Some years ago, I wanted to get out of town and take an extended road trip. Just see the country. My solution was to sell stuff, put some stuff in storage, and go to a 6 week truck driving school. Might as well get paid to do it. I leased a truck, and drove for 6th months. Saw every state but Rhode Island. Some places which stood out as places I might want to live... Lebanon Tennesee, the Ozarks, rural(ish) Florida, and the high deserts on the border of southern Utah, northern Arizona.

Least favorite places, Pennsylvania, all of the north east cities around D.C., and inland southern California. bleh.