Would yall consider the Hampton Roads area of VA more "Mid-Atlantic" or "Southern" (Norfolk: transplants, living)

[Kbank007]

I moved from Central VA (Lynchburg, Nonttoway) approximately 5 years ago to the Tidewater area of VA (Norfolk, and then Hampton). When I first moved to the area everybody stated that I sound country and southern, and was suprised that I was a native of VA. I have also noticed that many people in the 757 don't consider themselves southern (many believe they are mid-atlantic or border state residents) as oppossed to many other areas of the state (Lynchburg, Richmond). I was wondering if yall considered the more fast paced living style and meshing of diverse cultures that the 757 offers as being more mid-atlantic or southern. I don't feel like im in a true southern city when I am in the Hampton Roads area as I do in Richmond, Charlotte, etc.

[JoanD'Arc]

Take it from a home-grown Yankee, it's southern. Big culture shock when I moved there from NY. Interestingly, I found a great many people who weren't from Va, but some other state. It all depends on your perspective, I suppose, since you are familiar with the state.

[KeyserSoze]

Mix of both.

[Alanboy395]

Originally Posted by Kbank007

I moved from Central VA (Lynchburg, Nonttoway) approximately 5 years ago to the Tidewater area of VA (Norfolk, and then Hampton). When I first moved to the area everybody stated that I sound country and southern, and was suprised that I was a native of VA. I have also noticed that many people in the 757 don't consider themselves southern (many believe they are mid-atlantic or border state residents) as oppossed to many other areas of the state (Lynchburg, Richmond). I was wondering if yall considered the more fast paced living style and meshing of diverse cultures that the 757 offers as being more mid-atlantic or southern. I don't feel like im in a true southern city when I am in the Hampton Roads area as I do in Richmond, Charlotte, etc.

after 14 years in HR and the last 4 in NoVA i'll say HR is southern.

[damian]

i'll say it is a mix of both...it is definitely not as cosmopolitan as northern like as nova, but at the same time it does not feel as southern as charlotte, columbia, birmingham or even richmond. hr is very transitional

[Denton56]

Southern.

[Trevor92]

Definitely more Mid-Atlantic, at least to me.

As damian said, I think the key to it, is that it's a transition zone. You have a lot of military personnel, a lot of retirees from more northern places, and a lot of residents whose families have been here generation after generation. So a if you're from a Southern culture you notice a lot of Northern and Mid-Atlantic traditions and dialects of speech. But if you're from a Northern culture you notice all the Southern traditions and dialects a lot more. But I definitely don't get the same vibe in Hampton Roads as I do in a true southern city.

[htlong]

I would say mid Atlantic it isn't true southern account of all of the military people and transplants that live their, after 25 years in the area I only knew a handful of friends with any kind of a southern accent even the born and bread locals dont have accents.
to me the accent and the slow paced lifestyle (and the hatred of yankees) is what would gives an area the southern charm? but hey as usual I may be wrong! now Richmond is a true southern city they dont know the war is over and consider anyone from north of the mason-dixon line a enemy spy!!!

[damian]

HR was definitely more southern years ago. I know several older people in the area that were born and raised here and they definitely have a tidewater accent...."Newpert Newwws; Nawfick; Porchmoth" are just some examples of how these places are pronounced to a native person...and to them it is not "hampton roads" but rather "tidewater, virginia"

[heathernichole]

I'm a born & raised Hampton girl and I consider this area to be southern.