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.
I am a Northerner born and raised in the Upper Midwest, large city
with Northern European population. I am white, straight,educated,
believe in God but not religious. I am retired several years
I was looking at some cities over 100k in Arkansas, KY, TN,
GA, AL, VA, WV. But I keep running into review complaints about how hard it
is for a newcomer to be accepted and treated fairly by the good ol boy networks in most of these cities. Especially if you're not FROM the south or don't have family there or do not belong to THEIR church.
So I'm wondering just how bad is it? Will I have to fake my religious beliefs and join a church I don't really believe in their spiel in order to be considered for work? Will it be hard to find a date unless they know my family or I am in their Church? Which cities in your experience are most open to recent transplant newcomers? Which of the states I have mentioned are the worst
for this. I will limit my search to cities over 100k to avoid this problem.
Mostly an outdated stereotype although there are still some exceptions. By state I would venture given the diversity and likelihood of frequent transplants cities like Little Rock and Fayetteville in Arkansas, Lexington and Louisville in Kentucky, Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, Murfreesboro and Knoxville in Tennessee, obviously Atlanta as well as Savannah and Athens in Georgia (Augusta and/or Columbus?), Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile and Tuscaloosa in Alabama, Virginia is wide open with no city above 100K on the avoid list and in West Virginia would include Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown and the eastern panhandle round Shepherdstown, Charles Town and Harpers Ferry.
This is a pretty misleading notion about the south. All smaller, provincial type cities that haven't seen growth or have a large student population will be a bit harder to break into.
This is a pretty misleading notion about the south. All smaller, provincial type cities that haven't seen growth or have a large student population will be a bit harder to break into.
I disagree regarding that component as large student populations mean large faculty, administration and staff populations, typically eager to meet new faces that aren't students or co-workers.
Lexington Kentucky has a good number of Midwest transplants and some northerners. Small international communities, in part because of university.
Church affiliation won't likely matter much in employment with large organizations, though powerful individual bosses could show favoritism for that or other reasons anywhere and especially in smaller companies. Social affiliations might be pretty church influenced for maybe half, probably not for half or more. A lot will of course depend on your personality and efforts.
Border south and bigger cities probably less insular than deeper south / smaller cities, though I'd guess it is not as hard generally as 20 plus years ago. Some of those who find it very hard may or may not be trying that hard / well or might have issues beyond state of origin. But it is fair / realistic to expect some challenges anywhere new. Most people don't NEED newcomers, so expect that you'll have to do most of the work. Some people LIKE new or most people and might make it easier.
Lexington has a pretty good reputation as friendly. But take thousands or tens of thousands of opinions and you'll have some on both sides most or all places.
When I visited Louisville, it seemed pretty hip and everyone I talked to was friendly and about as outgoing as the Upper Midwest. It might be an option OP would like.
Mostly an outdated stereotype although there are still some exceptions. By state I would venture given the diversity and likelihood of frequent transplants cities like Little Rock and Fayetteville in Arkansas, Lexington and Louisville in Kentucky, Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, Murfreesboro and Knoxville in Tennessee, obviously Atlanta as well as Savannah and Athens in Georgia (Augusta and/or Columbus?), Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile and Tuscaloosa in Alabama, Virginia is wide open with no city above 100K on the avoid list and in West Virginia would include Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown and the eastern panhandle round Shepherdstown, Charles Town and Harpers Ferry.
Lexington Kentucky has a good number of Midwest transplants and some northerners. Small international communities, in part because of university.
Church affiliation won't likely matter much in employment with large organizations, though powerful individual bosses could show favoritism for that or other reasons anywhere and especially in smaller companies. Social affiliations might be pretty church influenced for maybe half, probably not for half or more. A lot will of course depend on your personality and efforts.
Border south and bigger cities probably less insular than deeper south / smaller cities, though I'd guess it is not as hard generally as 20 plus years ago. Some of those who find it very hard may or may not be trying that hard / well or might have issues beyond state of origin. But it is fair / realistic to expect some challenges anywhere new. Most people don't NEED newcomers, so expect that you'll have to do most of the work. Some people LIKE new or most people and might make it easier.
Lexington has a pretty good reputation as friendly. But take thousands or tens of thousands of opinions and you'll have some on both sides most or all places.
The City has gotten expensive for rents last year, as have most places. Their University has no off campus housing office making it more difficult for newbies. What I mean is UKY maintains not off-campus housing list neither by paper or online.
Last edited by Steveareeno5; 11-12-2022 at 08:05 PM..
Reason: edit
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.
Thanks for the on point
