What is “the south”

[Bald1]

There’s always a lot of talk here about people moving, traveling or relocating for work. My wife and I will be leaving NY within 2 yrs. We will be moving south. But I’m not sure we’ll be moving to the south. We’re looking for property in southeast West Virginia. The location is further south than over half of Virginia and half of Kentucky. So my question is where do you think “ the south” starts ? Is it where there is little or no snow? Is it a geographical line? Or simply where people speak with a southern accent ? They definitely do that in WVa.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Why does it matter?

There’s always a lot of talk here about people moving, traveling or relocating for work. My wife and I will be leaving NY within 2 yrs. We will be moving south. But I’m not sure we’ll be moving to the south. We’re looking for property in southeast West Virginia. The location is further south than over half of Virginia and half of Kentucky. So my question is where do you think “ the south” starts ? Is it where there is little or no snow? Is it a geographical line? Or simply where people speak with a southern accent ? They definitely do that in WVa.

 

[Bald1]

Why does it matter?

Because I thought it was an interesting question when I was asked it……. Your response is duly noted

 

[Muss Muggins]

Well, there's no one singular definition that I know of. It's a lifestyle rather than a geographic area. There's some drop dead lines that I'm aware of, but a bunch of us hillbillies don't consider Miami to be the south.

Because I thought it was an interesting question when I was asked it……. Your response is duly noted

 

[Eric300]

South of the Mason/Dixon line

 

[Rustyt1953]

It is more about mindset than map coordinates.

 

[Muss Muggins]

The Mason Dixon line, while popular in the urban zeitgeist, is a very short line that really only covers south of the Pennsylvania state line, including Maryland and West Virginia. Nobody I know of thinks of Maryland as the South . . .

South of the Mason/Dixon line

 

[Eric300]

The Mason Dixon line, while popular in the urban zeitgeist, is a very short line that really only covers south of the Pennsylvania state line, including Maryland and West Virginia. Nobody I know of thinks of Maryland as the South . . .

Well, thank you for that explanation, professor....

 

[otis24]

I agree that “the South “ is more about lifestyle, attitude, and values more than a geographic line. That being said there is value in a smaller population and more moderate temperatures. Northwest Arkansas and Tennessee seem to big very desirable retirement spots. A co-worker’s parents retired to NW Arkansas. He is retiring in a couple of weeks and moving down to help look after his dad.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Apology accepted . . .

Well, thank you for that explanation, professor....

 

[soFlaNative]

Tough to answer although Muss is mostly right. Small pockets in S. Fla and up the east coast are but some spots in New Jersey may qualify. LA is definitely south but what about TX? If TX then what about AZ or OK?
I've always thought WV was more like KY than MD.
Interesting question but again, why bother? It's more of a mindset than locale.

 

[UncleEd]

This thread has already shown that it has the very strong possibility of going south.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I live in Pittsburgh, PA. Any county above, to the left, right or below is "The South." I wasn't born in this town, & I don't plan on dying here. Moving ASAP. We've been turned down on every application to move to another state about 38 times; someone will take us!

 

[444 Magnum]

West Virginia separated itself from Virginia and joined the Union in 1863. It is definitely NOT a southern state. I think perhaps you have to live in the South to understand what the South is. Just moving south of where you are now does not make it part of THE South.

 

[Buford57]

Anything from Grand Rapids to the Equator.

 

[Rudi]

I doubt anybody on this Forum is "triggered" by the Stars and Bars. Snowflakes get upset by it. It is a great flag, American history.

 

[Imissedagain]

The true South, is where the water surrounding the land, is as blue as Crater Lake, and the fishing is always great.

 

[Chuck24]

The Mason-Dixon Line was established about 100 years before West Virginia existed

 

[Rudi]

South of the Mason/Dixon line

The Stars and Bars. What a great flag.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

South of the Mason/Dixon line

You NAILED IT.....With big nails