[Southlander]

Such nice words, SteveB...thanks so much!
You know what they say...if you go somewhere looking for rude people, you'll find them. Same thing for the nice and friendly people!

[Keeper]

I agree too, nice post. My theory is 'if you look for the good, you will find it, look for the bad, you will find it'.

Funny thing is as a moderator, I see a lot 'I hate it here' post, ironically some of these same folks go to a new city/state and post 'I hate it here' because there is no X.. or the weather is horrible. One person who left FL with 'I hate FL' recently left their new city/state where they moved to and went back to FL realizing FL wasn't so bad after all.

I love Arab, but there are folks who have moved here or have lived here who are/were not happy living here.

If you are looking for a city or town to make you happy, you will never be happy. JMHO

[mimpdaddy]

I think south Alabama is the most unique thing about Alabama.It holds most of Alabama 's history.

[mimpdaddy]

Mobile, Montgomery and Birmingham are very unique cities with their own favor.
And they are nationally know because of that.

[Southlander]

Originally Posted by mimpdaddy

I think south Alabama is the most unique thing about Alabama.It holds most of Alabama 's history.

Aw, come on mimpdaddy, there's history in North Alabama, too. It's just that south Alabama was settled first by the Spaniards and thus has more recorded history.
The two regions are very different, almost like two different states.
BTW, I'm so glad you're here, mimpdaddy. We do STILL need more folks from your part of Alabama.

[mimpdaddy]

Originally Posted by Southlander

Aw, come on mimpdaddy, there's history in North Alabama, too. It's just that south Alabama was settled first by the Spaniards and thus has more recorded history.
The two regions are very different, almost like two different states.
BTW, I'm so glad you're here, mimpdaddy. We do STILL need more folks from your part of Alabama.

Well you right southlander ,but I have to say something about other parts of the state because "Lord knows its enough said about North Alabama".
But let it be known that North Alabama is very appealing and unique because we don't have mountains,NASA, and that wide a## tennesse river like yall.Plus huntsville has a more diverse population, which I think makes it more attractive to people from other regions.

[Millie McHugh]

I have to agree with jsherman & southlander. I was born and raised in central Alabama -- live in Pensacola now but am just a short hop to cross that state line! So much of what I have read is reflected in other's posts -- what you love about a place is what you make of it. Freaky had a wonderful, rambling post of memories of growing up in a rural southern area. I, too, did this and many of my memories are similar! Just as a northerner would have fond memories of their birthplace, we do, also.

I have been in and around all of Alabama over the years and cannot honestly say there's a town I would NOT live in. In GENERAL, the people are so laid back and friendly -- I have been training my Florida friends for years!! I can remember my first visit to Key West, a town I had always heard was soooo laid back. Got there and found a bunch of uptight transplants trying to "act" laid back. You can't fake that! The heat and humidity teach us early to not get in a hurry -- nothing's gonna happen faster if you drop dead from heat stroke to get there!

You will find racism, intolerance, ignorance, and just plain stupidity in every town you visit, no matter what state or country it is in. If these things are anathema to you, it is up to you and your family to change them. Don't be tolerant of ignorance -- change it. I was taught to accept everyone, whether of my race or nationality, as a human being. I have found that to work for me over the years and have learned so much about others that way and have a very diverse group of friends that just thrills me!! How boring it would be if we were all the same

If you find yourself transplanted to the deep south and don't understand the way people live, simply ask someone .. we southerners love to talk and will gladly indoctrinate you into all of the secrets of living the slow, wonderful life (but, family recipes are treasured; if you're given one, you're sworn to secrecy for life). Why, we'll even give you the secret of the "wave" from vehicles (full hand wave, index finger only, 2 fingered, tip of the baseball cap -- there's a difference there in how well the person recognizes you! -- the first time you stop mid-Main Street to talk, you'll know you have become a native!) Once you give in and slow down, you'll be happier, we promise! But first, you have to look within yourself and find that good person that is looking to be happy, not to find faults with everything. If you find you hate the south, there are interstates leading out in every direction -- again, ask a southerner, they'll point the easiest way! There have been posts from most everywhere around Alabama in this thread and you'll find so many people who love it and would never leave ... you have to ask of the others, if you're unhappy, why are you still here?

[cpg35223]

You know, I don't get the vast majority of the negative comments.

We moved to Birmingham from Chicago 16 years ago. My wife practically had to be forced onto the plane when we flew down for the interview. What we found in Birmingham was a gracious, warm, beautiful place filled to the rafters with great, great people. There's always stuff to do here, whether you're interested in the arts, food, or whatever else. We have made lots of friends from all walks of life, and never really lacked for anything to do. If you want to raise a family, the southern part of Birmingham and its ring of suburbs are a pretty fantastic place to do it. In my part of the world, the schools are on par with anything we would have found up North, the property taxes and general cost of living are waaaaay lower, the people are nicer and just as sincere, and the living is a good deal easier. Oh, and if you've ever suffered through a winter in Chicago, Birmingham has that going for it, too.

Yeah, there are still some mossbacks from the old Civil Rights days. But, to be honest, I've encountered more racism at my uncle's dinner table last Thanksgiving in Cleveland than I have here.

And the poster before me makes an excellent point about learning the ways here. I think people who move here and take the time to learn the nuances of culture in Alabama thrive. Those who move in and expect everybody to behave the way people do in Milwaukee or Rochester or Portland are going to have problems.

So, to sum up, when we moved down here, everybody asked us "Oh, God. WHY?" Today, my wife wouldn't move if you put a gun to her head. And, two of our friends came down for a visit, started looking for jobs after touring the place, and live down the street. More come to visit on their way to the beach and like the idea of moving here, too.

[ymp54]

We like Alabama because my husband took a job here in the coal mine. But, we also like AL because it has a long hunting season...other states have short 2 week hunting season. Tennessee is pretty comparable to Alabama for hunt season. The taxes are low here and there is a change of season which is nice. We are in Alabama mainly due to jobs. I have retired from phone co. and my husband is retiring shortly from coal mine. We are looking to move from Walker Cty to Lauderdale County, Florence, Al. We are in our late 50's, and other than hunting and entertaining 3 small grandkids we don't need much entertainment. Florence appears to be a very nice area, slow pace but has shopping fairly close. Big malls are close enough by way of Huntsville, Nashville and Bham. I don't think I could of lived in these areas when I was early 20's and 30's but everyone requires different things. I grew up in Chicago, moved to Ft. Ld, Florida after high school and loved it. I also worked in Miami so I use to the big cities. As I aged and moved with job to Bham (lived in Jasper) the slower lifestyle was really nice but it's not for everyone. Walker County is not the hotspot of cultural activites but they have a nice little downtown, the Curry area is growing and Smith Lake is beautiful when the water isn't fluctuating up and down. The bingo halls that litter Hwy 78 (118) are not a pretty site but they don't affect me one way or another. Some service/repair companies in Jasper are pretty sad in the way of SERVICE but that's a whole other subject. And I never miss a chance to tell people face to face which company has been downright dishonest. And while I am thinking about it, some of our local restaurants could stand a good cleaning too! Try it and see if business improves!

[tomdonaldson]

Originally Posted by northerngirl

We have been living in Madison for almost a year. I have been reading posts and threads on how friendly the people are here. I would like to know where these "friendly" people are located. I have attended three different churches and a social organization since I have been here: The people were formally polite. When the churches had a social gathering, like a dinner, the church members avoided me and my husband like we were lepers. I can only guess that maybe they are judging us by our olive complexions since we are of Italian descent. I really would like to know what is going on? I am not happy living in social isolation

We had the same problem. Our grown daughter lives in Dallas. While visiting last year the neighbor man who was my friend came over to our little farm to visit. We are caucasian. The daughters husband is Italian. The oldest grandaughter has light olive skin. The neighbor left and told other neighbors that my grand children were half Africian American. Many of the oldtimers here are still fighting the civil war. Best wishes, Tom