Four Great Southern U.S. Cities to Live In

Four Great Southern U.S. Cities to Move to

1. Huntsville

Huntsville is a city that offers Southern living with a Northern influence. The U.S. Army’s Redstone Arsenal and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center draw intelligent minds from around the globe, which helps make Huntsville more diverse than other southern U.S. cities. The aerospace engineering industry helps raise Huntsville’s annual salary average to around $58,730.
Huntsville is one of the most affordable cities in the country. Huntsville is less than two hours from Birmingham, Nashville, and Chattanooga, so that you can take a day trip any time. Huntsville is a clean city with many jobs, friendly people, quiet neighborhoods, low housing costs, and great southern cuisines.
Huntsville is known as the Rocket City due to the city’s history with the U.S. space missions by developing space tech in the 50s. The city gained national prominence for its role in the Space Race in the ’60s

2. Dallas

An excellent destination for young professionals. Dallas is located in the fourth largest metro in the country, and it’s projected to surpass the Chicago metro population in the distant future. The cost of living in Dallas is lower than the national average (groceries, healthcare, housing). Those hoping to own a home one day will be happy to hear that the DFW has a homeownership rate of 64.7%.
The city has many entertainment options, with the vibrant nightlife of districts such as Deep Ellum for live music, performing arts, bars, clubs, retail shops, and restaurants. The city also has professional sports teams such as the Cowboys, Mavericks, Rangers, Stars, Wings, and FC Dallas. You’ll also be near some great universities like UNT, SMU, TCU, UTA, UTD, UNTD, TWU, DBU, Texas A&M University-Commerce, and more.
Dallas has a strong job market, with a variety of industries represented. The city has several Fortune 500 companies, including AT&T, ExxonMobil, and American Airlines. The healthcare industry is also a significant employer in Dallas, with several large hospitals and medical centers in the city.
One of the first things you’ll notice about Dallas is the weather. Summers can be hot and humid, with temperatures regularly reaching the 90s. Winters are mild, with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing. Spring and fall are the most pleasant times, with mild temperatures and sunshine.

3. St. Petersburg

With Florida being a popular destination for people to move to, it only makes sense that St. Petersburg would be on this list. Right across the bay from Tampa, this city is the fifth biggest city in Florida. If you love the ocean, then luckily for you, St. Pete Beach is one of the best beaches in the country. There are also the nearby beaches of Caladesi Island and Clearwater Beach. If you’re trying to decide between Tampa and St. Petersburg, St. Pete has a lower cost of living than Tampa and is closer to the Gulf of Mexico.
St. Petersburg is a city that celebrates the arts. The city has several museums, including the Salvador Dali Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Chihuly Collection. The city also has a thriving arts scene, with galleries, theaters, and music venues. The city hosts several festivals annually, including the St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, the Mainsail Art Festival, and the St. Pete Pride Festival. In addition to the beaches, St. Petersburg offers a variety of outdoor activities. The city has several parks and nature preserves, including Boyd Hill Nature Preserve and Weedon Island Preserve. These parks offer hiking trails, kayaking, and birdwatching. The city also has several golf courses and tennis courts for those who enjoy sports.
St. Petersburg has a diverse culinary scene, with various restaurants and bars throughout the city. The city is known for its seafood, with fresh catches available at many restaurants. The city also has a thriving craft beer scene, with several breweries and taprooms. The cost of living in St. Petersburg is lower than in many other cities in Florida. The city’s housing costs are lower than the state average, and the city’s overall cost of living is 2% lower than the national average.

4. Birmingham

The Magic City gained notoriety from the iron and steel industry. It’s also an excellent place for art museums, theaters, concerts, and festivals. Birmingham’s cost of living is lower than the national average. Birmingham has a thriving economy with diverse industries, including healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. The city has several major employers, including UAB, Regions Financial Corporation, and Honda Manufacturing of Alabama. The job market in Birmingham is strong, with low unemployment rates and a growing number of job opportunities.
Birmingham is home to several excellent universities and colleges, including the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Samford University, and Birmingham-Southern College. These institutions provide various educational opportunities for students of all ages.
Birmingham is known for its diverse and delicious food scene. The city has numerous award-winning restaurants, including James Beard Award-winning restaurants like Highlands Bar and Grill and Frank Stitt’s Bottega. Birmingham is also home to a thriving craft beer scene, with numerous breweries and taprooms throughout the city.
Birmingham’s humid subtropical climate experiences hot summers and mild winters. While summers can be hot and humid, the city is known for its beautiful fall and spring seasons. Winters are generally mild, with occasional snowfall.
Birmingham is a city with a rich history and culture. Birmingham played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement, and visitors can explore this history at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The city also has a thriving arts scene, with numerous museums, galleries, and theaters. For sports fans, Birmingham is home to the Birmingham Barons minor league baseball team and the Birmingham Legion FC soccer team.

If you’re looking for a change of scenery, think south, and think of these four great southern cities.