Reply #79: you've nailed it re: city vs non-city in southern states

[Justitia]

I've lived in the south most of my life (although born in Philly, most family still there) and the differences really are between city and suburb / exurb.

I've lived in all major cities ('cept Austin) in Texas, and their suburbs / exurbs. The differences between city dwellers and suburb / exurb dwellers are STARK.

My most recent move was from the exurbs of Dallas to the city of Houston and it was a huge psychic shift and a breath of fresh air.

I lived in Charlotte, NC not so long ago (suburbs), and it didn't have any appreciable difference between city / suburb mindset, but Charlotte is the smallest metro area I have ever lived in, so the differences may be minimal due to that.

I have resolved to never live in the suburbs / exurbs again, I can't take it out there. Instead of trying to get good folks to move from red states to blue states, we should encourage them to move from suburbs/exurbs to the nearest city proper. It really is way better in the cities too! More fun, more convenient, more diverse, more to do, more people to meet.

Come to town y'all!