How “southern” is Kentucky compared to VA or NC? (Lexington: pros and cons, to live in)

[Moreyhead]

Originally Posted by marino760

I purchased my retirement home in Maysville on the KY side of the Ohio River. One might think being next to Ohio, Southern accents would fade away but that's not the case at all. I dare say at least 95% of the people there have Southern accents much to my delight. I truly enjoy the hospitality, slower pace of life and overall culture. It's like a breath of fresh air compared to where I'm from.
When looking for a home, I also considered Carlisle and met with a local realtor who showed me some properties. When I asked her to tell me a little bit about her lovely town, she proudly told me in her strong Southern accent, they are Southerners.

Marino: may I ask whether you are down by the river or up on the hilltop? I am curious about what you were told about flooding.....if you are in the downtown part of Maysville.

[marino760]

Originally Posted by Moreyhead

Marino: may I ask whether you are down by the river or up on the hilltop? I am curious about what you were told about flooding.....if you are in the downtown part of Maysville.

The house is downtown right next to the edge of the historic district on the west side. It's close to the old courthouse. That said, it's where the hill begins not way up on the hill but is high enough in elevation to be out of the old flood zone. The house is built on a slope. As far as I know, it's high enough to never have been flooded even in the 1937 flood. It's an old house built about 1900. I did do my homework and checked FEMA maps. I don't need to have any extra flood insurance.
Maysville is also protected by a flood wall and if you are within that wall area you are not in a flood zone according to FEMA. The wall has never been breached by the river since it was constructed.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by Ivory Lee Spurlock

I agree. the Southern 3rd of Ohio and Indiana are basicly the remnants of the Appalachian Mountains. There are alot of people in the Southern 3rd of Ohio and Indiana with roots from that part of Kentucky and Tennessee. There's also lots of people in the factory towns of East Central Indiana with deep family roots from Tennessee and Kentucky.

The largest cities in both Ohio and Indiana (Cincinnati and Evansville) have a much larger German ancestry contingent for ancestry, so that is what makes those areas less southern.

[wrightflyer]

Originally Posted by GraniteStater

The largest cities in both Ohio and Indiana (Cincinnati and Evansville) have a much larger German ancestry contingent for ancestry, so that is what makes those areas less southern.

But as was mentioned earlier with "Southern Definition via the American Civil War", a lot of that inward migration of Germans is pretty far in the past. So while it is great to see lots of German sounding last names in the phone book in Cincinnati, I think that cultural tether is less than people think and mainly aimed at tourists. Think Over-The-Rhine neighborhood history tours and the Houfbrauhaus chain in Newport, KY.

On the topic of NKY's three suburban Cincinnati counties, I agree, it is a weird place. Campbell County is probably the most "Kentucky" of them all, being the least developed and having plenty of hills and slopes, making it feel like parts of central and eastern portions of the state. The further past I-275 you go, the more it feels like Kentucky and not just a commuters' extension of Ohio. But even far extensions of Boone County, such as out near Verona, which is exurban at best, exude a more Old Kentucky Home feel than Hebron or Florence.

But go to Cleveland and ask about Cincinnati and they will have much to say about anything south of I-70. Even in Columbus, the major suburb southwest of downtown, and thus I-70, is colloquially known as Grove 'Tucky (aka Grove City).

While probably anecdotal, I think there is some data to show migration from the Ohio side into NKY. It seems at a local migration level, people are typically moving from western Cincinnati suburban areas into NKY, especially Boone County. Many long time Boone County families and residents are pushy towards the Ohio side transplants. Similar to what you see with locals in mega growth cities (such as Charlotte, NC) grumbling about all the transplants from elsewhere, though usually from outside North Carolina.

[danielj72]

Originally Posted by Serious Conversation

Agreed.

KY has not had the population booms from the larger cities like Raleigh, NoVA, Tidewater, etc. That has left much more of its original culture intact.

With that said, the vast geographical majority of even Virginia is Southern in culture. The “issue” is that very few people live in those areas compared to northern VA, Richmond, and Tidewater VA.

Anyone who has ever been to southwest Virginia knows that at least parts of Virginia are still very southern.

[Serious Conversation]

Originally Posted by danielj72

Anyone who has ever been to southwest Virginia knows that at least parts of Virginia are still very southern.

But very few people live there. Lee County, VA, right on the Kentucky line, is actually closer to Indianapolis than it is to Richmond.

Because few people live in the southern areas of VA, the politics and overall state culture don’t reflect the Southern heritage like KY does. KY hasn’t seen the influx of newcomers.

[rlw366]

Originally Posted by Serious Conversation

But very few people live there. Lee County, VA, right on the Kentucky line, is actually closer to Indianapolis than it is to Richmond.

Because few people live in the southern areas of VA, the politics and overall state culture don’t reflect the Southern heritage like KY does. KY hasn’t seen the influx of newcomers.

It appears the influx of newcomers is starting in KY. My realtor friends all tell stories of rural properties being sold sight unseen to folks in MA, CT , NY & NJ - usually at full asking price. It only a matter of time before KY falls too.....

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by rlw366

It appears the influx of newcomers is starting in KY. My realtor friends all tell stories of rural properties being sold sight unseen to folks in MA, CT , NY & NJ - usually at full asking price. It only a matter of time before KY falls too.....

People are going to move wherever they want to.. Dig a little deeper into the many reasons why asset inflation is out of control regarding escalating real estate prices across the entire country. Very low interest rates is just one reason why.

[CraigCreek]

Originally Posted by danielj72

Anyone who has ever been to southwest Virginia knows that at least parts of Virginia are still very southern.

Same is true for Southside Virginia.

[Serious Conversation]

Originally Posted by rlw366

It appears the influx of newcomers is starting in KY. My realtor friends all tell stories of rural properties being sold sight unseen to folks in MA, CT , NY & NJ - usually at full asking price. It only a matter of time before KY falls too.....

They won't make it more than a year or two.

These "pandemic refugees" are largely going to be recalled to offices in their home area once COVID passes. They're not used to the isolation of a Harlan.

What has changed in most parts of rural KY to make it more in demand? Think about it. Is the economy better? Are there tons of new jobs? Some other demand side pull? No, no, no.