Warner Robins has some great neighborhoods.Yes many of them are cookie-cutter,but the school system overall is decent,much less crime,and better ran government than Macon.Macon I like but if i had kids I would prefer Warner Robins.Your sons play football?OMG!!Football is KING in W.R.!!Warner Robins and Northside High are always ranked high in the state and sometimes nationally.That town is "football crazy".They will Love it without a doubt!!
I would try the Beaver Glen Subdivision(Leisure World),Moody Rd Estates,Kings Crossing.There are more between Bonaire/Warner Robins and Perry off Moody Rd and Hwy 96.These tend to be newer areas.
Statham's Landing is one of my favorites:
Warner Robins
http://usalanddevelopment.net/statham.htm
Byron:
Current Available Homes
Also try going into Byron in Peach County.Just outside of Warner Robins and Centerville.New developements as the city grows toward the interstate.
I don't know what they showed you in Warner Robins,but it is overall a very nice place to live.If you cannot find something nice in Warner Robins,then you won't find it in Macon,UNLESS you want to be in a city that has more of a city feel.I mean that good and bad.Macon does have more character because its older.You will not find and old "Victorian" in W.R. like you will in Macon.
If you do choose Macon and want space and "greenery",try N.Macon which is considered the upscale area of Macon is your best bet.