Where did you come from? Why?

[hymnsinger]

I am a Floridiot for staying there for so long!! I was born in JAX (part of Jawgia, if you didn't know) but my Dad moved us to Miamuh when I was but a wee babe. I was stuck there for THIRTY FOUR years!! Lost my accent too .

After the death of my husband (deep sea fishing boat captain) I grabbed the kids and skedaddled north to Live Oak, FL (also a part of Jawgia). We lived in Wellborn (one flashing traffic light and a Jiffy Store/Post office) and a few other cute places (Branford, where the Suwannee and the Santa Fe rivers come together, awesome springs there!).

Now, Live Oak (Suwannee County) is famous for not much, but they do grow peanuts there. Peanuts require Deep South heat and humidity, with a lot of sand . . . say 92 degrees, 95% RH. In the winter, teens (temps, not kids!) are not uncommon but it's DRY. After an 11 degree morning I said, "The heck with this, If it's going to be this cold, I want SNOW!"

So, I opened the atlas to the SE US, stabbed with my finger and landed on Ashe County, NC. PERFECT!! We've been in the Boone region for 9 years now. As far as Ashe County goes, take Suwannee County, FL by the edge, flip it up like you're making the bed, and voila! You have Ashe County. Same people (mostly), same cows, same fences, sames towns . . . just add a little topographic variety, and the corresponding climate.

The Northwestern mountain counties (Ashe, Watauga, Avery) are the best (IMHO)! I've lived (briefly) in Etowah (near Hendersonville), I've a sister in Brevard, had one in H-ville, and I've been all over and through the southern mountains. I still heave a big sigh of relief when I see Grandfather Mountain in my windshield. I can't explain it, I just feel safe and at peace up here.

So there's my essay on a rare, raw, rainy almost spring day! (Hmmm . . . makes me want a steak for some reason . . . )

And besides, I have ancestral links here too . . . so I really have come home.

Blessings,
Tracey

[jaynarie]

I am from a suburb of Flint Michigan.
I moved here to teach- I subbed for 2 years after college looking for a job and got sick of it. So, I ended up here (I live in Iredell County).
This area is similar to the area I grew up in, so I like it and am comfortable here. Only the weather is MUCH better here!

[fmors]

We moved to Raleigh from Atlanta and now live in Asheville. Of the three cities we prefer Asheville due to the mountains and outdoor activities available. We have become avid hikers; however, I have to admit that the people in Raleigh were the friendliest. The main problem we had with Raleigh was lack of green space (state parks etc.). My wife and I are originally from Savannah and have lived in Savannah, Richmond, Atlanta, Raleigh and now Asheville. We actually live in Burnsville which is about 45 minutes north/east of Asheville and have never been happier. Each of the moves was job related and hopefully we will be able to remain in Western North Carolina.

[clj2]

Great answers. It's amazing how, having lived long enough in both, the two Carolinas are so different.