After only three weeks in Selma, I’ve already picked up on some of the city’s charm.

There are several things about Selma and Dallas County that have already made me happy to leave the Atlanta area in the rearview mirror.

First, the traffic is manageable. A typical metro Atlanta commute can take an hour or more and cover very little ground. In Selma, the drive to work and running errands has been a breeze rather than a process that required strategic planning and radio updates. Not to mention all the money that is saved on gas.

Another plus is people smile and wave whether they know you or not. There’s a lot to be said for a warm smile when you are in a new town. Every morning when I take a walk to get my thoughts together for the upcoming day I am greeted with “good morning” and “how are you” wherever I go. It’s always nice to start the day with friendly faces.

Selma also offers a wealth of outdoors opportunities. The hunting opportunities in this area is known throughout the Southeast. Deer are not only plentiful, but are of trophy quality. There are also numerous opportunities to hunt doves and quail.

For anglers, there is nothing better than a day at Miller’s Ferry. There is no shortage of bass, crappie and bluegill. For catfish anglers, dropping a line near the dam has the potential to land the lunker of a lifetime.

For fishermen who like a slower pace or smaller lake, Dallas County Lake and Paul M. Grist State Park offer 100 acres with plenty of opportunities to land keeper fish.

One of the most impressive things about Selma so far has been the food. Growing up, I visited Selma many times, but our dining options were usually limited because of time. I’ve already sampled six different locally-owned restaurants and have been blown away each time. No matter what people want, Selma has it. For country cooking, there are tons of options and none disappoint. The same is true of barbecue. I’ve also had a couple of steaks that would be tough to beat along the way as well.

For a history buff, Selma is also a wonderful place. There are historic homes, churches and numerous museums. Selma is still considered a small town by many people, so it’s har dto imagine so much history spread out through so many generations has taken place right here.

The stories that have come out of Dallas County have literally changed the world. The books documenting this earth-shaking history also make for interesting reads.

But far and away my favorite thing about Selma is that it’s home. Sure, it’s not actually my hometown. I was born in Grove Hill and grew up in Butler. But it is familiar territory, it is the Black Belt and that is good enough for me.

Rick Couch is news editor for The Selma Times-Journal.