That "cesspool" happens to be a group of states with some of the highest incomes, most education and lowest unemployment. It also happens to be a region of tolerance, which I understand isn't your interest.
Financial "Success" is not the measure I use when I look at an area. I'm probably going to end up taking close to a 25% pay cut to make this move. It will also cost me more to live down there (beacuse of the sweet deal I have here currently). This has nothing to do with financial success. It has to do with Right and Wrong, two things that New Englanders have conveniently forgotten about in the last century and a half. I'm surprised we haven't had a major earthquake around here from all the gyroscopic spinning the Men and women who founded this part of the country must be doing in their graves as they see what we've done to their society.
I have no problem with Diversity. There are two diverse sides to anything.... Right and Wrong. They're about as diverse and divergent as you can possibly get.
not to mention great ski resorts, golf courses and porn shops.
Three things I can most definitely live without, Jarhead.