As a travel writer who has been to all 50 states in the US, I truly do believe that each is worth visiting at least once.
Some states, as I’ve written before, deserve multiple trips. However, there are only a select few I’d consider living in full-time.
As a constitutionally (and professionally) nomadic individual, it takes a special part of the country to make me want to stay put for longer than a month.
From the mountains of the American West to the Atlantic Coast of New England, here are the three states I’d choose to live in every time.
I can’t resist the cosmopolitan culture of New York’s concrete jungle
I’m currently living in New York City, and I’d choose to do so over and over again.
And after all of my travels, I stand by the idea that New York City is the only real “city” city.
I may seek out the serenity of nature on my trips, but when it comes to day-to-day living, I long for the 24-hour bodegas and 4 a.m. last calls in the city that never sleeps.
Plus, I appreciate how easy it is to leave the city and explore the state’s other landscapes. When I tire of all those bright lights and big city action, seaside getaways to spots like Shelter Island or the Hamptons are only a short train ride away.
As a frequent traveler, one of the other huge benefits of living in New York is that I get easy access to two major international airports within the state that help me find direct flights to almost anywhere. (As a bonus, New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport isn’t too far away, either.)
I spent most of my post-college years living in Manhattan, so I also treasure that it’s close to many of my friends and family. (Full disclosure: I’m a New Jersey native.)
I love the wildness and the wide-open spaces of the Cowboy State
Yes, I am transitioning from the most populated US city to the least-populated state: Wyoming.
The state has great opportunities for horseback riding, skiing, hiking, and so much more. It’s a real dream for those who enjoy the outdoors and staying active through a variety of activities.
In the past, I’ve spent several years cabin-dwelling in the Cowboy State — and I’d happily do it again. I found solace in the wide open spaces of Grand Teton National Park and grew accustomed to falling asleep to the howls of coyotes.
I long to return to that lifestyle of writing in the morning, skiing in the afternoon, and watching that western sunset in the evening with a bourbon in hand.
When I do hit one of New York’s airports, the destination I often yearn to fly to the most is Wyoming’s Jackson Hole. In my humble opinion, it’s the most beautiful place in America.
The state’s mountains are often calling me, and I can see myself answering again one day, permanently.
Rhode Island epitomizes my ideal of East Coast island living
As much as I adore the drama of the Tetons, there’s nothing that quite compares to the sea.
Although the Pacific has sandier beaches and sunnier days, I prefer New England’s jagged coastline and stormier seasons.
I’ve spent many summers along the Atlantic shores of Rhode Island, and I can envision myself happily residing on its rocky coast year-round.
Rhode Island is a thrill to explore, teeming with coastal communities that each have their own charm, from Narragansett to Jamestown, Little Compton to Block Island.
The combination of the farmlands in Portsmouth and the lively nightlife of Newport already makes its Aquidneck Island my favorite getaway every summer.
One day, I hope that the Ocean State becomes my safe haven for all four seasons. By then, of course, I’ll have to find a new vacation spot to escape to.
This story was originally published on February 14, 2025, and most recently updated on September 14, 2026.
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