• by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer @mp_research, October 28, 2002

Where Would You Like to Live?

Every year at this time, The Harris Poll asks Americans which state they would choose to live in, not including where they live now. For the last five years, Florida has received the most votes, usually followed by California or Colorado. This year, for the first time since asking this question in 1997, California moves into top place, pushing Florida into the number two position. Hawaii retains its place in third, followed by Colorado and North Carolina.

The next five positions are taken this year by Arizona (unchanged at #6), Tennessee (up to #7 from #10), New York state (stable at #8), Washington state (down from #5 to #9), and Oregon (#10 compared to #9 last year).

In general, the list this year is not very different from last year or the last several years, with the important exception of California overtaking Florida in first place. There were no new states introduced into the top 15 list this year, and almost all of them have been in the top 15 every year since 1997.

"If you could live in or near any state in the country except the state you live in now, what state would you choose to live in?"

RANK NOW	RANK IN	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002
1	California	3	3	2	5	2	1
2	Florida	1	1	1	1	1	2
3	Hawaii	7	7	9	7	3	3
4	Colorado	4	2	3	2	4	4
5	North Carolina	6	4	4	3	7	5
6	Arizona	2	5	6	4	6	6
7	Tennessee	5	6	13	15	10	7
8	New York	*	15	*	10	8	8
9	Washington	8	12	8	6	5	9
10	Oregon	9	9	15	14	9	10
11	Montana	*	*	7	10	11	11
12	Virginia	14	11	9	8	14	12
12	Alaska	15	15	9	13	14	12
14	Texas	10	7	5	10	12	14
15	Georgia	11	14	12	8	13	15

* Not in top 15.