The Best of the South (Birmingham, Athens: cliquey, how much, schools)

[RetroPhoto]

Okay, I have been browsing several southern cities for potential places to live, and I am never going to get everything I want, so I decided to make a list of things that appeal to me and ask people what cities in the south they think are best in each category, even if not in the state I'm posting in -- I'm hoping you all have been able to partake of what's good in other cities near you. Let me say I am not interested in Texas (where I am now) so we can just cross that off the list (sorry Texas, nothing personal) Also note schools are irrelevant as I do not have kids and won't be having them...except the furry kind. Also I'm of cougarish age demographic and single and am an urbanized redneck ;-)

1. Cheapest cost of living in or NEAR a major metropolitan area (within an hour drive)
2. Best restaurants/foodie scene
3. Best art scene, without the cliquey snobbery
4. Most authentic southern vibe however you define it
5. Best music scene - local (open to many genres, including rock, punk, blues and country or Americana)
6. Best music scene national, as far as artists coming through for country music (besides Nashville, which is pretty much a no-brainer)
7. Best sense of community
8. Outdoorsy sports opportunities
9. Least humid and prone to hurricanes ;-)

[rnc76]

Just taking a stab, maybe NE of ATL on I-85. Short drive from everything ATL has to offer, Athens is a great college town with a big music scene. Lots of outdoors recreational opportunity in NGa/East TN/West NC region.

[DavidH74]

I'd say, based on the whole, Louisville or Nashville or Durham sound most fitting.

[RetroPhoto]

I appreciate the input, but seriously, I'm really looking for a breakdown on the list, as changes in circumstances before making a decision may change how much I weigh different factors

[brent6969]

Originally Posted by kimmi11

I am new here. HAPPY NEW YEAR

Welcome, have fun.........

[sedriskell]

Originally Posted by RetroPhoto

Okay, I have been browsing several southern cities for potential places to live, and I am never going to get everything I want, so I decided to make a list of things that appeal to me and ask people what cities in the south they think are best in each category, even if not in the state I'm posting in -- I'm hoping you all have been able to partake of what's good in other cities near you. Let me say I am not interested in Texas (where I am now) so we can just cross that off the list (sorry Texas, nothing personal) Also note schools are irrelevant as I do not have kids and won't be having them...except the furry kind. Also I'm of cougarish age demographic and single and am an urbanized redneck ;-)

1. Cheapest cost of living in or NEAR a major metropolitan area (within an hour drive)
2. Best restaurants/foodie scene
3. Best art scene, without the cliquey snobbery
4. Most authentic southern vibe however you define it
5. Best music scene - local (open to many genres, including rock, punk, blues and country or Americana)
6. Best music scene national, as far as artists coming through for country music (besides Nashville, which is pretty much a no-brainer)
7. Best sense of community
8. Outdoorsy sports opportunities
9. Least humid and prone to hurricanes ;-)

I'll go down your list and attach a few cities that qualify.

1) Cheapest cost of living: Birmingham easily has the cheapest cost of leaving among major southern metros (the ones in the US top 50).

2) Restaurants/foodie: Miami, Birmingham, Memphis, Atlanta, New Orleans are easily the top large metros in this category

3) Best art scene: New Orleans, Atlanta, Miami are probably the best there.

4) Southern vibe: Birmingham, Memphis, Nashville, New Orleans, Jacksonville

5) Music: Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans, Atlanta

6) National country attraction: Birmingham, New Orleans, Memphis

7) Sense of community: Birmingham, New Orleans

8) Outdoorsy: Birmingham, New Orleans (I'm assuming you mean things like hiking and going on walks)

9) There's really no where that fits least humid and prone to hurricanes. Though, the closest you'll get is probably Nashville.

I think Birmingham would be a good fit for you. Either Birmingham, Nashville, or New Orleans would work well. Bham is very much an urbanized redneck town; much more of a honky tonk town than a rock, punk, or rap city.

[kmh504metro]

Originally Posted by RetroPhoto

Okay, I have been browsing several southern cities for potential places to live, and I am never going to get everything I want, so I decided to make a list of things that appeal to me and ask people what cities in the south they think are best in each category, even if not in the state I'm posting in -- I'm hoping you all have been able to partake of what's good in other cities near you. Let me say I am not interested in Texas (where I am now) so we can just cross that off the list (sorry Texas, nothing personal) Also note schools are irrelevant as I do not have kids and won't be having them...except the furry kind. Also I'm of cougarish age demographic and single and am an urbanized redneck ;-)

1. Cheapest cost of living in or NEAR a major metropolitan area (within an hour drive)
2. Best restaurants/foodie scene
3. Best art scene, without the cliquey snobbery
4. Most authentic southern vibe however you define it
5. Best music scene - local (open to many genres, including rock, punk, blues and country or Americana)
6. Best music scene national, as far as artists coming through for country music (besides Nashville, which is pretty much a no-brainer)
7. Best sense of community
8. Outdoorsy sports opportunities
9. Least humid and prone to hurricanes ;-)

Hey there, RetroPhoto - Did you ever move down south? If so, where did you go?

I'm looking at moving. I live in Boston right now and it's too crowded, cold, into watching sports, and expensive for me. I'm looking at Birmingham and I'm wondering how the fit will be.

[Southlander]

Asheville NC would be the least humid, but you may not classify it as a "major metropolitan area." That really applies to only a handful of Southern cities.

[AlliHope]

Charleston, SC ! They get hurricanes, but beats tornadoes cause you have plenty of warning. Best food town and great city with lots going on. Southern Charm for sure and people are Very nice! You have the beach and culture.

[AlliHope]

Originally Posted by kmh504metro

Hey there, RetroPhoto - Did you ever move down south? If so, where did you go?

I'm looking at moving. I live in Boston right now and it's too crowded, cold, into watching sports, and expensive for me. I'm looking at Birmingham and I'm wondering how the fit will be.

They do not like people from the NE here (in general). I've been called a Yankee. You will miss the "real city" feel. JMHO!