Is Kentucky the south or the midwest? (Lexington, Louisville: live, kids)

[gdude]

Originally Posted by Davart

I think there is a thread on this already ...

Midwest? South?

But for the record it's south.

i would also suggest Kentucky(W) vs. Kentucky (E)? this thread has been very active with people saying what they think kentucky is north,south,east,west

[ontheroad]

When I've driven through KY, and that is several times, different years, different seasons: it always felt as if I was in the South. If it was in the Midwest, perhaps I missed a signal on the highway.

[NotSoPassive]

Whether KY is a southern state or a Midwestern state is dependent on what criteria you are evaluating. Ecologically and Geologically it is more of a southern state than a Midwestern state. Culturally it is too in some respects but in others it is definitely Midwestern. If you are talking historically the answer is mixed as well. Kentuckians served on both sides in the Civil War.

[timelesschild]

Kentucky is emphatically not culturally Midwestern. I have lived in the actual Midwest and felt like a FOREIGNER there.

[dixiegirl7]

Originally Posted by timelesschild

Kentucky is emphatically not culturally Midwestern. I have lived in the actual Midwest and felt like a FOREIGNER there.

I agree. I don't understand where this misconception comes from? What culturally is similar to the midwest in Kentucky?

[jcm1986]

I have three regional terms for Kentucky:

FAR SOUTH MIDWEST
FAR NORTH SOUTH
(Just plain ol') KENTUCKY

We're not exclusively like either region, yet we share very many and very strong qualities of both. If you live in Bowling Green or Corbin, it will feel more southern than midwestern. (I would just call them southern lite, though.) Or, if you live in parts of Louisville or Alexandria, it will feel more midwestern than southern.

The only cities in Kentucky that I would ever call EXCLUSIVELY southern is Hopkinsville due to the area's slightly warmer and more humid climate than the rest of the state and its very high African-American population. Also, I'd list Scottsville, Franklin, Tompkinsville, and Burkesville because of their stronger cultural influences from Tennessee, for whatever reason. That's it.

As a side note, I wouldn't consider Corbin, London, Manchester, Whitley City, or any southeastern community close to Tennessee. Why? There is an overwhelming majority of Scots-Irish descendents and very little black population.

The only cities in Kentucky that I would ever call EXCLUSIVELY midwestern are any of the cities north of the I-75/71 split--or, for that matter, most of Louisville inside I-265.

[basinstblues]

Having previously lived in the upper midwest, midwest, and deep south, Louisville feels like the midwest. Maybe it's the proximity to Indiana.

[dixiegirl7]

Originally Posted by jcm1986

I have three regional terms for Kentucky:

FAR SOUTH MIDWEST
FAR NORTH SOUTH
(Just plain ol') KENTUCKY

We're not exclusively like either region, yet we share very many and very strong qualities of both. If you live in Bowling Green or Corbin, it will feel more southern than midwestern. (I would just call them southern lite, though.) Or, if you live in parts of Louisville or Alexandria, it will feel more midwestern than southern.

The only cities in Kentucky that I would ever call EXCLUSIVELY southern is Hopkinsville due to the area's slightly warmer and more humid climate than the rest of the state and its very high African-American population. Also, I'd list Scottsville, Franklin, Tompkinsville, and Burkesville because of their stronger cultural influences from Tennessee, for whatever reason. That's it.

As a side note, I wouldn't consider Corbin, London, Manchester, Whitley City, or any southeastern community close to Tennessee. Why? There is an overwhelming majority of Scots-Irish descendents and very little black population.

The only cities in Kentucky that I would ever call EXCLUSIVELY midwestern are any of the cities north of the I-75/71 split--or, for that matter, most of Louisville inside I-265.

Have you actually lived in all of these cities? Unless you are in a place for a while I don't see how you know this for sure. I do think Bowling Green is probably more southern in feel than Louisville, but I still feel like I am in the south in Louisville. I have family I visit in southern Mississippi, Louisiana and Georgia and I find very little difference in those places and southern Kentucky.

[Davart]

Well over here in Western KY I can tell you it's south, really, really south ... if you go to any store on Sunday you'd think you were south, south of the boarder that is.

[missymomof3]

Originally Posted by jcm1986

I have three regional terms for Kentucky:

FAR SOUTH MIDWEST
FAR NORTH SOUTH
(Just plain ol') KENTUCKY

We're not exclusively like either region, yet we share very many and very strong qualities of both. If you live in Bowling Green or Corbin, it will feel more southern than midwestern. (I would just call them southern lite, though.) Or, if you live in parts of Louisville or Alexandria, it will feel more midwestern than southern.

The only cities in Kentucky that I would ever call EXCLUSIVELY southern is Hopkinsville due to the area's slightly warmer and more humid climate than the rest of the state and its very high African-American population. Also, I'd list Scottsville, Franklin, Tompkinsville, and Burkesville because of their stronger cultural influences from Tennessee, for whatever reason. That's it.

As a side note, I wouldn't consider Corbin, London, Manchester, Whitley City, or any southeastern community close to Tennessee. Why? There is an overwhelming majority of Scots-Irish descendents and very little black population.

The only cities in Kentucky that I would ever call EXCLUSIVELY midwestern are any of the cities north of the I-75/71 split--or, for that matter, most of Louisville inside I-265.

Is that so?