Which Southern City Suits You?

No, Dallas isn't Western--it's a charming Southern city close enough to cowboy territory (Fort Worth) to enjoy that too. Dallas is a city that's big on beautification, its art scene, trendy neighborhoods, and established ones too. You won't hurt for nightlife either. And shopping--Dallas is HUGE on shopping and is a fashion port, meaning things come straight to Dallas from Italy, Paris, etc. Dallas is also big on cuisine at all levels, and you are always close to great food. Dallas is also a testing city for concept restaurants, so you could be the first to taste the next big trend!

Nestled in the GORGEOUS Tennessee hills, Nashville is a beautiful city that, yes, is the home of country music, but is also a vibrant and exciting city in other ways too. The landscapes will take your breath away, and it's surrounded by forests and waterfalls. Nashville is a four-seasons city, with fall color and just enough snow for a few magical winter mornings but no so much that you find it hard to get out. The food is great, and it's ranked as the number-one friendliest city in America. Saints and sinners alike will love Nashville; it's the Protestant Vatican, and it's super close to Lynchburg, where Jack Daniel's is made.

New Orleans can be so much more than a vacation destination. Living there only ups the experience. New Orleans residents have a lot of town spirit, and being from there is a huge part of any resident's identity. They LOVE their city. What's not to love? Art, music, mystery, history, and the world's biggest party--oh, and the beignets. Plus, it's the Big Easy--and that nickname is honestly earned. You can see live music on your lunch break. And what a lunch it is; you won't find better food anywhere.

You don't have to like peaches to live in Atlanta, but it doesn't hurt. The Big Peach is also known as Dogwood City. Either way, if you want to be showered with blossoms like you're in a TV commercial for shampoo, Atlanta's the place to be in springtime. If you're into fast food of the Down South variety, Atlanta will fill you up on chicken sandwiches, hot waffles, and chicken AND waffles if that's what you want. It's the fast-food capital of America. It's also the home of Coca-Cola (Coke or Co-cola in common parlance). Atlanta is an urban paradise, but it's not far from nature. You can shoot down the Chattahoochee on a tube, and the Appalachian Mountains are only a hop, skip, and a jump away.

One of the most cosmopolitan cities in the South is in Kentucky. Sip mint juleps at the Derby, take in a symphony, enjoy fine dining, and stroll through fine art galleries in this lovely riverside city. Louisville is surrounded by knobs (mini-mountains) that make for gorgeous country drives into horse country. The area was settled before the Revolutionary War and boasts several historical sites, inns, pubs, and restaurants. A steamboat tour up the Ohio goes past caves that Daniel Boone camped in. If you're at all interested in bourbon, the area surrounding Louisville is famous for it, and many distilleries give tours and samples, including Jim Beam and Maker's Mark.

Charleston drips Southern charm. It is likely the most 'Southern' of all Southern cities. Historic preservation is a top priority, and it shows in the beauty of the city's architecture, gardens, and centuries-old trees. If beauty, elegance, and sophistication are important to you, you need look no further than Charleston.