True that, been here for 2.5 years for a program at UCONN, I don’t think I’ve met someone I’ve actively disliked yet.

💯

Whether or not that’s true, my anecdotal experience is that I’ve experienced the extremes on both ends in CT. I’ve been horrified and pleased with the drivers. The only state I’ve been actually impressed by the general level of driving skill and awareness of Washington State.

Ultimately I think each area/region/state can have some bad habits that are normal and expected by locals, while appalling/terrifying for visitors. Here are some of my experiences:

Utah drivers defend their spot in traffic like you just insulted they’re dying mother. You want to change lanes to get over on the next exit, you better wait for a HUGE gap, try to start changing lanes 6 miles earlier, or play a game of chicken.

Southern California drivers drive unsettling fast on small/neighborhood roads. Also, you better not be a second late on accelerating when the light turns green.

CT drivers, especially eastern side of the state, love to ride your ass no matter how fast you’re going. If it’s night, there’s a 3 out of 4 chance they have their brights on. Also, if you’re in Hartford, be ready to be cut off. It might not happen, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

Washington drivers (specifically Puget Sound area) are considerate, patient people, but if it snows, all hell breaks loose. They’re oblivious to their lack of skill with snow driving.

>But the land in those places also tends to be pretty flat and barren.

Also not true. Anywhere from the Rocky Mountains west through the Basin and Range area and into the Sierra Nevadas has the greatest differences of elevation in the country outside of Alaska. Furthermore, barren is a loaded term. Just because trees aren't thick doesn't mean the area doesn't have significant biodiversity.

>much of it in the same shape as when Native Americans were the only inhabitants.

That's not true. Aside from the massive clearcutting that happened in the 1800s, Native Americans used fire to shape their landscape all across North America. Early European accounts talk about how the forests had massive trees that had spaces big enough between them that you could drive a wagon through them. Furthermore, there was quite a bit of cultivated nut trees that would be harvested on a regular basis. None of the forested areas in the "Green Valley" live up to these descriptions.

Also, it's important to remember that the rural in the Green Valley is still pretty developed in comparison to many rural spaces out West. Just take a look at Google Maps to see how roads criss cross the entire area, and that most of these roads have lots of homes. The difference is a lack of infrastructure that causes light pollution.