I've come to the conclusion that Virginia is better than my home state in everything.

Parent Cafe
21

<p>South Portland, where the OP lived, is NOT a “poky, ugly, small town with bad weather.” Whether or not one considers it ugly–and it is certainly not my favorite place, but it has some very nice areas–it is not a small town. Nor is the weather “bad,” unless you are one of those people who think that a real winter is necessarily “bad weather.”</p>

<p>Galoisien is prone to extravagant generalizations, I’m afraid. I’m glad you like Virginia. Apparently you prefer deciduous trees to pines. Fine. Just do me the favor of not abandoning your mother! :)</p>

22

<p>Not a small town, but plenty of ugly urban sprawl, a general sense of blight and want of warmth … it’s New Englandy.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>It does have nice areas – that is why while I was there I thought I was doing good – but what does it have that Virginia does not have?</p>

<p>Basically, to me, Virginia can reproduce many aspects of Singapore (my birthplace) as well … Maine is 95% white. Brrr.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>I’m not! We can email, skype and facebook! And I can fly my family over each year!</p>

23

<p>“Maine is 95% white. Brrr.”</p>

<p>You’re referring to the snow that blankets the state from September to Memorial Day? Wouldn’t that be more like 75% white – perhaps 80% at higher elevations?</p>

<p>PS, you have simply GOT to get to VA Beach, Shenandoah Valley, and Skyline Drive!</p>

24

<p>The Shenandoah Valley isn’t far from my school. It’s just over the other side of the mountains, I think.</p>

25

<p>I lived in Va for 4 years, and it is quite a nice place to live - diverse climate, reasonable gov’t when I was there in the mid-80s, terrible crime rate in richmond, but we were insulated, good schools, beautiful. Not all of Va is as diverse as NOVA and the Charlottesville area, but even that is a type of diversity - you got your farming, military, high tech, heavy industry (ships), tourism - many different types of people and aspects to the economy. yeah, I would move back if I could, although the area where I actually lived has indergone a tremendous amount of growth, not all for the better - more crowded roads, suburban sprawl, etc.</p>