MACON GA is it a great city? (Atlanta, Wrightsville: travel, jobs)

[NURSE67]

Do anyone know anything about Macon GA or Wrightsville GA

[bronco22]

I certainly wouldn't consider it a GREAT city. I don't live in Macon but have worked there for 15+ years and live next door in Houston County. Macon has lots of historical sites, is attractive, lots of shopping, good amount of entertainment/arts, lots of fine restaurants, good business industry. The school system is known for being less than decent. Though that has improved a bit in the very northern part of Macon, but my understanding is that overall it's still not good. Most people that can afford it, and even those that can't, figure out a way to send their child to private schools in Macon and there are a BUNCH to choose from. The crime in Macon is a bit high and working with law enforcement officers, I'm told they wouldn't let their wives venture out too many places alone after dark including the large Macon Mall. Downtown Macon is nice but totally dead on the weekend unless there's activity at the Grand Opera house or on Cherry Street. Personally, I wouldn't live in Macon but it's a nice place to work. Of course, these are just my opinions and what I hear on a daily basis.

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by bronco22

The school system is known for being less than decent. Though that has improved a bit in the very northern part of Macon, but my understanding is that overall it's still not good. Most people that can afford it, and even those that can't, figure out a way to send their child to private schools in Macon and there are a BUNCH to choose from.

I can verify this through my sister's experience (she has lived in north Macon for 14 years). She sends her son to a private school (evidently the admission process is pretty competitive there).
Aside from that, she has loved living in Macon (we are Atlanta natives).

[midgeorgiaman]

I moved to Macon 4 years ago after living in Arizona and Virginia. Macon is definately Southern in character. Honestly, I wasn't very impressed when I first moved here as Macon does not do a very good job of selling itself. After living here awhile, I decided to quit my job before my next transfer and remain in the area. I love it here now. Housing costs are very low--you can get a great place for under 200,000 or a 4000 sq ft home for 400,000. There is a great sense of history in the city and there are many improvements occurring in the old downtown areas. There are actually quite a few amenities for a city its size such as plays, symphony, art shows, etc. and the location just 80 miles south of atlanta is nice too for travelling (non-stop anywhere from Atlanta airport), larger city amenities (pro sports, concerts, etc). There are many great restaurants in the area and I am never bored as there are many activities to attend throughout the year. The people are very friendly too.

You will invariably see someone post about the crime in Macon and how the city is awful. I will address this first and foremost. Yes there are terrible parts of the city that are infested with crime, but I have yet to find a single metropolitan area in the US with a metro population of nearly 400,000 that doesn't have blighted areas. Unless you are living in public housing and make your living dealing drugs you are not exposed to any more crime than one would face anywhere else. I have lived in the city very near downtown and have yet to be a victim of any crime.

As far as the job market is concerned, it is dicey depending on what your skills are. White-collar jobs are sometimes tough to find, but jobs in the service industry are very plentiful. Pay is less than the national average, but housing costs are so low that you can usually have a higher standard of living than many other areas.

I just touched on some high points of living in Macon. If you have further questions, just ask.

[Peelo]

Its all about opinion.....I personally cant stand Macon and think it is truly a less than desireable place....others love the place. It depends on the standards of living you desire.....

[rdinga]

Originally Posted by midgeorgiaman

I moved to Macon 4 years ago after living in Arizona and Virginia. Macon is definately Southern in character. Honestly, I wasn't very impressed when I first moved here as Macon does not do a very good job of selling itself. After living here awhile, I decided to quit my job before my next transfer and remain in the area. I love it here now. Housing costs are very low--you can get a great place for under 200,000 or a 4000 sq ft home for 400,000. There is a great sense of history in the city and there are many improvements occurring in the old downtown areas. There are actually quite a few amenities for a city its size such as plays, symphony, art shows, etc. and the location just 80 miles south of atlanta is nice too for travelling (non-stop anywhere from Atlanta airport), larger city amenities (pro sports, concerts, etc). There are many great restaurants in the area and I am never bored as there are many activities to attend throughout the year. The people are very friendly too.

You will invariably see someone post about the crime in Macon and how the city is awful. I will address this first and foremost. Yes there are terrible parts of the city that are infested with crime, but I have yet to find a single metropolitan area in the US with a metro population of nearly 400,000 that doesn't have blighted areas. Unless you are living in public housing and make your living dealing drugs you are not exposed to any more crime than one would face anywhere else. I have lived in the city very near downtown and have yet to be a victim of any crime.

As far as the job market is concerned, it is dicey depending on what your skills are. White-collar jobs are sometimes tough to find, but jobs in the service industry are very plentiful. Pay is less than the national average, but housing costs are so low that you can usually have a higher standard of living than many other areas.

I just touched on some high points of living in Macon. If you have further questions, just ask.

I wholeheartedly agree with you Midgeorgiaman. My wife's parents moved here from Atlanta and talked us into moving here. We have been here 9 years, did not care for Macon at first, but have come to love it and realize what a great "secret" Macon is. We've never been victims of crime, our friends have never been victims of crime. We live east of downtown across the river. We moved here from Atlanta and lived in Fort Worth, Texas before that.