Do you consider Virginia to be part of "The South"? (Norfolk: transplants, construction)

[KeyserSoze]

By that logic, Maryland should be considered part of the South, too. Granted it didn't join the Confederacy(officially, anyway), it always had Southern ties, demonstrated by siding with the South by legally implementing Jim Crow laws. That's the Old South, though.

Go outside of the 95 corridor, and go to Southern Maryland, the Eastern Shore, or even Western Maryland, and tell me that's "Northern".

[halibutt]

Yes Virginia is part of the South. To set the record straight. Maryland is Virginia's Mexico!

[juniperbleu]

Virginia in general - yes; Northern Virginia - no. It may be more of a recent development, but Northern Virginia and DC do not feel "Southern" to me at all. I'd agree with the "Mid-Atlantic" description, since there are differences from places further north. I've always felt that Fredericksburg was the northernmost border of the "South". It definitely has a bit of southern charm, you hear accents, and there's plenty Confederate memorabilia to go around.

A lot of it, I think, is based on where you're from. If you're from further South, Virginia will feel much more northern to you. I know people in North Carolina who complain it's not southern enough, and express a desire to go to Georgia. On the flip side, I have a friend from NY who (after college in F'burg) now refuses to live anywhere further south than Philadelphia because it's all too "southern" for her (to her, "southern" is not a complement). To each their own. I really like Virginia, it's different enough for me to feel like I'm "away" from where I grew up, but not so much so that I feel like an outsider.

[Mr_Jonas]

Originally Posted by juniperbleu

Virginia in general - yes; Northern Virginia - no.

I agree 100%

[citydweller]

Virginia is the 'gateway' to the north imo. Most certainly NOVA has a more northern feel than anywhere because of DC. While the Hampton Roads area is southern (you can buy sweet tea here - yes!) it feels less southern imo than even Richmond. The more influx to an area the less southern it feels. Southern Florida is a perfect example.

[idi4tlulz]

I never got this whole Southern mantra. Being "Southern" is much more than the way you talk, what you eat or drink, how fast or slow you move, or where you're from. It's more of an idealized state of mind than anything else. You can be from New York, and be considered "Southern." Just like you can be from Georgia, and be considered "Northern". It's the individual.

Historically, Virginia is Southern. But to refer to it in that context today just doesn't sound right. If you want "Southern" in Virginia, look to it's history or to the less populated areas.

[Mr_Jonas]

Originally Posted by idi4tlulz

I never got this whole Southern mantra. Being "Southern" is much more than the way you talk, what you eat or drink, how fast or slow you move, or where you're from. It's more of an idealized state of mind than anything else. You can be from New York, and be considered "Southern." Just like you can be from Georgia, and be considered "Northern". It's the individual.

Historically, Virginia is Southern. But to refer to it in that context today just doesn't sound right. If you want "Southern" in Virginia, look to it's history or to the less populated areas.

Oh, it's definetly a state of mind.
However, step outside Nova and I think things really get southern. (Sure there are areas around Richmond and Virginia Beach too as well.)

I am not from Virginia originally. I went to school in the NRV in the early 90's and have been living in central Virginia since summer 2002. It is southern for sure.

[VARelocated]

Northern VA does not appear to be a part of the South. Very progressive feeling from my visits. Quite a diverse population.

I am sure as you get out into the sticks...they are more Southern. Probably still less than my neck of the woods though.

[Mr_Jonas]

Originally Posted by VARelocated

Probably still less than my neck of the woods though.

I would not be too sure of that

[terrence81]

When I first got to northern Virginia from Georgia, the first thing I thought to myself was "Terrence you ain't in the south anymore" or better yet "no mo'". Now some will argue and say that this is still the south because this was part of the confederacy.

So I say historically Virginia and Maryland are southern. I would say geographically Virginia has a lot in common with the southeast. So geographically Virginia is southern.

Culturally Northern Virginia is not southern. Maybe once upon a time. A lot of arguers that want to include Northern Virginia in the southern family will talk about folks in outlying suburbs with southern accents or the confederate history of this area.

Northern Virginia has changed so dramatically over the years that it is no longer part of the south. So yeah Fredericksburg is where the south ends. However even Fredricksburg has some northern ties because there are people who live out there and work in northern Virginia.

The rest of Virginia is of course southern.