From CA to GA in nothing flat (Atlanta, Columbus: for sale, real estate)

[IREWIRE]

Hello,
I am a contractor here in California and I have a big family that wants to relocate to Georgia. I have been to Americus on many occasions as I have some family there. My question is where is a good culturallly diverse community that I can move to. I am black as is my family but I have some pre-teen boys and I do not want to subject them to any stereotypes are racism of any kind. Americus is a nice city but it is predominantly black and I do not want to be too close to the family I have living there. I was looking for somewhere midway between Atlanta and Jacksonville Fl (for business purposes). I hear northern GA is very nice but has some areas with a history of racism. Racism is alive and well here in Cali as with many places across the country, I'm just trying not to land smack dab in the middle in some GA community that has this type of history. Please help and much appreciation in advance.

[Pam Mathis]

We have a great community. With the military and Valdosta State University here we have a wonderful mix of families. The growth in Valdosta is fantastic and opportunities here are plentiful.

I have been here for 6 years and we love it. If I can answer any questions for you please let me know.

Pam Mathis

[atlantagreg30127]

A lot of people also like Columbus, Georgia. Mid-sized city with some culture at least, mixture of people (some military). Nice river running through it with a riverside park, etc.

[deja-zebbie]

Irewire,

I understand from your post that you don't want to live in Americus. I imagine that Americus must be quite different for those who live there as opposed to those just visiting, but frankly on several visits I've found Americus to be pretty much on the "cold" side. The exception being one very mall traditional Southern restaurant which was warm, friendly and VERY popular.

Could you clarify the TYPE of lifestyle you're looking for for your family: city, surburban, small town, country, etc. And the type of housing you think you'd be interested in? That would give me a clearer idea of where and what to recommend.

Frankly, unless you NEED to live in a City, I sure would look to a small town that is NEAR larger towns and a city (for major shopping, etc.) if I were raising a family right now. I suggest this for reasons of stability, low crime, etc. If I were in your situation I'd look at small towns that are near enough to a larger city to head "to the City" for entertainment, etc.

IMHO, I think a town that is small enough so that all the children go to the same schools (i.e., same elementary, same middle school, etc.) is a good idea. That way the schools aren't divided geographically, which can sometimes mean that the schools are actually ended up being divided along economic lines and sometimes (because of historic housing patterns) along racial lines as well.

A town that is near an institution of higher learning such as a college or university is also, IMHO a good idea as well. Such towns can offer educational opportunities (including some interesting things for children) entertainment, sports, etc. which might not normally be available in a small town. Also, such institutions can (for better or worse) draw a mix of people that, again, might not normally be found in a small town.

So, if you'd take the time to let us know what kind of LIFESTYLE you're looking for, I sure will attempt some further suggestions.

I can understand your concerns for your children about ending up in a pocket of racism. To be perfectly blunt and honest, my husband and I have OBSERVED less racism and less division in Georgia than we had OBSERVED in our former home in a major city in the West. In the area where we are now (in the Piedmont area south of Atlanta) we live on a racially diverse street where the children play together. We see people of different races eating, shopping, going to church and participating in town and social events TOGETHER. OF COURSE there are people who -->I<-- think are racist. In fact I can think of one in town and one outside the town limits right off the bat. What I'm talking about is the overall feeling of harmony in a town. And, again, my husband and I have OBSERVED what we believe to be LESS racism in Georgia than where we lived in the West and definitely heard fewer private comments we consider racist.

If you think you might be interested in small town living, you sure would have to do some personal research -- such as visiting different towns. That shouldn't be to hard if you can find a particular area you think you might like and then visit small towns around that area.

Wishing you all the best on your search. My husband and I moved to Georgia a few years ago and LOVE it.

zebbie

[gahomes247]

Hello Irewire, we came from rancho cucamonga, california almost 4 years ago and we like it very much, we live north of atlanta about 4o miles in dacula,ga. our comunity is very diversified as well as lawrenceville. the schools are great and we are within 5 to 10 miles from the mall,restaurants,theaters,gwinnett arena,hospitals and gwinnett college. Gwinnett has 13 national schools of excelence (Blue ribon schools ) and 35 Georgia schools of excellence and more than 95% of the county's public school students receive a high school diploma and more than 86% go to some form of postsecondary education. Gwinnett is a good place!! Let me know if you need farther assistance,we will be very honor to help you

Make It a Great Day!!

[IREWIRE]

Thanks all for the informative responses. As for the type of lifestyle we are a large family and we enjoy our time together (when we get it as I am quite the busy one). Including my wife and I there is ten of us, eight siblings 4 and 4, I'm looking for a large home on a 3 or more acre parcel. As you know the house prices here in California are astronomical, not much for a whole lot of money. When I first bought my home it was 174k in 1993 and now it's worth 400k that alone scares me because it's small. So as the years went by our family grew and now it's time for us to leave. Also my wife lost her parents and favorite niece all in one year, so I thinks she wants to leave that behind. I can tell you on my trips to Georgia I found it so enchanting as did she, she fell in love with the people as well as the scenery. It is extremely important for me to find the right area as so I can set up shop and supply my services to the local communities as well as contribute to those communities as well. As an electrical contractor the bulk of my business is commercial work so a growing community is definetely a plus!. My wife and I and the family enjoy eating out and my kids love the shopping centers with the bookstores and coffee shops. Being in the country on a large parcel is kind of what I'm looking for but I know it wouldn't be fair to the family. So what I am looking for is an area that has large homes on large parcels for no more than 275k. On my next trip (within 3 months) I hope to narrow down at least 4 quiet communities. So if this sounds remotely close to your style of living let me know where it's at I'm sure we could make good neighbors? Thanks again!

[IREWIRE]

I have been to Columbus, GA (Nearest regional medical facility from Americus) My aunt who lives in Americus was at a Hospital there. I stopped at a Super Wal-Mart while I was there. I've seen a few of the suburban neighborhoods and thought it was nice, a bit more populated than I expected. I also visited Macon and looked at a few homes. Valdosta is on the list to visit as I haven't been that far south other than travelling through to hit interstate 10. What I did like about the Americus area was the large lots but it didn't have any newer homes. Newnan was nice, I was near Stone Mountain I believe visiting a cousin. What caught my attention was McDonough, I liked the Griffin area, Thomaston we drove thru, Milledgeville area around the lake, I just don't know how people are in these areas. I know I can live anywhere and I am very open minded but I worry for my kids and I want them to adjust.

[capoeira]

I suggest looking at Athens. It is a great town and home to the University of Georgia. It has great bookstores with a Borders,a Barnes and Noble and a Books A Million,plus independent bookstores in downtown Athens. It has great restaurants and a lot of shopping typically found in much larger cities.
Here is a link to homes within 20 miles of Athens.

Athens, GA, Real Estate Listings and Athens, GA Single Family Home for Sale - Realtor.com

[deja-zebbie]

Irewire,

From your latest post you mention Macon. Can I suggest that as one possibility you consider NOT living IN Macon, but NEAR the -->NORTH side <-- of Macon? I feel pretty sure that the North side has less crime. Now, I'm pretty picky about these things, but I won't (for example) shop in the Lowe's on the southside, but like the one on the Northside.

If you were to drive from Forsyth past Bollingbroke towards North Macon, you would pass some some larger homes, many with horses, some with cattle. I believe someone on this list mentioned that kids in that area of Forsyth (and beyond) go to high school on the North side of Macon which I think is supposed to be a good school. If you were to consider living -->towards<-- the North side of Macon you would not find yourself not far from the bookstore/coffee shop, movie theatres, and relatively new stores there. There is also a Publix grocery store which we find to be one of the better grocery stores chains in Georgia. There are also IMHO some good docs on the North side of Macon...which is rapidly becoming developed.

If you're visiting this area in the next few months, it probably won't look like much because it will be winter, but this area is LOVELY most of the year. And, Macon is known for it's many, many cherry trees.

Another possibility might be between Barnesville (Larmar county) and Forsyth (Monroe county), where land could be reasonably priced.This is a lovely country-like area, but not far from either town, though you'll not find much in the way of MAJOR shopping in either town.

Finally between Griffin (the downtown side) towards Milner (a TINY town in Lamar county) there are some large houses for sale (and they have been for a while) I think these would be on or near "the old Milner road". This area is sort of country-ish, but VERY close to historic downtown Griffin (and not far from the area that has stores such as Lowe's, Home Depot, Walmart, theatres, and other shopping etc.. Houses in this area (before getting into Griffin) are on LARGE lots, with some raising horses, some with pecan groves. I'm not familiar with the "feel" of that area in terms of race. If you think you might consider this, there are probably people on this list who could advise you. I do know that this area between Milner and Griffin has a variety of churches and also there is a private school, St. Georges that is in (or near) Milner. I know several people who have grandchildren in that school and speak highly of it, but don't know any specifics.

Frankly, I think there might places other than Thomaston to meet your needs. .

Most of the people I know who do electrical or plumbing work in our neck of the woods live outside town limites on houses with acerage (and with a few head of cattle and/or horses) and drive around to where the work is. I've chatted with a number of electricians (or maybe electrical contractors?) who do this. These are folks who have commercial electrical licenses. They are VERY much in demand.

It is important to thoroughly check out the water supply and any drought restrictions on any place you consider buying. Only in Georgia would an area with 25 inches of rain a year have a drought! Sometimes the water supply in the town limits is good, but once you cross that line into a county area you generally would have different water sources and might have different restrictions.

Best wishes on finding a new home in Georgia for you and your family.

zebbie

[DisgustaTruth]

Avoid Disgusta (aka Augusta) and Macon like the plague..... also avoid Albany.. aside from those three the rest of the state is pretty nice.