I've traveled to all fifty states, I've lived in five different states (in three different time zones), and I've enjoyed places as diverse as New York City and Isle Royale National Park.

So I can probably help you *IF* I know what aspects of a place are important to you. Florida is a great place IF you want white, sandy beaches; but NOT if you want mountains. Wyoming is great IF you want open spaces but NOT if you want edgy nightlife.

So if we could get an idea of what you want to experience AND what you want to avoid, we can help your search FAR better. Otherwise I'd just be telling you where to find what *I* like, rather than what YOU like.

You will also need to find out about the tax rate(s) in the area of interest. Property taxes are generally high in the Northeast, for example, New Jersey being one of the worst, I hear.

And housing in California is much more, generally than some areas. That said, I DO believe you would like San Diego.

The Southeast has low property taxes, a reason we are getting an influx of retirees from the North. In addition, there is little to no snow to shovel and easy access to the coastal beaches.
The down side is less 'cultural' stimulation opportunities (Big museums and theatre)and the oppressive humidity. That is what makes the heat intolerable, not the heat itself.

I agree that your accent will be to your advantage. Most Americans find it fascinating. I know I always have!
Good luck in your decision making!

Belle

I just want to re-emphasize the need to pay attention to the political climate. Say you are a social liberal with every fiber of your being. You would be miserable living in some of the mountain states or the "bible belt" down south. Ditto for someone who was a social conservative who found themselves in San Fran. Fish out of water.

I chose Minneapolis / St. Paul (Minnesota) largely because of the civic and political environment. I need a progressive yet common-sense government structure, and that is exactly what MN has historically had.

Weather to me is 2ndary, but I am probably in the minority on that one.

As you will still be young when you move, I agree that you should try to live near a major city.

The Southeast & Texas will have a lower cost of living than the rest of the country. And while most of the states are generally considered conservative, the cities within them (e.g., Atlanta, Houston, etc.) are not. That is because many of the residents of the cities in the South are transplants from other parts of the country and are perhaps more liberal.

While Chicago gets chilly, I think that may be a city worth looking at for you.

Seattle may also be an option for you.

I think you would be disappointed in living in too small of a city. It might be culture shock, and would prove harder to get acclimated in the U.S.

As for the red v. blue state thing, that has been majorly hyped from the last 2 elections. I live in a red state and everyone seems to go to church on Sundays, but other than that, it doesn't seem to influence daily interactions. However, things like gay partnerships and abortion rights are major hot button issues in the U.S.

I'm sure the questionable posts will be pulled soon.

But in the interim, I'm sure the OP would like to know that most Americans are accepting, warm, and kind people. Politics unfortnately has become more of an issue due to recent events, but at the end of the day, families and groups of friends in the U.S. are comprised of people with far different political beliefs that nonetheless agree to disagree.

That is why America is such a great country. And that is precisely why veterans and soldiers fight for their (free) country.

Since the OP asked about the best/worst all-around state, I'll try to answer just that question:

The best states to me are the states that provide a high quality of life, lots of creative employment opportunities, and a political/social climate that is conducive to the above two.

But I also agree with mah who says look at cities and not at states. You might love Chicago IL, but be miserable in Peoria IL. Or be thrilled to be in Austin, TX, but hate Houston, TX.

So, here are my suggestions. I will leave my hometown out of this because everyone always tries to simply promote the town they live in:

Chicago
Boston
Northern Virginia and DC
Austin, TX
Seattle
San Francisco
San Diego
Orange County, CA

One man's opinion......

btw... I'm not going to tackle the "worst all-around state" or city question. Nothing productive will come out of that, just one long and nauseating thread....

If you are near London or other large city, try to regularly pick up copy of USA Today newspaper (I know we were able to buy it while visiting London). It has a section with one tiny news story on each state, but also has some general news on US - if you read it regularly it can be one more tool in your US research.

"...and being young we decided to move to America."

In all honesty it might be really helpful to know why you have decided to move to America since I suspect the reason(s) are not exclusive to your age.

I suggest this because you might get some more helpful responses if some of those reasons(s) end up being the same, or better, or worse, over here...

Since you are both still in school, I suggest you take advantage of the myriad opportunities allowing you to intern in U.S. companies. My cousin from Germany, then a civil engineering student, spent the summer as an intern with the Turner construction company in Seattle. He learned a lot, both about his future profession and life in the U.S. Although he now is gainfully employed in Germany (yes, he WAS able to get a good, full time job in Germany), his work with a U.S. company has made him more appealing to international companies. FYI, as you research internships, be sure to find one that will let you get involved in some real projects rather than stranding you with the worst scut work.
On my recent flight back to London, I sat next to a young man who was visiting a friend spending a year working at Walt Disney World in Florida. They are able to hire many Europeans to work the various parts of Epcot to give it a more "authentic" feel (authentic by Disney standards, anyway). My seatmate said his friend enjoyed being in Florida (outside the summer season, with its positively wilting heat); working for Disney was, well, hmmm....a mixed experience. But still valuable. Disney provides these international workers with housing, FYI.

ttt

Hi!

I'm trying to learn English to visit London in April, so hopefully you will be able to understand this email. If you do not," don't get your knickers in a knacker," OK? (See, I'm almost fluent.)

Google the "Places Rated Almanac." It's like other indexes - you can choose the variables that are important to you, and then they're ranked, and then you and your spouseling can fight over the whole thing, but FAIRLY.

There are three or four other indexes that rank cities according to various measures. I urge you to read these, just so you are informed before going off and choosing Washington, DC, or something.

Good luck with all that, and Cheers!

It's been a while since Sean chimed in to give more information about what he will be looking for, but here's my 2 (well, maybe 3) cents anyway.

Sean, you've had some good advice on this thread. DH and I are both Brits, and moved from the London area to the US 30 years ago. He's an engineer, and was offered a job in Connecticut -- we had to get the map out to see where that was! He also had a job offer from St Louis, but we decided that was w-a-a-y too far from the ocean, which we love. We planned to come for "a couple of years" to see how we liked it. Evidently, we did -- we still live in CT, and the whole New England area has suited us very well. We're midway between New York and Boston, and an hour or so (north or south) from either winter sports mountains or the shore. Though I must add, we make a February escape to Florida just to be out of winter for a bit.

Be aware that the work permit issue can be a major hurdle. Contact the American Embassy for information: even though DH had a firm job offer, we waited 11 months(!) for the visas. And the company, bless them, held the job open till we could get here. The embassy was emphatic that they would not give any idea when we would get the actual visa, and told us not to make travel arrangements or sell our house until we had the visas in hand.

At that time, there were job-specific visas and also "national preference" visas where they allocate a certain number for folks moving from a specific country. That may all be different now, but it is essential that you find that out before you start making serious plans about which state you want to live in and start looking for a job. (I agree with other posters that a suitable job or a grad school should be your first search, then if you are blessed with multiple offers, you can narrow it down by location.)

Salaries in the UK now seem to be a lot more comparable to US levels, but every time we're in England for a visit we are stunned by housing costs there (at least London area and the south). We find the US cost of living is somewhat lower, (clothing, food, and especially petrol, which is now about $2.40/US gallon in my area). US gallon is near enough 4 litres, if you want to compare.

I have noticed over the years here that a British accent is always noticed, often remarked on, and sometimes influences folks' opinion of you! (Usually for the better, I hasten to add.)

Over our years here, we've seen most of the country, and are glad we chose New England. It was different, but not so different that we felt lost -- but don't discount the likelihood of homesickness. Visits back home, or family coming over here, were very important to us all in those early years. The first six months were hard, until we made friends and started to settle into the community. Thank heavens for other expats who helped our transition!

Where in the UK are you from, and why are you thinking about moving to the US as opposed to anywhere else in the world? Once you tell us that, the Fodors folks will be better equipped to respond.

Sean, you really are living in Utopia if you think that moving to the US is a simple as waking up one morning and saying "hmm.. think I might move to America!"

We did an InterCompany transfer from the UK in 2001 and it took 18 months to get the visa - I can only think it's worse after 9/11 and the slow down in the economy. Nytraveler's post is worth you re-reading but I don't recommend the illegal part

You have had some wonderful advice from posters and should you move to the US you will find it invaluable but I fear you are wasting their time, hopefully your post will help someone who already has a job offer and valid visa.

You have 2 years before you graduate? when you have finished your schooling I suggest you find employment at a large US company in the UK and after 3 years you will be eligible to apply for an Inter-company transfer, if you are in a Managerial position then you should get an L1 visa and your 'partner' - if you are married will be able to join you and work, otherwise you will both have to apply for separate visas or your 'partner' won't be able to get employment.

I wish you good luck and I don't want to rain on your parade - just don't think it's a 'walk in the park'

BTW - 3 job offers? you'll be lucky to get one from the US, concentrate on getting employment in England.

SB travlr,

Sorry I did mean to respond to your post - and say it's a lot harder to move to the US now.

My BIL moved here in the mid 80's and it took a year to sort out the paperwork and 3 years before his wife could work - his company were interviewing in the UK.

As I've said above we did an Inter Company Transfer and it took 18 months. 18 months I never want to live through again - we weren't in charge of our lives and couldn't make long term plans.

Now we live here (MA) I love it and have never felt homesick, you would have to drag me back kicking and screaming

We are now Permanent Residents and the 'fuss and bother' was so worth it.

I do wish Sean well, but 'cloud' and 'cuckoo land' are the terms that come to mind.

Something you need to know, Sean, is that Americans find it very difficult to be impolite. As an Australian I have no such inhibitions, so count me in with the obnoxious.

Frankly, I'm having trouble taking your post seriously. I find it hard to believe that someone with a master's degree in anything (even human relations ) would have so much trouble with the basics of written communication - a sine qua non any admin job.

To be brutally honest, mate: if I saw a job application from you, you wouldn't make the long list, never mind the short. I've knocked back people with better English than yours for basic clerical positions. Frankly, you're in janitor country.

In this country we have enough people emerging from universities needing remedial English therapy to have a shot at employability - and judging by some of the posts on Fodors, so do the Americans. Why would they want to import more?

Neil,

he has 2 years before he graduates, so he doesn't even have a Masters Degree!

I've said it before and I'll say it again 'cloud' and 'cuckoo land'

Youth! ever optimistic, which isn't a bad thing

It does sound a bit strange, a Masters in the UK usually takes 2 years to complete, so he must be only starting it.

Anyhow, what he and his girl friend should do is contact people from BUNAC, which he can find at his university campus. This is the British University North American Club. Through this he will likely get a work permit for summer work in the States, they used to help to find the jobs don't know if this is the still the case.

This way he can make some money legitimately and travel around before he has to resume his studies for the following year, same with his girl friend.

As people have said 'moving to the US is not simple'. The main ways for people without family sponsorship are as follows:
H1B - Company sponsorship - all used up for 2006, some left for Masters degree holders

Company Transfers - You need to have worked for the company overseas for at least 1 year.

Investors - need around $500,000 to 1 million.

All of these visas except Investor are tied to the company you work for, so if you lose your job, then you lose your visa and you need to go through the whole process again. People often use these visas during their Green Card application process as it takes a long time to receive it.

Now if you had an Aussie or Canadian passport then its a little different!

Geordie

Life is difficult. It's hard for some people born in the States to get a job. But that has not halted the hundreds I see every year coming to the Midwest for education from Africa and Europe. If it was that negative, why would I see whole families here with 2 or 3 in my school? Two from the UK live in my neighborhood as well.

If you are serious about long term, I would go the schooling route intro, not the job. It is possible, or I couldn't see what I see every day.

I'm sure you are all absolutely correct, but it blows my mind how the dreamers and sometimes the feckless, are blasted. And from your own positions of strength in education, monetary support, structure etc.

Thank God my grandparents and parents did it the hard way. And I feel I'm lucky to help people reach their own dreams- when many say it can't be done.

JJ5 - perhaps some of those people have participated in the 'green card lottery'?

I don't actually see anyone here saying it can't be done! I just see posts saying "Welcome" and "Get real".

From what I can see - US posters are saying "Welcome" and that's wonderful, apart from one incident we have been welcomed wholeheartedly.

Non US posters are trying to explain to Sean (where is he BTW?) that it might not be as easy as he thinks.

Ask any of the families in your neighborhood how easy it was to wade through the immigration process, It really isn't as simple as Sean would like it to be.

I agree education is a good route to visit the US, but he seems to want to move after his education is completed.