Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
In New Orleans, I've often heard people say "New Orleans isn't really the South." They're usually referring to the fact that New Orleans is more socially liberal than other Southern cities and that it has its own mix of cultures, with French influence etc. Are there any other cities in the United States that people think don't "fit into" the region of which they're a part (Northeast/Midwest/West/South)?
Traditionally Atlanta has been an outlier in Georgia and the rest of the South, with better race relations than the rest of the region (though maybe not as much as leaders claimed at the time).
I think Anchorage would qualify too, since it's so much different from the rest of Alaska.
I hate the idea that any city thats "progressive" isn't "REALLY the South" because God forbid that the South is anything more than racist rednecks toting guns and waving rebel flags. I don't think New Orleans "doesn't fit" in the South. New Orleans is VERY unique and distinct, but it wouldn't fit ANYWHERE besides the South. Nowhere in the country do you have that cultural and historic blend of French, Spanish and African among other cultures, besides the South. Nowhere do you get that same sultry year round warm weather, than in the South. Nowhere do you get those live oaks with massive mossy branches forming beautiful canopies in the city, than in the South. New Orleans is one of the flagship cities of the South.
Cities that fall in this category are more places like Louisville, which is literally on the border with a northern state. Or Cincinatti which is like the reverse. St. Louis is still solidly Midwestern but it seems to have ties to the delta South via the Missisisppi River. It seems like a northern brother of Memphis. I'm planning to go up there next month.
In "downstate" Florida many feel Jacksonville, Tallahassee and the Panhandle don't fit in given the distinctly different feel and am sure the opposite is felt by them versus the rest of the state. I don't get the sense many other states have as complete a split personality than Florida. I know states like NY and IL have that split in terms of perceived identity, but am hard pressed to come up with others as severe.
I hate the idea that any city thats "progressive" isn't "REALLY the South" because God forbid that the South is anything more than racist rednecks toting guns and waving rebel flags. I don't think New Orleans "doesn't fit" in the South. New Orleans is VERY unique and distinct, but it wouldn't fit ANYWHERE besides the South. Nowhere in the country do you have that cultural and historic blend of French, Spanish and African among other cultures, besides the South. Nowhere do you get that same sultry year round warm weather, than in the South. Nowhere do you get those live oaks with massive mossy branches forming beautiful canopies in the city, than in the South. New Orleans is one of the flagship cities of the South.
Cities that fall in this category are more places like Louisville, which is literally on the border with a northern state. Or Cincinatti which is like the reverse. St. Louis is still solidly Midwestern but it seems to have ties to the delta South via the Missisisppi River. It seems like a northern brother of Memphis. I'm planning to go up there next month.
Agreed. I live in one of the most heavily democratic majority-white cities in the country....and this is still on every way a southern town.
Dumb generalization to say that "liberal area= not really southern.
The whole Research Triangle area of NC is pretty progressive overall. We're still the south
In New Orleans, I've often heard people say "New Orleans isn't really the South." They're usually referring to the fact that New Orleans is more socially liberal than other Southern cities and that it has its own mix of cultures, with French influence etc. Are there any other cities in the United States that people think don't "fit into" the region of which they're a part (Northeast/Midwest/West/South)?
Chicago. It's so much larger than any other midwestern city and feels more Northeast that any other midwestern city.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
