Is Albany, GA Really That Bad?? (Atlanta, Valdosta: zoning, jobs, housing)

[ReadyRon]

I may have a chance to take a job with the Marine Corps Logistics Command in Albany, GA. I have read the thread here "5 best and 5 worst places to live in Georgia," and Albany seems to make most people's worst 5 places. I was stationed in Valdosta, GA from 1973 to 1974 and it seemed OK. What's the real deal with Albany, GA? Thanks!

[humblestudent]

Hello I am a 21 year old student who was born and raised in ALbany GA. I went to college at one of the local colleges there where I obtained my two year degree. I then decided that I needed to get out of ALbany while I had the chance. Since then I have transfered to a four year university up in Atlanta GA. I have been living here in atlanta for about 10 months now and I can really see that Albany is a strange city. It once was known as the good Life CIty. That is until the crime activity increased.
Even though I was a current resident of the city I want to speak out and shed some light on it. THe city is in my opinon in an economic crisis. There are not enough corporate jobs with secure benifits. Coorporations such as MERK , Bob's Candy , the Penut Plant, Belks Outlet store and other business have closed up shop and moved their business to other cities.We have homeless people living on the streets and for the last 6 years there has been an increase in teenage pregnancy. Many people are struggling tring to survive by living pay check to pay check, others are living on welfare.the job that I was doing in ALbany before I moved I was only getting $6.15 an hour ;however that same job in Atlanta pays $9.00.
There really aren't any social clubs, or comedy clubs. Young people ages 18 - 31 really don't have a place to hang out on weekends, unless it's Big Daddy's, the Red Fox, The house of Jazz,The Leigon, The STate THeater , Boxers,Wynsong Carmike Theaters , or walmart , and after awhile many people are bored with the same old places. In my opinon there is no livelyhood there.
It seems to be a city for retired people who have lived their life and need somewhere to settle down. THis city is behind the times.I have also noticed that the school system is behind as well. It's sad that both the colleges there have remedial programs for students who just graduated from High school.Some of the things that I was learning in High school Atlanta students are learning in Middle school.No wonder Georgia was one of the LAST five states with low SAT scores. Albany is a city on an island all by itself.
this is a sad report but yet true. Only Time will tell if Albany will ever thrive.

I hope that that it will

[DisgustaSucks]

Just go and visit for a few days and see for yourself... Albany strikes me to be like a smaller version of Augusta.. which is not a good thing. Basically it comes down to this.. High crime, stagnant economy , lack of quality and diversity of shopping, nightlife, and restaurants, and poor performing schools. BUt on the bright side it is civilization... it's not cosmopolitan, urbane or hip in anyway..but its not as though you would be stuck in the middle of nowhere with just a gas station and a general store. What's bad about Albany is that it's not really that close to any other major city. BUt you said you though Valdosta was OK.. so I doubt Albany will be too much of a shock to you as it is actually a bit bigger than Valdosta.

[Boydawg]

Originally Posted by ReadyRon

I may have a chance to take a job with the Marine Corps Logistics Command in Albany, GA. I have read the thread here "5 best and 5 worst places to live in Georgia," and Albany seems to make most people's worst 5 places. I was stationed in Valdosta, GA from 1973 to 1974 and it seemed OK. What's the real deal with Albany, GA? Thanks!

Albany may be ranked one of the worst but if you notice Leesburg is ranked one of the best. They are only a few miles apart.

[DisgustaSucks]

Like I said.. Albany is like a smaller Augusta... not a good thing

[chrish3985]

Albany is OK. In fact is very cheap, in some respects. Housing is cheap. Lots of folks are moving to Lee County where there is a better school system. St Teresa's is a great private school as an alternative in Albany. Many sections seem 90% or higher black population. Many are prejudice against whites. But not always. People are friendly, and at least polite.

[georgia123]

I live just outside the Albany City Limit sign in Lee County.....about two miles outside Albany. The two are not very far apart. When driving from Albany to Lee County you can't tell the difference really. It looks like the city just keeps going. Albany is that bad. I grew up here too. Compared to other places I've lived it is a little better. As for the comment someone else made; I think theres plenty of things for people to do, young and old alike. The question is ...What Kind Of Fun Do You Want To Get Into. The area is over populated with blacks....that are racial. I had to go to school here. They want to beat you up because you are white. And because you are white they think you are weak. I've lived in other states and the blacks in other states do not act that way. I think it is the history of the state and the way people raise their children. They preach in churches to their children we are the enemy and to hate us. I am a female. We went to a school that thought if you were a white girl they had the right to fondle over your body at school. I know it sounds like I'm a racisit but I'm not. These are facts about this area. Its ran over with Gangs. They will throw rocks at your cars from the side of the road. Dont go to east Albany at night...tooo dangerous. I guess its just like the rest of the world. Here in Lee County the poor are looked down upon. Even at the schools they judge you on how loud your pockets jingle when you walk. I was told when I moved here that Lee County was trying to regulate who lives here by setting higher living standards. They are zoning their county for almost new homes only. If you want to move a moblie home in it has to be no more than 5 years old and must be a double wide or larger. And theres not a lot of land zoned for this. It does not have the blacks Albany has because most can not afford to live here. For Lee County...if you have kids look forward to head lice at both Lee County schools...which I am outraged by. My son was having some trouble at school learning....the teacher told me she sent him home things she knew he could not do but she did not want him to feel dumb or anything. What!!!! Is this really a community you would like to live in. Its hard to tolerate ignorance....I just dont have the time and can not deal with stupid people. I am a college student and look forward to moving out of this state whenever I finish school.

[humblestudent]

Originally Posted by georgia123

I live just outside the Albany City Limit sign in Lee County.....about two miles outside Albany. The two are not very far apart. When driving from Albany to Lee County you can't tell the difference really. It looks like the city just keeps going. Albany is that bad. I grew up here too. Compared to other places I've lived it is a little better. As for the comment someone else made; I think theres plenty of things for people to do, young and old alike. The question is ...What Kind Of Fun Do You Want To Get Into. The area is over populated with blacks....that are racial. I had to go to school here. They want to beat you up because you are white. And because you are white they think you are weak. I've lived in other states and the blacks in other states do not act that way. I think it is the history of the state and the way people raise their children. They preach in churches to their children we are the enemy and to hate us. I am a female. We went to a school that thought if you were a white girl they had the right to fondle over your body at school. I know it sounds like I'm a racisit but I'm not. These are facts about this area. Its ran over with Gangs. They will throw rocks at your cars from the side of the road. Dont go to east Albany at night...tooo dangerous. I guess its just like the rest of the world. Here in Lee County the poor are looked down upon. Even at the schools they judge you on how loud your pockets jingle when you walk. I was told when I moved here that Lee County was trying to regulate who lives here by setting higher living standards. They are zoning their county for almost new homes only. If you want to move a moblie home in it has to be no more than 5 years old and must be a double wide or larger. And theres not a lot of land zoned for this. It does not have the blacks Albany has because most can not afford to live here. For Lee County...if you have kids look forward to head lice at both Lee County schools...which I am outraged by. My son was having some trouble at school learning....the teacher told me she sent him home things she knew he could not do but she did not want him to feel dumb or anything. What!!!! Is this really a community you would like to live in. Its hard to tolerate ignorance....I just dont have the time and can not deal with stupid people. I am a college student and look forward to moving out of this state whenever I finish school.

what was said about what is being preached in the churches is wrong. I was never taught to judge anyone by their skin color. I can also speak for my classmates and church members. The message seems bitter and angry because the city has a large population of black minorities. From reading the comment it seems racist . I am not tring to be rude but I feel the need to say that just because you had a bad experience with a couple of people who have a diffrent skin tone that dosen't give anyone the right to bash and stereotype them in that manner.I have to deal and live with people who are not only from a diffrent ethnic group but also from a diffrent culture daily. I have had the opportunity to meet and live with people from France, Brittian, Belize, Jamacia, Africa, Canada, and Alaska.Even though they treat me diffrent form what I am used to I did not stereotype them.How do you know these people are racist have you every taken the time out to talk with some of them to see what they have been through. I know many of them don't speak or seem to be mean,but have you ever wondered why. you said it yourself in the message that the city is 90% black . have you ever thought what it would be like to be born and raised in a city where it is predominantly your ethnic group and there are only a couple of african american people around. you probably wouldn't know how to approach them or talk to them because it's something you are not used to.that may be what they are going through. ALbany is an ok city compared to come of the smaller cities such as sylvester, dawson,leesburg,americus,smithville,leslie,Butler, Ideal,Plains GA and many other small cities.

[Georgiasite]

Originally Posted by Boydawg

Albany may be ranked one of the worst but if you notice Leesburg is ranked one of the best. They are only a few miles apart.

Ok, lets be honest here. Look at the vast majority of people that live in both areas and you will know why that comment is true. enough said.

[ssrh1234]

Considering Albany? Don't!!!!!!!!!! I've been here for 30 years, have a very good job with a major company and I'm going to move my family without a job just to get out of this nosediveing town. Doesn't matter which county you live in surrounding Albany it still bad. This whole area is poorly managed from the ground up and will not get any better. The good ole buddy system runs this area. It's hard to make friends because eveyone is in a cliche. Most people live beyond there means (even though the cost of living is low). Racism is still very strong. If you don't hunt or fish there is nothing to do, even if you do you can't afford land and there is'nt much public land. The education is one of the worst in the U.S.. The private schools are good if you compare them to the local public but you can hardly afford them. Home schooling is very popular here for a reason. If you have ANY choice on your move to this location just read the threads.