Like many people my age, I have grand dreams of travelling the world. I want to see the sights, meet exciting people, and go on some marvelous adventure. But, no matter how far I travel or how long I stay away, I know that I will always return to my home: New England. And there are nine and a half reasons why.

1. Two Words: Four seasons.

New England is one of the few places where you can experience all four seasons. We get mountains of sparkling snow in the winter, beautiful blooms and rainy days in the spring, beaches and sunshine in the summer and—most famously—fall foliage that is incomparable.

1.5 What you can do in those seasons.

Skiing. Pumpkin and apple picking. Admiring the gorgeous landscapes. Ice Skating. Swimming. Sledding. Gardening. Raking leaves. Going to the beach. Not to mention all the times you can huddle in your window, wrapped in a blanket, drinking hot tea and watching the world outside.

2. Look at it.

Just...

look at it.

These are not exaggerations.

It is actually this gorgeous here.

All the time.

Sigh.

3. The people.

Some people (I’m looking at you, the entire South) think of New Englanders as rude and too fast-paced. I, however, would rather get through the check-out counter with a simple how-do-you-do than spend ten minutes chatting about my life story with some over-friendly cashier. We are friendly people, we just save our friendly energy for, you know, our friends.

Oh, and other Pats fans.

4. There are six different varieties of greatness.

Each with its own wonderful history, attractions, and options. (See numbers 8, 5 and 6 respectively.)

5. Attractions (Fairs and festivals and concerts, oh my!).

If you were raised in New England, you will have at least one fair that you went to every year growing up. For me, it’s the Deerfield Fair and we haven’t missed one yet! There is nothing better on a crisp fall day than stomping around fair grounds while stuffing your face with fair foods (or apple crisp, because in New England that is fair food). After, when you are full of said greasy food, you get to go on ride after ride until you’re almost ready to hurl (It's more fun than it sounds). And, at the end of the day you get to sit down, exhausted, to watch the magic show/concert/horse pull.

6. Options.

You may think from this article that we are all a bunch of forest-dwelling country bumpkins. But no! While yes, forest-dwelling is one option, you can also live in a spectacular city (Take Boston for example. My personal favorite city in the world). Or you could bunk in the sprawling suburbs. Or on the coast. Or in a quaint New England town. Or some sort of mix-space. The options are endless and all stunning to look at.

7. Seafood.

Did I mention that our cuisine is nationally renowned? Crab cakes! Lobster! Clams! Oysters! Salmon! Any other aquatic-based delicacy! We are up to our ears in fresh, delicious seafood.

8. History

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New England, as the first place settled by the pilgrims, is the most historical region in the country (for Americans). Not only did history happen here, it is preserved. We have mills, memorials of battles, historic houses, and more. It would be impossible to take every tour, see every historic site, and learn about every event in a lifetime. But that doesn't mean that you can’t appreciate a few while you’re here.

9. Dunkin’ Donuts

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That’s right. We gave the world Dunkin’ Donuts. And to prove it, we have one on every block.

If all of that didn’t convince you to spend the rest of your days here, you’ll just have to come see it for yourself. Because for me, it is the best place on Earth. For me, New England will always be home.