N. Carolina, S. Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, or Kentucky? Which one you like/dislike, why?

Question

Which of these southern Appalachian states is your favorite? Not-so-favorite? Why?

Favorites:
1. Alabama. Nice people, gorgeous scenery, has the beaches at the south end of the state. Lots of history and culture, a great state!
2. Tennessee. Great mountain scenery, lots to do in the Smokies, Nashville and Memphis are great cities! I wouldn't mind living in Greater Memphis (not the inner city area, though, b/c it's crime-ridden and grimy.) Overall, another great state!
3. North Carolina. Honestly, I've never been there, but I just think I'd like it.

Least favorites:
1. Virginia. Beautiful scenery, lots of job opportunities, close to the historical sights of the birthplace of America. BUT, the people are rude and uptight. Wouldn't wanna live there.
2. Kentucky. There are two types of people in Kentucky: 1. rich, uptight snobs and 2. poor, white trash people who are still pretentious. Some of the worst people I've ever met are there. The scenery is GREAT, though.

Also, KY is pretty overpriced given its slow rate of economic growth. And, unless you have connections, it's not the most welcoming place in the world. (No offense to anybody who lives there.)

jaz: I've been all over the state, from the Mississippi River to the Big Sandy and from Covington to Corbin. I like Woodford and Mercer Counties in central KY because of the gorgeous scenery, and Murray, Mayfield, and Cadiz b/c of the wonderful people. Otherwise, I found the state to have the most unwelcoming people of any place I've been, particularly Louisville, Lexington, and Frankfort. Louisville, in fact, beats NYC in terms of snobby and pretentious people, in my opinion. And in Corbin, the girls literally turn their nose up at you if you hold a door open for them (I know, I used to date one.)

Answer 1

Kentucky is my absolute favorite -- born and raised here -- the people are great, most people are willing to help and very down to earth. I'm terribly sorry you've had a bad experience -- what part did you visit? I've traveled throughout most of the state and haven't had/seen the issues you're referring to. The state is gorgeous -- there is a lot to see.

I couldn't pick a least favorite -- based on what I've seen in each all seem to be lovely places. To make a rash decision I'd say VA because VA Beach seemed a little dirty -- but it was still nice and I'd go back.

Answer 2

I'm from Virginia and live there now but I went to school at UGA and lived in GA for three years. Only driven through the other states. So:

VA - my favorite, sorry! =) I'm from the southwestern area, Lexington to be exact, and while it tends to be a poorer region, Lexington itself is kind of a miniature cultural mecca/college town and still small enough to be quaint and cozy! Movin' back to the mountains soon I hope!
Right now I live in Virginia Beach (my husband is stationed in Norfolk) and while I don't know many people over here yet, the ones I have met seem friendly as much! Course Virginia Beach/Hampton Roads area is a whole different ballgame than most of the rest of the state, but it's certainly a fun one!

GA - don't know much about the rest of the state, but Athens is AWESOME! At least, it's awesome for those in their college-years. =) It actually kind of reminds me of a much bigger version of Lexington, and a nice combination of small town/big city opportunities. And ahh, the bar scene...

Anyway, here's my personal ranking, from what I know about 'em all...

1. Virginia (I love mountains)
2. Georgia (I love peaches)
3. North Carolina (I've driven through it so many times, it's kind of like my third home...and it's pretty much the same as southern Virginia)
4. Kentucky (I love horses...heh)
5. Tennessee (I love whiskey...heh)
6. Alabama (I have to be honest. #5 & #6 are ranked so low mainly because of my rivalry with their college football teams. Heh.)
7. South Carolina. YUCK. I probably don't know enough to make this decision, but I would not want to live there. The drive through on I85 is ugly and tacky and it appears as though the main things this place has to offer is cigarettes, strip clubs, and fireworks. Sure, I haven't seen much that's NOT right off the interstate, but I'm allowed to make rash assumptions sometimes ;)

Answer 3

South Carolina and Georgia is to hot and humid, the people aren't bad.
North Carolina is nice, people are nice, scenery is nice where can you go to the mountains and then the beach in one day. This state is my favorite out of the rest.
Never been to Kentucky, Tennessee, or Alabama.
Virgina is to big of a state. And it's so boring to drive through. I don't care for it.

Hey you forgot Georgia.

Answer 4

North Carolina is my very favorite. I'm biased after having grown up there but I really believe it offers everything. Cities, country, mountains, hills, coast, islands. The Outer Banks are amazing beach communities. Asheville is an incredibly beautiful mountain town. All of NC is filled with great arts both professional and folk art. There is big business and industry and little guys making it selling jewelry in the streets. I love this state. I am homesick for it every day.

Answer 5

NC is my home state. I live near Charlotte. I love my state. When I am gone even when I come back and cross the state line into NC I know I am home. We have the mountains, piedmont and the coast. Lots of people call this place home. I just love my state. I like Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee. West Virginia is creepy. Virginia is just hate it and Kentucky is fair but not my fave.

Answer 6

I've lived in NC, SC, and VA. I like NC the least and that is where all my mom's family is. Laws are ridiculous, taxes are ridiculous, very much good ol' boy state, the governor was the former attorney general with the most corrupt office in my time. Its a pretty state, no doubt, but the issues of the state make it bad. The schools absolutely suck to. If you have kids be prepared to have to teach them yourself, the teachers only deliver the lesson plan and not the lesson itself. Its really a backward state.

SC though its been several years since I lived there, I loved every minute of it. Yeah, it has the good ol' boy system too, but it was bearable.

VA, is a lovely state. It depends upon where you go to how friendly the people are. My dog once got out of my car along highway 29 there, and the sheriff's department, the local fire department, and a whole church's congregation helped me get my dog back safely. And that was just outside of Lynchburg in Madison Heights. I don't like the sheriff there, he does his eight and goes home and collects his check. Law enforcement in that county was too lax and so are the sentencing for criminals. Did you know you can molest someone of the same sex and if they are fifteen years old, its legal? Someone done that to my child and that is what I was told by the sheriff himself. Schools are great there though. There hasn't been a day where my kids haven't come home and eager to tell about their day in school. In NC they want to forget what happened in school.

Answer 7

I've visited the smoky mountains...it was gorgeous...

I moved from No. VA to NC....I love my NC home....I get pissed every time I have to go to town....where I live is beautiful....my nearest town sucks....it's filthy...people are rude in the streets, nice in the stores.....they can't drive for crap...going over the double yellow is no big deal....for 8 out of 10 cars....uugh I hate it...
I had to be slightly rude to my neighbors to let them know, I do not believe in an open door policy...before I did this....there was always some neighbor dropping in on average...8 times per day...

Northern Virginia was great because I grew up there and knew how to handle people there...the only people I grew weary of there were yuppies....tons of them in that area, but I soon learned they were cool...they did their thing, but they never really bugged me...or were all up in my cheese...and they always keep their town and area clean and pretty...

Answer 8

Well I'm partial to both. I have lived in VA for about 16 years, and I absolutely love Northern VA, but I cant stand living in southern VA. But Alabama I love! I was born there and most, well all but a few of my family members stay there. Everyone is so much nicer, and I just love being with my family-and you cant beat home cooked southern food! I want to move there when I graduate and hopefully will be able to transfer to UA.

Answer 9

I have been to thru them all . I love the country area in them. It is hard to pick, but I find NC and Tenn, the best . The moutains are so pretty esp. fall. If you like seasons . Then there is horse country in Kentuck y rolling hills that is good for horses. It really depends on what you want to do, go to work or retire etc. I live in NC just .love it been here 29 yrs. from Fla , Fla is growing so fast. Don't really have anything bad about the others ,. Just alot of country area , slower pace. Good Luck Pem

Answer 10

Yes, I believe you would like NC. It is absolutely gorgeous from the coast to the mountains, you can see everywhere they have a good goverment and a lot of investment in schools, roads, parks. Some of the best universities and collegues of the country are there, too.People are generally very kind and friendly.
Like: Tenessee, South Carolina, Georgia