re: Rank the SEC states in order of where you would most like to live

1. Louisiana: easily the best food. New Orleans is awesome, and so is Lafayette. So much to do out on the water.
2. Tennessee: this state has a ton of variety from bar hopping in Nashville to secluded Mountain retreats. Also, Memphis is a home away from home for my family due to my brother's stint at St. Jude.
3. Florida: there is so much to hate about this state, but there's even more to love. Warm weather, gators, and shite tons of beaches. What more do you really need? So what if there are tons of crazy people? It's a big state with a lot to explore.
4. Texas: It's a massive state, so like Florida, there's a ton to explore. Houston is an abortion, as is Dallas, but Austin is incredible. Texas really is like a whole 'nother country.
5. Alabama: The Grand Hotel in Point Clear is the single most powerful mechanism in this poll. It nearly single-handedly kept Alabama in the top half. Huntsville is also beautiful. The people, atmosphere, and tailgating at Auburn are glorious as well. While much of the rest of the state is a dump, I could be very happy living in Huntsville or near the coast.
6. Mississippi: Probably way overranked in this list, but I love the Mississippi Gulf Coast, especially Bay St. Louis and Pass Christian. Natchez and Oxford are gorgeous as well. Plus...tamales, and blues music almost make Jackson bearable.
7. Georgia: It's a beautiful state of rolling hills and forests and creeks, and red dirt country songs about banging chicks in the back of pickup trucks. Atlanta may be the worst major city this side of Newark. Augusta was beautiful, but it seemed to be completely bereft of nightlife. I've heard Athens salvages it though, but since I haven't seen it, I can't rank it based on that. From what I've seen, it's an annoying place filled with annoying people and I hate having to change planes in the Delta terminal.
8. Missouri: you're like Arkansas plus St. Louis, which I'm not sure is a good thing or not. However, you did give the world Kansas City BBQ, which balances out the fact that you also gave us Bud Lite.
9. Kentucky: it's like Tennessee without Nashville and Graceland. They do have the Corvette museum, and the burbon trail, however. Since I haven't seen the state's principal cities of Lexington and Louisville, this ranking really is pretty meaningless, so don't take it to heart.
10. Arkansas: this state is just awful. While I have heard rumors of the NW portion being some new cultural center, I sure as hell didn't see it. Little Rock is kinda ok. Hot Springs area in the mountains is cool, but most of the state is kinda a dump.
NR. South Carolina: I have only set foot in this state once, by crossing the river from Augusta for about 20 minutes, so I don't think it's fair to rank it.