Please I'm from Long Island. There are accents from Brooklyn to Montauk. Everyone hears Long Island and thinks Fran Dresser. UGH. But even my LI accent has been blunted by years in Connecticut. Give me another year or two and I'm sure I will be right back to where I was. Granted I tend to speak fast. Habit I guess but the way you pronounce words will vary. Considering I was a speech minor I pay more attention then most would.
And yes I'm one of those who listens to accents and falls in love. British, Irish, Scottish accents are varied and sexy. A true southern accent can keep my full attention even if they are just reading the phone book. Hell there is even something about a midwest twang that cute.