Help...moving from CA to Valdosta GA??! (Atlanta, Waycross: apartments, crime)

[no name]

I could really use some info...please! I'm currently living in CA. I was born in Sacramento and I've lived in CA my entire life. My future hubby is being relocated to Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta. I'm a little freaked out about the thought of living in a less populated area in the south. Granted, I've never been there so I can only go by what I read and what I've heard, but I'm trying to remain open-minded about it. Does anyone know a decent place to live over there? Would Northern Florida be any better? We don't have any kids so I don't really need to worry about schools right now. I work full time now for the state of CA in a research science-oriented position and I'm afraid I won't be able to find any work within driving distance....am I doomed? haha...seriously, from what I've read it sounds like it can be very friendly there, but coming from a bigger town in CA...everyone pretty much minds there own business. Not that we're unfriendly, we just don't care whether our neighbors have different lifestyles, etc. If I'm way off beat here, please let me know! I want to be optimistic...the houses seem cheap!...but it seems like a tough adjustment. Oh, he'll probably be there for 3 years. Thanks for any comments!!

[altamaha]

Originally Posted by no name

I could really use some info...please! I'm currently living in CA. I was born in Sacramento and I've lived in CA my entire life. My future hubby is being relocated to Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta. I'm a little freaked out about the thought of living in a less populated area in the south. Granted, I've never been there so I can only go by what I read and what I've heard, but I'm trying to remain open-minded about it. Does anyone know a decent place to live over there? Would Northern Florida be any better? We don't have any kids so I don't really need to worry about schools right now. I work full time now for the state of CA in a research science-oriented position and I'm afraid I won't be able to find any work within driving distance....am I doomed? haha...seriously, from what I've read it sounds like it can be very friendly there, but coming from a bigger town in CA...everyone pretty much minds there own business. Not that we're unfriendly, we just don't care whether our neighbors have different lifestyles, etc. If I'm way off beat here, please let me know! I want to be optimistic...the houses seem cheap!...but it seems like a tough adjustment. Oh, he'll probably be there for 3 years. Thanks for any comments!!

By all means try to relocate to North Florida instead of South Georgia. Much better living conditions, availability of decent housing, higher paying jobs, educational needs fully met, taxes could be a problem though, particulary on military income, however the roads will be paved and police and emergency services available within a reasonable time frame. Also you must consider the Florida weather verses the Georgia cold climate and icy or snowy roads in winter. Suggest Lake City as a good alternate.

[bfa]

Originally Posted by altamaha

By all means try to relocate to North Florida instead of South Georgia. Much better living conditions, availability of decent housing, higher paying jobs, educational needs fully met, taxes could be a problem though, particulary on military income, however the roads will be paved and police and emergency services available within a reasonable time frame. Also you must consider the Florida weather verses the Georgia cold climate and icy or snowy roads in winter. Suggest Lake City as a good alternate.

I was born and raised in Valdosta, GA. There is no difference weather wise between N Fla and South GA. Valdosta is only about 20 miles from the state line.

I would take Valdosta over Lake City any day! Lake City is backwoods compared to Valdosta. And what job could you find in Lake City??

[bfa]

Originally Posted by no name

I could really use some info...please! I'm currently living in CA. I was born in Sacramento and I've lived in CA my entire life. My future hubby is being relocated to Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta. I'm a little freaked out about the thought of living in a less populated area in the south. Granted, I've never been there so I can only go by what I read and what I've heard, but I'm trying to remain open-minded about it. Does anyone know a decent place to live over there? Would Northern Florida be any better? We don't have any kids so I don't really need to worry about schools right now. I work full time now for the state of CA in a research science-oriented position and I'm afraid I won't be able to find any work within driving distance....am I doomed? haha...seriously, from what I've read it sounds like it can be very friendly there, but coming from a bigger town in CA...everyone pretty much minds there own business. Not that we're unfriendly, we just don't care whether our neighbors have different lifestyles, etc. If I'm way off beat here, please let me know! I want to be optimistic...the houses seem cheap!...but it seems like a tough adjustment. Oh, he'll probably be there for 3 years. Thanks for any comments!!

Dear, prepare for a culture shock I don't want so scare you at all, but it's the truth. I was raised in Valdosta, moved away in 2004 to the Tampa, FL area.

Valdosta is a typical southern, sleepy town. Crime is pretty low, housing is reasonable, no traffic to speak of, compared to what you are used to. (Visited Sac 3 years ago, nice, but the city is too big for me.)

Jobs? Well, it's gonna be tough to find something in your field. I'm not real sure what you do, but maybe the hospital may have something? I don't know, but most of the jobs in Valdosta are manufacturing or farm work. That's part of the reason I moved.

There isn't a lot to do. Wild Adventures used to be the thing to do, but last time I visited, the place has really gone down.

If it's only for 3 years, you can make it! Just plan to go out of town whenever possible. You can get to some pretty good beaches in a couple of hours.

Hope that helps. Oh, the base there is really nice, I had the opportunity to go on base about 6 times in the past.

Hope that helps! Ask anything about Valdosta, I can probably answer. Lived there 26 years.

[gmc81]

We welcome you to Beautiful Valdosta, Georgia!
Please do not listen to the person suggesting you move to Lake City! North Fla. is pretty boring to say the least. No jobs, bad schools and no recreation. Valdosta is a clean, friendly town with lots to do. There is tons of shopping. You should not listen to anyone not living in Valdosta Right Now because it has grown so much in the past few years that they would not even recognize it!! We have a small mall but are getting a bigger mall soon. We have Wild Adventures (kinda like six flags) and they are growing each year. Also, Valdosta is pretty close to some nice beaches/vacation areas. This city just keeps growing and we LOVE our military families! It's just great town to raise a family. While I must admit jobs are hard to come by here (good paying jobs) with the city growing so much bigger, better jobs are on the way. You should not have a problem finding a job here in your career field. I suggest you stay at the Valdosta Econo Lodge while your waiting for your house. It's new and really nice & affordable. You can find them at: Welcome to Econo Lodge - Valdosta, GA
Also, you can look for jobs at: Georgia Department of Labor
and CareerBuilder.com Jobs - The Largest Job Search, Employment & Careers Site is another good place to look for jobs here. Well, hope that helps and you will not have any problems finding a house or place to live here with grocery stores/ shopping close to Moody! Everything out towards to Moody area is fairly new. The weather is mild and sunny most of the year. There are tons of houses/apartments close to Moody. Good luck with the move!

[goozer]

It WILL be quite a transition for you. I recently posted on another thread about the differences between Atlanta and southern California for a person contemplating a move from Cali to Atlanta. Bottom line, if the move is voluntary, I believe a Californian would need to think long and hard before moving to Atlanta. I think this way more true for a Californian moving to Valdosta. In your case, however, it sounds like the move is a done deal based on a forced military relocation. You will just have to make the most of it, even if you are apprehensive about the move. I suggest you look for the nice things about living in the Valdosta area and always keep in mind that (if you don't like it) it is a temporary move. If nothing else, you will be living near one of the most unique wildlife habitats in the United States -- the Okefenokee Swamp. Strange as it may sound to a Californian, it is a beautiful place, with wildlife (gators!) that you simply don't find on the west coast.

[396]

I have been here 8 months, lived in northern California, Hayward, about 100 miles from Sacramento. It wil lbe a BIG difference from what you are used too. Like they have already said, be prepared and be glad it is for a short period of time.

[no name]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I really appreciate it. Sounds like it will be a change (temporarily) but I should be able to make the best of it and experience something very new. Now I'm just worried about snakes and my cat disappearing. Will that be a problem? Thanks!

[396]

You have to be watchfull of that. I found this in my backyard, and then I added boards to the bottom of my fence.

[Polkadots]

Originally Posted by goozer

If nothing else, you will be living near one of the most unique wildlife habitats in the United States -- the Okefenokee Swamp. Strange as it may sound to a Californian, it is a beautiful place, with wildlife (gators!) that you simply don't find on the west coast.

Okefenokee Swamp is much closer to Waycross...now that is a sleepy town imo. Valdosta State University brings quite a bit of excitement to Valdosta. The move from Cali. to Valdosta will be a culture shock, but things could be much worse!