The American South had long been stigmatized by Northerners, who still held stock in tired stereotypes. Then, Yankees began moving to the South over the past few decades, attracted to its low cost of living and friendly people. However, the South's outlook has changed since the recession. Unemployment rates there are outpacing the North and Midwest. Hardest hit is the Southwest. Nevada has the highest unemployment, 13.4, following the burst of the housing bubble.