r/AskReddit 29d ago

What is the worst US state and why?

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u/gecko_burger_15 29d ago

I went to the old thread you linked, and someone in the thread claimed that, though Mississippi ranks worst in MOST areas, it is #1 in terms of percentage of income donated to charity. That didn't pass the sniff test, so I looked it up. Mississippi is 47 out of 50 for charitable giving. Mississippi ain't got no silver lining.

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u/Lt_Quill 29d ago

Am from Mississippi. Only silver lining is our childhood vaccination rate (99% for MMR, for instance), and fairly affordable housing. Still failing in many other metrics, though.

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u/xaqaria 29d ago

If your housing is still only fairly affordable despite the fact that it's literally the worst place to live in the US, then that isn't really a positive.

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u/Lt_Quill 29d ago

I mean, we're ranked one in cost of living and 20 in housing affordability (by USNews). Now granted, I'm only here cause I'm with family. I'm heading to college in New Jersey in a couple days anyway, so I can say goodbye to this state.

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u/MeaKyori 29d ago

Oh hey I'm also a Mississippi to NJ transplant! People are like, why would you move to Jersey of all places? And I'm like, I'm from Mississippi... And they just go oh yeah okay that makes sense

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u/Lt_Quill 29d ago

Haha, can't wait for those conversations.

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u/AssinineAssassin 28d ago

It’s nice for a place to feel like a home away from home.

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u/MeaKyori 28d ago

Oh I'm way happier here than I was in Mississippi no worries

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u/Quasimurder 29d ago

A few tips if it's your first time in NJ:

You don't pump your own gas. An attendant will come to you.

Get a Taylor Ham, egg, & cheese sandwich. Some people will call it Taylor Ham. Some will call it Pork Roll. It's the same thing and we will argue endlessly about which one is right.

"DJEET" is what it can sound like when we quickly say "did you eat?"

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u/Lt_Quill 29d ago

Appreciate the advice. I'll be sure to make the most of it while there.

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u/Dizi4 28d ago

Also, "You good" could mean just about anything, depending on the intonation and context. You'll probably figure it out.

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u/ntropi 28d ago

Also pay no attention to the Jersey Shore tv show, those people are all from staten island.

Pay more attention to the exit numbers on the parkway, they are more relevant than the names of the towns.

If anyone ever uses the word "central" followed by "jersey" just slap them and move on. If you're going to Rutgers you'll undoubtedly come across this.

Enjoy Wawa. You don't have to worry about the Wawa vs Sheetz debate... there aren't any Sheetz.

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u/adamAtBeef 28d ago

Of course low COL doesn't mean much if you have no income. Kansas is the cheapest state to buy a house adjusted for income.

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u/Lt_Quill 28d ago

Good point. Was just looking at absolute COL, but I see how they can not provide the full picture.

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u/A_Interesting_Name_ 29d ago

You know what, worst to 2nd worst is still an upgrade.

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u/owlinspector 28d ago

Well, if Futurama is to be believed then you are trading one hellhole for another.