Moving to the south

[Code Brown]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I have a quick question that I hope someone would be able to shed some light on. While I do like Wake as a medical school, I do have some concern about living in the south from a lifestyle standpoint. Can anyone who has moved to the south (NC, TN, SC, KY, VA, etc.) from a fairly progressive state let me know how you like it there? Feel free to PM me. By progressive, I mean someplace like CA, OR, WA, or even Canada. There is just something about supporting Bush on social policy that I just don't understand.

I'm living in SoCal right now.

 

[efex101]

WTF? the South is not a bunch of hicks ya know jeez before you stereotype wait until you get there. Sure some more rural areas in the South are probably not as progressive as you would like but I have found this to be true in other "so called progressive" areas of the good ol' USA.

 

[tigress]

Um, yeah. Any larger cities anywhere in the country will have significant populations of people of either liberal or conservative political leaning. I'm from SC and grew up in an overwhelmingly liberal environment. How? I grew up in Charleston, which is a fairly liberal city overall, and particularly in the social circles I was in (understandably, as my parents are pretty liberal).

Just because something is in the south doesn't make it backwards, forwards, or any which way. Nor does it mean it's conservative or liberal. Actually I'd argue that there are just as many conservatives in the mid-west as in the south.

Keep this in mind: even in red states, Kerry got a significant percentage of the vote. Often even more than expected. Look at distribution of those votes, and you'll see a lot of democratic support in most major cities. Moral of the story: there are all kinds of people everywhere.

 

[jetproppilot]

Us fellas down here in Louisiana can't compete- we're still using ether in the operating room...OH, and watch for alligators roaming the jetway when you get here......(is this dude/dudette for real?)

I have a quick question that I hope someone would be able to shed some light on. While I do like Wake as a medical school, I do have some concern about living in the south from a lifestyle standpoint. Can anyone who has moved to the south (NC, TN, SC, KY, VA, etc.) from a fairly progressive state let me know how you like it there? Feel free to PM me. By progressive, I mean someplace like CA, OR, WA, or even Canada. There is just something about supporting Bush on social policy that I just don't understand.

I'm living in SoCal right now.

 

[efex101]

He he...hey wait where did the Rodney King incident happen? oh yeah...California! but wait I thought it was so progressive there? hmmmmm food for thought.

 

[MWillie]

He he...hey wait where did the Rodney King incident happen? oh yeah...California! but wait I thought it was so progressive there? hmmmmm food for thought.

 

[efex101]

Hey I am no way insinuting that discrimination did not or does not exist in the South but it is also alive in the "progressive" cities as well. This was just in response to the OP and his "never been there" but I am going to assume ideas. I have lived in the South, East, West, and North and everywhere I have been there is discrimination and dumb arses abound everywhere.

 

[canttouchthis]

I've livd in CA(both parts) and NC. While I would agree that the South definately isn't a bunch of toothless, banjo playing, overall wearing dudes sitting on their porch, it is significantly different. If you were in Durham, Chapel Hill or Charlotte I wouldn't even worry about it because those are fairly progressive areas. However Winston Salem is quite a bit more rural. The people there mostly voted for George Bush and are really into religion(not quite as bad as the movie 'Saved'...but still somewhat in your face). What is really funny is many people think of John Kerry/any democrat as the anti-christ..they are somehow convinced that he is morally unsound and everything that comes out of his mouth is a straight lie. I have plenty of anecdotes about how opposite some of the thinking is down there but I'll give you just one. I know a chick that got a job...parents wouldn't let her keep it because it was a night job that forced her to be out till 3am, and they didn't want their neighbors thinking they had a morally unsound daughter who stayed out all night. All this being said I think that it won't affect you that much because people in the south are extremely kind to everyone, even when they think you are the anti-christ. You will probably be engrossed in school and not really care about what the average citizen of winston-salem thinks about you.

 

[efex101]

For sure it *is* different and everyone has different taste in what they like or not...for example you could not pay me enough to move to California and actually live there..but making blanket statements is not the way to go. Winston-Salem *is* very conservative but Raleigh/Charleston/Nashville to name a few are great cities to live in.

 

[Tra La La]

...for example you could not pay me enough to move to California and actually live there...

Caleefornia ain't that bad. 🙄

 

[Code Brown]

Hey I am no way insinuting that discrimination did not or does not exist in the South but it is also alive in the "progressive" cities as well. This was just in response to the OP and his "never been there" but I am going to assume ideas. I have lived in the South, East, West, and North and everywhere I have been there is discrimination and dumb arses abound everywhere.

I thought I might cause this type of response. I have family in TX and OK, so I know what it's like as I have seen this backward mentality first hand. The technology is there, and I have never disputed this (this is in response to jetproppilot), but socially, there are a lot of people who have a long way to go. Just have a look at the Schiavo incident or the recent attempt to fine people for showing a piece of underwear in public (Virginia). This isn't the 18th century anymore. Yes, California still has many social problems but it has progressed farther than the south. "Progressive" to me means moving toward a rational society. I'm worried about having to deal with dip**** protestors outside Michael Moore movies and *****s who actually buy what Jerry Falwell spews out of his big propaganda machine. Believe me, fiscally, I think W. is doing a fine job, but socially, he does have his head up his arse.

 

[aumed22]

I am currently living in Alabama having moved here from London and I would say that the South is truly an incredible place to live. People down here are in general nicer than any other place in the world I have travelled to. Sure there is a lot of conservatives, but doesn't your natural aversion to conservatives make you just as bad as any distaste for liberals? I think you should embrace any place you live and make the most of it, enjoy the differences in culture and attitude no matter where you go. You will find the most beautiful girls, the nicest people, great food, great music, and great weather down in the South, so enjoy it, and if you're scared of conservatives then maybe you should re-think your commitment to liberalism where everyone is equal to his or her own viewpoint. To hesitate moving somewhere because you are afraid of the different culture keeps you from enjoying America and the rest of the world.

 

[daysleeprx]

...he does have his head up his arse.

Hi kettle...this is the pot. Just wanted to tell you, you're black!

 

[tigress]

people in the south are extremely kind to everyone, even when they think you are the anti-christ.

It's true, though. People are very nice in the south. When I moved to Manhattan for college I had to learn not to smile at everybody on the street. People thought I was weird when I did. Just because you don't agree with somebody politically doesn't mean you can't get along with them quite well. I would suggest hanging out at Wake for a while and seeing if you feel comfortable at the school. If you do, don't worry about the general political climate of the region, because it doesn't really matter all that much. You can still believe whatever you want to, and you'll even find some people who agree with you.

 

[Code Brown]

I am currently living in Alabama having moved here from London and I would say that the South is truly an incredible place to live. People down here are in general nicer than any other place in the world I have travelled to. Sure there is a lot of conservatives, but doesn't your natural aversion to conservatives make you just as bad as any distaste for liberals? I think you should embrace any place you live and make the most of it, enjoy the differences in culture and attitude no matter where you go. You will find the most beautiful girls, the nicest people, great food, great music, and great weather down in the South, so enjoy it, and if you're scared of conservatives then maybe you should re-think your commitment to liberalism where everyone is equal to his or her own viewpoint. To hesitate moving somewhere because you are afraid of the different culture keeps you from enjoying America and the rest of the world.

I would have to agree with you about people in the south being friendly as the "southern" hospitality is definitely fabulous. People are entitled to their opinions and I definitely value diversity, but what I don't value is some ***** telling me that I'll burn in hell because I support gay marriage or abortion. This is what I would like to avoid.

Not to derail your attacks on my "ignorance of the south" but the reason for my original posting was to see if the stereotypes that I had of the south were based on valid reasons. I did not say "the south sucks and everyone is a frickin' hick". I wanted to know what it is like living there. You people get too defensive and missed the whole point of my post. Maybe the wording of my original post wasn't the greatest, but this is what I was trying to figure out. This isn't supposed to be a pissing match but an informational thread as I don't have the money to fly out there for two weeks to hang out and see what it's really like. My wife and I will be spending 4 years of our lives living someplace and I want to get a better grasp of what we'll be getting ourselves into. If you want infor about California, I can give you that (both the good and the bad).

 

[UTKB]

Hi kettle...this is the pot. Just wanted to tell you, you're black!

LOL ! High five!

 

[efex101]

Dude backwards mentalities are EVERYWHERE regardless of which state you hail from btw why in hell did you apply to Southern schools if you dislike the South so much? this is the reason why I never applied to California schools or any other state that I had no desire to be a part of. Also, with your statements that is "your" point of view (regarding conservatism, backwards mentalities, etc) and POV are are like anal sphincters we all have them..so just like you think that the South is X or Y many people think that California are a bunch of tree hugging hippies (not that I think this but just making a point) and obviously neither of these statements are true. You will find all kinds of people everywhere you go from the ultra conservative to the most liberal. If you have no inclination to live in the warmer South then the solution is simple decline your acceptance there.

 

[Shades McCool]

I am currently living in Alabama having moved here from London and I would say that the South is truly an incredible place to live. People down here are in general nicer than any other place in the world I have travelled to. Sure there is a lot of conservatives, but doesn't your natural aversion to conservatives make you just as bad as any distaste for liberals? I think you should embrace any place you live and make the most of it, enjoy the differences in culture and attitude no matter where you go. You will find the most beautiful girls, the nicest people, great food, great music, and great weather down in the South, so enjoy it, and if you're scared of conservatives then maybe you should re-think your commitment to liberalism where everyone is equal to his or her own viewpoint. To hesitate moving somewhere because you are afraid of the different culture keeps you from enjoying America and the rest of the world.

Auburn is a little slice of paradise and I will miss living here when I start medical school. I will be back for football games though!

 

[Code Brown]

Dude backwards mentalities are EVERYWHERE regardless of which state you hail from btw why in hell did you apply to Southern schools if you dislike the South so much? this is the reason why I never applied to California schools or any other state that I had no desire to be a part of. Also, with your statements that is "your" point of view (regarding conservatism, backwards mentalities, etc) and POV are are like anal sphincters we all have them..so just like you think that the South is X or Y many people think that California are a bunch of tree hugging hippies (not that I think this but just making a point) and obviously neither of these statements are true. You will find all kinds of people everywhere you go from the ultra conservative to the most liberal. If you have no inclination to live in the warmer South then the solution is simple decline your acceptance there.

Dude, no offense here, but can't you read my messages correctly? I did not ever say I dislike the south. I just wanted to find out what it was like living in the south for someone with what people would call "social liberal" views. Wake was the only school in the south I applied to. This decision was based on the school curriculum and the fact that I was under the impression that NC was borderline south but fairly liberal. From what people have said, this would apparently only apply to the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area.

 

[Brain]

Hi Code Brown,

I understand your situation. I myself am a flaming liberal atheist. I've lived in several areas of the South all of my life but have spend summers in New York and a fair amount of time in Nevada. The attitude in the South is not the same everywhere. For example, I went to undergrad at a small university in Louisiana because of the free tuition and I wanted small class sizes. There would be times when I was minding my own business when someone would come up to me to ask me about my relationship with God. When I made it clear that I do not subscribe to the christian mythology, I was told that I would spend an eternity in firery torment. Other times in classes that involved the discussion of political issues, people would come up to me after class and tell me what a ***** I was. I would get this just from saying that Bush did not make a strong enough case for invading Iraq, even though these people could not give any sound evidence themselves other than Bush said so therefore it is.

Now I'm living in Atlanta. While it's technically the Deep South, Atlanta is a liberal mecca. I've never been harassed because my religious or political beliefs. I have anti-Bush stickers all over my car and I frequently get compliments about them from complete strangers. My point is that the South is not the same all over. I unfortunately cannot speak of the area that you are interested in because I've never lived there. In general, large cities will contain a mix of people and you can find a group to mesh with. I would say avoid small southern towns like the plague because that's where you'll find the close-mindedness you're concerned about. I hope this helps and best of luck in your decision.

 

[LSUwannabe]

Keep this in mind: even in red states, Kerry got a significant percentage of the vote. Often even more than expected.

Yes, it's true that the South isn't perfect. 😀

Seriously...don't try to ram your "social liberal" views down anyone's throat and you should be fine. Doesn't this apply no matter what you believe?


I'm originally from WI and have lived in St. Louis, Omaha, Louisville, Mobile, Cleveland (TN), Baton Rouge, and now New Orleans.

Is there a difference down here? Yes, of course there is just like any other two places. That stated the difference between New Orleans and Baton Rouge is pretty extraordinary for just 70 miles.

As you must know keeping an open mind will serve you well wherever you go. If you're somebody who thinks all conservatives are idiots, confused, uneducated or lack your superior intellect I think you'll have trouble anywhere.

Good luck...

 

[QofQuimica]

If you like the school, I don't think the "conservatism" will be a problem. You will be spending your time with that social group anyway, not with the religious protesters. I have lived in several places in the South, and I started out feeling the way that you do. I grew up in the Miami area (Most of us down here, incidentally, are NOT Southerners! Only North Florida is a Southern State!) and I went to graduate school at UAB in Birmingham, which is the most deeply Southern place that I've ever lived. At first I was very resistant to the idea of going to Alabama. I mean, we made fun of AL all while I was growing up! But the school flew me out there for a look, and I was immensely impressed. I am even planning to apply there again for medical school. And you know, the people in AL make fun of Mississippi.

You will still have some interactions with people (your neighbors for example) who are religious, and they will do things like invite you to join their church or offer to pray for you. You have to understand that for many people in the South, the church is the center of their social lives, and being churchless is a lot like going independent at a large university with an active Greek life. Sure, you can still have a good time, but a lot of socializing goes on in that context, and you'll be left out of that. Even so, I never had anyone take offense at my politely declining. If they pressed, I simply told them I was Jewish, and they were respectful of that for the most part. I did not generally go around telling people that I was an atheist, however, in order to avoid potential arguments. There is something about that word that is like waving a red flag in front of a bull.

Overall I loved living in the South, and I plan to apply to several Southern schools. I agree with whoever said they'd rather live in the South than in CA. The pace of life is just a little slower in the South, the people will let you get on the highway and won't cut you off, and they will hold the doors open for you if you're walking in behind them. There's a lot to be said for common courtesy like that.

 

[efex101]

Okay okay maybe I did misunderstand it is really hard to convey feelings via post. I have a family and the South has by far been the best place to raise a family...although MN is not bad either for that matter. In the South folks will truly help whenever you need some help this cannot be said for other places in the US. If you want a quiet and safe area for your kids Winston-Salem is great! although yes they are more conservative than other larger cities.

 

[freaker]

First of all, I think we need to approach the situation honestly. I'll make note of the fact that the only counties in southern California that actually didn't go to Bush were L.A., Imperial, and Santa Barbara (v. the 7 counties that went to Bush). In fact, it it wasn't for the Bay Area, California goes to Bush. So drawing this mythical little liberal worldview isn't accurate. The same thing goes for the south, of course. Take the city of Atlanta. You have heavily liberal (or at least heavily Democrat, as black southerners are hardly what I'd call socially liberal) Fulton and Dekalb counties. Then you have the conservative Cobb and Gwinnett counties. And then the 8 other outlier counties went to Bush, though they're more suburban sprawl and less populous than the 4 above. So you get a mix no matter where you are.

And I love this how the south has a "long way to go" to reach the "progressive" pinnacle of society that is social liberalism (i.e. moral degeneracy). I can argue the other side of this argument, spouting off stats and making sociological arguments all day long, but the end result is that all that is going to be accomplished is that two people are going to get angry.

I'm really not saying that as strongly as it's coming across, but I just find the level of fundamentalist mentality on this thread humerous given the subject matter (and yes, that has everything to do with liberalism).

I've lived in Tennessee, Virginia, London, Atlanta, southern California, and New York City. Honestly, the only reason you're going to have a problem moving somewhere new in this country is if you're closed-minded. Sure, the liberals in New York irritated me, but I just made it a point to avoid political conversations with liberals. And as it worked out, I ended up with a group of friends who in many ways thought like me. And some who didn't, but we could respect each other's beliefs.

And honestly, having lived in all these places, I think southern California has more in common with the south than it does with New York (well, maybe excluding LA). There's the whole laid back approach to life. There's taking time to get outdoors. There's a more care-free approach to the day to day. You ride around in a car a lot. And maybe it was just that I was in Orange County, but the churches were full, the people were pretty friendly, and it was fairly easy to meet new people. There were definitely differences, but you get the point.

Bud, life is what you make of it. If you get angry because people have a public sense of morality, you've got problems.

And it's just not wise to classify people solely by their political ideologies; people surprise you all the time. I lived with a gay roommate in California. Went out to gay bars all the time with him. While I was out there, I got more and more socially conservative--far moreso than I ever was in the south (did a lot of thinking and research). But (some--not me--would say) "ironically," I just became better friends with the gay roommates I had.

Bottomline: life doesn't revolve around politics, and you don't have to give up your beliefs to be friendly with someone.

 

[DrRads101]

^

Couldn't have said it better myself. It would be more of a culture shock coming from SoCal and moving to Chicago, Boston, or NYC than moving to the South. SoCal and the South have the same lifestyle: Everyone in their automobile, no mass transit, dark freeways, 99% of the population living in suburban sprawl, laid back, sunny weather, et al, you'd fit right in coming from SoCal.

BTW I'm glad I'm not the only one who found the OP's take on "progressing socially" a little humerous, especially when in one paragraph he/she knocks the South for being "behind the times" socially and then in another post commends the South for being more friendly towards one another than in California. If being amiable towards one another isn't a sign of a society that has progressed, I don't know what is. And to see just how "tolerant" some of these so-called "liberal" places on the West Coast are, just try driving around in an SUV with a Bush '04 and Pro-Life sticker on the back. You'll see just how tolerant and open minded some of these people really are. It's a faux liberalism. i.e., we're liberal, just as long as you agree with us. 😀

And yes, without the Bay Area, California would have went for Bush in the last election.

 

[canttouchthis]

I agree ...it isn't all about politics and people can get along great with different ideals/morals. A place like Winston Salem will be a culture shock to anyone from a city/suburb just like Modesto or Stockton would. There is nothing wrong with cutlure shock. The worst shock I could forsee is someone who has had the comforts of being surrounded by people from their same ethnicity(usually asian/latino) their whole life and being thrown into a town where everyone is white/black. As long as you make the best of it, anything different is a good life-experience. The only problem is med school itself is a hard enough task and having to make too many adjustments at once might suck.

 

[seev99]

yo if u whyte or black, u gonna lyke da south; if u asian, u aint gonna like the south if u got all asian friends to begin with; plus if u are already concerned bout movin to da south, u should juz stay in cali playa, cuz its way different out here, and north carolina is too far north to enjoy the true south...u can't get south of south alabama...holla!

 

[aumed22]

Now I don't know about that. I know plenty of Asians down here in Auburn and honestly I have never heard one of them complain about being in the South. I think that this just proves that every place is a little different, even in the same state.

 

[RaaMD]

I was an asian growing up in the south. And so my perspective will differ from those of caucasian or african american descent. I lived in the South for 18 years in three places: Mobile, AL, New Orleans, LA, and Atlanta, GA; and I have lived for the past five years in Southern California. Having experienced both the south and soCal, I can guarantee you that it will be a different experience. The other person was right in saying that if you are caucasian or african american you will like da south and if you aren't you will definitely be a minority and will absolutely feel it. In SoCal, many are well versed on the different asian minorities out there as well as other cultures such as Indian, Armenian, Persian, and various Hispanic cultures. There is much ethnic ignorance in the south from my experience. If you move to the south try something like Florida which isn't really part of the deep South, it seems to be a much more open environment. Ah yes, and the Southern hospitality is true if you are white or black. If you are asian, it isn't so much so. Essentially it is hard being a middle easterner, indian, or asian individual in the south. That is why I and other people of this descent have moved out when we had the chance. Southern California was by far a breath of fresh air and I no longer had to feel ostracized because of where I come from. Many people in the south only knew me as Oriental, which is an ignorant statement in and of itself. Good luck in your decision. Wake is a great school, don't know about the area though.....

 

[Mateodaspy]

^

Couldn't have said it better myself. It would be more of a culture shock coming from SoCal and moving to Chicago, Boston, or NYC than moving to the South. SoCal and the South have the same lifestyle: Everyone in their automobile, no mass transit, dark freeways, 99% of the population living in suburban sprawl, laid back, sunny weather, et al, you'd fit right in coming from SoCal.

BTW I'm glad I'm not the only one who found the OP's take on "progressing socially" a little humerous, especially when in one paragraph he/she knocks the South for being "behind the times" socially and then in another post commends the South for being more friendly towards one another than in California. If being amiable towards one another isn't a sign of a society that has progressed, I don't know what is. And to see just how "tolerant" some of these so-called "liberal" places on the West Coast are, just try driving around in an SUV with a Bush '04 and Pro-Life sticker on the back. You'll see just how tolerant and open minded some of these people really are. It's a faux liberalism. i.e., we're liberal, just as long as you agree with us. 😀

And yes, without the Bay Area, California would have went for Bush in the last election.

Please work on your past participles.


Thank God for the Bay Area.


And, I've lived in the South all my life (TX nonetheless) and I can't wait to get the f.uck out of here. Sure, there are some liberals here (mainly in the urban areas), but we are still incredibly outnumbered by the thoughtless hicks surrounding the liberal enclaves. While you might be able to find a group of friends you are happy with living in the South, I assure you that the larger population will forever disappoint you with their stagnant and uncompromisingly closed-minded views toward non-white, non-Christian, non-straight and non-conservative ways of thinking. If you must come here, leave the first chance you get.

<3,
Born and Raised in TX, Moving to Boston/Undecided NE or CA city this summer

 

[GuyLaroche]

Please work on your past participles.

I'm telling you: we are meant for each other!

 

[CanuckRazorback]

I'm from Montreal, Canada and I have been living in Northwest Arkansas (WallyWorld) for the last five years. I am super liberal so I had kind of a culture shock at first. I think the main thing I dislike about the south is how religious everyone seems to be. I don't have a problem with religious people, but around here they are in-your-face with religion. I personally don't appreciate being told that I am going to hell because I am cohabitating or haven't been to mass in a long while. If you are religious, then you will probably love the south. You will meet tons of people through church and benefit from a huge network.

I think the south has much to offer. The weather is nice and you get 4 seasons. The people are just so hospitable and caring. The cost of living is very affordable. Southern cooking is not very healthy but so yummy.

As far as Wake goes, I interviewed there a few weeks ago. I was a little disappointed to be greeted by the "wives of doctors club". The ladies were super nice, but what message is this sending to female interviewees? I think WInston-Salem is a little too conservative for me, but you have to consider that I've been in Arkansas for 5 years and I am ready for a change in cultural scenery. On the plus side, the students seemed very happy to be there, the cost of living is dirt cheap, you have the opportunity to do clerkships at Duke or UNC, proximity of the research triangle, and Winston-Salem is a great place to raise a family I am told. On the down side, the tuition is super high and the attitude is conservative. Another thing my student guide told me is that if you want to match in the southeast, then Wake is a good choice because they have a good reputation regionally. He didn't think Wake would be a good choice if you wanted to match in the northeast or on the west coast, but I am just repeating what he said so don't kill the messenger.

Wake just isn't for me. I didn't feel like I would fit in there. However, I think it could be a great fit for someone else.

Feel free to PM me with any specific questions about the south and good luck with your decision.

 

[tigress]

It's interesting what RaaMD said about growing up Asian in the south. I certainly had Asian friends growing up, and a bunch of Indian friends, but I never actually talked to them about whether it was hard to live in the south. As an Orthodox Jew living in the south, though, I found I was generally accepted. Sure I got some rude comments (a few people in high school really wanted to save my soul so I wouldn't go to hell), but for the most part it was an idyllic place to grow up. As a matter of fact, my dream in life is to be able to live there again someday. I did feel, when I turned 18, like my vote was useless since it never ended up counting for anything, as I usually voted for the Democratic candidate and my state always went Republican. My brother goes to college in Austin, Texas, though, and he absolutely loves it there; he spent months campaigning for Nader in Texas (which amused me).

I think that saying "the South" is lumping the region too much together. There are certainly similarities, but as others have mentioned, culture changes from place to place within the South. So what I grew up with in Charleston is probably quite different than the culture in Alabama, or Mississippi, or Texas. As somebody else mentioned, a city like Atlanta is going to feel less different to somebody coming from the Northeast or West than a small town in the middle of North Carolina. I'm not sure where Wake is exactly.

The other funny thing is that now I live in Pennsylvania, and a huge portion of this state is extremely conservative, probably as conservative as large portions of the South.

 

[Jody Sadler]

I have a quick question that I hope someone would be able to shed some light on. While I do like Wake as a medical school, I do have some concern about living in the south from a lifestyle standpoint. Can anyone who has moved to the south (NC, TN, SC, KY, VA, etc.) from a fairly progressive state let me know how you like it there? Feel free to PM me. By progressive, I mean someplace like CA, OR, WA, or even Canada. There is just something about supporting Bush on social policy that I just don't understand.

I'm living in SoCal right now.

Ignorance is bliss I hear

 

[Jody Sadler]

I am currently living in Alabama having moved here from London and I would say that the South is truly an incredible place to live. People down here are in general nicer than any other place in the world I have travelled to. Sure there is a lot of conservatives, but doesn't your natural aversion to conservatives make you just as bad as any distaste for liberals? I think you should embrace any place you live and make the most of it, enjoy the differences in culture and attitude no matter where you go. You will find the most beautiful girls, the nicest people, great food, great music, and great weather down in the South, so enjoy it, and if you're scared of conservatives then maybe you should re-think your commitment to liberalism where everyone is equal to his or her own viewpoint. To hesitate moving somewhere because you are afraid of the different culture keeps you from enjoying America and the rest of the world.

enough said 👍

 

[melimi]

coming from someone from boston.... dont even think about moving to the south..... the anti-christ is there

 

[Bigsheed920]

Here is question to anyone living in charlotte,n.c. or anyone who has knowledge of the area. How is the public transportation there? I do see there r some buses in town. But is public trans. practical for living in the area? THANKS!

 

[PTPoeny]

While not moving to the south, I did go from East coast to lincoln, NE for undergrad. Overall it has been an interesting experience. It is different. For instance here people do assume that you are christian until you tell them otherwise, I know back home nobody would ever do that. I have had plenty of people tell me that they would love to take me to church and pray for me to find god. I smile and say that I am happy the way I am and they will kinda nod and tell me that they will pray for me anyways. If you don't mind that you will have no problems with the religion.

Overall I feel that the culture is very different here. The people are nice, and I feel like I have learned alot about my feelings about culture and religion and politics by being here. I really haven't changed too many of my ideas, its more that I have a better understanding. I have plenty of friends who disagree with me on plenty of topics and through discussions we have all explored our beliefs but not tried to change other peoples because we are friends. In class discussions are a bit more interesting and I do usually end up being the one to say, okay, we will never agree, lets move on to something that we can learn from. It has been a great learning experience about myself, but still I cant wait to move back to the east coast for med school because that is where I am comfortable. I will move back knowing more about my beleifs though.

I don't know if this helps the OP or not, but its my $0.02.

 

[leechy]

This is an interesting thread. I think the OP's question is a real issue, not simply a result of ignorance about the South. Yes sure, there are liberals and conservatives, religious and non-religious people everywhere. But the proportions of them differ. It's all about the proportions.

I used to want to move to the South because of the better quality of life (less crowded, nicer weather, lower cost of living, friendly people). I still believe the South has those characteristics, but as the years have gone by, I've realized that I just wouldn't fit in culturally there. Religion is the primary institution in the south, and being the skeptical, socially liberal heathen that I am, I just wouldn't belong. Yes, I know Southerners don't bite. I even believe them to be friendlier, more generous and nicer, on average, than Northerners. But what matters to me is community and friendship, and I've discovered over the years that those things are harder to achieve with others if your entire cultural / religious / political worldviews are different.

I'm probably going to get flamed for this next paragraph, but I find the point about tolerance interesting. Some of the posters seem to be suggesting that if you don't want to live in the South because you don't think you'd fit in with its religiosity and conservatism, then you are a truly intolerant person. I don't claim to be tolerant myself, for the simple reason that there are cultures I wouldn't want to live in. I wouldn't want to live in Saudi Arabia or Iran because of the religious environment, and I wouldn't want to live in communist North Korea because of the political culture. Am I intolerant because I hold those preferences? Sure. The same way, I don't think a religious, conservative person is being "intolerant" for preferring to live in the South, or vice versa for the social liberal. We all have comfort zones and personal preferences. Maybe they're not fully rational comfort zones, maybe we "ought" to be forcing ourselves to live outside them, but we have the right to observe them nonetheless. I applaud those who feel comfortable living anywhere, but I guess I'm just not one of those people. I suppose I'm just evil. 😉

 

[Dr. Donkey]

Is the South really "dirty"?

 

[leechy]

I should quickly add that I did not intend to insinuate a comparison between Saudi Arabia / Iran / Korea and the South or North. I was just making the point that not wanting to live in some places doesn't make you an evil person.

 

[superdevil]

just wanted to add a couple of quick things.

1) i really wish people on SDN would stop equating fanatical christianity with conservatism as a whole.

2) nobody likes in-your-face, proselytizing christians except for other in-your-face, proselytizing christians. again, conservatives are not all brainwashed born-again baptists. many posters on SDN really have a hard time with this, for some reason.

3) if you are a liberal who has already formed a prejudiced impression of the south, do yourself a favor and don't move there. your attitude will likely cause your fears to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. people can easily find what they are looking for, you know.

4) if you are a liberal worried about where you are going to med school based on your political views, realize that academia is 90% ultra-liberal, unless your school was founded by jesuits/mormons or something. no matter how unusual your belief system may seem to others, meeting disapproval in academia is highly unlikely. the surrounding area, of course, may be another story, depending on the particular instance.

really, there's nothing wrong with wanting to surround yourself with people who have the same political and social viewpoints as you do. but, to do it in the name of being socially "progressive" seems a little ironic to me.

 

[bubbajones]

come to texas we are the best state in the south. everything is bigger and better.

 

[Shades McCool]

It is also true that our beloved southern states are more generous than the northern states.

 

[MoosePilot]

I thought I might cause this type of response. I have family in TX and OK, so I know what it's like as I have seen this backward mentality first hand. The technology is there, and I have never disputed this (this is in response to jetproppilot), but socially, there are a lot of people who have a long way to go. Just have a look at the Schiavo incident or the recent attempt to fine people for showing a piece of underwear in public (Virginia). This isn't the 18th century anymore. Yes, California still has many social problems but it has progressed farther than the south. "Progressive" to me means moving toward a rational society. I'm worried about having to deal with dip**** protestors outside Michael Moore movies and *****s who actually buy what Jerry Falwell spews out of his big propaganda machine. Believe me, fiscally, I think W. is doing a fine job, but socially, he does have his head up his arse.

Towards the **** can, yeah.

You can probably find a crowd of your type most places. If you want to hold hands with your homosexual life partner, you might be unhappy. If you want to keep most of your business to yourself, you'd probably be successful.

 

[Shades McCool]

Towards the **** can, yeah.

You can probably find a crowd of your type most places. If you want to hold hands with your homosexual life partner, you might be unhappy. If you want to keep most of your business to yourself, you'd probably be successful.

Being a resident of the South all my life, I totally agree. I don't have a problem with anything anyone else does that doesn't affect me. Although the second people start getting all up in my face about their life choices or wanting to throw parades about it, I get unhappy. It is totally uncalled for. Just mind your own business and you won't have a problem down here. Everyone is friendly...I mean we have "Hey Day" at our school where everyone wears nametags and people go out of their way to tell everyone else hello!

 

[bigbassinbob]

I live in southeastern NC, which I guess the OP would consider "backwards." What a stupid generalization. I've lived in New York, Kentucky, West Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida, and I can tell you first-hand that the south is the BEST place to live. People are nicer, the weather is gorgeous (usually), and contrary to what most people from the north think, everything is cutting-edge as far as technology goes. New York has cold weather, typically unfriendly people, and the buildings and most of the technology are old. What's funny is that I remember the administration of my elementary school telling my parents how much better my education would be in New York than it would be in the south 🙄 , when all of their facilities were old and out of date. The mentality of some of the people up there (and on the west coast apparently) is just hilarious!

 

[i61164]

Here is question to anyone living in charlotte,n.c. or anyone who has knowledge of the area. How is the public transportation there? I do see there r some buses in town. But is public trans. practical for living in the area? THANKS!

You need a car to live here. You could survive without one if you go to UNCC and live on campus. There may be a way to do it if you live right in the city, but it would be very expensive.


With regard to Wake, word on the street is that it is a pretty conservative school, as far as institutions of higher ed. go. Since most schools are 90% ultra liberal, Wake is considered conservative for being 50/50. Keep in mind, Wake has students from all over the country. You will have classmates from the West and North. Winston-Salem is another story...

 

[Shades McCool]

Public trans. isn't all that big down here. We all drive our own vehicles...mainly SUV's.

 

[EPA7X1]

And, I've lived in the South all my life (TX nonetheless) and I can't wait to get the f.uck out of here. Sure, there are some liberals here (mainly in the urban areas), but we are still incredibly outnumbered by the thoughtless hicks surrounding the liberal enclaves. While you might be able to find a group of friends you are happy with living in the South, I assure you that the larger population will forever disappoint you with their stagnant and uncompromisingly closed-minded views toward non-white, non-Christian, non-straight and non-conservative ways of thinking. If you must come here, leave the first chance you get.
<3,
Born and Raised in TX, Moving to Boston/Undecided NE or CA city this summer

I have lived in the South all of my life, as well. I am not Christian, though I am a Republican. And I have several gay friends. Please leave if you think it is so bad in the South. There are people who have the views you have stated. But, to implicate that it is the majority, is just being a hater. And I think that is what you just called everyone in the South.

I would ask everyone to form your own opinion, and not assume that the South is as bad as this poster and others would have you to believe.

I have known many more Southerners who are accepting of things they don't understand than "thoughtless hicks." And I have lived in more than one extremely small coal-mining town and/or farming town.

I have met the "If the south would've won we'd have had it made" people as well. Don't judge a community by its most isolated individuals. That will lead to a bad judgement in the North or the South.