The south is an incredible portion of the country. Full of history, whimsy, and incredible food, many people consider moving here without getting to know the reality of these states. These are the top things nobody tells you about moving south!
The Insects Aren’t Just a Myth.
When people describe the giant roaches and mosquitoes of the south, many think they’re telling a fish tale and just joking around to gross out those they’re telling. The truth is: insects in the south are completely different.
Roaches will fly towards you as a landing spot if you’re somewhere without landing spots, and the mosquitoes will bite through your clothing even if you’re wearing netting to keep them at bay.
Kudzu Will Devour Your Lawn
If you think that weeds in your grass are a pain, wait until you have to deal with Kudzu swallowing your lawn and part of your home. Initially, a plant that was taken care of in gardens in Japan and China, this plant is now a weed that can’t be stopped, and it’s why the south has such an unmistakable shade of green in the summer.
This plant looks like an ivy, grows relentlessly, and the only way to make sure it stays away for the season is to burn it or to hire a goat-rental service so you can pay them to eat the plant off of your property.
The Trees Scream in the Summer
Imagine walking out of your house in the summer, expecting some sweet birdsong or wanting to hear the breeze rustling through the leaves: but instead, you hear what sounds like a loud and medium-bitched electric buzz through the air. It’s everywhere. This can sound like a stunning beginning of a scifi novel, but what’s really going on is cicadas. The south is full of these insects, and although it’s fun to collect their shed exoskeletons, they can be a pest, ruining gardens and screaming for three months straight before they die or bury themselves.
Affordable Living Comes With a Price
Although Knoxville real estate may be affordable and gorgeous to look at: that low price doesn’t come for free. Not only is the average hourly wage lower in the south, but depending on whether you’re a minority or not, the politics can be scary for some. It’s important to look at every facet of a town or state before you decide to move into it. You deserve to be safe and healthy while living in your home.
You’ll Never Dry Off in the Summer.
Summer heat in the south is known by all, but the thick moisture in the area isn’t as publicized. In the summer, in wet areas, you can expect to shower, towel off, and still end up moist and sticky by the time you towel dry. The high amount of moisture in the air can make it too hot to breathe in some areas and leave people feeling like they’re suffocating when they walk outside. The best thing you can do is wear loose moisture-wicking fabrics and keep hydrated.
Living in the South Can Feel Like a Fever Dream
From the bizarre plants and insects to the incessant moisture and low pay, living in the south may not sound real to some people. If you’re charmed by these things, or you can look past them, consider moving soon.
