Drawn to life in the South (Charlotte: school, college, DMV)

[goolsbyjazz]

I was born in the Northeast, but lived in the South for three years and loved it! I now live in the West and do like it, but my heart is always drawn back to the South. I have read about the great reverse migration happening with younger African Americans moving back to the South and actually was one of them in the mid-90s. Anyone else feel this way?

[chuckles34]

I can share this story (I'm not AA): I work with a great A-A guy who was born and raised in SC. He and his wife met in school in NYC and got an aprtment there in the late 90's. He got a job with American Express which put him right in lower Manhattan on 9/11. His family begged him to get out of the city and he got a job right outside in NJ (not sure if that's what his family had in mind). He was in an office elevator when that huge blackout went through the Northeast in '02 or '03. He was stuck for hours and really suffered mentally and emotionally! First chance he got, he and his wife moved back South to Charlotte. They love it here and have had two children since coming back. I'm sure there are lot of stories like that down here!

[jaynaydee]

I do! I'm originally from New Orleans but lived in the DMV for about 12 years. I was there during the mid-90s when AAs were making the big move down to Atlanta. I had friends who talked about moving there but not me! You couldn't pay me to move at the time b/c I was raised in the South, why would I want to go back? Fast forward a few years and I'm living happily in lovely Charlotte. I was actually looking to move back down South when I decided to relocate a couple of years ago. Charlotte was the first city I picked and the first city where I received a job offer. Although I'm not in N.O., I do feel like I'm back "home" and it feels good to be back. The comfort food, the southern hospitality, the WEATHER, the laid-backness! I've also been wanting to learn more about the history of other southern cities like Savannah and Charleston.

[goolsbyjazz]

jaynaydee, Charlotte is where I lived! Absolutely loved the city and felt, as you say, at "home" there. Never saw myself leaving, but I took a job offer in Phoenix and while it's worked out for my family out here my heart still wanders back to the Queen city.

[9times]

I'm feeling the pull myself. I've been up in NOVA about 4 months and as hard as I try it is just not me. I was born and raised in southern VA and actually went to college in NC and spent some years after in the Triangle. Then I was on to NYC for about 10 years (have my own 9/11 story to tell), went abroad for a few years, Phoenix to LA, and well, something kinder and gentler is calling me. Some family in the Charlotte area is encouraging me to come down. I would like to do that. Your post is surely encouraging for me. Other than Charlotte area there's just Richmond left for me to consider.

I might know a bit of what is missing for you out in Phoenix goolsbyjazz, but I'm glad it's working out. There is something sweet about being on familiar ground and it is funny how we usually feel the need to return to what is familiar.