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I have a quick question for you guys. I'm from Michigan (although I live in Georgia at the moment), and I've heard from people from the South say that Raleigh (Durham, Wake Forest, Chapel Hill) is this interesting, progressive, non culturally Southern area that just happens to be in a Southern state.
I'm skeptical at best. After all, I've heard the same thing about Atlanta, and I've found that it's about as Deep South as it gets. When I'm in the Atlanta area, I never forget that I'm in Georgia.
My question is, is this true? Is Raleigh really a Northern city that just happens to be in North Carolina, or is it simply an Atlanta-style "New South" city, like Charlotte or Nashville?
Also, if you don't want to be reminded that you're not living in Michigan, I would suggest looking into Wisconsin, Ohio, or maybe Minnesota. They're all fine in their own way. Raleigh is pretty progressive, but if you are not open to living in or visiting a diverse area, then I'd recommend skipping it.
Also, if you don't want to be reminded that you're not living in Michigan, I would suggest looking into Wisconsin, Ohio, or maybe Minnesota. They're all fine in their own way. Raleigh is pretty progressive, but if you are not open to living in or visiting a diverse area, then I'd recommend skipping it.
What do you mean by "diverse?" I'm all for diversity, in fact, I really value diversity. I just would prefer not to live in an area that's overly "Southern."
I think you need to explain what you mean by "southern." Raleigh is much smaller than Atlanta and Charlotte, so it's not a metropolitan melting pot by any stretch. It has world class universities and the Research Triangle Park, so yes, Wake, Durham and Orange counties are home to a diverse and progressive population. But you can't expect to live in Raleigh and not rub elbows with true southerners. They run the entire state from there!
To make life easier for migrating Northerners, maybe what we need to do is have every Southern city officially declare itself "Northern City just stuck in a Southern State" or "Still Southern; y'all don't want to move here".
That way, all the Northerners will know which city is best for the them and they'll never have the unpleasant experience of brushing shoulders with actual Southerners.
If you scan the other regional threads, I don't think you'll find one that says "Is Boston really 'Northern' (ewww)" , "I want to move to New Hampshire, but I want an area like Greensboro", "Which part of Pennsylvania most closely resembles Alabama".
Sorry if I'm a little cranky about this. But I just got bumped into by a man pushing a grocery buggy while yakking on the cell phone. Didn't even acknowledge me, much less apologize. I'll be taking wagers on what kind of accent he had.
Last edited by LynchburgLover; 12-24-2009 at 12:32 PM..
Reason: one more thought
What do you mean by "diverse?" I'm all for diversity, in fact, I really value diversity. I just would prefer not to live in an area that's overly "Southern."
I question how much you value diversity if living somewhere that seems somewhat "Southern" to you, that won't allow you to feel like you're living in Michigan every day, abhors you. Clearly, Atlanta's diversity is already wasted on you. Southerners will be part of the diversity equation, a part of the people you meet and interact with, if you live nearly anywhere south of Michigan (or maybe Indiana or Ohio...).
Again, I'd skip Raleigh/ Durham if I were you. I'm originally from a northern state, and part of what I love, love, love about this area is the splendid variety of people I get to interact with... those from the North, South, East or West.
P.S. Calling Atlanta "as deep South as it gets" really reveals how little you know about other southern states.
If you scan the other regional threads, I don't think you'll find one that says "Is Boston really 'Northern' (ewww)" , "I want to move to New Hampshire, but I want an area like Greensboro", "Which part of Pennsylvania most closely resembles Alabama".
Couldn't agree more, Lynchburg! I'm thinking of posting one, though, now that you've suggested it....
I question how much you value diversity if living somewhere that seems somewhat "Southern" to you, that won't allow you to feel like you're living in Michigan every day, abhors you. Clearly, Atlanta's diversity is already wasted on you. Southerners will be part of the diversity equation, a part of the people you meet and interact with, if you live nearly anywhere south of Michigan (or maybe Indiana or Ohio...).
Again, I'd skip Raleigh/ Durham if I were you. I'm originally from a northern state, and part of what I love, love, love about this area is the splendid variety of people I get to interact with... those from the North, South, East or West.
P.S. Calling Atlanta "as deep South as it gets" really reveals how little you know about other southern states.
Couldn't agree more, Lynchburg! I'm thinking of posting one, though, now that you've suggested it....
Thanks! I just have been to the grocery, cooking, cleaning, etc, and sat down to relax for a few minutes and there are soooo many of these threads. Don't they realize how insulting these type of threads are? Does make you wonder what their mothers taught them!
Oh, well, MeadowNC, have a blessed Christmas!
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