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I plan on moving from Chicago to either Alabama or Tennessee. I want to get away from the population density, heavy traffic, fast pace and get more in tune with the natural element. Any idea on which state would be better?
Congrats on getting out of the city
From the research I have done and the people I have met from those places, I'd say that Alabama would probably be closer to what you're looking for.
I plan on moving from Chicago to either Alabama or Tennessee. I want to get away from the population density, heavy traffic, fast pace and get more in tune with the natural element. Any idea on which state would be better?
Depends, on many factors...
What kind of job you want, if such is a requirement?
Do you want Gulf coastal area [Lower Alabama] or more inland area?
Do you want more rugged hills [NE 'bama, NE TN, for example]?
etc... etc...
Both states are wonderful, and while quite similar in many aspects, are also very different in many others. Both are also very diverse - Memphis area, for just one example, is not same as Birmingham, Nashville, Huntsville, Knoxville, etc. Overall, I love the hills of both... And FWIW, the area near Chattanooga is great, IMHO - and then in that area, you are close to 3 wonderful states.
Texas: in the South, but not of the South. Most areas I've been to in Texas do not appear to have such a provincial or "cliquish" attitude, a place where people are very much live and let live and friendly. Love the diverse scenery, large cities, and cleanliness of the place. Just a great place! I WILL live there someday!
Georgia: ATL Metro, in particular. Enjoyed my time there. Lots of malls to just walk around in (not that I'm a shopper...seriously.) Beautiful ATL skyline, large job market, plenty of nice housing, and the north GA terrain is beautiful!
Mississippi: can't beat the smell of fresh pine in a crisp airy sky. I'm not kidding! MS is the only state I've ever noticed this in. It's so beautiful down there and kind of has a "quirky" attitude that is distinctly Southern yet unique Mississippian; visit Jackson, Southaven, and Oxford among other places.
I've never been to NC or SC, so I can't rank them, really. The people I've dealt with from those states have been alright, although I'd probably rank SC as the friendlier of the two (again, from my limited experience.)
Two states that are friendly but overrated in terms of their friendliness are Tennessee and, where I live, Kentucky. They're decently friendly, sure, but it's almost a phony type of friendly. It's the "nice to your face" and polite goodness but without genuine "pleasantness," if you will. It's hard to make true friends here in Kentucky, that's for sure. Not bad states, but they're just not my cups of tea.
I think the top southern state is Florida, just for the simple fact that there is so much to do there! Gorgeous beaches, getaways, resorts, fabulous theme parks, etc. North Carolina would be 2nd for me--you have amazing smoky mountains/appalachians in the west and the beautiful coast to the east. Tennessee would be third--so much to do--Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge and Smoky Mtns-Nashville, Chattanooga, Memphis, the list goes on and on.
As for geography, my list is North Carolina first, Tennessee second, then Kentucky third.
Texas: in the South, but not of the South. Most areas I've been to in Texas do not appear to have such a provincial or "cliquish" attitude, a place where people are very much live and let live and friendly. Love the diverse scenery, large cities, and cleanliness of the place. Just a great place! I WILL live there someday!
Just a note in pasing and appreciation of your point here. I am a native Texan who will adamantly argue that Texas is essentially a Southern state, although not a typical Southern state.
Anyway, I was kinda struck by the way you put it, as very recently I was reading one of those histories of the War Between the States. Anyway, partly because Texas was the least affected physically and a lot of settlement occured after it was all over, a notation was made that went something like: "Texas...a Southern state certainly, yet not completely in or of the South."
I thought that was a pretty apt observation and backs up what you say as well. Oh well, just thought I would mention that! Good post!
And I can proudly say that my favorite southern state is the place I call home. A place where I can breathe. A place I can appreciate when I'm not there. A place that has so much. A place like no other.
That place is TEXAS. And I'm very Lone Star proud.
And I can proudly say that my favorite southern state is the place I call home. A place where I can breathe. A place I can appreciate when I'm not there. A place that has so much. A place like no other.
That place is TEXAS. And I'm very Lone Star proud.
A-men, Case. We Texans are Southern proud with a special and unique Lone Star flair. Well put, my friend!
This poll jess ain't right. Wess Virginny blongs heer an thass my fave-rit sutthen state.
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