I’ve just taken a job with a company that, after 3 months of training, will relocate me somewhere in the Southeast - It’s unlikely that I’ll have a whole lot of control over where I’m sent, although I’ve been told I will likely be given a choice of 2-3 locations in the Southeast to choose from.
So, I’m interested in hearing about the best and worst places to live in the southeast (11 states, but I don’t have the exact list at the moment). I’ve been in Asheville NC for the last 2 months, and I love it here, but chances are Asheville won’t be one of my options Any suggestions on where’s hot, and where’s not?
Loren
[ This Message was edited by: Loren on 2003-02-24 19:30 ]
Thanks Jim, I believe New Orleans is one of the possible cities, as is Atlanta, obviously. Having lived in Tampa for a long time, I’d probably prefer somewhat smaller towns, although the money would probably be better for me in more populated areas, like the one’s you’ve mentioned.
I should have also mentioned that, given a choice, I’d REALLY prefer to be in the mountains, but that may or may not be an option.
BTW Jim, I will be in St. Louis for 2 months starting in a week - don’t know exactly what my training schedule is going to be, but perhaps we’ll run into each other at some point.
Cheers,
Loren
[ This Message was edited by: Loren on 2003-02-24 20:06 ]
On 2003-02-24 19:51, TelegramSam wrote:
Atlanta’s a s#&thole. The air is filthy and the crime rate is higher than mount everest in a lot of parts. Don’t get me started on the traffic…
Well, I live in Florida and I want out. I’ve been remodeling my house and am just about finished. As soon as it’s done, it goes on the market and I move to the mountains. I don’t know which mountains yet, but also somewhere in the southeast.
On 2003-02-24 19:38, Loren wrote:
I should have also mentioned that, given a choice, I’d REALLY prefer to be in the mountains, but that may or may not be an option.
For mountain towns, Chattanooga and Knoxville TN are okay, as is Roanoke VA. Charlotte NC is near the mountains but is too much like Atlanta, best avoided if possible.
Take a look at the tri-cities area- Bristol VA/TN Kingsport,TN Johnson City,TN. Lots of mountains, cultural- everything from symphony to old-time,(Bristol is the birthplace of country music as in the Carter Family, who by the way have their “Carter Fold” nearby, celtic, and an airport.
the Barter Theater-state Theater of Va. is in nearby historic Abingdon.
Low crime, colleges and universities and laid back.
And if you happen to like NASCAR- we have th e Bristol Motor Speedway!!
[ This Message was edited by: cowtime on 2003-02-24 21:30 ]
[ This Message was edited by: cowtime on 2003-02-24 21:31 ]
I’d kill to live in the mountains, and if that’s what you like, definitly try for one of the more northern states. But if you’re stuck with a choice of just (god forbid!) Florida, I’d have to reccommend my own town of Sarasota. It’s small enough to not be overpoweringly bustling, but large enough to have great restaurants and theatres. And if you felt like travelling to a big city, Tampa’s an hour away–Orlando is 2 hours. There’s a couple Irish pubs here, and some in Bradenton just down the road aways. And you can’t beat the beaches. Also, if you’re stuck in Florida, avoid the East Coast at all costs–unfriendly people, bad service, generally sucky as far as I’ve seen.
Good luck!
Except for a year I spent in St. Louis on business, South Florida has been my home for all of my life. Most of that time was spent in the Miami area. I currently live in Boca Raton in Palm Beach county. I can’t comment on Florida’s West coast since I’ve spent very little time there; but, I have to concur with Sara’s comments on Florida’s East coast. Once you get North of Palm Beach, I don’t think the East coast is too bad, but, I would avoid Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. There are just way too many people. The road systems can’t come close to handling the number of people here.
A comment was made earlier about Atlanta. From what I hear, their traffic is even worse than we have here. I have two cousins who live in Atlanta, though, and they love it there.
Loren, congratulations on the new job! That’s great news!
I grew up in Atlanta, and my parents still live there, but frankly I’m glad not to be there any more, and my parents are really sick of it. It’s grown way too much, and it’s too crowded. Also, property is insanely expensive there.
Frankly, I don’t think you could do much better than North Carolina. Each part of the state has something good to offer, and you’re never too far from the other parts. The only problem is that both Charlotte and the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area are growing very fast, and in 10 years they’ll be like Atlanta are now.
Although I am in the process of getting out of Florida myself, Florida and Tennessee both have one advantage over all other states in the southeast. Neither state has a state income tax. All of the others in this part of the country do. It may not be important to you, but, just some food for thought.
I’ve lived in parts of the South though maybe not so much Southeast. For a whistle/flute player I don’t think you’ll find anywhere like the NorthEast and Chicago for culure.
I lived in New Orleans briefly. Lots of culture there of all varieties. As for Irish trad there isn’t much outside of O’Flaherty’s which is a pub on Toulouse down in the French Quarter. There are regular performances of local musicians there. No regular sessions though.
I lived close to Memphis and have been there sevral times and don’t recall much for Irish trad going on though there is a lot of other cultural events plus usually a handfull of good concerts of the Irish and Scottish trad genre plus lots of big Pop and Rock concerts. Cut that in half and you have Little Rock.
I’ve been to other SE cities bt not enough to really comment. I hope some of this was informative.
Cheers,
Aaron
Atlanta is a town that has grown a great deal in a very short period of time. For those of us who have lived here a long time it is somewhat sad to see what has come to be but that is because the Atlanta of our childhood is now somewhat elusive. We remember a more quaint and intimate Atlanta. That is evident in some of the posts in this thread. I have lived and worked here my whole life and I have to say that the transformation has been and continues to be astounding. Whether you think it’s good or bad depends on how you look at it. Since being literally burned to the ground during the Civil War, Atlanta has grown to immense proportions while still retaining some of its old charm. Our city symbol is, in fact, the phoenix.
I will say this- In all fairness there are an awful lot of people who love being here. Many came here in search of new jobs or careers from other places all around the world. Well, they found what they were looking for. My parents came here from Wva without two nickles to rub together in the early ‘60’s. (that’s about when the big migration started) I know a lot of folks who transferred here with their companies and decided to stay and sometimes seek other employment instead of taking a promotion that would require them to leave. We have a lot of traffic like other places, but that depends on where you live and what time of year it is. All cities have traffic problems. (I think) Anyway we’ve got nothin’ on Beijing!
Atlanta is in the Appalatian foothills (so we have 4 seasons) and The mountains are only 45 mins away. The first gold-rush was in a town called “Dalonegah” up there. We go up there all the time on Sundays. It’s nice. Savannah is 3.5 hrs drive (fast driving) Destin Fla is 4-5 hrs (fast. I’ve done it) Plus it is a very convenient location and I have found that almost everyone I know has passed through at some point in time. Real estate is expensive compared to what it used to be, but people from other large cities like New York, and San Fransisco find it decidedly cheap.
The Irish Music scene here isn’t that big but there is some. It seems like quite a few new pubs have opened recently for some reason. The point is, you could do a lot worse.
Atlanta has also become a magnet for all kinds of different ethnic groups of late which makes for some great dining and interesting places to go hang around. I love it!
I don’t want to seem like I’m on a rave about my city but I do want to be fair and point out that there are an awful lot good things about Atlanta. The area that I work in is called Buckhead. It is famous for all its bars and restaurants and beautiful homes. Technically it’s part of the City but there is an old plantation right down the road (2-3 mi) that Sherman holed up in whilst his troops did their business. The house is still there, and the grounds intact but were converted to a golf course many years ago. That’s Atlanta.
Okay, Atlanta is out then: I’m not a fan of really large congested cities, and if I were going to live in one, I’d just move back to Philly.
I’m in Charlotte now (my second time here in a month) and so far, well it’s not for me.
Florida Sucks, lived there for nearly 13 years - Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater…all lame, and I’m with you Mike, it’s even worse further south. Sarasota/Bradenton did little for me, no offense Kev
There have been some interesting ideas thrown out, and I’d love to hear more.
Geeze, Asheville is just about perfect…well maybe I’ll get lucky and they’ll honor my request to go back there…
Thanks everyone, this has been helpful and enlightening so far!
Charlottesville, VA, has some of what you’re looking for. It’s small (city 40k, area probably 100k), has culture, largely associated with the University, a somewhat active folk scene. Good beer and wine, too. The mountains are a half hour from the center of town, and, when you do want a city, DC is 2 hours away.
It took me about two years to warm up to it, largely due to culture shock.
I haven’t spent much time in Raleigh-Durham, but will agree with Redwolf; it seems like it would be a great place to live, although it’s growing apace these days.
Any suggestions on where’s hot, and where’s not?
