Uniquely Alabama: Why Would Anyone Want To Live Here?

"Uniquely Alabama" is an occasional series where Patch tries to find the answers to questions about life in Alabama. Have a question about the Yellowhammer State that needs answering? Send it to michael.seale@patch.com.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — I try not to get too worked up over posts on social media, and I often fail at that attempt, but a recent post on Twitter by a Montana resident asking why "anyone" would want to live in the South had me jumping to the defense of my state.

The post, which has been now deleted by the poster, was obviously a jab at what the guy likely considers an "inferior" region of the country, a region that of course includes my home state.

The poster naturally received a great deal of backlash from proud southerners, who had a bevy of reasons for why someone would want to live here.

As an Alabamian, I can't speak for the rest of the region, but I can tell you that there are many reasons a person would want to live in Alabama.

Okay, let's get the negative perceptions out of the way. Alabama has been a punching bag for the rest of the country for 100 years, and some of those punches are justified. Segregation, civil rights violations, poverty and public education deficiencies are well noted in the state's past and present.

But as we have seen, those issues are not unique to Alabama, or even to the South as a region.

Alabama has a lot to work on to become a better place to live, and while it is not a utopia, it is my home, and I am glad it is.

What's To Love

I came up with five reasons why anyone would love living in Alabama. Not saying there are only five reasons, but I figured I would get a good foundation for the argument.

1. Natural Beauty. As I wrote in this column previously, Alabama is unique in that we have mountains, forests, beautiful lakes and some of the best beaches in the country. Whether you're camping at Mt. Cheaha, taking in the incredible beauty of Desota Falls, fishing in Lake Martin or basking in the sun at Gulf Shores, Alabama has something for everyone when it comes to nature.

2. College Football. Yes, I realize every state has college football at some level. But in Alabama, it is practically unmatched. Without a major league sports team in the state, sports fanatics here in Alabama are left to focus their fandom on college sports, namely football. And that fandom has fueled two of the most successful college football programs in the history of the sport in the University of Alabama and Auburn University. UAB's recent success, as well as championship traditions at the University of North Alabama and Jacksonville State provide anyone who loves quality football a more than sufficient outlet.

And a Saturday in the fall in Alabama has a feeling to it that is unlike any other. Whether you are at a game or just in your home that day, you feel the energy, the buzz and the anticipation of kickoff. You feel the intensity and the pageantry of the sport in everywhere you may go that day. It is an obsession to many, and even something of a religion to some.

3. Food. I don't think anyone can argue against the merits of Alabama's food scene. Between world-class barbecue, soul food and fried chicken alone, Alabama is top-notch. But folks outside the state may not realize that Alabama restaurants are consistently ranked among the best in the country, with some even winning James Beard Awards.

4. Friendly Folks. Southern hospitality is not a myth. And I didn't realize that until I had ventured out to other regions of the country as I got older. Stuff we take for granted here — greeting strangers, polite manners, helping neighbors — is part of what makes us great. When I was in college, a guy I became friends with had his mind blown when he moved here from Michigan and saw how folks here behave in traffic.

"You guys actually let people cut in front of you here. No one blocks the intersection. You wave to each other," he said aghast. It's true. Our etiquette is unique, and in my opinion much more preferable than the alternative.

5. Music. I have long been a champion of Alabama-born music. And I realize that to the rest of the country, Alabama conjures thoughts of country music (and why not, with Hank Williams, Alabama, Emmylou Harris and others hailing from the state), but beyond that, the state is rich in music heritage. The music history of Muscle Shoals alone is worthy of placing Alabama in elite music company, but the state has produced legends like Lionel Richie, The Temptations and Nat King Cole and nurtures a fantastic independent rock and roll scene that has recently produced international touring artists like Alabama Shakes, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Matthew Mayfield and Lee Bains and the Glory Fires.

If you want to criticize Alabama, I can't stop you. And as I said, much of that criticism is warranted. But I appreciate the state for what it does offer, and love the state enough to want it to be even better.

So, Mr. Twitter Guy From Montana, you asked, and I answered.