services
-more minority protections
-better public transportation
-more urban (cultural options)
-better access to healthcare
-better educated

Blue State Cons:
-higher taxes
-housing more expensive
-more urban (overcrowding)
-more regulations
-tend to have more stagnant growth rates


Red State Pros
-lower taxes
-less regulation
-more rural (nature)
-more religious (if you're into that kind of thing)
-tend to have higher growth rate

Red State Cons
-less services
-less public transportation
-lower access to healthcare
-more rural (isolation)
-less minority protections
-less educated

[Antonio the Sixth]

Blue State by far.

[Gass3268]

Blue State by far.

Agreed, unless I had like a giant ranch out in Montana or something.

[JerryArkansas]

I love the pro's of both so, a home in a blue state and a vacation home in a red state.  I also would have my main residence in the red state for the tax advantage.

[Horus]

Personally I like living in a blue city in a red state.

[old timey villain]

I think Minnesota would be the best of both worlds for me. As a blue state, it has better access to education, healthcare and equal protection but the cost of living isn't ridiculously high either. It has the twin cities, which aren't NYC and LA but still have great cultural offerings, but at the same time there are a lot of quaint small towns that seem to offer the simple life people look for in red states. Religion is important but it doesn't dictate everyone's life which is also a nice compromise.

The only downside is the weather. 

[TNF]

Non-RTW Red State (Kentucky, West Virginia, Montana, Alaska)

[old timey villain]

You guys keep talking about Montana like it's a red state. is it though? It pretty much is at the presidential level, but elects a lot of Dems at the state level, and those are the people who actually make state laws that would affect quality of life there.

[hopper]

Purple State. I live in a blue state and I like it but I may just move to PA to save some money when I retire but still be driving distance from the Jersey Shore.

[Skill and Chance]

Personally I like living in a blue city in a red state.

I think this is the best of both worlds.  For a variety of reasons, it is easier to get ahead in business in a red state, but you want to live in a place where the locals just ignore the ding-dongs and treat everyone with respect.

[ElectionsGuy]

Red state

[AggregateDemand]

Quality of life is something you make, not something you consume by purchasing property. Minimally invasive government is preferable.

In general, I could live without pot or abortion. I cannot endure high-taxes for subpar services

[Chunk Yogurt for President!]

The most beautiful area of the country is Washington State.  I wouldn't like the higher taxes or the irreligious nature of the area though.  Closer to home, my favorite state is probably Virginia.

[Smid]

Quality of life is something you make, not something you consume by purchasing property.

^This, plus there is great variation within a state - is California rated by South-Central LA, or by Beverley Hills?

There is a greater divide, I would think, between urban and rural choices, compared to one state to another.

[Miles]

Red.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Swing state.  The major downside of living in a solid R or D state for a political junkie is that campaigns are far less entertaining.

I also prefer warm temperatures and rural areas.  Virginia is definitely my ideal state.

[Goldwater]

Hmm, I'm not sure. On the one hand, I like lower taxes and regulation and public transportation isn't a big priority for me. On the other hand, I'm not religious and prefer urban and suburban ares to rural areas. Also, weather is very important for me. I would rather live in a warm states, regardless of it's political leanings, than a cold state.

[DC Al Fine]

Red state because they tend to have low costs of living and my fiance wants 5+ kids.

[Goldwater]

Red state because they tend to have low costs of living and my fiance wants 5+ kids.

[H. Ross Peron]

Blue State by far.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Red state because they tend to have low costs of living and my fiance wants 5+ kids.

Jesus.

[TJ in Oregon]

A red Midwestern state with a decent sized metro with some actual history would be my preference. Unfortunately, those don't really exist. I've also never really lived in a red part of a state, so perhaps I wouldn't know what to do encountering people who actually agree with me.

[Wake Me Up When The Hard Border Ends]

Let's see, I like:

• Suburban and rural areas
• Low taxes
• Low regulation

I'm also quite religious and conservative, so red state for me.

[morgieb]

I couldn't bear to live outside a city, so blue state obvs.

[Gass3268]

A red Midwestern state with a decent sized metro with some actual history would be my preference. Unfortunately, those don't really exist. I've also never really lived in a red part of a state, so perhaps I wouldn't know what to do encountering people who actually agree with me.

Indianapoils or Milwaukee wouldn't be bad for you.