3 Sunny States Remain Top Choices for Where Americans Would Like to Live

NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Excluding their current state, if Americans had to say where they would most like to live, the top three mentions are states typically associated with sunshine and the beach: Hawaii (1), California (2) and Florida (3).  These states have consistently been in the top 3 the last 8 times this question has been asked.  However, this year marks the first time since 2001 that California has not been the top mention.  

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These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,463 adults surveyed online between October 10 and 17, 2011 by Harris Interactive.

Rounding out the top 5 this year is Texas (4) and Colorado (5).  Texas saw a nice jump this year, up to 4 from 8 last year, while Colorado dropped from 4 last year, to 5 this year.

The remaining 10 states on the list cover every geographic region of the country:

• In the Pacific Northwest Oregon (7) and Washington (9) are Top 10 mentions;
• The Southwest is represented with Arizona (8);
• Nevada (14) makes the Top 15 for the West;
• Montana represents the Midwest (13);
• New York does so for the Northeast (11); and,
• Virginia, Tennessee and South Carolina all come through for the South (10, 12 and 15, respectively).

Favorite Cities

In terms of cities Americans would most like to live in, the Top 15 mentions cover a wide range of geographical areas and climates this year as well.  Unchanged since 1999, New York is the most frequently mentioned city that Americans would like to live in, followed by San Diego, which remains in the 2nd position, consistent with last year.  The third top mention this year is Seattle, which seems to be steadily climbing, up from 4 last year and 5 the previous year.  Similarly to the jump Texas made as a desirable state to live in this year (to 4 from 8 last year), its city of Dallas also made an impressive showing this year, coming in as the 4th most popular city.  This is particularly notable because Dallas was not in the Top 15 last year at all, and only at number 10 the prior year.  The countless entertainment and culinary options may be what appeals to some about Las Vegas, which is the 5th top city mentioned this year, followed on the list by San Francisco (=6) and Boston (=6), Chicago (8), Honolulu (9) and Denver (10).  The Top 15 this year are rounded out with Nashville (11), Orlando (12), Los Angeles and Portland (tied for 13) and then two southern cities—on opposite sides of the country—are tied for 15: Atlanta and Phoenix .

Least Favorite Cities

While fantasizing about where you would most like to live can be fun, it can be equally fun to think about where you might least like to live.  Thinking about these places can make a harsh Northeast winter or a sweltering Southern summer seem not as bad, depending on your geographic woes.  Although New York has been the top favorite city for some time, it's also an extremely unappealing place for many people and it comes in, similarly to last year, as the least favorite city to live in.  Despite reports of a rebirth, comeback and major gentrification efforts, Detroit remains as the 2nd least popular city, followed by Los Angeles (3), Washington D.C. (4) and Chicago (5).  While some people are feeling excited about Texas, many are not as Dallas and Houston come in at 6 and 7 on the least favorite city list respectively.  Further down the least favorite city list is New Orleans (8) and Miami (9), followed by four polarizing cities, which appear on both the favorite and least favorite lists: San Francisco (=10 least favorite), Last Vegas (=10), Atlanta (12) and Phoenix (13).  Tied for 14 on the least favorite list are Cleveland, OH and Newark, NJ.

So What?

While sun-belt states have traditionally dominated the Favorite State list, this year with the inclusion of Washington, Oregon, Montana and New York in the Top 15, the list seems more diverse.  And, looking at the Least Favorite City list, where 8 of the top 15 also appear on the most Favorite City list, it's clear what appeals to some definitely does not appeal to all.

NEW OR RETURNING TO TOP 15 THIS YEAR

South Carolina (15)

DROPPED OUT OF TOP 15 THIS YEAR

New Jersey (was 12)

CITIES NEW OR RETURNING TO TOP 15 THIS YEAR

Dallas (4), Phoenix (=15)

CITIES THAT DROPPED OUT OF TOP 15 THIS YEAR

Miami (was 13), Raleigh-Durham (was =15)

CITIES NEW OR RETURNING TO TOP 15 THIS YEAR

Atlanta (12), Newark (=14)

CITIES THAT DROPPED OUT OF TOP 15 THIS YEAR

Philadelphia (was 12), Boston (was =13), Memphis (was =15)

Methodology

This Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States between October 10 and 17, 2011 among 2,463 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

The results of this Harris Poll may not be used in advertising, marketing or promotion without the prior written permission of Harris Interactive.

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Q880, 885, 890

The Harris Poll® #116, November 9, 2011

By Samantha Braverman, Sr. Project Researcher, Harris Interactive

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American and European offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us – and our clients – stay ahead of what's next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

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SOURCE Harris Interactive