California vs Minnesota, which is better?

I moved to California last December. It was a necessary move made primarily for my career, but truth be told, also for my sanity. Don't get me wrong, Minnesota was a wonderful experience. I have no regrets in choosing to further my education there. I met so many friendly people at the grocery store, Jiffy Lube, on the bus, on evening runs, in traffic. They were everywhere! In contrast, I have met ONE nice stranger at a grocery store here in Pasadena... and guess what? He was from Minnesota. Ha ha ha. People make a difference. I became too comfortable in MN. Without a family to root me in that state, I ventured back to the West for new adventures with other people in a different culture. 

Despite meeting one friendly stranger here in CA, I have enjoyed the camaraderie of good friends and family who live in the area. It is in my nature to adapt quickly to my surroundings and to enjoy it. I will admit it was tough with CA. I had moved to MN with excitement and it did not disappoint. At the beginning of the year, I started writing a list of things I love about each state. I share just a few bullet points below.

California: 

• Fun in the sun with cool nights
• Ocean
• Disneyland
• UNIVERSAL
• Burbank, the Entertainment capital of the World
• Food, FOOD, FOOD
• More likely to run into Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hiddleston, etc.
• Snow cones can be found

Minnesota:

• Cold winters that brought fictitious worlds to life (e.g. Westeros in the North, Harry Potter when he visited Godric's Hollow Christmas Eve...very special memories)
• Lakes
• MN state fair (snow cones become available for those two weeks)
• Nice strangers
• Less pollution, better running routes
• Cheap place to live
• Mason Jennings

My hand-written list is longer and more detailed. For example, how do I put a value on the people who have enriched the experience?! I can't unless they are family! If I factor that into the equation, then the honest answer to the question is "neither, Arizona and Florida trumps both CA and MN."

Arizona because of 1) my adorable nephew 2) the majority of my family 3) my AZ wildcats 4) shaved ice and snow cones are everywhere (yes, it is that much of a factor. In fact, this is MINNESOTA's greatest detraction). 

Prior to enjoying some delish Tiger's blood (shaved ice) in Tucson, AZ at Shoobies.

Florida because  of 1) my adorable niece 2) Ammon, Karla, and her Puerto Rican family 3) Harry Potter World, which sells the best drink in the world: BUTTERBEER. 

Given this logic, the answer to the question posed in the title is Minnesota. Why? It all comes down to rum extract. It took one trip to Cub Foods in March 2013 (a MN grocery store) to obtain the key ingredient that is required for all of the known Butterbeer recipes available online. It has taken SIX trips to finally stumble upon rum extract here in CA (Pavilion's in Arcadia). Therefore, Minnesota wins because homemade Butterbeer is more readily accessible.

California may yet surpass Minnesota, though! The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is coming to Universal Studios-Hollywood in the next two years. I don't have to try making Butterbeer, I can visit them whenever I want!