Turns out, the South is a pretty nice place to live

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[h=1]Turns out, the South is a pretty nice place to live[/h]

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[h=4]posted at 6:40 pm on September 29, 2011 by Tina Korbe

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When I first moved to Washington D.C., my dad jokingly warned me not to hype home too much. “If they find out just how nice we have it down here, all your new East Coast friends will want to move to the South and our cost of living will go up,†he teased. In my family, we like to say the South is the country’s best-kept secret. But, as it turns out, plenty of people have discovered it: During the last decade, the South was the fastest-growing region of the country.

In his column today on National Review Online, Lee Habeeb, vice president of content for Salem Radio Network, chronicles his own journey south, from New Jersey to Mississippi. Habeeb cites all the usual suspects as to what makes the South appealing, from the slower pace to the lower cost of living:

“Have you lost your mind?†is the refrain I heard over and over from friends up north when I told them the news. It was as if I’d just told them I was moving to Madagascar. …

I then told them about the quality of life in Oxford, and how far a dollar stretches. And the ease of doing business. When I show them pictures of my house, and get around to my property taxes, things get positively somber. On a home valued at $400,000, my tax tab is $2,000. My parents in New Jersey pay $12,000. And for a whole lot less house. On no land. When I remind friends about the pension liabilities they’ll be inheriting from the state unions, things get downright gloomy.

I can relate to everything Habeeb writes — but in reverse. When I moved to Silver Spring, Md., I had a hard time swallowing the price of rent — because it nearly matched my parents’ mortgage payment. And when I called the customer service departments of coast-based cable and electricity companies and got nowhere with the representatives who answered the phone, I found myself frequently saying in as kind a voice as I could muster, “I just moved here from Arkansas. And I’d really like to be able to tell my friends and family back home that y’all are just as friendly and helpful as Southerners have a reputation for being.†At every turn, in other words, I was reminded that I was a long way from where I grew up. (I was going to say, “a long way from the South,†but, technically, Maryland is still the South — it’s featured in Southern Living, after all. And wasn’t the nation’s capital situated on the Potomac precisely as a concession to the southern states?)

That’s not to say I didn’t experience a new kind of camaraderie with fellow Metro riders when we all faced a broken escalator out of the subway station. Nor is it to say D.C. didn’t substantially unravel my OCD by giving me a chance to observe it in the high achievers all around me. Above all, it’s not to say I wasn’t stimulated by new ideas and engaging conversation morning, noon and night. Coastal cities have their advantages, from public transportation and easier international travel to endless restaurant options and topic-rich, thought-provoking public lectures (seriously, one of my favorite elements of the city!). Especially in what I think of as “The Big Three†(NYC, L.A. and D.C.), living in a city might mean you pass famous and powerful people on the sidewalk, have a chance to voice your ideas to someone who might actually be able to do something about them, or wake up one morning to the startling realization that the distance between your dreams and reality isn’t actually so great as you thought it was.

But the point is, the magic of those “quintessential†cities has already been brought vividly to life for all of us — even those of us who’ve never lived in them — by books and TV shows, songs and movies. Hollywood and Broadway — plus all the most prominent recording and publishing companies — are located in those places.

The advantages of the South — especially the advantages of the 21st century South — are less well known (and, somehow, Southern coastal cities are frequently overlooked as major cities). Oh, there are books and TV shows, songs and movies about Dixie — but, as Habeeb points out, they’re often misleading caricatures or dwell too heavily on the South’s past. Little has been done to update the popular image of the region, which is now economically inviting and culturally reassuring — perhaps because those who spin popular images, from the president to junior reporters, haven’t taken the time to really understand the South for themselves.

That happens to be Habeeb’s thesis:

Americans, black and white alike, are moving in record numbers to a part of the country where taxes are low, unions are irrelevant, and people love their guns and their faith. And yet we have heard hardly a peep about this great migration from our nation’s public intellectuals.

Why? Because their ideological prejudices won’t permit them to admit the obvious. They’d prefer to focus their research on the pre-1970s South because they are more comfortable with — and more invested in — that old narrative, while this new one marches on right under their noses. And their keyboards.

And so it is with a sense of puzzlement that this Jersey boy turned Mississippian watches the decision making of President Obama. Millions of Americans may have voted for him in 2008, but millions have been voting with their feet, and he doesn’t seem the least bit interested in understanding why. …

He should ask Americans like me who’ve moved South why we did it. And he should be especially interested in understanding why African Americans are fleeing his home city of Chicago for the South, too.

If he dared to ask, he’d learn that we are all fleeing liberalism and chasing economic freedom, just as our immigrant parents and grandparents did. …

It turns out that white Yankee migrants like me, African American migrants from Chicago, and businessmen owners in Illinois and around the world, see something in the South that novelists, journalists, academics, and our current president cannot.

The future.

Truth is, all joking aside, it’s a shame to keep it secret.

Personally, I would prefer to keep it a secret, Northerners and west coasters tend to want to change the South to what they just left, so what's the point of them coming here.. :dunno:

[daddyo]

I've seen a lot of the country and I've lived my entire life in the south (that is, if I can count 3 years in Central Florida). I've been to Europe and have NO desire to go back.

The south that I grew up in doesn't exist anymore, partly because we have been infested with transplants who have moved here from other regions and brought their "progressive" views with them. But they didn't stop there - they have obtained positions of influence and have managed to change life in the south for all of us. It's still a good place to live, but everything's relative. It's just not the same as it used to be.

After going on a 7-day cruise to Alaska back in May, I would seriously consider moving there at some point. The political and social climate may be similar, or even worse, but the scenery would more than make up for it.

Why, they even pay you to live there.

Edited September 30, 2011 by DaddyO

[Jonnin]

Sigh, my worthless aunt from oregon was just down here. She bums a place to stay out of my mother, who is a gentle turn the other cheek sort of person, then spends the whole week telling her how backwards the south is and how great the left coast is. She bought a book on guns & the south to take back to laugh at. It took less than 5 years after she moved up there to become extremely rude and hateful and arrogant. And, she forgets, I have been up there. Oregon is full of "rednecks" (her word) --- fishermen, outdoorsmen, hunters, people living in shacks on the side of the road selling junk they found on the beaches, you name it, its just as "trashy" (her word for the south) up there as it is here. And portland is just as ghetto as any other city of its size, we didnt stay there long but its just a city, like any other. Apart from the general snobbish attitude, political differences, and cold winters, it was not all that much different. She is worse than most because she tries extra hard to "make up for" being raised in the south, so she has a double dose of the snobs

[LagerHead]

I've lived in the Northwest, California, the Southwest, the South, and even 9 years overseas. All of them have some pretty sweet things to offer. Scenery, skiing, ocean views, mountains. Aside from the nasty, humid summers here, Nashville is one of the best, if not the best place I've lived. I just wish they had more choices in international cuisine.

[china coaster]

Ever notice how folks that extol the attributes , and offer advice on what to expect down here usually aren't native Southrons. My wife is a writer, lecturer and story teller and we are involved in living history and Southern heritage research and presentations. we have noticed that those from long time southern famlies have a revived interest in their heritage. At events we participate in someone in our group will set up their laptop and entertain questions on geneaology, and are always swamped with inquiries. Even the yankees want to be Southern. Who would have thunk it?

[sigmtnman]

Surrender means that the history of this heroic struggle will be written by the enemy; that our youth will be trained by Northern school teachers; will learn from Northern school books their version of the War; will be impressed by all the influences of history and education to regard our gallant dead as traitors, and our maimed veterans as fit subjects for derision.

-General Pat Cleburne, CSA

[Guest nicemac]

…Nashville is one of the best, if not the best place I've lived. I just wish they had more choices in international cuisine.

I second both parts of that statement.

So if anyone can recommend a good Chinese restaurant in Nashville…

[Guest Zombie-Hunter]

Im not a Hater of people or races, but I loved my south the way it was 25 years ago, before the yankee's, Muslim's and Mexican's took over.

Talk about a culture shock!

Edited September 30, 2011 by Zombie-Hunter

[Guest pfries]

I was born down here in TN but was to young to remeber when my parents moved to MI. Dad went to work in the auto plants, I was lucky enough to spend summers down here in the Greenback area or out in the Dakota's with my Dad's side of the family. I also had the fortune of being caught between generations, the values are somthing I have tried to pass on to my children. As you can see I am back home. I have always felt more at home here than back up north. I have traveled and worked in a large part of the U.S. and as the time came to look toward retirement the little lady had two choices, here or northern Oregon. The south is growing and changing but in the whole scope of things this is where I want to be and am raising the ssecond half of my family. If it stays some great secret and that slows some of the change I for one will not fight it..... Dixie is where my heart and home are and that is where they will stay.

Edited September 30, 2011 by pfries

[Guest nicemac]

Im not a Hater of people or races, but I loved my south the way it was 25 years ago, before the yankee's, Muslim's and Mexican's took over.

Talk about a culture shock!

I remember when all of the signs on Nolensville Road were in English! Sorry, but I don't shop at Los Mercado.

[Jonnin]

I cannot blame businesses for the bilingual signs. That is good business, to get money from all potential customers -- you bet I would do the same if I owned a store. I blame the government, for not sending the illegals back home.

[laktrash]

Im not a Hater of people or races, but I loved my south the way it was 25 years ago, before the yankee's, Muslim's and Mexican's took over.

Talk about a culture shock!

I with you I'll go back a few more years when you didn't lock your doors on the house or take keys out of the car.

Yeah nicemac I'm having a hard time finding English on things myself

A little off thread but I use to catch the Trailways bus 5 miles this side of Sevierville to Knoxville spend the day going to the movies and home again I was 10 years old and went by myself. My father did work for trailways so I did know most of the drivers. Ticket prices were .25 & .35 Three theaters Tenn, Bijou and Rivera made a day of it . Now would you let a 10 year old go to downtown Knoxville alone today. Human services would be all over you.

With good reason I might add!

Edited September 30, 2011 by laktrash

[Guest nicemac]

I cannot blame businesses for the bilingual signs. That is good business, to get money from all potential customers -- you bet I would do the same if I owned a store. I blame the government, for not sending the illegals back home.

The signs were bilingual in the 90's. Now they are only in Spanish!

[laktrash]

The signs were bilingual in the 90's. Now they are only in Spanish!

yeah Try to find english instructions on anything you buy.

[LagerHead]

I second both parts of that statement.

So if anyone can recommend a good Chinese restaurant in Nashville…

There used to be a halfway decent one down Nolensville Road. I think it may be gone now. But if you haven't tried it might I suggest Korean food? Way better than Chinese! Seoul Garden on Edmondson Pike and Nolensville Road is pretty good. Mana at 12th and Charlotte and The Korea House on Charlotte past White Bridge are also good.

Of course there's always Thai food. Mmmm, Pad Thai!

[Guest nicemac]

Tangs on Nolensville Road was my home away from home. They closed last Fall.

I like Korean and Thai fine, but prefer Chinese. I have been to China a couple of times and am spoiled as to what "good Chinese" food is. Tangs was good Chinese food–as good as in China. Michael grew up and trained in Hong Kong. His food was authentic.

I have not been able to find a good replacement since they closed.

Sort of like good Pizza–there ain't much in Nashville. Joey's closed up in Brentwood and we tried Sal's that replaced it. Yuck! Old Chicago was pitiful. NYPie is just OK… I hear Joey's is going to re-open in Donelson soon, but no definitive date. I would fly up to Chicago some Saturday on a SWA $49 deal to get pizza, but I just hate to fly (TSA hassles) anymore.