I grew up in California, and once planned on dying on top of a mountain in Colorado or New Mexico. I now live in the Ohio Valley.

I'd rather not live here, honestly, looking at the politics of the place. But the people on a person to person level are nice, I can afford to live here and bank a shit ton of money into 401K and savings, have lots of money left over to do fun stuff and not work myself to death in the process. Maybe the poetry thread is rubbing off on me, but home is where you are and what you make of it. A house is a building, but a home is something different. Pick a place with decent neighbors and make the place a home, or travel. or keep renting and saving so you have a stash of "fuck you" money and can do something else later.

When I think of places that I enjoyed going to, what stands out for me is the environment.

Mine is literally bourbon and horse racing and college sports. Three things I give no shits about. but in Kansas City you get to see the August Eclipse without leaving home, so keep that in mind.