I live here (Texas) and I would ask what criteria you would use. The state has many pluses to it, and we also our share of negatives (most of whom can be found in the state capitol complexes and the governor's mansion, but I digress...). We have a long warm season, plus August!, and several large growing urban areas with much to do. We have a diverse population that is becoming more diverse over time and an interesting restaurant culture is emerging. One demographer speaks of Bavarian-Korean taco trucks, but I haven't found one yet.....still looking. The larger urban areas are quite progressive unlike many of the small towns and rural areas, but we figure those small towns and rural areas, plus the politicos in the state capitol should be hitting the 1980s pretty soon now. There is quite the variety of humidity levels ranging from swampy in and around the Gulf to the low desert and high desert. Yes, the Chihuahuan Desert cuts a swath into Texas. The scenery ranges from ruggedly beautiful to flat as pancake where you can see 3 days away.
One place near San Angelo in West Texas looks like one of the Mars landings--try and top that--Mars on the Concho (River), or away from the Concho!! We have many aliens both from other countries and in Marfa, we have extraterrestrials. Who knows, we may lead the way to having Earth join the United Federation of Planets what with Vulcans, Andorians, Tellerites and a host of others around, but let's not get ahead of ourselves (Oh, btw, Gene Roddenberry was a Texan as are Michael Dorn--Worf and Brent Spiner--Data)). The economy is in pretty good shape and it seems more people move here with each passing year.
Other than that, it's a pretty typical large American state along with California and Florida (2 other states with many people as well).
