Few people are as vocally proud of the place they call home as Southerners. Ever wonder why?
Here are some of the biggest differences that set the South apart from the Northern half of the continental United States.
Atlanta
Housing Costs
A major reason that many people prefer to live in the South is the relatively inexpensive cost of living. This is in large part because there are fewer cities, and even the cities that do exist tend to be less populous than those in other parts of the country.
This means that there are fewer people divvying up land, which drives housing costs down. Even the larger cities tend to be more affordable, with apartments and houses for rent in Atlanta, GA, or New Orleans, LA, being much cheaper than comparable properties in New York, NY, Boston, MA, or Los Angeles, CA.
Eclectic Food
The South is known for its food, and for good reason. Thanks to the intermingling of Mexican, French, Spanish, and African culinary traditions, the South has developed its own dining culture that is as unique and eclectic as it is delicious.
In Louisiana and Florida, for example, Creole, Cajun, and Caribbean-style dishes combine strong spices and colorful ingredients with locally caught seafood. Then there’s barbecue, which has a wide variety of different styles, to the point where Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and the Carolinas are constantly feuding over whose BBQ is best.
Cajun Cooking
History & Culture
Many of the most significant events in American history, both good and bad, happened in the South. From the tragedies of the Civil War to the breakthroughs of the Civil Rights Movement, history is something very important to many people who live in the South.
As a result, life in the South is rooted as much in the past as it is in the present. Tradition and family is important within the culture of the South, and the preservation of historical monuments, indigenous lands, and regional folklore is considered a major priority. This has earned Southerners a reputation for being old-fashioned, but for many area natives, that’s almost a badge of honor.
The Climate
In the Northern states, there’s a misconception that the South is a place of sweaty summers and tumultuous storms. While that’s often very true in places like Florida and Louisiana, both of which are vulnerable to hurricanes and flooding, the Southern climate is a lot more varied than some realize.
For instance, the weather in Texas often favors dry heat, with snowfall being exceedingly rare in the winter. Meanwhile, Virginia enjoys regular winter snowfall, moderate rains, and humid summers. The one thing all Southern states have in common is more warmth and sunshine than the Northern states, something many Southerners find preferable to blizzards and frostbite.
Photo Credits
Atlanta Image by Chanh Nguyen from Pixabay
Cajun Cooking Image by laineypics from Pixabay
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