What’s the best state for you? There are hundreds of commercial websites featuring thousands of questions. Each answer carefully examined by an inscrutable number crunching algorithm. The sites not only find the best place for you, they also point you to dozens of other helpful sites along the way. Need a moving company, realtor, mortgage lender, or any other conceivable service – just click on a link. That’s the internet, all the data in the world at your fingertips.
So what’s this got to do with Map Monday? On the face of it, this seems like a ridiculous question for a ~400 word blog about maps to answer. Perhaps it is, but that’s never stopped this blog before. In fact, Map Monday happily simplifies this complex task to one simple step. That’s right, no questions, no algorithm, and no links to preferred/sponsoring vendors. (If you are one of the latter and would like to sponsor this site please leave contact info in the comments section below).
How is this possible? 
With a map of course. This month’s map (courtesy of Prince Shawn via JoyReactor) lists the most admirable attribute of each state. Still confused about how that helps?
Never fear, Map Monday not only provides you with the map, but with an interpretation as well. That’s right. There’s no need for you to painstaking look through all 50 states. Using Map Monday’s un-patentable TLAR (That Looks About Right) method, we’ve grouped all 50 states into 9 convenient categories that are sure to match your desired lifestyle.
All you have to do is find your category, read through the attributes of those listed states, and select your new home. It’s that simple.
Categories
Animal Lovers: Maine, Illinois, Michigan, South Dakota
Healthy Living: Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, Ohio, Colorado, North Carolina
Personal Income: Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia
Low Cost: South Carolina, Alabama, Wyoming, Oregon, Tennessee
Economic Development: Texas, Missouri, Nevada, Louisiana, Mississippi, Wisconsin, Washington, Hawaii, California
Crime & Safety: Kansas, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Idaho, North Dakota, Georgia
Healthcare: Iowa, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Alaska, West Virginia, Montana
Concern for Environment: Rhode Island, Vermont, Oklahoma
Education: Massachusetts, Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Maryland, Kentucky
No doubt you’ve found some of these categorizations interesting, intriguing, or just plain odd – well that’s no cause for concern. The real worry would be if you actually used this post to inform your decision at all. As with everything out there, be careful what you read or at least what you believe.
As always thanks for reading.
Armen
Note to pay the bills: While the Warders series won’t help you choose where to live, it has been certified as safe and fun to read anywhere. If you’re interested in a James Bond-like thriller in a fantasy setting, then, check out a summary of the series here or find links to purchase books here.
You sure come up with some pretty cool maps. After examining this one, I might consider challenging the state having the best road conditions. Somehow, in winter, I doubt if they can even see their road until spring thaw. Just sayin’.
Some of these are definitely a bit on the odd side, which is what makes it a great map to share. As for ND having the best roads, perhaps there are just fewer drivers or maybe they’re always frozen. Who knows.