How “southern” is Kentucky compared to VA or NC?

[rbryant]

Not much southern influence once one gets north of Charlottesville and Richmond. NOVA is deep, deep blue.
Same for the Research Triangle area of NC, and towards Greensboro. The rest of N Carolina is pretty darn southern.

Kentucky "feels" southern in Western KY, southern KY. Most of E KY is similar to West Virginia. Louisville and northeast has a midwest vibe. Lexington was, at one time, somewhat "southernish", but not sure how I would characterize it.

[Trail Dreamer]

Originally Posted by KY_Transplant

Yes, that redneck rave event was pretty embarrassing but doubt it represents majority of Kentucky. On the other hand, the event does perpetuate the negative stereotypes of Kentucky that many people, even other Southerners hold. When I bring up that I used to live in KY to people from other States I am met with questions regarding whether people wear shoes, have teeth, do meth all day and other negative stereotypes. Kentucky’s reputation across the region is not very good, sadly, because it is such an incredibly beautiful place with friendly people.

West Virginia also gets pumped in with negative “hillbilly” stereotypes.

Whether people like it or not that Rave event has put another black eye on KY. People out here group Kentucky with Arkansas, WVA, TN, and MO. Several at work know I have lived in KY for years prior to coming here. They asked me with a grin on my face if any of "my kin" were involved... It's unfortunate. The state IS beautiful. And, the people are fairly friendly for the most part. But they continue to get a bad wrap by doing stupid stuff. People living in KY may not realize this, but the first thing to mind when KY is mentioned isn't the basketball team in Lexington. It's the silliness of events like the rave that are being talked about.

[Jowel]

Originally Posted by lilysroses

My parents are both from Morehead, KY but moved to NJ and then to VA (where I was raised). I’ve spent a lot of time visiting KY and it seems like just about everyone in/around Morehead has a strong southern (Appalachian?) accent. However, I’ve browsed a bunch of forums and apparently KY is more of a “neutral” state and VA is considered more “southern.” In terms of accent and progressiveness, I’d assume VA is much less southern. I can count on one hand the amount of southern accents I’ve heard while living here (central Richmond area) for 14 years.
I’m also wondering about NC. I was there for a few months and didn’t encounter ANY southern accents. They all sounded like pretty standard american, just like in VA...this was in Raleigh and Durham.

What is the consensus here?

Regarding the bolded part, the reason you didn't really hear southern accents in NC is because you were in Raleigh and Durham. They still exist there, but if someone from out of state were to ask me to take them to an area that feels less like native NC than any other area, I would take them there (particularly some of the suburban areas that have far more transplants than natives).

[robertbrianbush]

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.

I noticed the same phenomenon in reference to Ashland, Ky, which is also on the Ohio.

[robertbrianbush]

Originally Posted by KY_Transplant

Yes, that redneck rave event was pretty embarrassing but doubt it represents majority of Kentucky. On the other hand, the event does perpetuate the negative stereotypes of Kentucky that many people, even other Southerners hold. When I bring up that I used to live in KY to people from other States I am met with questions regarding whether people wear shoes, have teeth, do meth all day and other negative stereotypes. Kentucky’s reputation across the region is not very good, sadly, because it is such an incredibly beautiful place with friendly people.

West Virginia also gets pumped in with negative “hillbilly” stereotypes.

It is sad how little many Americans actually know about people in parts of their own country.
Fifty years after the civil rights movement, etc. it is sad how many people hold such stereotypical views of groups such as Appalachians and how little they actually do to check the truth of their ideas...especially in the age of smartphones.