Thinking about working remote for a week somewhere in the southeast this Fall. We would rent a house or condo, and do some exploring of the area in the evenings and probably on the 2 bookend weekends. Recs for med or large city to choose? Criteria: good restaurants (not fancy just tasty) and markets, good non food exploring whether natural, architectural, shopping, cute neighborhoods, etc. and finally pedestrian or public transport friendly. Where would you go? Just off the top of my head bc I don’t know this part of the country, thinking New Orleans, Nashville, Charleston SC, Atlanta… perhaps also somewhere in NC or Alabama… I do think I prefer a slightly smaller and therefore more cozy town vibe as opposed to a big downtown skyscrapers vibe. That may cut against Atlanta.
Having been to Charleston, Savannah and New Orleans relatively recently, I can recommend both Charleston and NOLA, with a nod to the latter for the sheer breadth and depth of restaurants. I just spent 3.5 days there and didn’t even scratch the surface of the dining scene.
I also lived in North Carolina for a year (many years ago) - I was based in Charlotte but traveled all over the state. Raleigh and Asheville were my two favorite city locations, but I also loved the Outer Banks. Not sure how the restaurant scene in those locales has evolved over the years, but they’re worth a look. The weather in Sept/Oct should be lovely.
I went to Nashville recently and while I liked it (because I did a bunch of bbq and music tourism), I wouldn’t describe it as cozy. It’s kind of nuts TBH.
I loved Asheville and think it fits your criteria best.
I love the Outer Banks, too, especially the less developed Ocracoke. But sounds like Asheville might be the best fit. It will be first anniversary of the devastating hurricane there this fall, and also hurricane season still for the SE.
My family lived in Raleigh for generations. I always found visiting there to be kind of depressing with all the malls and sprawl, although the city center is quite charming.
I will put in a plug for New Orleans, my city, but with the caveat that fall = hurricane season, so whatever reservation you get, make it refundable/cancelable. This is a very walkable city (whatever you can’t walk to, you can get Uber/Lyft or public transit to), most of the architecture is impossibly charming, and the restaurant scene is unbeatable for a place this size. Plus, MUSIC ALL THE TIME.
I have been to Birmingham two times.
I worked for a Defense Contractor . There are many Defense Contractors and military personnel in the area.
University of Alabama is in the area. A Military Museum is in the area.
A lot of family BBQ places. Alcohol is sold at Government Stores.
Thanks everyone keep em coming! How hard is it to get to Outer Banks? And then how hard is it to get around. I’m worrying that while beautiful it might cut more rural than urban?
I didn’t experience the outer banks as a walk-around-and-look-at-charming-things vacation at all. More like, suffer infinite traffic to get to the rental house, then do everything possible not to have to leave the house or the nearest slice of beach after that.
Thank you for that insight. That is the opposite experience to what I’m seeking. I want to stay in the middle of a vibrant place that is calling me to go walk and explore when I’m off work.
Any intel on Memphis?
High crime, low walkability, Beale Street, Graceland.
As our one time to Birmingham was coming to a close, that afternoon one of our host’s staff brought us a styrofoam container from:
Hospitality to go. (Yummy too even after long flights, connection somewhere being involved to get home.)
Lots of votes for Asheville. Paging @ChristinaM.
Meets all criteria except for walkability/public transit (immediate downtown excepted).
Good call.
And if we found a place to stay in city center, would it be a good place to hang and explore in your opinion?
Nashville
Duluth
Austin
In that order.
Duluth? For a southeast us inquiry? We went to Austin last year to visit. And someone else gave Nashville a thumbs down on vibe grounds, although I’m still thinking about it.
Tell me why no rec for Savannah. I’d like to know what about it turned you off or doesn’t seem to fit what I was looking for. Thanks!
Duluth, Georgia, maybe?
