Columbus, Georgia (Atlanta, Macon, Auburn: attorney, schools, places to live)

[JLA]

Originally Posted by art-teacher

JLA-
The "Aflac, Tsys, and Carmike" white collar jobs statement was mine, and I apologize if it was more limited than the actual job pool is here in town... What can I say? Despite living here, I don't seem to get out much and, of course, it would help if I was in that field... I did not mention MCSD, because I assumed most out-of-towners / relocators would be looking for corporate and not teaching jobs.

No problem. This are is a large employer base here in this area. But the pool of possible skilled employees is limited, therefore the employer have no choice but to recruit from outside of this area. Now, I don't have a problem with idea, but some people remember the so called "good ol' days", which as far as I am concerned, stunk. I prefer the 21st century Columbus/Phenix City/Smith Station/Auburn/Opelika/West Point/La Grange area. By the way, you would be surprised at the number of teachers that teach in the system that are not originally from the South By the way, you'll get use to Mr. Happy (MasterBucket). He like to spread happiness all around.

[georgialaw]

Originally Posted by JLA

No problem. This are is a large employer base here in this area. But the pool of possible skilled employees is limited, therefore the employer have no choice but to recruit from outside of this area. Now, I don't have a problem with idea, but some people remember the so called "good ol' days", which as far as I am concerned, stunk. I prefer the 21st century Columbus/Phenix City/Smith Station/Auburn/Opelika/West Point/La Grange area. By the way, you would be surprised at the number of teachers that teach in the system that are not originally from the South By the way, you'll get use to Mr. Happy (MasterBucket). He like to spread happiness all around.

Not to be taking sides but I have checked into a few of Masterbucket's statements here locally (city officials etc) and have found them to be for the most part valid.
He obviously is or has been connected to city council or chamber functions.
Just my 2 cents...

[jam 5]

i love columbus and all and i live here in columbus but i think they need to fix there downtown in columbus they need to fix there roads in downtown and columbus needs to build some highrise condos or hotels in there downtown that are 10 storys to 12 storys high because columbus is way behind on there downtown look at macon and augusta they are way ahead of us on there downtowns macon and augusta are building highrise condos and hotels in there downtown. but look at columbus they are doing nothing to there downtown

[countrygirl2]

I live just outside of columbus in Marion County but lived in Columbus for several years before buying land and moving to the country. All my shopping, dinning, Medical and working is done in Columbus. I don't believe that columbus is really different than any other city you may find. We do have more
than one starbucks and many other popular restraunts and shops. This is a growing community due to the growth at Fort Benning. The south side is a little worse than the north but what city doesn't have a bad side. Look at other cities where kids are shooting at schools and think can you really judge columbus poorly.

[Courier23]

Originally Posted by black_heart

Well... We've kind of turned into a little New york or Atlanta around here. Crime is WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY up, the only side that's supposedly safe is the North side. Then again, there getting car jacked left and right over that way as well. It used to be just us blacks who took the blame but "NOW", it's a mixture of everybody commiting crimes. Meth is a HUGE problem around here and the police take forever and a day to respond to calls (black or white). I do know a lot of people who've been lured here through AFLAC or other big companys promising that it was safe to move here for them and the family but they all have since left and found different jobs. It used to be a pleasant place to stay but it has been going down hill for awhile now (unless you have money or drugs.... well ALOT of money and drugs). Schools are pretty good and they have a few things to do for the family and singles as well but if you look at the big picture, it's not worth it. Basically, don't always believe what you see in the brochures because it's far from the truth.

A good post relating to Columbus and Aflac area....

[Kru]

Columbus has good and bad elements! As to the "gangs", well you have wild youngsta gangsta wannabe's but when it comes down to the facts "gangs" here are unlike those of the past. They are more organized and are afilliated with those of other cities such as ATL. Drugs are no joke in Columbus! Meth is destroying the urban areas and has become quite popular. No drug is unknown to Columbus. As to general crime it is only gonna get worse with the current economy where ever u live! The "safest" areas in and around Columbus are the noth end of Veterians parkway, and the outskirts such as Harris County! Columbus is a twin city with Pheniox City of Alabama and bourder Ft. Benning, and Harris County which are both growing! Often times the bad elements pick the more high quality areas to rob and steal from. There are many good people in Columbus and much to do here and the outdoors is Nice! When it comes to schools the best are Northside, Hardaway and Columbus! The others are not to good! There are many nice areas and yet there are many main routes for drugs and thugs throughout the city and those routes are surrounded by crime day in day out! I have noticed some say there aren't alot of shopping areas and some say there are! THERE R! The Northside for one has a safe new shopping area made up of such things as like 30 resturants, Sams, Walmart, furniture stores, Many major clothing stores, pet stores, technology, and much much more! there are set aside places for such and they are monitered alot by security and law! Not a place the bad elements want to play around! We also have peachtree mall which has good security! We have many parks and events! overall Columbus is both a small town socialy and a big city crime wise and buisness wise! And I feel Fort Benning will keep Columbus on the map for they are bringing in alot more soliders soon and that will add to the economy and growth! The main thing about living in Columbus if you have kids is to keep them occupied with sports or something so they dont start getting affiliated with the streets.
When looking for a place like another poster said drive around and check it out! Not only that look at the areas AROUND it!

[ellen horn]

Originally Posted by misplacednga

I will tell you the truth about columbus. There are lots of gangs. Drugs are out of control in columbus. I moved here about 1 year ago. I bought a beautiful victorain house in a what was susposed to be a nice area. I have had 2 Break ins and last week there was a drive by shooting across the street from where I live. I used to visit here as a child and it was so nice. now it has turned into a real getto town. its not safe to walk down the street in lots of the areas in town after dark.
There is not one good place to eat in the whole town. mostly buffets and chain type places. there is only one starbucks.

I have found that most of the people here don't really care about anybody or anything.

Across the river in phenix City, its the third world.

When I moved here I hoped it was gonna be my home for the rest of my life now at this point I am counting the days until I get to move away.

IF you find a good job, and do a good job everyone else that you work with will be down on you because you do a good job.

most everything new that opens closes with in a year. The hole town is full of new movie theaters and other bussiness that have opened and could not survive the the first year.

I have been here off and on since '62. What this lady says is right. You can pretty well count it off by the exits in this town. Victory Drive exit, bullet proof vest. Saint Mary's Road exit, No saints there, walk through the bushes, hide. Buena Vista Road, bullet proof vest on again. Macon Road, Stay close to the library, there are security guards there, Manchester Expressway, mixed bag, horrible driver's, still loads of crime. Airport Thruway, Stay at WalMart. Honest to Goodness, there is nothing good that I can say about this town. In Cities this size, they often have museums or other attractions, not here or very, very, few. Because of the vicious crime here, they keep entertainment small. The new mall could not even make it indoors anymore. The year before last, there was an outdoor function here, that migrated to Peachtree mall. The mall was put on lock down, the food court was destroyed, many of the stores have shurt down and gone. The mall before Peachtree, Columbus Square Mall, was closed because of the crime. The stores nor the people wanted their names in the paper, and were afraid to take action against the gangs. A lot of crime here is not reported. Columbus Square Mall was the site of gang initiations...get under the car of an older woman, slice her ankle, when she put her hand by her ankle, cut her finger off and get her ring. Peachtree Mall will be closed soon. While the mall was in lockdown, fires were started in there. It was mayhem. Hope you're tough or you're packing; otherwise, just have to stay inside. You'll see.

[Tenn.Sunshine]

I just wanted to throw my 2 cents out there... if you are not from or do not like the South, then you will not enjoy Ft. Benning/Columbus, GA. If you do - then you will be just fine. Good luck!!

[ellen horn]

[quote=masterbucket;3307650]You folks only see what you want to see.
I said out of town execs not ones living here and actually for your information I have gotten numerous positive direct messages thanking me for the website information which is about corruption not racism.
Columbus has a pile of dirty laundry and sweeping it under the carpet is not the way to address these problems.[/quote

One thing I can't understand about Columbus, is that the people who promote it as the greatest place to live in the South, don't live in the city limits. To my knowledge, there is only one council memeber who actually lives here in the city. All the movers and shakers, the lawyers, the doctors, the city officials, live in Midland Ga. or other surrounding areas. If their city is so great, why don't they live in it.

[ellen horn]

Originally Posted by art-teacher

Well, first off, I'm one of *those* people... I have grown up in columbus and I'm now in my 20's.... I've lived in a smaller town during college (Montevallo, AL) but have also been to Birmingham, AL quite a bit as well... I'm currently in Smiths Station, AL (right across the river from Columbus).

All that said, there are areas of town that crime is worse than others, especially in the south (near terminal court, etc.) but crime can happen anywhere. I guess this is not uncommon in most cities though, as I'd hear far more reports of robberies, shootings, etc. on the Birmingham news, verses what goes on in Columbus.

However, if you are planning on moving here, please take the time to drive around the various neighborhoods, etc. to make sure that the house you are looking at is in an area that you would feel safe in. I, myself, have been looking at houses that would be in my price range (as a first-time owner) and most are not in great parts of town.

As for the schools, well I may be biased, but they are generally very good. There are many magnet programs and most schools have a deacent amount of technology, especially the newer schools (i.e. northside and veteran's memorial MS).

As for activities, etc. There is not the huge amount of shopping choices that you might expect for such a large town, although they are continuing expansion on the newest shopping center. We have most of the chain resturants here, but don't have a huge variety of grocery stores...locally, we have the pig, winn-dixie, lewis-jones (bought out by piggly-wiggly), and publix. I would personally like to see a whole foods open up, but don't think it's feasable currently.

There are also some good local resturants... Country's BBQ comes to mind (try the fried chicken fingers and ask for some "shoop" sauce on the side!) and ezels catfish (the hush puppies are wonderful).

There are not that many clubs, etc. in town, but that has never bothered me as I'm quite the geek and would rather read than go out clubbing... That said, if you want to get a drink there are plenty of options locally.

Good family-oriented activities... fine arts (the river center, Columbus State University, and the columbus museum), pretty good offering of public rec. activities and generally good facilities.. I especially love lake bottom park. The library system is also very good here.

The job market can be rough, especially if you don't know people "on the inside" as many positions are not posted publicly (in my experience). If you are looking for white collar type work, there are the big corporations in town (aflac, tsys, carmike), but not much more...other than locally owned, smaller businesses.

One negative, IMO, is the public transit system and walkability of the city. On the whole, Columbus is not very walkable, except for downtown... Many areas have no sidewalks and the city is widely spaced. Public transit is somewhat sparse and is far less than appealing as it is not popular with any group except those that either can't drive or can't afford a car... So if you want a good public transit system, this might not be the area for you. Maybe as gas prices rise, demand will increase and our system will improve.

I hope that I've helped answer some of your questions in a balanced fashion...I certainly haven't tried to spin the facts... It's just important that you come and see the city for yourself and know what is important to you before you move here.

Pedestrians and bicycle riders take their lives in their hands on these roads. This town has nothing, even poor public transportation. You better have a car in this town. I walk with a cane. One day, as I was trying to walk to the store, and in vicious pain, a truck drove close to me, hurled insults and threw their McDonald's trash all over me. People in Columbus can be pretty bad, but that even shocked me. I could do nothing, but stand there in the trash they threw all over me, even chocolate milkshake. I was glad to get my old car out of the shop. I have tried for years to get on their program called Dial A Ride for the elderly and disabled, I am more than eligible, but I have just been given the run around and have given up. Typical for here.