Canadian wanting to live in the south!

[sweetmercy]

I have a question for all you southern folks here, if you don't mind answering!

I'm a Canadian that has ALWAYS wanted to live in the (deep) south for a bit. I'm not really sure why, but it just seems so charming to me. And perhaps also because I love country music and so I idealize the southern lifestyle! (you know, sitting on a front porch drinking sweet tea or lemonade, small towns where everyone knows each other, etc...although I know this is probably a stereotype! )
Anyway, my question is this: how are outsiders generally received into southern communities? What about Canadians specifically? Are southerners really more laid-back and friendly than other places? And...sorry if this is offensive to anyone (!), is it true that there is a lot of racism and "narrow-mindedness" in the south?
I would really appreciate input from those who live in the south, and also let me know what part of the south you live in!
Thanks so much!
Jen

 

[Kel_ee]

I have a question for all you southern folks here, if you don't mind answering... how are outsiders generally received into southern communities? As long as you're not a snow bird all pretty much fit in. You should fit in just fine. What about Canadians specifically? Are southerners really more laid-back and friendly than other places? Yes I would say they are more laid back. They do like to take their time, which isn't always a good thing, but all around seem to be very nice. And...sorry if this is offensive to anyone (!), is it true that there is a lot of racism and "narrow-mindedness" in the south? No offense should be taken, for what is, is... unfortunatly racism does exist down here. I am from the north and moved down about 8 years ago. I don't hear so much from the ones who have moved south, but from true southerners?... well I've had to pick my mouth off the floor more than a few times.

All of that aside, it's absolutely beautiful down here. I live in southern Alabama. The weather is my favorite part of living in the south. We do have snakes in our yard, tons of spiders, and 2 inch tree roaches that fly. YUK! Give it a try... you'll love it!

 

[sweetmercy]

thank you so much for your reply and for your honesty, kelee! I agree with you that the south IS beautiful! I took a short road trip, all the way from Canada down to Georgia with some girlfriends last year in the fall and it was amazing! The sun, the colours of the leaves, everything.
And what is a snowbird?

 

[Kel_ee]

And what is a snowbird?

The old grumpy people who come down every year from october to february. They get away from the cold up north, but they bring some of the coldness with 'em.

 

[CCe]

I'm from Mississippi and love it! Things are pretty laid back depending on the area you choose. Places like Memphis (TN) are pretty busy places but smaller towns are usually kinda quiet. I think for the most part, anyone can fit in. Most people are friendly but there are always a few...lol. There is a saying in a ot of small towns..."if you don't know where you're going or what you're doing, just ask someone" in other words, nosey....lol. I think you'll love it!

 

[XatuGravelz]

I'm going to have to warn you that most people here aren't that smart.

 

[Avatar]

I'm going to have to warn you that most people here aren't that smart.

I have family in the south, and that's simply untrue. Nice stereotype though.

 

[XatuGravelz]

I have family in the south, and that's simply untrue. Nice stereotype though.

I live in the south. There are plenty of smart people, but we've earned the stereotype.

 

[SpaceProg]

Posting from GA here. If you can handle thickly humid Summers, then you could give it a shot.
I can't complain where I live, but I like rural living. Jobs are scarce here though. I guess they are everywhere.

About Racism: It's everywhere in the US (and the world), not just down here.

 

[myanchor]

Hmm, okay, lived in Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, and Mississippi(gulf coast). I found that racism is a fact of life from and to black people. If you are warned by locals that you shouldn't go in certain places at night or during the day, listen to them.
Everyone is going to wonder about you. They will ask nosy questions, just tell them you don't want to say when they get too nosy. Do NOT make fun of their accent, to them they talk normal and you as the furriner talk strange. Do ask politely when you don't understand something they say like 'sore as a risin' There are some desperately stupid people, some very uneducated people, but I found that most everyone was if you are friendly, they will be friendly. Most people are good hearted and welcoming, but the first time you say that isn't how we did it up north, they will invite you to return from whence you came. Some will do it politely, some not so politely.

Enjoy it in winter or spring at first. The heat of over 100 degrees fahrenheit, 40 celsius and humidity of 90% plus can really destroy you in the summer. Plus there are those 2 inch cockroaches that fly at you after you stomp them. And fireants. Anytime you see a big nest on the ground and there are ants there, stay away.

 

[SpaceProg]

Just an FYI, a "Risin'" is colloquial slang for a inflamed boil or cyst.

Oh yeah I forgot to mention the fire ants... well they're not THAT easy to run afoul of, as long as you don't mistakenly step in one of their nests, or get between a scout and... well... wherever he's (or rather "she's" I should say) going.

 

[myanchor]

Thank you for translating 'risin' , I thought I did that in my post. Ah well.

We've had fireants come into the house, I got bit when I was cutting grass, when I was cutting bushes, when I lay down on the ground, when I tried to climb a tree, when I dropped a flash light on a bed of the little ......., when I was just out walking in the woods. It won't take you but once or twice to be able to identlfy the little .......s

 

[gusord]

Dont forget the threat of hurricanes along the GULF COAST and the
FLORIDA coast line and on up to NORTH CAROLINA. I live on the
Mississippi Gulf Coast and we went through HURRICANE KATRINA.
The area here from Biloxi and west is still recovering from this monster
hurricane. The locals used to say a hurricane could be measured against
hurricane camile from 1969 now they use hurricane katrina from 2005 as
a measure of tidal surge, wind damage, and flooding.
Personally I would live in northeastern tennessee in the tri-cities area
Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol. The climate is cooler, fall colors,
cheap cost of living, winters are not brutal, lots of fresh water fishing
including trout,etc. and no hurricanes. You are also centrally located for
trips to washington, dc, atlantic ocean, norfolk, va. etc.

gusord

 

[Henaynei]

Statistically, Sarasota, FL has the fewest and weakest hits of any place in Florida.