>Hi Tracy,
>
>Yes, agreed, it isn't, technically. At least not part of the "Deep South", "Dixie", etc. But most people in other parts of the country think of Fla as a "southern" state simply because of it's southern location. We (Fla-born) generally considered ourselves as southerners in Tampa but we weren't to dogmatic about it. :-)
>

Culturally, Florida seems to be several states. The non-Hispanic portions of the east coast south of Daytona is an extension of Mid-Atlantic and New England. The non-Hispanic portions of the west coast from Tampa south are extensions of the mid-west. I think that's because of the two interstates which lead to those areas.

Orlando is a mixture of everything.

The middle of the state (Sebring, Ocala, Gainseville, etc) is old Florida and definitely part of the South.

I still think of Jacksonville as a Southern city (but never spent much time there).

The I-10 corridor are more South GA, AL, MS than Florida proper.

I split my time there between Orlando (definitely not a Southern city) and Tallahassee, which definitely is one.

I spent three years in the Austin, TX area. Austin itself is no longer a vestige of old Texas and seems quite similar to Orlando. OTOH, I actually lived in Williamson County (one county North) and can vouch that it is (deleted vitriolic comments about Texan mentality) and am quite glad to have escaped. The Bay area has its own wierd cultural outlook, but I'll take it any day over Williamson county.