Valdosta area, Crime? (Albany: fit in, high crime, Home Depot)

[Allieloopy]

Hello, My family is considering a move from MI to GA. I'd like to be near the border because I have family in FL. Plus we want to be able to drive to Disneyworld and NOT live in FL.

Valdosta sounds great but is about twice the size of my city. I live in a pretty ghetto-type area, high crime, hookers within walking distance.

I'd like to know what areas of Valdosta should we stay away from? I don't mind diversity but don't like the gangsta' culture that is prevelant in this part of Ypsilanti. Booming cars and such, imagine a small Detroit. That is what we are moving from.

I might be asking for too much, a small town feel with city advantages? We are not rich either, Hubby works for Home Depot and would transfer to the Valdosta store. I would have to find whatever when we got there.

We do live near two colleges so are used to some interesting activities and Valdosta sounds super.

I am afraid we would have more problems in a larger city? Perhaps we should live on the outskirts. I have also never lived near a military base, are there any problems to expect, aside from hiding my daughter?

I visited Georgia when I was a teenager and never got over it. I knew that someday I would move there and now I'm ready!
Thanks for any help!

[Southern Soul Bro]

Hey, Allieloopy. I have many relatives in MI. This is one of those cases where you have to look deeper than the listed city limits populations of both cities. Ypsilanti is within a few miles of Ann Arbor and like 30 miles from Detroit. Valdosta is the only city of it's size in rural south Georgia. Ypsilanti is much more urban and dangerous than valdosta.

Take note of how Ypsilanti's population density is 4889 people per square mile and Valdosta's is 1740 people per square mile.

Valdosta will take on a more rural feel and less urban characteristics than Ypsilanti.

A small town feel with city advantages is pretty much valdosta

[southgeorgia]

our cost of living is pretty low; hopefully you can avoid the ghetto areas on your salaries. I've never encountered crime in the city, but you will in the ghetto areas here; and its getting worse. If you have younger children you would probably prefer living on the north end of town outside the city limits.

[Allieloopy]

Thanks you two, this is exactly what I was hoping to hear. It sure seems like a place we would fit in well. The next step is an in person visit!
Thanks again!

[redlantern]

When you move to Valdosta just go to Albany and spend a weekend. When you get back to Valdosta, you will feel like you have gone from hell to heaven. Problems solved.