UPTOURIST

There’s no one way to live in the Southern United States, just like there’s no one way to prepare your barbecue. People on the Eastern side of North Carolina like their barbecue sauce with vinegar, while those in the western half of the state prefer their barbecue to be tomato-based. And that’s just one state; you’ll find different varieties when you head to places like Georgia, Alabama, and even East Texas.

The point is, people often have a certain idea of the South that doesn’t always line up with the reality of being a Southerner in the year 2018. Sure, there are Southerners who go to rodeos and wear cowboy boots, but there are also Southerners who live in thriving urban centers like Atlanta and Nashville. There’s something for just about every lifestyle in the South.

Southern weather

When people, especially Northerners, talk about moving to the South, they often mention the weather with a mixture of wistfulness and fear. On one hand, it’s awfully nice to imagine living in a place where the weather hits 70 degrees in February, and where you can probably make it an entire winter with only a light jacket and some thin gloves. On the other hand, what about things like tornadoes and, if you’re near the coast, hurricanes? It’s true that tornadoes are a concern in the South, and not just in the part of the country known as Tornado Alley.

The Southeast is home to Dixie Alley, with data from the Storm Projection Center showing that Alabama actually leads the nation in the number of tornado deaths annually. That doesn’t mean people in the South live their life in fear, though. Far from it. They’re aware but not overly concerned until they hear a tornado siren. At that point, they know it’s time to take shelter.

So, yes, you might find an underground storm shelter in some Southern backyards. But the weather is so moderate that you’ll also find more than that. No one gets as much use out of a backyard pool as Southerners do. You’ll find big trampolines, homemade treehouses, and swing sets that allow you to get plenty of elevation. It’s a great place to raise kids, because it’s way less likely that they’ll get the cabin fever that children in colder climates have to deal with from November to March.

Southern history

You can’t report the history of the United States without also reporting on the history of the South. Of course, a big part of that history is the Civil War. It’s been 150 years, and we’re still reckoning with the ramifications of that war. It comes up every time a city debates removing Confederate statues from prominent locations within the city. It shouldn’t be surprising that every city tells the story of the Civil War differently. The best way to learn is to look at a variety of exhibits across numerous locations through the South. There are a ton of Civil War-related attractions to explore in Vicksburg, MS. Vicksburg played a critical role in the war thanks to its proximity to the Mississippi River.

You could talk to a dozen different Southern residents about the Civil War and easily get a dozen different answers. It’s a complicated discussion. However, you’ll also find that plenty of Southerners are eager to talk about the future, and for good reason. Homes are more affordable in the South than they are on the coasts, and states like Florida and Texas are lauded for their business-friendly environments. So if the South is speaking to your soul, start searching for jobs in places like Charleston and Charlotte. It won’t be long before you’ll be calling a South Carolina moving company and getting ready for life in a place with good weather, good food, and friendly people.