Alabama becoming a serious competitor now? (Atlanta, Washington: private schools, live in, moving)

[rorqual]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

There are "backwards" people and places to be found everywhere, in every state and every region of the country. My friends in the Pacific NW could be having this same conversation about Washington and Oregon; you get much outside Seattle and or Portland and folks are just as "country" and "backward" as somewhere in South Georgia.

That said, some people in Metro Atlanta (and especially transplants from other places I suspect) are just plain wrong about there being no culture, economic vitality or "progressive" thinking in other parts of the state. For crying out loud, Savannah is one of the most liberal, artsy, bohemian and dynamic little cities anywhere in the country, much less Georgia and the South! It is a virtual melting pot of people from all over the world, with a fantastic spirit and laid-back vibe that's a joy to call home. It's not perfect, of course, but there's a LOT of very good things about living Savannah that many people in Metro Atlanta just don't know about, like our fantastic airport. I can fly nonstop direct from here to 10 major cities WITHOUT having to go through HJIA! Chatham Area Transit, the local bus system, is EXCELLENT and provides much better service than MARTA 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Savannah Arts Academy, the local public arts magnet, was named No. 1 high school in Georgia this year by USN&WR. We have excellent entertainment and nightlife (regular stop for major touring acts), great *LOCAL* TV and radio stations (no Atlanta news at all!) and outdoor amenities aplenty. Not only are our bars open later than Atlanta's, you can WALK DOWN THE STREET with alcohol in your hand.

And that's just Savannah! There are good things happening in cities and towns OUTSIDE METRO ATLANTA all over Georgia!

Savannah? Or Athens? I still haven't made a trip to Savannah yet but from what I have read and seen in travel vids its portrayal has always been that of a laid back old world place with a small town feel.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

There are "backwards" people and places to be found everywhere, in every state and every region of the country. My friends in the Pacific NW could be having this same conversation about Washington and Oregon; you get much outside Seattle and or Portland and folks are just as "country" and "backward" as somewhere in South Georgia.

That said, some people in Metro Atlanta (and especially transplants from other places I suspect) are just plain wrong about there being no culture, economic vitality or "progressive" thinking in other parts of the state. For crying out loud, Savannah is one of the most liberal, artsy, bohemian and dynamic little cities anywhere in the country, much less Georgia and the South! It is a virtual melting pot of people from all over the world, with a fantastic spirit and laid-back vibe that's a joy to call home. It's not perfect, of course, but there's a LOT of very good things about living Savannah that many people in Metro Atlanta just don't know about, like our fantastic airport. I can fly nonstop direct from here to 10 major cities WITHOUT having to go through HJIA! Chatham Area Transit, the local bus system, is EXCELLENT and provides much better service than MARTA 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Savannah Arts Academy, the local public arts magnet, was named No. 1 high school in Georgia this year by USN&WR. We have excellent entertainment and nightlife (regular stop for major touring acts), great *LOCAL* TV and radio stations (no Atlanta news at all!) and outdoor amenities aplenty. Not only are our bars open later than Atlanta's, you can WALK DOWN THE STREET with alcohol in your hand.

And that's just Savannah! There are good things happening in cities and towns OUTSIDE METRO ATLANTA all over Georgia!

Since this response follows my post and I'm construing it as something of a response to my post, let me go on record as saying that I never argued that no examples of progressive communities existed outside of metro Atlanta. My point in the context of the current discussion was that the whole of metro Atlanta, all 30+ counties, cannot be considered to be this one huge progressive bastion as the vast majority of the outlying counties in particular aren't very dissimilar from many other counties in other parts of the state politically, demographically, etc. And yes, that's the case for several other metro areas, particularly in the South, so Atlanta isn't an anomaly.

But I think you're exaggerating a bit when you call Savannah one of the most liberal cities in the country. It may be liberal for Georgia or the Southeast, but nationwide is a pretty big stretch. I wouldn't even say that about Asheville, and most of its county residents voted against the gay marriage ban NC had on the ballot earlier this year, unlike Chatham County which voted pretty decisively for it when GA had its measure on the ballot a couple of years ago (even Charleston County had a higher percentage of its residents against the ban back when SC voted on the issue). Hell, Multnomah County, OR (where Portland is) voted in favor of their ban a couple of years ago and Portland is generally considered one of the nation's most liberal cities. Let's not go to extremes here in proving our points.

[afonega1]

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

So you're saying Moultrie, GA is culturally different than say, Enterprise, AL?

I really dont want to sound like I am talking down on Alabama.All I know is what I feel based on what I see.I travel alot so I do have perspective on things.I never said that Georgia did not have some of the same issues as Alabama does.EVERY state does.The question is :how noticeable is the change.Particularly how pervasive is it?

[Onthemove2014]

I like how we sit on our thrones and talk down on the small town folk. This is interesting.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by afonega1

I really dont want to sound like I am talking down on Alabama.All I know is what I feel based on what I see.I travel alot so I do have perspective on things.I never said that Georgia did not have some of the same issues as Alabama does.EVERY state does.The question is :how noticeable is the change.Particularly how pervasive is it?

That's sort of the question my OP suggests...are we facing a new more competitive Alabama? I won't say "progressive" however. Texas is very conservative and is kicking our economic ass.

[MathmanMathman]

Originally Posted by rorqual

Savannah? Or Athens? I still haven't made a trip to Savannah yet but from what I have read and seen in travel vids its portrayal has always been that of a laid back old world place with a small town feel.

Gnats...don't overlook the South Georgia gnats. Why do you think so many people live in Atlanta?

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by Onthemove2014

I like how we sit on our thrones and talk down on the small town folk. This is interesting.

They do the same thing with regard to big city folks.

My Dad grew up in a town of less than 2000 people, and I worked and lived there for 4 summers during college. It's definitely a different vibe than a major metro, and not a bad one at all, but the difference in viewpoints (and values in some cases) goes both ways.

[AcidSnake]

So true.

The narrative in Georgia has always been that Atlanta is this big city full of sin and vice, and that the rural folks are good Christians with family values and grounded belief systems.

Heh.

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

They do the same thing with regard to big city folks.

My Dad grew up in a town of less than 2000 people, and I worked and lived there for 4 summers during college. It's definitely a different vibe than a major metro, and not a bad one at all, but the difference in viewpoints (and values in some cases) goes both ways.

[PKCorey]

Why is government distrust so high in the south?


I never heard this growing up in Maryland. Distrust of the police, yes but the government overall, no...

[readyset]

Originally Posted by PKCorey

Why is government distrust so high in the south?


I never heard this growing up in Maryland. Distrust of the police, yes but the government overall, no...

Hmmm, ever been to the Eastern shore, or Western Maryland?