Who Says Arkansas Is One Of The Worst States To Live In?

First off let me say this, I don't think that's true... But when I started pouring through the data to determine how the researchers came to the conclusions below, there seems to be a pattern that emerges, most of these "experts" have probably never even set foot in some of the states they're ranking. And their version of "quality of life" just might be way different than yours and mine.

My first clue that this data might be a little flawed was when I found out what states these numbers determined were the Top States to Live In:

1. Massachusetts
2. New Jersey
3. New York
4. Idaho
5. Virginia

Give me a minute to scrape the ick off my brain after reading that. Virginia is nice, it's for Lovers as I recall, I've never been to Idaho so, no opinion there, but the other three? Seriously?

The research cited here shows that the #1 state for Education and Health is Massachusetts. #1 for Safety is New Jersey. #1 for Quality of Life is New York. #1 for Economy is North Dakota. #1 for Affordability is Alabama. That last one may be accurate.

But somebody please explain to me how on earth Arkansas shows up in the bottom five at #47? The Natural State?

Some Arkansas Stats:

• Unemployment Rate: 3.3% (7/22)
• Median Income: $49K for 1 person, $70 per couple
• Average rent: $708 per month
• Current Gas Price: $3.35 a gallon for regular
• Commute time in Little Rock: 18.6 minutes

The fact of the matter is, if your priorities include the great outdoors, Arkansas is pretty hard to beat. Although I'm not a resident, I live next door in Texas, I have been playing in Arkansas for many years now. If you like good camping places, hiking, boating, canoeing, hunting, fishing, rock climbing, basically, if you love being a part of nature then you have got to love Arkansas. If you have ever floated the Buffalo, hiked the eagle Rock loop and winding stairs, hung out in the peaceful silence of Petit Jean, or if you actually know how to pronounce Ouachita, then you know what I'm talking about.
Am I right?

No state is perfect that's for sure, and remember these aren't surveys, these numbers come from statistics. But like any good story, stats don't always tell the tale. If your life priorities line up more with mine then I think you'll agree, Arkansas is pretty awesome.

The Full Bottom 5?

#46: New Mexico
#47: Arkansas
#48: Louisiana
#49: Alaska
#50: Mississippi

Here's the complete info from WalletHub.com on these rankings. Tell us what you think.

Check out the 3 Texas Towns Named Some of the Worst to Visit in the USA.

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