Warnings of moving to the south (Rockland, Charlotte: houses, rent, schools)

[mhogan10010]

Originally Posted by Yorkiegirl16

I moved to NC from NJ and I can't wait to go back north again. I was at the big race on Sunday in Concord and there was a black man selling tickets to the race. He shouted "anyone need tickets?" A man shouted back to him "we need tickets- we don't need (insert n-word and add an "s"). I was mortified !!! Granted there are a lot of ugly people everywhere- but in terms of racism, it appears to be more alive down here.

Glad to have you back. It took me 17 years. Hope you made the return trip sooner.

[lbsing]

I am from the south an used to be annoyed by the ignorance and prejudism that seemed to be all around me. (I grew up in Montgomery Al in the 60s with very tolerant accepting parents...which was very unusual at that time)
I moved away from the south in 1994 to Saudi Arabia! I have now lived all over the world. And, I will tell you...there are ignorant, prejudiced people everywhere. But, even in the most conservative places, I respect that those people try to retain their cultural heritage! (Saudi Arabia was one of the most interesting, but frustrating places I have ever lived!) If culturally, we were all the same, the world would be a very boring place! I agree that there should be no fanaticism or prejudice...but I do believe that people should have some sense of culture and heritage. It is who we are and we should respect each other for that. I think some people use the statement, "have still not gotten over the civil war" without really thinking...look to other countries for many things they have not gotten over, as well. We should all have pride in where we are from..it is who we are. Southerners are lovely people at heart...we just may be a little bit suspicious and somewhat formal.
I am proud to be from the south. I am proud that my children say yes ma'am and no ma'am and that we wave and smile to passers by. I am proud that my family serves gumbo on Christmas Eve, and leaves pecans and a coke for Santa. I am proud that my words have more vowels than the consonants in Hungarian! I am proud that my relative Betsy Ross sewed a flag for our country. I am proud that my cousin, Truman Capote, was strange, but full of character. I am proud that I lived in a old house complete with ghosts. I am proud that my mother encouraged our maid to march in Montgomery Al. I am proud that I went to Bear Bryant's funeral, I am proud that my grandfather was sheriff of a small Alaabama own for 25 years, I am proud that I know how to make dressing and cheese grits and delicious peach cobbler, I am proud that my children are polite and know how to write a thank you note.
And, I am sure that many of you from other parts of the country can write just as lengthy of a list to tell why you are proud to be from where you are from. History is a good thing and it gives us some grounding.
We should all appreciate that we all have something to offer and that we all have a right to be proud and happy about our roots.
My children have never lived in the US. They cannot answer the question, "where are you from?" This is so disturbing to me. They do no feel like they belong to anywhere in the US. They are "expat" kids. They have never watched an Alabama football game...the most disturbing thing of all!Be proud of where you are from (and thankful that you have roots) and accept and respect the culture in which you may have to live! People are people and we all want the same things....we just might not go about it the same way! Enjoy that we are different. When your experience is over...you will have great stories to tell.

[NewToYorkSC]

Originally Posted by mom2gurls

Nope not going to tell you to come back to NY..if you are happy where you are...and I never said you have to like EVERYTHING about everyplace...but why bother complaining about it either...to time pass? Seems ridiculous to me...if you want to complain and be negative..then its only going to breed that feeling.


.

So you have never complained about anything ever? I highly doubt that.

[mom2gurls]

Originally Posted by NewToCharlotte

So you have never complained about anything ever? I highly doubt that.

Please..lets not take this to a whole different level....its childish.

[NewToYorkSC]

Originally Posted by mom2gurls

Please..lets not take this to a whole different level....its childish.

I'm not being childish, I'm just stating that it is unrealistic to never compain about anything!

[Songbird42]

THANK YOU..........there are still nice people in this world!!!!!

[mom2gurls]

Originally Posted by Songbird42

THANK YOU..........there are still nice people in this world!!!!!

That was an awesome post....very very cool. :-)

[mhogan10010]

Originally Posted by lbsing

I am from the south an used to be annoyed by the ignorance and prejudism that seemed to be all around me. (I grew up in Montgomery Al in the 60s with very tolerant accepting parents...which was very unusual at that time)
I moved away from the south in 1994 to Saudi Arabia! I have now lived all over the world. And, I will tell you...there are ignorant, prejudiced people everywhere. But, even in the most conservative places, I respect that those people try to retain their cultural heritage! (Saudi Arabia was one of the most interesting, but frustrating places I have ever lived!) If culturally, we were all the same, the world would be a very boring place! I agree that there should be no fanaticism or prejudice...but I do believe that people should have some sense of culture and heritage. It is who we are and we should respect each other for that. I think some people use the statement, "have still not gotten over the civil war" without really thinking...look to other countries for many things they have not gotten over, as well. We should all have pride in where we are from..it is who we are. Southerners are lovely people at heart...we just may be a little bit suspicious and somewhat formal.
I am proud to be from the south. I am proud that my children say yes ma'am and no ma'am and that we wave and smile to passers by. I am proud that my family serves gumbo on Christmas Eve, and leaves pecans and a coke for Santa. I am proud that my words have more vowels than the consonants in Hungarian! I am proud that my relative Betsy Ross sewed a flag for our country. I am proud that my cousin, Truman Capote, was strange, but full of character. I am proud that I lived in a old house complete with ghosts. I am proud that my mother encouraged our maid to march in Montgomery Al. I am proud that I went to Bear Bryant's funeral, I am proud that my grandfather was sheriff of a small Alaabama own for 25 years, I am proud that I know how to make dressing and cheese grits and delicious peach cobbler, I am proud that my children are polite and know how to write a thank you note.
And, I am sure that many of you from other parts of the country can write just as lengthy of a list to tell why you are proud to be from where you are from. History is a good thing and it gives us some grounding.
We should all appreciate that we all have something to offer and that we all have a right to be proud and happy about our roots.
My children have never lived in the US. They cannot answer the question, "where are you from?" This is so disturbing to me. They do no feel like they belong to anywhere in the US. They are "expat" kids. They have never watched an Alabama football game...the most disturbing thing of all!Be proud of where you are from (and thankful that you have roots) and accept and respect the culture in which you may have to live! People are people and we all want the same things....we just might not go about it the same way! Enjoy that we are different. When your experience is over...you will have great stories to tell.

Remind me again, why you are writing this on the New York section? Perhaps you meant to post it on the Alabama site.

[ClarkStreetKid]

Originally Posted by VA Yankee

ClarkStreetKid is right, out in the country things are different. In our West End planned communities it's a crime to have a clothes line or even for your garbage cans to show but those that live there like it. Many I work with live out in the country and it's different but it's what they like.

I laughed when I first encountered the clothesline ban. On LI I grew up with that the dryer was used only during the winter or rainy days. But that might have just been because of LILCO.

When I head back to NY I find racism all over, it's just expressed differently. Maybe it's changed but not too long ago I remember people panicking when a black family would look at a house for sale in their neighborhood. From my experience ghettos on LI were based on race, but here in central VA they're based more on economics.

[Visvaldis]

Lotsa New Yorkers on this topic. I grew up in Chicago. Five years ago I moved to Louisville, Kentucky, because the natural scenery of Kentucky is gorgeous and varied. I like to go camping.
Before moving I knew it would be different, but how big of a chasm between Louisville and Chicago became evident after the first year. I have since regretted my move. The problems I find are; no window to the outside world; too much of a preoccupation with football and basketball; too many people who have guns; too much religion and constant talk of morals; too much blind loyalty to conservatism, lack of interesting radio and TV stations; scoffing at "book learning"; little interest for culture (movies, music, arts, etc); dull food; lack of decent jobs that pay a liveable wage.
I've never lived anywhere where so many grown adults have such a problem with 5th grade english. I have nothing against the accent, sometimes I find it appealing, but it would be great to hear correct grammar. To me it seems absurd to drive thru the eastern part of Kentucky which has a poverty rate of 25%, to look at the run down trailers or small houses, but in front are flags, biblical quotes on signs, and vote Bush/Cheney stickers. It bothers me to see people who are getting shafted being so supportive of those who give them the shaft. Also, the people assume that I should have a fanatical loyalty to either the U of Louisville or U of Kentucky sports teams. When the two meet in football or basketball the whole state stops everything to watch. It's the main event of the year.
But it's not all bad. I have met interesting people, but not very often. Most are friendly, but I avoid any conversations about politics or religion. I have been to France several times and like the country, but I wouldn't dare mention that in Kentucky.
I don't vote Republican, don't own guns, I am an aethiest, don't believe Rush, don't drink Bud Light, don't desire to own a Harley, and all that indicates that the South is not for people like me. But I'm stuck here for a while.
If anyone remembers, the media spectacle called Justice Sunday happened in Louisville. The newly built Creation Museum is in Kentucky. In 2008 the NRA will hold its annual convention in Louisville. One thing I've noticed is that music groups don't have concerts in Kentucky, other than Country, Southern Boogie or Kid Rock. Art exhibits detour Kentucky. How Louisville can financially maintain a symphony orchestra is beyond me. The guest list for the recent Kentucky Derby was mostly pro athletes and run-of-the-mill actors from TV shows, such as soap operas. Even the Louisville Courier-Journal termed it a b-list of guests.
For lack of culture the Features section fo the Courier-Journal has little more to report other than recipes and fashion tips. Once, as I purchased a copy of the New York Times, the clerk sneered at me.
The people are not mean and nasty, they are easy to engage in pleasant conversation, but I have become cautious about what I say. Most people are honest. To my surprise, the poorest counties have the lowest crime rates. I have also met Souhterners who were very informed about current world events, thought the Bush administration was corrupt, appreciated the arts, and had thorough knowledge of foreign films.
I'm sure there are many Southerners who cringe at being unfairly stereotyped, and I sincerely apologize to them. I only wish I could meet more of you.