Don’t base your preferred college selection on superficial preferences. Remember that this is an experience that is going to enrich your life for the future, not just where you want to go on holiday. Every state in the US is different and has different things to offer those that have the opportunity to live there.
The best place for a student-athlete to study and play their sport is where the coach sees them as having a place on the team, the school has the degree the student is interested in and the individual is able to get into the school itself. Sure you can have preferences, but it’s not the end all be all. One may end up having the most fantastic opportunity imaginable somewhere they had never heard of or thought of going. This is a new experience; remember if you wanted it to be just like the place you are from then it won’t be as special. Life is about making the most out of where you are and not necessarily finding the “most perfect” place based on what you know now. You find out eventually that life isn’t about where you’re at, but what you’re doing and who you’re with!