NJ Girl in Georgia? Advice, please.. (Savannah: home, moving to, street)

[Padgett2]

As much I hate NOT recommending Savannah, I tend to agree with the others. The summers can be horrible. I don't notice it because I am one of those that stay in all the time. The North Georgia area is lovely and much better temperature. We have nicer winters though!

Also, you didn't say what your disability is, but if heat would make it difficult to breathe or get around, it would be something to consider.

I'm a Flatlander. I get uncomfortable trying to walk around where the ground goes up and down as it done in the hilly places. Isn't that silly!!! I want to be able to look out over the marshes. But even I will agree that the area where the Blue Ridge mountains come down into Georgia is just lovely.

[zebbie]

NJTina...I had to smile when I saw the mention of the number of Catholic churches in YOUR town. I love my "new" town (an historic town where we've now lived for a few years), but wish SO much that there was a Catholic church in MY town.

It's true about the evangelical type churches (hope I've picked the correct term) in the Piedmont Areas of Middle Georgia, I know this because I've visited several such as Assembly (or maybe it's Assemblies) of God. I've friends in those churches and I've visited particularly because I love to hear the singing. And, believe me people in those churches are very friendly and welcoming. The Music Director of one of the churches in an adjacent town came to visit us at home (even knowing that I was not a potential member) to discuss a proposed Christmas concert because he knew how much I enjoyed the music.

When we moved to our small town EVERYONE we encountered invited us to visit their church -- I mean from the water delivery "guy" to women waiting on us one of the restaurants. What I love in our area is the inclusion. The Pastor and some of the members of the Baptist church down the street from us came by to ask what we would like to see for the community. They were surveying the neighborhood (not for members, but for ideas). We arrived in our town in the late afternoon. The next morning the mayor and his wife came by to greet us as they had seen a moving van. At first I thought maybe there was an upcoming election and he was looking for votes. Well that was my "old" big city type thinking, they came by just to welcome us, the mayor was retiring and not running again.

I hope you'll seriously consider Georgia, we LOVE it.

[Rgenuine68]

Hi NJtina, I am from Morris county NJ and within the next two weeks will be moving to Rincon GA. My husband was transferred with his job and son decided to go to finish college at Armstrong Atlantic in Savannah. I am retiring from law enforcement at an early age and will be looking for a new career. One of my oldest brothers lives in Brunswick GA and has been helping us with the anxiety of the BIG MOVE! I am also a big scared and nervous and anxious. The southern way of living from what I am told, read, and have experienced in visiting is a healthier and happier way of living. Here in NJ everyone is ready for an arguement and is just mad a the world. I am sure there are places like that all over the world, but seems less of it in the south. My husband is from Texas originally and my family born and raised NJ. What I am looking forward to is starting new, everything, who I am, what I want to be, and what my outlook on life is all about. Thats how I am going to make this "culture shock" go much easier. I am Roman Catholic and I have visited several churches during my visits to house hunt and visit my family. No matter where I went, church, store, library, college, EVERYONE was kind, genuine, and helpful. I wouldnt worry about being invited anywhere. With such outpouring kindness I am sure when you go to church and attend an after church gathering, wether for coffe or just chit chat, you will be welcomed with open arms. Also, in our churches there is a new members visit that you make with the Monsignor or pastor.
I hope by this time you have moved and are feeling comfortable in your new southern way of living. I know I am looking forward to our charge in life.
Good luck and God Bless
Rita

[zebbie]

Tina, have you looked to see if there are any newspapers on-line for the areas you are thinking of moving to? In small towns the newspapers are often published once a week, sometimes in slightly larger towns twice a week. Of course, many people also subscribe to the Atlanta Journal Consitution ("AJC") And some also subscribe to one of the newspapers from the nearest city as well.

IMHO the small town newspapers can REALLY give you a feel for a place. It's kind of good to keep in mind, though that the editorials will obviously be the opinion of the publisher and NOT necessarily the opinion of a lot of members of the community. Also, it's good to remember that the publisher may or may NOT be originally from the community where the paper is published. However, that said, I think you could be pleasantly surprised to see so many nice community and church events.

[hulalula]

I agree that you should consider if you can live with the humidity for about 5 months. Some people take to it no problem. Others never adjust. At least once it cools down it is pleasant for the rest of the year.

You may want to consider St. Marys, Ga. It has all the quaint stuff of Savannah--river, moss covered trees, history, etc--but on a smaller scale. We do not have the crime and some of the negative issues that Savannah is dealing with either. Housing is reasonable here also and we have several new comers groups. Since a navy base is here we are used to transplants. And yep lots of churches! We are also close to Jacksonville, Florida for shopping, airport, medical, etc. Feel free to send me a message if you want more info.

The person who posted about Asheville, NC is right that is a wonderful place to live. We have friends there and they love it. We also have friends in Hendersonville, NC and they love the small town life there. Hendersonville does an awesome apple festival over Labor Day weekend. You may want to check it out. It is only 15-20 minutes south of Asheville. They have been know to get iced in for a few days during the winter though so I don't know which is worse--humidity or ice.

Good luck in your search. I know it is a hard decision. We are moving to the Nashville, TN area for my husband job and it is so difficult to pick the section you want to live in. I have a great house for sale in St. Marys--maybe I can hook you up!!

[NJTina]

Originally Posted by Rgenuine68

Hi NJtina, I am from Morris county NJ and within the next two weeks will be moving to Rincon GA.
Good luck and God Bless
Rita

I hope you and your family find much happiness in your new home. Please let us. know how you are doing after you get settled.

You have all been great with your responses and I find this website to be a tremendous Blessing and the people outstanding.
Right now the humidity here in Jersey is absolutely horrendeous with 90+ degrees. The older I get the less tolerant of it I become. So I am so glad that Padgett, Atlantagreg, hula, and Irv all mentioned it. Yuck. As far as my disability goes, the weather wouldn't be an issue , Padgett but those hills you mentioned would be. I have degenerative disc disease in my back and radiculapathies, so I am somewhat limited in mobility. I havent reached the point where I am willing to consider surgery. I had my cervical spine fused 2 years ago and that was pretty major. Anyway, that's my "situation". Zebbie, I was laughing about your predicament (sp) with the lack of Catholic churches and mine being the opposite. What I wouldnt give to have a Pastor call on me and to be invited to a Church. In North Jersey near the fringes of the urban areas there was a Church on every corner. I miss that. Anyway, I am beginning to re-think my situation and I think I will be a renter in Ga. With home prices falling the way they are it would be wise for me to hold on to mine for a few more years. Real estate at the NJ shore is bottoming out, not a good time to sell. Please..keep the suggestions coming. And thanks again.

[DisgustaTruth]

There are really only 3 places in Georgia that are livable.. Metro Atlanta... Athens.. and Savannah. The rest of the state is pretty backwards.

[JLA]

DisgustaSucks, what do you mean by progressive? I have lived in Columbus for 18 years and I would say that this city is progressive. It's not a tourist town like Savannah, but the two large Universities in the area (Columbus State and Auburn Universities) ensure that we have a large supply of well educated and forward thinking individuals. I have heard about some the troubles you guys are having over on the east side of the state and it is shame that your local governments can't seem to agree on anything. Columbus on the other hand has been very successful in getting things done and getting them done in the right way. Our Downtown area is growing, very few vacant buildings. New businesses of different types are moving into the Downtown area, condos are being built and have been purchased. Columbus State's Music and Theater Departments and Dorms are located Downtown. People from the Atlanta area are moving here, I guess it's because they can get entertained without the hassle of the traffic and still get to Atlanta without a hassle. If you are looking for progressive, then Columbus is the place. Kia Motors, AFLAC, Pratt & Whittney and TSYS are just a few of the companies here, two of them are home grown Fortune 500 companies. We know how to get things done on the west side.

[nibseysgirl]

Originally Posted by zebbie

Hi!

You should have NO problem locating (hope these terms are correct) evangelical and Pentacostal Christian churches in rural Georgia. There are Christian churches EVERYWHRE, hundreds and hundreds of 'em. People you encounter, such as on a visit to Georgia to check out moving will be happy to invite you to their church as well. You don't even have to ask, they will just invite you. I mean even the waitresses in coffee shops will invite you to visit their churches. The Italian bread in rural Georgia will be the problem (joke...but true).

If you want a rural area, but near a town, you might want to check out the areas AROUND Forsyth (on the side towards Macon) and Bollingbroke. Forsyth is a town, with a downtown whereas Bollingbroke is more country. From both those places you could go into the NORTH SIDE of Macon for shopping. It's a country drive (unless you choose to take highways). The NORTHSIDE of Macon has a lot of shopping. Macon is supposed to have a good Medical center.

If you want a rural area near these places you're probably talking about an older or historic home, not a newer housing development.

I hope the Forum gives you lots of ideas, I don't think you'd be mistaken in looking at the Piemont areas especially for a church home.

that happended to me..A waitress invited us to her church and I must say it was the best church service I have been to in a very very long time. People were friendly, pastor was inspirational and my 12 yr old daughter LOVED it...High praise believe me...
Just thought I would ditto the point..>Church and family and key in GA and I for one wouldnt want it any other way...That is why this former granitestater transplated to FL is moving to GA. I am so very happy and looking forward to getting back to what makes this country great..its tradition, beliefs in GOD and family and the simplier and clean way of life...Good Luck...Lisa

[aikensatlas]

Aiken County is along the Savannah River. From downtown Aiken it's about 20 minutes to Augusta GA. It's a nice location because we are close to just about everything you can imagine. 2.5 hours to MAJOR METRO like Atlanta GA. 2.5 hours to the beach, and about 3 hours to the mountains. Our area hosts alot of major events like the Masters Golf Tournement, the Aiken Triple Crown (Horse Racing) and World Cup Polo. Aiken County has been a training ground for the horse community since it's origin. There is a nice blend of rural and metro living here. We have a quaint downtown area that is great for shopping and dining. The cost of living here is below the national average. You could get a "new" contruction home in a gated community, built by some of the finest builders around with tons of upgrades for less than $275K. That's in the city limits! There are much better deals just 10 minutes out of town. Moderator cut: Removed