How "Southern" is Charlottesville? (Cana: to live in, moving to, activities)

[scorlock]

C-ville is very southern (rebel) and Jeffersonian. Remember that Thomas Jefferson was the guy who said America should have a civil (revolutionary) war every so often to keep the despotic government officials from gaining too much power. The people of C-ville wholly claim and embrace T. Jefferson and all of his ideas of a "free" society (in fact I think many of them still believe he walks the hills of Monticello...), where "free" means - without government intervention into individual rights.

Everything about C-ville is permeated by the shadow of Mr. Jefferson; architecture, politics, religion, business, education, etc. Being "free" also entitles one to be ignorant or naive. Yankees (Northerners) that I have met here in Central Va, ALWAYS do NOT fit in at first. People will expect you to visit politely in the grocery line, hold doors for other people, allow people to merge in traffic, and say excuse me when you bump someone in public, ALL of these things you will not be accustomed to when coming from the North (Yankee) part of the country.

YOU WILL NOT BE HAPPY in Central Va unless you are prepared to become a more "cultured" human being, polite and respectful. PLEASE STAY in the North if you are not willing to change who you are and be more refined and tolerant. Northerners are the most selfish, self-centered, intolerant people in America, with exception of maybe Californians. Here, you are just another free-citizen expected to carry your weight in society; PLEASE DON'T COME!!!! STAY AWAY, FAR AWAY!

And don't be so naive about prejudices...such things exist EVERYWHERE and are based on anything people can use to separate themselves to feel better about who they are, whether it be ethnicity, gender, sexual morality, political, religious, education, family status, appearance, wealth, social status, you name it, etc. With your narrow-scope of human understanding typical of Yankee Northerners, I will HIGHLY recommend staying where you are at and continuing to live within your own self-generated fantasy world.

[Darsa]

Northerners are the most selfish, self-centered, intolerant people in America, with exception of maybe Californians.

This is an unfair generalization; I'd be willing to bet the farm that there are people like that in the south, as well as

more "cultured" human being, polite and respectful

type people up north. In fact, I *know* there are people like that up here. I have always gone out of my way to be as polite as possible (and often get crapped on for it) and, surprise of surprises, I'm from the NORTH!

Oh, and incidentally; if you're as cultured and polite as you claim to be, then why are you posting such a rude, acerbic post like this?

Sorry, but we're still moving south. Prepare yourselves for the invasion of my three-member army (six, if you include my cats and dog) from the NORTH!!

[Rhett_Butler]

Originally Posted by Darsa

This is an unfair generalization; I'd be willing to bet the farm that there are people like that in the south, as well as type people up north. In fact, I *know* there are people like that up here. I have always gone out of my way to be as polite as possible (and often get crapped on for it) and, surprise of surprises, I'm from the NORTH!

Oh, and incidentally; if you're as cultured and polite as you claim to be, then why are you posting such a rude, acerbic post like this?

Sorry, but we're still moving south. Prepare yourselves for the invasion of my three-member army (six, if you include my cats and dog) from the NORTH!!

I'll bet your dog is rude too....

[Darsa]

Absolutely. She never says please before drinking from the toilet, or thank you for cleaning up her poop. *sigh*

[fishstix3]

Originally Posted by scorlock

Northerners are the most selfish, self-centered, intolerant people in America, with exception of maybe Californians. Here, you are just another free-citizen expected to carry your weight in society; PLEASE DON'T COME!!!! STAY AWAY, FAR AWAY!
.

I take great offense to this statement! In truth, California is full of selfish, self-centered, intolerant people; HOWEVER, let's look at how long MOST of them have lived in California. I have lived here for 35 years and can't wait to get out because the above is how California has BECOME -- there are very few native Californians in that category. I am sick of people bumping me so hard that I bruise and not even looking back to apologize, having doors slammed in front of me when I am pushing a stroller because people don't think to hold it for someone. We are trying to teach our children to be respectful, kind individuals, but it is difficult when they hold one door, only to find the next one slamming in their faces. I must say that I know only a small handful of people who live in the busy suburbs or city who are not transplants from somewhere within the last 10 years. o perhaps this is something that we can all take into consideration when we are making generalizations such as the one above, because it is highly offensive to everyone at some point! I am going to refrain from saying, "You think WE"RE rude?? HOw about .....?" and end it here.

[ukusmom]

I am from the south and do not take offense to what you are saying. I, in some ways agree with your points. I moved abroad for a few years and when I returned my eyes were opened to the problems, not only of the south but of the US in general. People, let's not pretend that any part of anywhere is perfect. The south has more racism and still has segregation, from all sides. It's pathetic.

I am Southern and I am relocating to the North. Not because of a job, but because I have found the north to be more free thinking for the most part. This is an opinion. I think some on this forum take things way too seriously! Please accept that people have all life experiences. Those who have lived in several places will see a lot more from different viewpoints versus someone who has lived in one area all of their lives.

Also, the grass is greener on the other side...this whole website is a testament to that! This poster didn't mean to offend...

[fishstix3]

When one state out of 50 is specifically named in order to make a point, it is difficult not to take offense. I take most of these posts with a grain of salt because I HAVE lived elsewhere -- I've lived in the South, the Pacific Northwest, and the midwest. I am well aware that there are rude AND really kind people everywhere. I agree that CA. does have a lot of people who don't bother to look beyond themselves -- especially in the big cities, where everyone is busy and in a rush, but so does any other place. I can honestly say that I see that almost anywhere to some extent, but I don't stereotype any one state as being full of nothing but rude and self absorbed people. I have met many people outside of CA. who were rude, too, but I prefer to assume that people are for the most part, kind and well-meaning if not just distracted .... Oh yeah, and we don't all dye our hair purple and wear tie dyes, either. I believe that you didn't mean to offend.

[meskito]

I just want to give my two cents here
I have lived in the south my entire life - in 4 different southern states in fact. I have also traveled extensively throughout the entire U.S.
It's no better here or there - it's just different. I love the Southern Charm of little towns, and the friendly people. I can understand why anyone would want to move south.
The culture is different - which is the point. Sometimes it's just good to make a change and embrace a new culture, so I understand the original post - you want to make a change and just wanted some feedback. No offense taken at all!

Charlottesville is very progressive. The mountains in Virginia are beautiful. It's one of the most attractive spots I have ever been. I currently live outside of C-ville.
The people take pride in their history, university (UVA), and town. Most people I have met in that area are free thinkers and they are liberals. Now, are there also rebel-flag waving racist stereotypes? Sure (but not in the actual city as far as I have ever seen - mostly in the more rural outskirts). You can find stereotypes anywhere. They don't go out of their way to make you feel unwelcome, and some of those types are good honest people. Remember, we are all just products of our environment.

You mentioned worry about raising your kids down here and fear that they will develop a narrow attitude - just know that plenty of us who grew up exposed to the negative things in the south (like racism) are not like that. While we embrace the culture and charm of the sweet sunny south, we also choose to embrace tolerance. We parents need to teach our children what we think is acceptable treatment of others - not shelter them from the world.
I Hope you DO come down here and love it as much as we do!

[hj2500]

Originally Posted by Darsa

You have totally misinterpreted my post; I suggest you try to calm yourself and become a little less defensive, and THEN re-read my post. I never ever ever said anything anywhere about being more tolerant OR safe here in Maine. The fact that this state is so white, I feel, is a PROBLEM and would PREFER to live somewhere where there is diversity.

Please try to read with an open mind before jumping to conclusions. I don't know where you're from, but I'm hoping it's not a place we're looking to move to, if people are generally as easy to offend as you apparently are.

Not only was I calm, but I was agreeing with this poor woman...

I've lived in California (Bay Area and San Diego) and I would say Californians overall aren't 'stuck up', especially not native or immigrant ones. I can't believe somebody said Californians could possibly be more intolerant and self-centered than Northerners (only immature Northern transplants could be) - I find a new low for this board every time I log in.

As for the city of interest, I've lived in Charlottesville for a few years and I would say if you're looking specifically for a completely Northern, Southern, or West Coast charm, you will not find it there but it is charming overall.

[fishstix3]

I guess we tend to be accepting of pretty much everyone, so I don't want to find that I've moved my family into a situation with such naivete that we are miserable. Our kids don't blink at seeing someone who is very different, mostly because we don't. I don't want them to learn that. We are simply looking for a place where our children can learn to be good people, have some elbow room, and grow up to be productive, well rounded people. They can get all of that here, except that we (grownups) are tiring of the extremely hectic pace that the Bay Area has imposed on us due to its growth and INTENSITY. A large part of that is due to the fact that it is so expensive -- most need double wage earners, so you need somewhere to put the kids after school so you can make enough to pay the mortgage AND the lessons or childcare, or whatever/wherever they need to go. The traffic is horrendous, so you sit for hours in your car to get from point A to point B .... We don't want to make more money, we just want more space for our money and to be able to slow it down and let them play in front with the neighborhood kids, get a decent education (not the BEST in the whole US that costs $15,000 a year each, just a good, solid education!). Are there areas in the Richmond or Charlottesville area that fit the bill, I wonder?? We can deal with some rude and geographically biased people -- they're everywhere. I'm not worried about that (not saying that I think Richmond or Cville are full of rude people, either!!)