Totally agree... I lived outside of Memphis, TN, albeit in the mid 70's, for 2 years and loved the south and fit in great. Personally, I detest the "uppity-ness" of many of those in the Northeast with the way they look down their noses at anyone south of the Mason Dixon line (I realize that MO is above the line but they were still a slave state). MO is a strange state, not really southern, more mid-western mindset in the northern part of the state and southern mindset in the southern part. It's an interesting dichotomy within one state.
TV didn't help the cause either that everyone in Appalachia and the south are idiot hicks. I find many, if not most, southern folks kind and very hospitable (the old southern hospitality thing is very real). The fact that my wife has family there won't hurt, though they are originally from California and moved there about 18 years ago but they fit right in because they're just like those in that town...simple folk, hard workers and very conservative.