Can a California Liberal be happy in Georgia? (Atlanta, Riverside: crime, transfer)

[rswlguy]

Originally Posted by runnergrl

Yeah...I didnt realize the original post was old....however it caught my attn because the response before mine was today which showed it being current....and I felt compelled to give my side from the opposite view point. I am a Georgian living in southern CA for nearly 3 yrs now. I come home to GA for a few weeks during the summer to be REAL and remember where I came from.

Thanks for compassion....I know whenever I do whatever I'm supposed to do here....(think Californians need a good ole fashioned revivial??? hmmm, I dont know., lol.) I know we will get back home eventually....I am at peace knowing it will be okay. Thank you again for your prayers. You dont have to feel sorry for me....I'm okay....It isnt horrible place to be....I sure it could be worse! As I said before...I am more valuing the genuine relationships with family and friends over the beauty of the state.

Ya know ... I'm really tickled 'cause you DO NEED to come home and replace some of the CREEPS that have been moving into your home State recently! There aren't very many native Georgians in/around Metro Atlanta anymore! People in California tend to be 'non-committal' in many areas (friendship, religion, etc.) 'cause it's sort of the 'melting pot' of the USA. You just don't have anyone that you identify with?

I noticed you were from Albany, GA (Dooly County) you know you've made a tremendous move in environment? My heart goes out to you since I'm from San Luis Obispo (do you know where that is?) and my brother still lives in Santa Barbara. I'm sure you know where that is. You'd really like SLO (small college town) as it reminds me a great deal of Athens, Georgia.

You're just a pretty young fish out of your pond kiddo! AND I truly admire you (as a stranger) to relish the family relationships that you have. Cherish them yes, when you get older ... you'll have to let go of a few (like I have) and look back with fond memories.

I know CA is expensive. It's difficult to experience all the things when you are making large mortgage payments, high utilities, high gas/food prices. I wish I could move back, but I'm thinking about moving to Portland, Oregon to retire.

Ya know what's strange? I'm as lonely in Georgia as you are in California? So that tells us that our long-term friendships, home, family, countryside, etc. must be cherished. I think you do.

I've been to Albany many times with work. We stay at Merry Acres (Quality Inn) I think? You remember that little hotel? LOL

Hope this makes you feel a bit better that someone else feels your pain a bit ... and you've got your family back here, your family out there...Do me a favor...drive up to Santa Barbara, out to the pier ...have one on me. I'll put a prayer in also for you to win the CA lottery! I want everyone to be happy in MY home State ... just like YOU do for all of us back here in GA!

[runnergrl]

Damn... you scare me....I do play the superlotto every so often....only because a few of the local gas stations have had winning tickets!

And when I do venture up to SB...I magically forget about all the other stuff. I havent been in a few months....but when I do....I will have one on you! I love SB and it's great zoo. I know and have been to San Luis...and have heard much of the same of what you said. Normal geniune folks up and around there. And it's pretty too.

We have been up to OR too...did a road race in Eugene....but we had to fly into Portland and drive down to Eugene. On that stretch of highway going thru that farmland took me right back to GA. It was very similiar...lush green and agricultural...simple...no crazed development going on. When I say GA...I mean the south part, because in and around my hometown is very much that same way....and because it is where it is....you do know there are parts down there wont see the kind of development in suburbia. KInda nice to know it will not change for awhile.

Anyway...had my rehearsal dinner at the Merry Acres about 18 yrs ago...and I went to the close by Merry Acres Jr high school just down the street. People in Albany go to church every Sunday too....it was an accepted way of life...much simpler too. I think that is part of the reason it seems like folks have lost their way...they have too much going on and forget to make time for what should be the priority.

I hope you can meet some nice folks there while doing your time. Meanwhile, after almost 3 yrs here, I think I found where normal people are hiding....it just took this long to FIND them. I know they are in my path for a reason, so I will take it in stride. It sure was nice making your acquaintance. Hang in there!

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by runnergrl

Damn... you scare me....I do play the superlotto every so often....only because a few of the local gas stations have had winning tickets!

And when I do venture up to SB...I magically forget about all the other stuff. I havent been in a few months....but when I do....I will have one on you! I love SB and it's great zoo. I know and have been to San Luis...and have heard much of the same of what you said. Normal geniune folks up and around there. And it's pretty too.

We have been up to OR too...did a road race in Eugene....but we had to fly into Portland and drive down to Eugene. On that stretch of highway going thru that farmland took me right back to GA. It was very similiar...lush green and agricultural...simple...no crazed development going on. When I say GA...I mean the south part, because in and around my hometown is very much that same way....and because it is where it is....you do know there are parts down there wont see the kind of development in suburbia. KInda nice to know it will not change for awhile.

Anyway...had my rehearsal dinner at the Merry Acres about 18 yrs ago...and I went to the close by Merry Acres Jr high school just down the street. People in Albany go to church every Sunday too....it was an accepted way of life...much simpler too. I think that is part of the reason it seems like folks have lost their way...they have too much going on and forget to make time for what should be the priority.

I hope you can meet some nice folks there while doing your time. Meanwhile, after almost 3 yrs here, I think I found where normal people are hiding....it just took this long to FIND them. I know they are in my path for a reason, so I will take it in stride. It sure was nice making your acquaintance. Hang in there!

Enjoyed reading your posts. I am lonely here in TX, but I know it is much more like GA than CA is. I am not going to assume your age, but I think as the kids start to grow and you get to middle age, some of what was taken for granted as a youth becomes more real and appreciated. I grew up in Meriwether County, about an hour south of Atlanta and hated it as a kid. Wished we lived in Atlanta or suburbs. Then I spent a good bit of my adult life in those suburbs and now find myself in TX suburbs and aching to get back to Meriwether County.

One day I hope to be back in GA, have some acreage there coming to me one day. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers

[runnergrl]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

Enjoyed reading your posts. I am lonely here in TX, but I know it is much more like GA than CA is. I am not going to assume your age, but I think as the kids start to grow and you get to middle age, some of what was taken for granted as a youth becomes more real and appreciated. I grew up in Meriwether County, about an hour south of Atlanta and hated it as a kid. Wished we lived in Atlanta or suburbs. Then I spent a good bit of my adult life in those suburbs and now find myself in TX suburbs and aching to get back to Meriwether County.

One day I hope to be back in GA, have some acreage there coming to me one day. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers

I know where Meriwhether is...had gf from college who lived there.

You are assuming correctly about my age....it is seeing my kids growing up and not having the simplistic things I had in my childhood that are a huge contributing factor to my core. I want them to know where home is. The reality is CA is THEIR home....and it is tremendously hard for me to accept because I am so at odds with this culture out here....and feeling like I have to keep them isolated to protect their innocence. I just want to go back to the south and be in the familiar and have the family close by...I want my kids to know that. I just hope my time here in CA is closer to being over so that I can get to that places feels like HOME and be at peace.

So Saintmark....I hope too we can get back home...soon...It will be so nice nice to settle down and have some roots. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. I will send some your way too.

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by runnergrl

I know where Meriwhether is...had gf from college who lived there.

You are assuming correctly about my age....it is seeing my kids growing up and not having the simplistic things I had in my childhood that are a huge contributing factor to my core. I want them to know where home is. The reality is CA is THEIR home....and it is tremendously hard for me to accept because I am so at odds with this culture out here....and feeling like I have to keep them isolated to protect their innocence. I just want to go back to the south and be in the familiar and have the family close by...I want my kids to know that. I just hope my time here in CA is closer to being over so that I can get to that places feels like HOME and be at peace.

So Saintmark....I hope too we can get back home...soon...It will be so nice nice to settle down and have some roots. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. I will send some your way too.

I can so relate about the kids. My oldest just went off to college and is at Lee University in Cleveland, TN, just an hour and a half north of Atlanta. As the oldest, Georgia was imbedded in him and wanted to head back as soon as he could. The other three are more Texan the younger they get as the memories of Georgia are further afield.

However, the values in TX are much like GA so I don't have that sense of dread that you do, I just want to be home and have them near me!

[Tiger Beer]

Interesting thread, sorry to bump it up, but just having finished it all, and had to comment.

Here I am living in Japan, been outside of the United States for 12 years...always hated my home state of Michigan, and reading an Atlanta thread and feeling homesick for Michigan of all places because of this last page in particular.

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

Interesting thread, sorry to bump it up, but just having finished it all, and had to comment.

Here I am living in Japan, been outside of the United States for 12 years...always hated my home state of Michigan, and reading an Atlanta thread and feeling homesick for Michigan of all places because of this last page in particular.

Hang in there Tiger, I would love to have your experience, but I know if I was out of the states for that long, I would be majorly homesick too.

The more we age, the more we start appreciating what we once took for granted. Enjoy what is unique and positive about Japan. I spent two years in England, was homesick often for the US, now I have regular homesick spells for England, wish I could go back.

Guess I'm suffering from the grass is greener syndrome.

[matt8325]

Originally Posted by Saintmarks

I can so relate about the kids. My oldest just went off to college and is at Lee University in Cleveland, TN, just an hour and a half north of Atlanta. As the oldest, Georgia was imbedded in him and wanted to head back as soon as he could. The other three are more Texan the younger they get as the memories of Georgia are further afield.

However, the values in TX are much like GA so I don't have that sense of dread that you do, I just want to be home and have them near me!

If you can get from Atlanta to Cleveland in 90 minutes you must be a fast driver. It's 134 miles from Atlanta to Cleveland.

[Saintmarks]

Originally Posted by matt8325

If you can get from Atlanta to Cleveland in 90 minutes you must be a fast driver. It's 134 miles from Atlanta to Cleveland.

I meant Atlanta in the general sense. We were in Marietta, so already 30 mins or more on the Cleveland side of Atlanta. His best buddy that he goes and stays with is in Acworth, so even closer.

[etienne]

Am wondering if you indeed did relocate to the Athens area and what your "newcomer" impressions now might be? We're liberal Californians seeking a WINTER home, never been to the South and have heard that Athens gets high marks for being a pleasant environment as well as a progressive island in a red-hued state --your comments? --etienne (Steve)