Forsyth, GA? How is it?

[Peelo]

Actually, yes there are quite a few things coming.....I`m not at liberty to discuss them all, but I can say that North Monroe county is going to see a very BIG retail boom here in the next year or so (Near Riata and River Forest)....I can also tell you there will be alot more coming...not so much in the "city limits" area, but it is coming...trust me on that.

And yes, the super walmart will get the approval...the "new" local government will fight a little to try to get back some abatements and concessions given beforehand (especially since they will potentially lose alot of money from the fight with plant scherer)....

[MayorOfMacon2019]

Nice to see you active again Peelo.

[Vycee]

Originally Posted by Peelo

Actually, yes there are quite a few things coming.....I`m not at liberty to discuss them all, but I can say that North Monroe county is going to see a very BIG retail boom here in the next year or so (Near Riata and River Forest)....I can also tell you there will be alot more coming...not so much in the "city limits" area, but it is coming...trust me on that.

And yes, the super walmart will get the approval...the "new" local government will fight a little to try to get back some abatements and concessions given beforehand (especially since they will potentially lose alot of money from the fight with plant scherer)....

Peelo,

Please tell me if public transportation is something that will be offered in the Forsyth area? I primarily interested in providing a way for my elderly mother to get around while I'm at work.

[deja-zebbie]

Vycee,

We live very close to Forsyth and are often there. I think you're wise not to consider options other than Griffin for your living arrangements. Griffin has a charming old town residential area, but frankly we only go there to Home Depot and Lowe's...and to go to a couple of shops in the old downtown. I understand from this list also that there is a gang problem in Griffin.

However, that said, having lived in California and other western cities, I would STRONGLY suggest that if at all possible that you plan a trip out to this area BEFORE you start deciding on the type of housing, etc. That may sound odd, but I think you're in for a REAL shock...most of the housing and lifestyle in these towns and areas near Griffin are VERY, VERY different from what I know personally of California and other western states. I can't speak to any public transportation in Forsyth. I'd be surprised if there is any...but anyone on this list, please feel free to chime in if you know of some.

Now...when I talk about the areas around Griffin (Forsyth included) as being very different from California and some of the other Western states. I want to make it clear that I think the living here is BETTER, BETTER, BETTER.
My husband and I moved to this area from a major western city a few years ago and we would NEVER move back. We only wish we had moved here years ago. When we moved here we planned on going back every two months or so, but I think the last time we felt motivated to make a trip back was in 2003 or 2004. We LOVE this area of Georgia...the people, the rural areas, the beauty and friendliness. We've gotten to know many people with real ties to our area and have come to love the lifestyle.

I'd like to suggest that instead of thinking of a housing development that you consider in town living. In some of the towns near Griffin there are in-town houses in established (and often historic) neighborhoods with GREAT houses going for MUCH less than you're planning on spending. Also, in town might help your Mom in developing ties to the community. People in this neck of the woods are neighborly.

I don't know your Mom's age or how she would feel would feel about the Red Hat ladies (can't remember the actual name of the group) but there are a number of these groups for older women and they pick each other up and go on outings (such as plays, restaurants, etc.) together. That's all the group does is go on outings. Some of the small towns in this area have SEVERAL of these groups. Also, if your mom gardens, the gardening groups do a lot together. If your mom's goes to church, these areas are full of churches and there is a lot of social life connected to churches besides services, such as some churches having once a week dinners, etc. There are even little groups in some of these towns that go on gambling jaunts to places with casinos. You can also find senior citizen centers where there are things going on.

So, again, I would suggest a trip to this area....TAKING back roads to really explore the area before even thinking of TYPE of housing. IMHO the charm of these small towns is NOT found in housing developments. If you were moving to a heavily populated area then I'd suggest a development, but you'll clearly see what I'm talking about if you're able to make a trip to EXPLORE. I'd hit every tiny town and community on that trip.

All the best
zebbie

[Vycee]

Deja-Zebbie,

Thank you for your detailed response. Your comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated and I'm happy to hear that you and your family transitioned nicely. As a child I spent summers in the rural south, and over the years I have continued to visit relatives in those same small towns. I have some idea of what to expect. With that said, I have also developled a taste for the atmosphere of the big city, and want to have it within an hour or two drive ( Just not in my back yard). I also need to be within a reasonable drive of the airport.

The Macon/Forsyth area "seems" to offer some of what I'm looking for. I will visit soon and log in with comments. Thanks again.

I also

[Peelo]

Sorry about not getting back to you sooner....

Yes, as a matter of fact, they had a public forum discussion last week over the public transportation issue.

[deja-zebbie]

Vycee,
You've mentioned your need for public transportation for your mom and I can't really think of any (such as buses, etc.) in Forsyth. I could be real wrong, though.

I just had a thought, ....why don't you call the City of Forsyth and see if they have "Dial A Ride" and who would be eligible. Where we are from originally Dial a Ride was for the elderly and disabled. It might be called something else down here, so if you do call the City (ooh yes, ALSO try the county of Monroe) and "Dial A Ride" doesn't ring a bell to them ask if there is some kind of transportation for the elderly or disabled. I don't know how elderly one has to be.

And, I do know that in the general area (towns close to Forsyth) that there are buses that work on apt for the elderly and disabled for doctor appointments, even from county to county. These are COUNTY buses where pick ups are made by apt. My helper told me that acutally ANYONE can use those buses, the non-elderly and non-disabled just pay more. I'm ---->NOT suggesting the doc apt buses would be what you're looking for, since it didn't sound as if you were looking for transportation for your Mom to go to the docs. What I'm getting at here is that if your Mom isn't "elderly" and IF there is Dial A Ride, she MIGHT be able to use it but paying a higher price like one can do with the county buses. The Dial a Ride I'm familar with (from out West) is more of a taxi/van type service rather than a bus. You call and it comes and takes you where you need to go. Problem is they don't take you on a straight shot..they pick up other people on the way so from my knowledge there can be a wait for pick up on both ends. If your Mom is healthy, that might not be a problem. In my former life I worked in a cultural instituion and a lot of our volunteers used to take Dial A Ride. They were older, but not generally "old" but they didn't drive for various reasons such as poor eyesight.

Maybe there is a "Dial A Ride" type situation in Forsyth/Monroe and that would work for your mother.

Also, if there is no "Dial A Ride" in Forsyth/Monroe have you considered a private driver? I haven't been able to drive since 1998 and my husband generally drives me around, but I had a driver here until just recently when he was diagnosed with cancer. He used to pick up and deliver people all over the town, all over the county and to other counties. This guy eventually got a taxi license, but one wasn't needed for private driving (even for pay). He too, generally liked to pick other people on the way, but I made my special needs (disabilities) clear and so with me he was just like a taxi, straight pick up and delivery..no stops. The cost was $2.00 to go in town, additional to stop and wait for me (i.e., not go on other calls) and then return me back home. He also used to pick up things for me (medicines, food, etc.) and make deliveries for me to other people (papers to our accountant, etc., gifts to friends, etc.) when my husband wasn't available or was out of town.

Also, know the taxi service where we live (near Forsyth) is $4.00 for in town and that they take a lot of people grocery shopping and on errands. They do, however, pick up other people on the way. so it's not always a straight shot.

Maybe there is something like that in Forsyth/Monroe?

For me the private driver worked best (but it's a moot point now because he's not going to be able to drive) because I got to know this guy's and his family and could count on him 24/7 UNLIKE the local taxi business. If he couldn't make it, he'd send a nephew or brother. Also, I found that real safe as he knows my docs, where my husband works, etc. and knows who my friends are in town in case I had some kind of small emergency.

Anyway, maybe these ideas would work for you?

All the best,
zebbie

[Vycee]

Deja,

Thanks for such a plethora of information. This is an awesome forum and I'm so thankful to have found it. Please know that I am hard at work preparing for the transition there. While change can be difficult, I welcome a new way of living.

[Vycee]

Originally Posted by Peelo

Sorry about not getting back to you sooner....

Yes, as a matter of fact, they had a public forum discussion last week over the public transportation issue.

Peelo,

May I ask what came out of that discussion? Also, I'm wanting to know more about planned growth and development in the area. How is the housing market for buyers?

[Vycee]

One other thing... can anyone suggest a builder in the Macon area? I also need to find a great location to build. As a city girl I'm drawn to subdivisions for safety, and shared amenities. An acre of land and house hopefully under $320,000. To refresh everyones memory...I want to be towards Forsyth for close proximity to metro Atlanta (Griffin area).