So true!!

I love Columbia. I didn't know you were from there. And I don't think you are biased. Columbia is great.

I'm from Charleston too! :D I agree with her that Summerville is good. You may want to look in Mount Pleasant too. It's more expensive there, though.

Hilton Head is expensive to live in too. Beaufort (which is nearby) maybe better. And I see Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach as big tourist attractions.

Greenville is good if you have young kids. But if you don't like people spitting God to you at almost every turn, it may not be the place for you.

"Adlanta" has good and bad parts. So, let me know where you're thinking and I'll try to steer some info your way.

Actually, the City of Atlanta isn't that large but Metro-Atlanta is a whole lot bigger, lol.

I live south of the Atlanta Airport but grew up near Athens (where U of Ga).

I agree with others..I want to move to their city too, lol.

L

LOL...You are right about that. As much as I love my school (Univ. of Memphis)...that is one city I have no desire whatsoever to live in...NONE...for MANY reason...including what you see on First 48 just about every week.

I grew up in Jackson, TN and I love it so much. We moved there in 1991 from Little Rock, Arkansas and it really has been great. It is a growing city and I just love the people there. I am currently living in Murfreesboro, TN which reminds me so much of Jackson and is about a 30 minutes from Nashville...its a nice city and the cost of living is very low in both places. You get a lot of house for your buck.

Oh, I vote for Raleigh, NC or it's suburb Cary, NC! We lived there for 3 years and I loved it!!

Hey!!!! I was just getting ready to list Greenville. I grew up there (Mauldin actually) and it is definitely a family place. You probably would be a little uncomfortable there if you do not have any religious affiliation. Most people's lives revolve around the church...

I would also recommend Columbia, Charleston, Savannah, or Charlotte. I live in a very small town outside of Charlotte.

This thread is awesome because in a couple of years, the bf and I are moving South. Where depends more on grad school than anything, though.

I love living in Nashville. I grew up in Atlanta, and it's a lot like that without the traffic, two-hour security lines at the airport, over-bloated city feel, etc. My visitors are always amazed at how NICE people are here. There is a ton of culture (obviously a huge music scene) and pretty much any store you could want. And you are right to think of relocating to the south - anyplace the DMV employees say "can I help you, ma'am?" instead of "NEXT!!!" has my vote. :) Plus, no income tax!

I am so thankful for all your responses. I appreciate each and every one of them.

I am spending a nice portion every day researching various places and today I started incorporating some of the earlier suggestions. There is so much to read and take in and it takes a great deal of time.

As I said before, I welcome any information! Thank you all so much.

I agree with all of this :) And I also grew up in metro-Atlanta and love Nashville so much more!

It is not the deep south, but have you thought about the Hampton Roads area of Virginia? (Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Suffolk)

Darlin' get used to it...that is what they say alot in the south...went to school in Kentucky and it is hard to beat....southern charm and super basketball for your hubby to enjoy..not to mention the Derby and super mint juleps...

if not there, how about the days of Scarlett and Rhett and Charleston or any city along the South Carolina coast....just so charming and laid back....but the houses there are pretty pricey if available at all...and you also have to learn to pick seafood espeicially crabs....

Good luck and if I can offer any other suggestions....I hate snow...would give my right arm to be in Charleston with some cool breezes...

Cheers!!

I'm originally from Fayette County, GA, have also lived in midtown Atlanta and south Cobb County, GA, and currently reside in Savannah, GA. Depending on what you're looking for, there are pros and cons to all of these, of course :) I would be happy to help answer any questions if I can.

One thing that's pretty important --- while the smaller Southern cities are wonderful, Atlanta is one of the few places in the country right now that has a decent job outlook. Many people are moving into the metro area from all over right now because of that. In Savannah, we have a good amount of available jobs in engineering and medical fields --- in other areas jobs are few and far between.

I'm going to give props to Chattanooga. If I were finished with school, I would move there in a heartbeat. It's a GREAT town.

hazelle, when you say "Charleston or any city along the South Carolina coast....just so charming and laid back....but the houses there are pretty pricey if available at all"-
Just how pricey are they and are they in demand?