I hate Illinois! Would it be worthwhile for a serious nature lover to move from Illinois to Maryland?

Q. I live in Illinois, in the Chicago area, and I absolutely hate it! The reason I hate it there is basically nothing here for a serious nature-lover like myself. It is all nothing but endless ugly suburban sprawl surrounded by endless boring cornfields. You have to drive hundreds of miles from where we live just to find a decent place to take a hike or go backpacking. I want to move to to the west coast but my wife won't agree to that, either because it is too expensive or where it isn't too expensive it will be too hard for both of us to find job in our respective fields. Someone suggested to us that the Washington area might be a reasonable compromise. It is large enough to have plenty of jobs for us, the cost of living isn't terribly high, and also Maryland and Virginia aren't all cornfields. Or so she said. But when I look at maps of the area I am not sure it would be that much of an improvement.

Can anyone give me another opinion on this?

Answer
define 'nature lover'

while the Pax river area has a very nice preserve and there are a few hiking trails around here, I would NOT go do far as to say it is chock full of nature and outdoorsy stuff.

Pennsylvania is a couple fo hours away and the Poconos has camping/backpacking options.

the BWA triangle is just as urban as Chi-town. we just get slightly less snow each winter( not that you would think so this year)

maybe the Bay area/Ocean City if you are into the beach life.

But you really want the Coasts. Hampton Roads in Virginia is teeming with outdoor nature. On the Left side, you have Monterey and San Diego

Are there any bears or other wild animals in the Appalachian mountains?

Q. My college, Frostburg State University, is surrounded by these mountains. The college campus is touching the West Virginia and Maryland border. As far as I can see, there is green scenery and long hills. I was wondering if it's safe to go hiking on these mountains? The view from one of my halls is amazing; I just want to run out there. Please forgive me for my lack of knowledge.



My college is near the West Virginia and Maryland border.

Answer
Wild animals would include: SNAKES, frogs, toads, turtles, salamanders, all sorts of birds, raccoons, skunks, chipmunks, squirrels, voles, moles, mice, opposums, deer, and black bear. As long as you keep your distance from the skunks and avoid female bears with cubs it is quite safe. People hike the Appalachian Trail all the time. I have backpacked in that area myself and black bears have thoroughly checked out our packs. The key is DO NOT bring any food into the tent and store it hanging high off the ground suspended from ropes BETWEEN two trees so that the bears can not get to it. OR if you are camping leave the food IN the car with the windows ALL THE WAY UP. I would worry more about rattlesnakes than bears.

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Title Post: I hate Illinois! Would it be worthwhile for a serious nature lover to move from Illinois to Maryland?
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