In case you missed it, Her Campus BC recently published an article describing why the West Coast is the best coast. If you’ve spent any time at BC, you’ve undoubtedly heard this claim. The Cali kids like to complain about how cold it is on campus and the Northwesterners are always buying coffee at Hillside. While Washington, Oregon, and California are exceptionally great states, we recognize that BC collegiettes™ come from all over the place. So it’s only fair that the other regions of the United States have their say in the debate. We’ve recruited HC writers from the Northeast, the South, and the Midwest to help us figure out where, exactly, is the best place to live in the US!
The Northeast – by Jessica Salpietro
Sorry, but anyone from the Northeast could tell you that the West Coast is not the best coast. For those of you who are unsure of the region’s many fine qualities, here are my top five reasons why living in the Northeast is better than living anywhere else in the country.
1. History – Our nation’s roots lay firmly in the Northeast. The arrival of the first settlers, the overthrow of British tyranny, the signing of the Declaration and ratification of the Constitution, the arrival of hundreds of thousands of European immigrants… to name a few! The Northeast has played an important part in the formation of America over the centuries. Such history is depicted in the cobblestone streets and historical artifacts found throughout the region.
2. Great Cities and Quaint Towns – In the Northeast, history meets the modern era. In bustling world-class cities, like Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Providence, businesses flourish and technology advances. Yet, nearby small towns and coastal villages maintain their quiet charm and are a much-needed escape from city life.
3. Sports Team Supremacy– No matter where Northerners live, they all share one thing: an undying passion for sports. Some of the most formidable professional sports franchises hail from the Northeast, and their fan bases are just as well-known. Ask any Bostonian what MLB team they root for and they’ll proudly proclaim their allegiance to Red Sox Nation. Likewise, New Yorkers support their Yankees or Mets with unwavering devotion. Teams in the Northeast excel in other sports too, especially football, basketball, hockey, and soccer. There’s a reason Larry Bird and Ray Bourque are household names.
4. Food – For the freshest seafood in the nation, the Atlantic coast can’t be beat. The Maine lobsters, New England clam chowder, and fried clams are legendary. Restaurant-goers can chow down on these specialties and other New England fare at places like Boston’s Union Oyster House, the oldest restaurant in America.
5. Snow – No winter is complete without fresh snow. While some winters in the Northeast are especially harsh, as a kid, there’s no better feeling than having school cancelled for a snow day. And for the thrill-seekers, winters in the Northeast provide countless opportunities to let loose and have fun. The region is home to some of the greatest ski resorts, snow-shoeing trails, and frozen lakes in the country.
The South – by Chloe Green-Vamos
The South – it’s a mecca of good food, good music, and friendly people. Visitors often exclaim it’s like another world. Having lived in the South for the majority of my life, I have to agree. Like the line from Sweet Home Alabama says, “You can take the girl out of the honky tonk, but you can’t take the honky tonk out of the girl.” Living in the South has had a great impact on who I am, which is a true southern girl. After living in every region of the US, I can confidently say that the South is the best place in the US! Here are my top five reasons why the South is superior.
1. Comfort Food – Everyone knows that the South is known for its food. It’s home-style cookin’ at its finest. The fried chicken is fabulous, the Barbecue is bomb, and the sweet tea is to die for. If you’re ever in Nashville, head to The Pancake Pantry – it’s the best place for brunch and you can spy on country cuties like Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood.
2. Musical Heritage – In the South, the sounds are sweet! With cities like Nashville, Memphis, and Atlanta, the South is the place to go if you’re a music fan. With great music festivals, like Bonaroo, there’s something for everyone. Nashville is Country Music USA, home to the Grand Ole Opry and The Country Music Hall of Fame. You can go to the famous Bluebird Café or Tootsie’s and watch country’s upcoming stars. But that’s not all – Memphis and Atlanta are the homes of blues and rap music!
3. Lifestyle – The South is the polar opposite of the bustling 100 mph lifestyle of the North. In the North, seconds and minutes are counted because time is money. But in the South, people take their time to enjoy life around them. It’s about sitting on the porch for hours talking with your family and friends.
4. People – Friendly and familial are the two words that describe Southerners. Everyone treats you like you’re family. Don’t be surprised if a complete stranger invites you to dinner, it’s simply Southern hospitality.
5. Weather – I don’t have to go into great detail to convince you of the South’s amazing weather. After Boston’s apocalyptic winter and noticeably absent spring, few would argue against the South’s beautiful, warm weather.
The Midewest – by Julianne Wojno
“So if the people laugh and giggle when you tell em where you live, say shhh, say shhh
And if you know this is where you wanna raise your kids, say shhh, say shhh
If you’re from the Midwest and it doesn’t matter where, say shhh, say shhh
If you can drink tap water and breathe the air, say shhh, say shhh”
-Atmosphere
People may “laugh and giggle” when I tell them where I live, but I am proud to say that I’m from the Midwest. I never realized what it meant to grow up in the Midwest until I moved out East, coming here to BC. People had warned me, “Ohhh, watch out for those East Coasters!” But my optimism shrugged it off. While this stereotype doesn’t apply to everyone I’ve met (many of my best friends are East Coasters!), their words hold some truth.
In fact, did you know that at the University of Wisconsin, for example, the Midwest kids make fun of the kids from the East Coast, calling them “Coasties?” Take a look at this video, it’s pretty funny!
So what makes the Midwest so great? Here are my top five reasons.
1. Friendliness – The Midwest is all about being down to earth. It’s about walking your dog and saying hello to the strangers who pass you by. If you try on a coat in a department store, it wouldn’t be weird if the person next to you complimented you on how great it looks. It’s about holding doors, letting pedestrians have the right-of-way, and befriending the clerks at the grocery store.
2. Cool cities – Many Midwestern cities are overshadowed by places like New York and L.A., but its cities are some of the greats. Take Chicago for example – located on Lake Michigan, Chicago takes advantage of its lakefront with beautiful bike trails, parks, museums, and beaches. Chicago is a big, bustling city, but maintains natural beauty and above all, cleanliness (cough-cough, NYC?). Ever try deep-dish pizza? Incredible. Enjoy reading? Chicago has the largest public library in the world. One of Oprah’s favorite things, Chicago must be great! Chicago isn’t the only fantastic city. Indianapolis is home of the Indy 500, and St. Louis boasts its 630-foot Gateway Arch overlooking the Mississippi River. Cleveland is home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Minneapolis is known for their many lakes and the best biking in the country. Hidden treasures lie in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, famous for their beer and cheer.
3. Seasons – Another great thing about the Midwest is that it fully experiences each season. We bathe in beautiful 80–100 degree summers, see the breathtaking colors of fall, cozy up to white Christmases (and snow days!), and take relief in spring and its beautiful blossoms.
4. Food – California is famous for In-and-Out, however, a friend of mine from L.A. visited Ohio’s famous burger joint, Swenson’s, and declared it even better. As if I didn’t know this already!
5. Cost-of-living – In the Midwest, especially where I grew up outside of Akron, Ohio, gorgeous houses in upscale neighborhoods can be bought for the same price as small, simple houses in Chestnut Hill, for example. Your money simply goes further! Who doesn’t want more bang for their buck? Living a luxurious lifestyle is much more affordable in the Midwest than in California or anywhere in the East Coast. So watch your words, I know many people here joke that there is the East Coast, the West Coast, and nothing in between… but my friends, I beg to differ!
Well, BC girls, what do you think? Have any of you lived in all of these amazing regions? Clearly, we all thought going to school in the Northeast would be exciting. Tell us why you’re hometown is the best!
Photo sources:
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http://hubpages.com/
http://www.southernaccents.com/
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