English Family looking to Relocate to GA (Statesboro, Evans: houses, rent)

[nealtam]

Hi everyone,

I am an english professional that has been offered the chance to relocate to Georgia, by the company I currently work for.

My place of work would be Swainsboro, can any one give some advice on which counties/towns which i should consider living in. I have looked on the net and see that Evans, Bulloch and Effingham seem to be ok but it is difficult to judge.

If i take the position I will be moving over completely with my wife and three daughters (8,6,2) so it is a very big move for us. We will be coming over for 10days in January to view areas, houses, schools etc so any advice you can give on places and schools would be welcomed

Cheers Nealtam

[cpowers21]

I can tell you a little about Effingham. Effingham county has great schools, lots of land, and is growing. However, I think that Effingham county might be a little out of the way. I don't think you want a long commute to and from work.

[ellie]

You might look into living in Statesboro, which is in Bulloch County. There is a regional university there, Georgia Southern University, which may provide you with more diversity and better educational opportunities for your children than what you will find in the other towns surrounding Swainsboro. That being said, you will probably be in for a bit of culture shock. Good luck.

[nealtam]

Thanks for the comments, Statesboro seems the most appealing place at this stage. Can you give me a little more on the culture shock

cheers

[Scotsman77]

Hi - I lived in Alabama for a few years, am an American, but currently living in Scotland. Culture shock? I went through it coming to the UK!

Forget the 'drink culture' and sitting at the pub mentality totally. People may have a drink - or a few beers - on the weekends. Some may actually get drunk. But they do NOT brag about drinking every night or bingeing all weekend long! Swear words are not socially acceptable adjectives - unless you've just slammed your thumb with a hammer! Bite your tongue if you have to, but don't swear around the ladies - it's just not done in polite society.

Racist abuse, looking down on other nationalities, anti-religious attitudes, and mocking and/or making fun of other people and their habits are not qualities that are readily accepted on that side of the Atlantic. You can believe whatever you want, but I would caution you to keep your views to yourself. Stepping outside the line, especially to make scarcastic comments about others or the country/government, will not endear you to anyone.

On the plus side - be prepared to s-l-o-w down your speech, your way of life and your way of thinking. The weather is fantastic -there are 4 seasons - warm, hot, really hot and warm - and lots of sunshine. The people are warm, gracious and friendly - IF - I repeat, IF - you are willing to acclimate to THEIR way of life and not expect them to become British!

[ellie]

The rural south, like the area you will be moving into, is like a country within a country. Expect to see extreme poverty and economic disparity close up, expect to meet people with very traditional and conservative values who have lived in the area for generations, expect to deal with the headaches associated with living in a town with a high population of students (if you choose Statesboro), expect to meet a lot of genuine and kind-hearted people who have no experience with the world at large and believe only what they see on TV, expect to meet a few hate-filled individuals, and also expect to meet a few people who have travelled and are well-read. Your accents will carry you a long way. Almost everyone will be curious about you. Join a church, even if you are not particularly religious. Consider it an anthropological experiment, at the very least. If you approach the situation from the standpoint that you are entering into a world that few members of your current community have ever experienced, and enjoy and appreciate what you see as an additive life experience, I'm sure you will get a lot out of it. Your new community will also enjoy getting to know you. You will be fine.