What type of place would you like to live in?

[Cutlass]

I'm sure I would. Let's find out if Michigan's Upper Peninsula likes me!

The US Upper Midwest actually has a high portion of people of Scandinavian heritage living there. So pretty much certain the answer is yes.




For me, I like the Atlantic coast. If I had enough money I'd want a smallish house on a rocky coast.

 

[Valka D'Ur]

Parks and other green pockets in an urban setting is probably very important for a lot of city dwellers well being. Not sure if it would cut it for me in the long run as part of the allure of nature is getting away from people. Somewhat harder to achieve in a park. Although I guess that depends on the park..

Our city council isn't noted for doing smart things, but one thing they did do that was wonderful was to create Waskasoo Park. It's a system of hiking, biking, and fitness trails, green space, and parks that extends throughout the city and into the county. Some of the parks were already there, of course, just not joined by the trail system. We have a wildlife migration corridor running through Red Deer, so animals such as deer and moose don't have to go around the city. They have their own ways of getting where they want to go, and the trails and forested areas mean they're not likely to get caught in traffic, as happens fairly often in Calgary (moose on the freeway now and then, and it's stressful and sometimes fatal for them). I've seen deer drinking out of the river, and there are times when people see them in their back yard, helping themselves to fruit from various trees and bushes. The wildlife sanctuary interpretive centre I used to work at is located within the city limits, and humans are expected to give way to whatever animals they come across (bobcats, deer, beavers, bears, skunks, etc.).

Green space and parks are essential for urban centres. They're beneficial for humans' peace of mind, and they help keep the area from becoming a heat sink. They also help control flooding, as the rainwater has somewhere to go instead of creating lakes in the middle of where lakes have no business being.

I really wish we had more large predators around here. You'll have to be pretty damn lucky to spot one. Attacks on humans are so rare it pretty much never happens, be it bear, wolfs, wolverines or what have you. If the wilderness kills you it'll be due to a fall or an avalanche or something. Or I suppose the cold if you get lost.

Oh you. I like to think I'd be able to negotiate my way out of a bear encounter. Specially if I bring those sweets you're talking about.

A recent news story here is about a woman who was visited by three grizzlies in her back yard. Fortunately she and her dogs weren't harmed, but the bears will be in trouble when they're caught. Any bears caught in urban areas are relocated to wilderness areas far enough away that they're hopefully not going to wander back. Persistent bears that come back are usually destroyed, because human-habituated bears are dangerous.

This is why you should NEVER feed a bear or any other wild animal. It's a crime to do so here, and there are stretches of highway in the mountains where it's illegal to even stop to take pictures of them.