Why the Western United States Is Awesome

[2e1m5a]

Agree with both your posts, LI

Things I like About the West

1. The weather/climate-who doesn't love the sun and being able to grow things year round?
2. The landscape-mountains (the best) beaches and deserts
3. The people-live and let live, work to live not live to work.
4. The cities-safe, innovative and progressive.

Things I don't like

1. The Pacific Ocean is cold
2. I may feel isolated as my family is all on the East Coast or Ireland/UK (although I apparently do have family in CA that I've never met)
3. I would probably miss the change in seasons after a while.
4. I would probably miss the East Coast style urbanity (except in SF).

[chessgeek]

Originally Posted by LINative

Deserts like Joshua Tree can be beautiful, especially when they are flowering. But I do agree with Chessgeek, to me the large areas of deserts and other arid lands of the West are a negative. Large parts of the West would also be far more attractive if they had more rivers and lakes.

OK, maybe a quick nod to Joshua Tree for not bad desert scenery. Of course AZ has the Grand Canyon, too (best of the SW desert scenery). I've tried to like it. Luckily, I live in northern CA with less of it.

[LINative]

Originally Posted by 2e1m5a

Agree with both your posts, LI

Things I like About the West

1. The weather/climate-who doesn't love the sun and being able to grow things year round?
2. The landscape-mountains (the best) beaches and deserts
3. The people-live and let live, work to live not live to work.
4. The cities-safe, innovative and progressive.

Things I don't like

1. The Pacific Ocean is cold
2. I may feel isolated as my family is all on the East Coast or Ireland/UK (although I apparently do have family in CA that I've never met)
3. I would probably miss the change in seasons after a while.
4. I would probably miss the East Coast style urbanity (except in SF).

There are good and bad with everything.

For instance, I bet many people on the West Coast (and for that matter parts of the East Coast like Maine and the Maritimes) wish the water was warmer. But that would come with drawbacks. Warmer waters would probably see much more coastal developments - one reason some people like coastal Oregon (or Maine) is because its not becoming developed like Florida. To each his own.

Not to mention the large amount interesting sea life you get with colder waters - seals, sea lions, lobsters, whales. California is also known for its giant offshore kelp forests which I think needs cooler waters? (not 100% sure on that).