All 50 states have lots to offer. But for those living in each of those states, they know the pros and cons be it the weather, cost of living, proximity to family, friends, and even activities.
It’s not always smooth sailing for the locals who grew up in those places.
What others enjoy, others may grow to hate. Many people welcome tourists but some aren’t that fond of them. Then they have to battle the constant perceptions of the public.
Reddit users from around the United States shared what they think is the worst thing about their state. Some are funny, some worrying, and some just make you wonder. Read on and see for yourself.
1. Alabama
From Redditor /u/BarbTheBelle:
“The worst thing is that people from other places think we are all inbred idiots. And I swear, the news reporters always seem to find and interview that ONE guy who fits the stereotype . . . Smh.”
Well that really is unfair but if reporters keep finding that one stereotype then there must be a real problem. But let’s hope not.
2. Alaska
From Redditor /u/anima-vero-quaerenti:
“super high cost of living (I used to thinking movie theater and airport prices where cheap while living there)
Winter, Alaska, Winter, Spring (Alaska seasons)
Paying $4 per gallon for gas while standing in the shadow of a refinery
Forest fires in the summer
The smell of diesel in the winter
It gets super cold”
So living there has all the feels of an apocalyptic dystopian novel? What are we waiting for?
3. Arizona
From Redditor /u/sounders127:
“Worst thing is all the snow birds who absolutely have no respect for the locals.”
So remember to be respectful when visiting the state of Arizona. Make new friends!
4. Arkansas
From Redditor /u/adepartedmind:
“Lack of education.”
Then… Drop those phones and go to libraries. Tighten down on kids and school too.
5. California
From Redditor /u/latebird:
“cost of housing. Secondly, traffic”
But it’s California so surely it’s all worth it, right? It’s the place where dreams are made and fulfilled!
6. Colorado
From Redditor /u/Seikoholic:
“Be prepared to wear sunglasses a lot. Extra sunny here with a few sides of blinding, 350 days a year.”
Well then that’s the perfect excuse to look as cool as can be. Just don’t forget the sunblock.
7. Connecticut
“Traffic on 95.”
Hang on, how bad is it that the place deserves a special mention? Avoid 95, got it.
8. Delaware
From Redditor /u/mmb5757:
“Not a whole lot to do here, and not many people know about it it seems.”
Soudns perfect for us tired adults who just need to unwind minus the noise and the energy. Pack your bags!
9. Florida
From Redditor /u/LITER_OF_FARVA:
“The weather can go to f*cking hell”
Wow he’s angry. The weather wins over stray alligators and huge mosquitoes, huh?
10. Georgia
From Redditor /u/marinebase7:
“The weather. Everything about the weather sucks.
Summer- it sounds nice on paper, usually at around 80s, if it’s hot, in 90s. But the humidity is at 270% and everything feels like 900 degrees. It’s hot…everywhere and you will start sweating no matter what.
Fall- the weather is bipolar…. 20 degrees in the morning, 85 in the afternoon with a chance of rain, snow, fog, winds @ 90mph. I don’t know what to wear so I go out in a tshirt, bring a jacket and a trenchcoat, an umbrella and emergency survival kit.
Winter- cold but no snow. So it isn’t even… pretty. Just miserable. Also no, school isn’t closed.
Spring- finally the temperatures are normal. All will be well. Nope. Tree sperm season. The pollen levels here reach 9,001 (seriously). It can be considered hazardous to your health at 100.”
So bring a mask and an oxygen tank, a huge fan, and lots of drinking water. Oh and don’t stay too long.
11. Hawaii
From Redditor /u/BewareTheKing:
“overpopulation.”
Well with a gorgeous place like that, it’s only natural for people to come flocking to the place. But yes, lots of people. We get it.
12. Idaho
From Redditor /u/3dPrintedZoidberg:
“I grew up there & lived there for almost 20 years, & I wouldn’t wish that fate on anyone for two simple reasons: lack of opportunity & education.
If you grow up poor in rural Idaho, there isn’t much in way of opportunities, most jobs are unskilled & low paying or ultra skilled & not open to regular folks slowly growing their career — there are very few middle of the road jobs, at least in the town I grew up in. Most of these towns are also pretty far away from a city with real opportunity, so the cost of moving is high (which is a huge barrier if you’re working a near minimum wage job).
As far as education is concerned, Idaho ranks among the worst.”
That’s unfortunate. Let’s hope most of them find better opportunities elsewhere then.
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13. Illinois
From Redditor /u/thatwasnotkawaii:
“Freezing and the traffic is about as fun as walking bare naked in the cold”
Well all the more reason to stay indoors then. Get all the get-warm stuff stocked up too.
14. Indiana
From Redditor /u/CulinaryVillain:
“not being able to buy alcohol on Sundays.”
Now that is a bummer, but why? Easy enough, just buy a lot and skip the supermarket on Sundays.
15. Iowa
From Redditor /u/Jigglypigglypuff:
“WHAT THE F*CK AM I SUPPOSED TO DO HERE.”
Apparently you have to appreciate the corn, farms, and quiet if you live there.
16. Kansas
From Redditor /u/HugsAreDrugs:
“the incessant Wizard of Oz jokes.”
Wait, so there’s no magic for visitors who plan on visiting? Good thing there’s the theater then.
17. Kentucky
From Redditor /u/Butterfee:
“Everytime that I mention that I am from Kentucky they ask if we wear shoes. Really people? Also, Kentucky Fried Chicken.”
Well of course they wear shoes. And yes, there is fried chicken. So get going and visit!
18. Louisiana
From Redditor /u/samwturner:
“Our state is literally sinking into the ocean thanks to subsidence. We lose about a football field every hour.”
Every hour? A football field? Why’s there no evacuations happening then? Oh wait, tourism!
19. Maine
From Redditor /u/LucyInTheSkyWithOpal:
“GOD IT’S FREEZING AND BORING.”
Which means they need more visitors. Hey, it can’t be that bad!
20. Maryland
From Redditor /u/emPtysp4ce:
“Problem with Maryland is that no one loves us. I go north of the Mason-Dixon line and I’m an inbred redneck, but if I go south of the Potomac I’m a damn Yankee. It’s bad enough not even we can love ourselves, in my experience. We’re all [jerks]. And many people don’t even know we exist.”
Come on, guys, give Maryland some love. It’s a place that does exist, one with stunning places perfect for social media.
21. Massachusetts
From A Redditor:
“Long winters and high cost of living.”
Yeah that will get to anyone. It’s cold, and expensive, and repeat.
22. Michigan
From Redditor /u/CoolRunner:
“Having to explain to everybody I meet that Detroit isn’t a post apocalyptic wasteland.”
Well thank Hollywood for that. And no, you don’t have to explain every time.
23. Minnesota
From Redditor /u//FeelTheWrath79:
“The cold. So very bitter here.”
And yet that’s precisely the reason why many others go to visit. People are odd.
24. Mississippi
From Redditor /u/puhleez420:
“The worst thing is people asking if we have things like air conditioning and indoor plumbing. Hey guess what, y’all? We even have that fancy Interwebs!”
People can be so weird. Visiting a place doesn’t mean stepping into a legit time machine. If only.
25. Missouri
From Redditor /u/Appollo64:
“Lot of poverty, both in rural and urban areas.”
There’s no escapte whether from big cities to small towns.
26. Montana
From Redditor /u/DarrenEdwards:
“Scraping that snow off the windshield this morning, and knowing I’ll be doing that through April….”
Well that’s a small price to pay for the vast beauty of the place. Besides, there are special tools for scraping snow off windshields.
27. Nebraska
From Redditor /u/Piggishcentaur89:
“That slogan “It’s not for everyone” is true. If you don’t have family here, it’s hard to make friends. It’s not impossible, but it makes it a lot harder.”
“Even in Nebraska’s bigger cities, like Lincoln, there’s a small town mentality. If a person is from other places, they may be culture shocked by the close-warm-group of friends, and families, that pervades most of Nebraska. Nebraska is extremely family-oriented, but it can also be suspicious of outsiders outside of their group of friends and/or families.”
Not necessarily a bad thing, since that means they’re tight-knit with a sense of security. Just don’t be weird when you visit.
28. Nevada
From Redditor /u/Take_A_Penguin_Break:
“the worst thing might surprise you, it’s the ability to make friends. A lot of people are here on work contracts or just hate living in Nevada and all they do is complain about “tourists”.
I would say the normal answer would be the heat in the summer.”
Tourists, of course. But imagine the money they bring in. The heat can be beaten with the proper know-how.
29. New Hampshire
From Redditor /u/LAMBERTinNewEngland:
“Property taxes [are] too high in NH.”
Well if the taxes are being put to good use… Other than that, then that’s a bummer for real.
30. New Jersey
From Redditor /u/sociallyawkwardjess:
“The worst thing about living here is everyone’s perception of us. Oh that and Camden. Camden is awful.”
There’s a perception? And what’s with Camden? Maybe tourists won’t notice those factors.
31. New Mexico
From Redditor /u/SpaceLawlrus:
“Education here is terrible.”
So they have to move to someplace else for better schools? That really is terrible.
32. New York
From Redditor /u/DatMac10:
“Cost of living.”
Yeah no one really believes those TV shows where the characters are always living the good life in the big city. Poor is more like it.
33. North Carolina
From Redditor /u/THRUSSIANBADGER:
“As someone from Charlotte, western NC BBQ. F*ck you tomato heathens, vinegar based for life.”
The profanity laced anger is strong. Here’s to hoping the locals aren’t as angry.
34. North Dakota
From A Redditor:
“It’s cold as f*ck in late December-January, usually with a -20 to -30 degree Fahrenheit wind chill.”
You know it really is cold when that word is used to describe it. Get warm and cozy with someone then.
35. Ohio
From Redditor /u/colwin:
“We have two seasons, freezing winter, and scorching road work”
Well that makes it easier to prepare. And it’s not so bad as long as the bars stay open.
36. Oklahoma
From A Redditor:
“Pro it is cheap and quiet here.
Con it is cheap and quiet here.”
They say you can’t have it both ways. But apparently you can in Oklahoma. At least you get to save money.
37. Oregon
From Redditor /u/revolutionary_veal:
“Californians.”
So if you visit California and ask, will they not like the folks from Oregon? Wonder what the fuss is about.
38. Pennsylvania
From Redditor /u/mopeygoff:
“Booze costs a lot of money.”
Now that’s really horrible to know. If there’s any good reason for booze to be expensive, let us know.
39. Rhode Island
From Redditor /u/_____1_____2_____3:
“The general rudeness of the people in the state.”
A special course on good manners and respect should be launched by the local council then. You have to wonder how the tourists manage when they visit.
40. South Carolina
From Redditor /u/UsedAsAShield:
“It seems barely anyone can talk with an accent that is understandable.”
To be fair, any place you visit would have you hearing strange accents. It’s all part of the experience so soak in the moment.
41. South Dakota
From Redditor /u/technocolor123:
“oh man do I have a list for this one!
education sucks….
all of the people who arent from here think we still live in teepees and dance to please mother earth, or we still live in small settlements and farm by hand
there is no appreciation for the arts
…
the weather here can get really wicked and we hold several records like the worlds largest hailstone, the worlds fastest temperature change, On January 22, 1943 at about 7:30 a.m. MST, the temperature in Spearfish was −4°F (−20°C). The Chinook wind picked up speed rapidly, and two minutes later (7:32 a.m.) the temperature was +45 °F (+7 °C) above zero. The 49 °F (27 °C) rise in two minutes set a world record that still holds. By 9:00 a.m., the temperature had risen to 54 °F (12 °C). Suddenly, the chinook died down and the temperature tumbled back to −4 °F (−20 °C). The 58 °F (32 °C) drop took only 27 minutes.[16][17] The sudden change in temperatures caused glass windows to crack and windshields to instantly frost over.
there are more people in new york city than there are in the entire state of south dakota.”
This person needs a drink.
42. Tennessee
“Worst thing is that the weather is very unpredictable. Right now we’re experiencing winter and late spring in the same week. “
Now what does that feel like? Imagine the colors though, and the many photo opportunities.
43. Texas
From Redditor /u/Lamar38-41:
“The only noticeable thing that I dislike about it is the crazy long times to travel places… if you have family in three opposite places across the state, family get-togethers cost you a lot in gas fees.”
This one is so true. Better have savings for gas. Oh and for food stops and stuff.
44. Utah
From Redditor /u/everykissbeginswK:
“Constantly under construction… strict laws, abundance of fake swear words”
Well think of it as a never ending quest for perfection. Frustrating, but progress is progress.
45. Vermont
From Redditor /u/MrLongWalk:
“There’s a tendency to forget that the rest of the country isn’t VT”
Let’s hope it’s because the place is picturesque in itself. Tourists won’t ever run out of pictures to take.
46. Virgina
From Redditor /u/ANorthwesternSoul:
“NOVA (Northern Virginia), tons of urban sprawl, weed is still a crime”
Better follow the law to avoid any troubles then. Besides, there are many other ways of leaving the current universe.
47. Washington
From Redditor /u/ajb35:
“The sense of entitlement in Seattle is off the f*cking charts.”
A good thing to keep in mind for tourists when interacting with the locals. If this is really true.
48. West Virginia
From Redditor /u/ncurry18:
“There isn’t a lot to do as far as things you would find in a bigger city (even in Charleston). The summers can be humid and miserable in the low-elevation parts of the state, and the winters can be harsh in the mountains. All the airports range from f*cking terrible to kind of okay I guess. Lastly, a lot of the roads suck.”
Not enough to deter folks who want to see the beauty of the state though. The trip is so worth it they say.
49. Wisconsin
From Redditor /u/ Mike762 :
“Every summer we are [bombarded] by people from Illinois….”
It’s a 4 hour drive along highways with lots of gorgeous stops for pictures. Can’t really blame them.
50. Wyoming
From Redditor /u/GregMcD94:
“The f*cking wind.”
Well again with that word. So the winds must really be annoying to deal with. Stay indoors.
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