Los Angeles to Alpharetta

[jaeidiaz]

Originally Posted by sidlarrie

Thanks for all the warm reply's guys. I got a little teary eyed the other nite when I was Ironing my Confederate Flag..

Again, I think its awesome you found a place that you love in Georgia and are moving there. That in no way implies I believe you are racist in any way, shape, or form; despite what the other posters will make you believe b/c of course, no one truly knows the other on these websites.

I think some people just say things at times that come across wrong. I thought what you said about "illegals" was wrong because people in L.A. say it so often that it becomes disgusting. Speaking to one cali person to another.

I think everyone has a right to freedom and sometimes people don't go about obtaining that freedom in the right way. True.

I won't bore you with the black history stuff because it's besides the point (again - not to say it isn't important b/c it always will be). It will only take away from what I originally said which was - in the end, can we truly say we all weren't brought here from another place (ancestry, etc). If you truly think about it, MOST came here the same way.

Much luck in GA. I hope your trip is a safe one and I am sure you will enjoy it. On the bright side, at least you won't have to deal with the 405. Hahaha



*When I say most, surely I am excluding African Americans and some of the other races.

[otoatlanta]

Originally Posted by atlantagreg30127

jaeidiaz, I think you'll going to discover very quickly that this is not a fake politically correct board, and hopefully common sense will snap into place and you will not generically brand people as, or hint that they are racist, because they speak of one group, while you try to make believe they're speaking of everyone in one race.

"Illegals" makes reference to people who cross the boarder into the U.S. illegally. Illegal. Against the laws of this country. The laws we must all abide by. Illegals (from any country) cross over and/or around legal checkpoints. They enter the work force under the table, many times being paid by cash, avoid paying taxes, use the health care system freely, many times without paying a single dime for treatment in the ER rooms, and avoid making an effort to even learn the basics of the language of the country they've snuck into. They cause those of us who ARE here legally to pay into a tax system to support them, while many of us do not even have basic insurance or healthcare, and have kids in schools that are falling apart.

No where at any time in my years on this board have I seen anyone refer to a Mexican, South American, African, or anyone else from a foreign land as "an illegal", when that person has taken the time to go through the proper immigration process, and enter this country legally, and contribute as a citizen (or applied citizen here).

For the record, Native Americans were in California before anyone else. Mexicans and Spaniards took their land from them, and later, European white settlers from them. That was then and it was pretty crappy - this, however, is now.

So really, it doesn't matter if "you don't like the word illegals". Get over it and take the politically correct LP off of the turntable - it's got a scratch and it keep repeating itself through your speakers. The real world awaits you if you wish to enter it.

Just wanted to make a correction on your historical analysis. Today's "Mexicans", for the most part, are actually the mix between Spainards and indigenous peoples( Native Americans). I've never read that "Mexicans" took land from the Natives of America who lived in California, prior to European colonialism. White Europeans(Spainards) had colonized what became Mexico, which was only a population of indigenous trides. They, white Spainards, did the same with California. The British and Russians also intended on this as well.

I think the OP is more concerned with morality versus legality. I notice that people who make the argument against being "PC" are more concerned with current laws than they are with morals(the feelings of others, human circumstance, historical perspectives, etc.) In an effective society, there must be a balance. Laws are important, but they often come too late(like after 400 years of slavery). Morality("PC type thinking") is what prompts new laws. Both laws and ethics are important, and neither should operate exclusively.

While I think someone needs to be held responsible for the illegal acts taken place in our country as a result of greed based capitalism, I think it should be American business people. The "illegals" should be deemed the American corporations and small business people who care more about the bottom line than the laws of this country. Our own people should surely be held more accountable for our laws than people from other lands. If "legal" Americans stopped breaking the law and profiting from the chump change they are paying Mexican immigrants, the "problem" would cease because the flow of money would stop. I rarely hear other legal Americans complain about the corporations and small business people in their own communities who are bringing the problem in.

Additionally, the issue of "outsourcing" our business to non-Americans is an even greater issue as it occurs legally. Many of our tech jobs are going to India(legally) and our manufacturing businesses have virtually closed for business now that everything we buy is Made in China. All of this boils down to the even greater issue of commerialism and "thing vs. human attachment". Everybody in America apparently "needs" more and more plastic stuff..and cheap non-foods to eat. We are fat and our houses are full of completely ridiculous items from Walmart(a major offender) which we find "absoutely adorable" because it "cost" only a dollar. In fact, the cost of these items is "One Dollar + The Entire American Manufacturing Industry". The issue goes far beyond American immigration. The bottom line is that there is a hole in the lives of many Americans. All attempts are being made to stuff it with cheap plastic and cheap food, to no avail. We work harder and harder, spending less and less time with our families, just to accumulate more money to buy more pointless stuff. Until this real issue is the one addressed, not its results(like "illegals and outsourcing"), we will continue to see much of the same.

[atlantagreg30127]

Originally Posted by otoatlanta

Additionally, the issue of "outsourcing" our business to non-Americans is an even greater issue as it occurs legally. Many of our tech jobs are going to India(legally) and our manufacturing businesses have virtually closed for business now that everything we buy is Made in China. All of this boils down to the even greater issue of commerialism and "thing vs. human attachment". Everybody in America apparently "needs" more and more plastic stuff..and cheap non-foods to eat. We are fat and our houses are full of completely ridiculous items from Walmart(a major offender) which we find "absoutely adorable" because it "cost" only a dollar.

I do agree that your above comments show major problems facing this country today, and that Americans need to ween themselves from companies that participate in the practices you describe.

A couple of years ago I got tired of recalls for half the stuff I owned due to safety reasons, and stopped buying anything that has the "Made in China" stamp on it. Needless to say, that means I don't buy very much these days, but it certainly saves me money. People might be shocked at just how many things come from China, and it's not just Walmart. Even Costco which is at the top of being picky about the products they sell, carry brands that most people are familiar with, yet the products from these brands still have "Made in China" on them. It's not JUST the dollar stores and Wal-mart. It's everywhere.

Likewise, the U.S. and Australia are the two largest users of Indian outsourced support call centers. The people in these centers are typically trained an average of three weeks, and paid a fraction of what American workers make. The companies that use them save millions of dollars a year in payroll, yet those savings strangely enough never make it down to the price consumers pay for that service or product support. Shall we count how many CEOs are living in one of their half dozen multi-million dollar mansions as a result? Just this week I decided to disconnect my DSL provider because they rely on overseas call centers, and if I have to stay on dialup with my phone company until I can find one that does NOT do it, so be it.

It's funny - here in Atlanta we like the really cheap crap. The Wal-mart and Dollar Store items. In L.A., fashion and glamour rule. I've heard people make comments about how much Atlantans like to shop, but they seem to like to find "a bargain" much more than when you go shopping in L.A., which is why outlet and discount stores do so well here. Little do people in L.A. realize however, that those $3000 clothing items are probably made by the same 50-cent per hour worker in another country that the dollar items are made by. yeah, I know.. sorry... detracts from the original post, but I did want to add to your statements above because I do agree they should give us food for thought that regardless of which coast we live on, there are issues we need to address as a country.

[NorthmeetsSouth]

Originally Posted by sidlarrie

Allright, so here's my checklist of cities to check out: Alpharetta, Sandy Springs. East Cobb, Dunwoody, Dahlonega(stop by floyds get a haircut), Pinehurst, N.C., Lake Norman, N.C., Del Webb's Village at Deaton Creek north of GA, John's Creek/Duluth, Hilton Head, S.C., Smyrna, Marietta, Mayberry, Virginia Highlands... OK, not Mayberry..J/K ... If you think of any others please post them, I really do appreciate your guys help. It will save me from guessing and wasting time...
Thanks, Sid..

Sid, I moved to GA from NYC many years ago. I liked it a lot back then... now, not so much. I feel safer walking around at night in NYC than I do here. But, it definitely is a lot cheaper.
If I were in your shoes, and in a way I am in your shoes, I would look pretty far outside of the city. I have been looking at potentail places to move to, and once I move I probably won't work so the "commute" won't factor into it. I recently checked out Pinehurst, which was on your list, and it was charming and perfect for retirement, especially if you golf. I also liked Greenville, SC very much. I haven't been to Chateau Elan yet because I am still years away from qualifying for the 55+ Del Webb community but I have heard that it is very nice. Asheville has a growing "homeless" problem as well as a meth problem. My brother-in-law is a realtor there and says that it ain't what it used to be.
Since it sounds like you are looking for the same thing as I am I will be interested to read your comments as you check out some different areas.

[plessthanpointohfive]

If you're looking for a small-town feel but still be in the city then you need to look at the eastern part of Atlanta, and include the city of Decatur. I know some here probably get sick of hearing me boast about my neighborhood but I really do feel like Candler Park and it's surrounding hoods are all a little Mayberry In The City. That includes Virginia-Highland, or VaHi, mentioned earlier. Also, Inman Park, Poncey Highlands, Lake Claire, Oakhurst, East Atlanta Village, Grant Park (a little separated but same feel and next to the zoo).

Decatur is it's own city but it's got the same feel and it's adjacent to Atlanta.

However, in all those places you won't get a lot of land, no matter how much you have to spend. They're all old neighborhoods and are built on smaller plots. And to get a small plot with a nicely renovated 3/2 be prepared to spend $500K. Or do like we did and buy a fixer-upper! But a lot of retirees aren't interested in that....

Good luck!

Oh, Dahlonega is a really sweet town. I love visiting there. Go and stay at the Smith House and then go hiking at Amicalola State Park. I love that little town. It's a true old-timey small town with a lot of history. And there's lots of festivals up that way in the fall and spring.

[tnuro]

My last did not post, but I still say RUN! RUN! RUN!