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1. What do you mean by "somewhere like Cinci or Chattanooga"? What traits are you using to "define" them?
2. I hope you're aware that the great Smokie Mountains and the beach are about 6 hours apart?
You said you don't care for "small-minded people", but do you realize NC has made national news lately for its ridiculous (editorializing) law HB2 which, among other things, says that people have to use the rest room on their birth certificate? The NC state government, despite recent election of a moderate Democratic governor, i9s VERY hard-core conservative and thus even the cities of NC are subject to some "regressive" laws (again, editorializing). This is not a state you'd move to to get away from "small-minded thinking"--though we'd love to have you here to help vote out those who DO.
You keep saying "the vibe didn't suit me" about different places, but I can't see what kind of vibe WOULD suit you? Again, what traits of Cinci/Chattanooga are you hoping to find? You're more telling us what you want to avoid.
I have heard good things about Richmond. So far, I have narrowed the list down to Hillsborough, Winston-Salem, and Richmond. I have spent a lot of time in the southern part of Virginia (near Lynchburg and Charlottesville). The vibe there didn't send me. The cold, rich, Lily-Pulitzer personality was hollow to me. However, I have heard NoVA is a lot different... although some would call Richmond just a suburb of DC. Thanks again for the advice
Richmond is not in NoVA, nor anything close to a suburb of DC. I'd check it out, it has a lot of that hipster-y sort of vibe you seem to be interested in. Richmond is a city that has much of the infrastructure that you'll see in the major cities of the 20th century, but it hit a serious downturn and a ton of white flight and got left behind. Today, it's rebuilding itself into a city that has tremendous charm.
Also, Cincy and Chattanooga are nothing alike, just saying.
The same for Greenville, SC. It is an hour south of Asheville.
Well if the OP thinks his current city of Cincinnati has a "stifling conservative, fundamentalist aura [that] is less than appealing" which is one of the reasons he's checking out other cities, I certainly wouldn't recommend Greenville which is definitely more conservative and fundamentalist than Cincinnati.
To be fair, I know there is a difference between Cincinnati and Chattanooga. I was merely using those places as ideas for what I like -- medium(ish) sized city with natural amenities, not too touristy, and a distinct natural flavor (Skyline chili, the craft brews in Chattanooga, etc.). I apologize for being vague but for those who have been to these cities, some may think of some similarities they can find.
You're right, Francois, I am appalled by NC'S HB2 Bill. But I like having a different opinion and being a fierce advocate in places where my opinion isn't often heard (I am not planning on being annoying, by the way, but I will fight for my principles).
These are all great suggestions and I will continue looking further into the cities recommended. Thanks, everybody!
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