NO OFFENSE, BUT SOME PLACES ARE JUST BETTER THAN OTHERS

There are many charming and beautiful places in the world.  Many people feel like where they live is the best and most ideal place.  However, empirical evidence tells us a different story.  I  am a very well travelled dog.  I have been many places at many different times and seasons.  I try to find the best of wherever I may roam. Some places, however are just better than others.    With that being stated, there is a reason that Salina Kansas does not have a population problem.  People in Salina can probably boast that they don't have traffic jams nor are they experiencing a huge drop in property values.  That's because no one really wants to live there.  No offense to Salinians, but the reason Los Angeles has all the problems it does, is because every one wants to live there.  The high cost of housing in some of these places just goes to show that people will pay just about anything, not to live in places like Salina.  Also, look at what a city like LA has to offer:  beautiful weather, strong economy, tons of entertainment, beaches, mountains, beautiful people, and famous people.  What is not to like?  Obviously, people will endure horrible commutes, smog, and a funk in the housing market to enjoy the LA lifestyle.  Many people will say, "I could never live in a big city like New York."  You are the minority!!  Millions of people say, "I will take New York  and all of its problems any day and every day!" 

 Colorado is another one of the states that grew tremendously fast in the past two decades.  The only question is, what took every one so long to discover this place?  Awesome weather in the summer, great snow in the winter, skiing, snowboarding, rafting, hiking, biking, lots of sunny days, dry weather, golf shots that really fly, and then everything that Denver and Boulder offer (Broncos, Nuggets, Rockies, Outlaws, Avalanche, Theater, dining, shopping, CU).  Salina can't match one of the things from the Denver list.  

The real thing that people want is quality of life.  Is my quality of life better living on some farm in the middle of nowhere, where I have no commute, no traffic, and no crime?  At the same time, I have no options!!  I don't have the choice on Friday night to go to a night club, to the beach, mountain climbing, or to a professional sporting event.  Even if you never go do these things, it is nice to have the option.  People have voted and said, "I want to go out on Friday night, stay out late,  live in a big city and not have to worry about getting up early on Saturday morning to milk a cow!"

Also, Salina is kind of ugly.  Where as Colorado is beautiful.  I don't mean to pick on Salina, but if it is your first choice then good on you.  However, if some one has a choice they will choose pretty over ugly almost every time.  There are always those people who think ugly is pretty.  They own the heinous looking pets and drive cars that no one else would drive.  It takes a special person to say, "Ugly, give me all you got."  It's like living in Alaska, it takes someone a little strange to live there.  To live in Alaska you basically have to be of the mentality that you can't get enough of -40 degree weather.  

Next point:  some people get scared in big cities.  They feel like there is safety in the country.  I, personally, am much more afraid of the guy who lives out in the middle of nowhere by himself than the guy walking down the street in Chicago.  I know that there are weirdos in the city, but why exactly does that guy need to live away from everyone else.  What is he up to?  Also, the Amish tend to live in rural areas and keep to themselves.  Nice people, but shouldn't someone tell them that the whole beard and no moustache thing is kind of creepy.  Maybe it is just me.