Is There Anything Positive To Say About Albany? (Columbus, Thomasville: rent, hotel)

[runnergrl]

Thanks yall for the concern...but I really am okay...just inpatient. I do feel wonderfully confident that I have put my faith and trust in the one who matters and everything else will fall into place in his time. I am just inpatient...but willing to do what I need to do here until that time comes.

I appreciate your concern and your prayers. May God bless us all.

[mccance]

I did my time in Agony, GA back in 92-93 when I worked for P&G there. First job out of college. Talk about culture shock.

I hated almost every day of it. The heat, gnats, lack of everything.

I remember when the first Applebees opened there. For countless weekends, there was a HUGE line out the front door and half way around the building for people waiting to get seated.

I was 26 and from Tampa, FL and used to wonder who in their right mind would EVER wait more than ZERO seconds to get seated at a frikkin Applebees, WHO!?

Oh, just everyone in Agony, GA, that's who.

Get out ASAP!

RM

[mccance]

Oh and I forgot about that Flint River. It flooded while I was there as well. I didn't get affected, but what a mess.

[runnergrl]

That's funny about the Appleby's....I didnt live there then, but my folks always have...my sister actually worked at the Appleby's when they first opened. It was quite the hit...a franchise restaurant...only the best for Albany...haha. I know the next big hit was the Outback...that was the main place my parents would go...Appleby's got kinda old fast.

Biggest complaint my folks have about eating in Albany is that finer restaurants dont make it there....People just wont support paying more than a buffet price for a single meal. There was a nice restaurant up in Americus in that historical hotel up there....alot of folks go there for a more refined dining experience. You certainly dont go to Albany for their dining establishments, unless you like chains OR Jimmy's hotdogs which is a worthy mention, or country vegetables like snap peas or field peas and pecans and peanuts...preferrably boiled.

[FlourChild]

You don't go to Albany for courteous or professional (or even CIVIL) customer service, either. If I had a dime for every time some ex-welfare mom or work-release crack thug scowled, growled and just about threw loaded plates onto a table in front of us, or for every time we've walked out of a restaurant after waiting 45 minutes just to have our orders taken, I could take an extended cruise.

[runnergrl]

Dang, Flourchild....are these just any places you frequent in Albany? I am not doubting your experience, because it was there when I was there...maybe not as prevalent. I mean are these just everyday places you go in and around town? Have you been up to Lee county? And if so, is the overall feeling any different?

Honestly when we were in Alpharetta last summer....I was so excited that they had an Einstein bros bagel shop off of Windward pkwy. Now I have been to a few Einstein's in other areas(midwest and southwest) and these little franchises are known to be gathering places for local folks to hang out and have their coffee and it helps they they are usually conveniently located in areas that have that neighborly type feel. So with warm fuzzy imagery coming to mind as I noticed this familiar franchise in Alpharetta...I was hoping, yet reluctant, to experience the feel that I had had in other places. The burbs in Atlanta arent known for their neighborly, community type feel. So anyway...the coffee and bagels were good, but the staff ( usually smiley and friendly in other places) acted like they couldve cared less about trying to be friendly. Anything involving providing pleasant service...was just asking too much. I was disappointed....but luckily, I knew my experiences in other places werent likely to be duplicated in suburbia Atlanta.

Now Waffle house is an exception...any waffle house you go in...one can experience a happy cheerful "good morning!".

[FlourChild]

Originally Posted by runnergrl

Dang, Flourchild....are these just any places you frequent in Albany? I am not doubting your experience, because it was there when I was there...maybe not as prevalent. I mean are these just everyday places you go in and around town? Have you been up to Lee county? And if so, is the overall feeling any different?

Cracker Barrel, Pizza Hut, BAM, Maggie Moo's, Sam's Club...the list goes on. Haven't been to Lee County in awhile. For the first few months we were here, we went just about everywhere we could, to learn our way around and acclimatize. Lately, I've been reluctant to go ANYWHERE, because leaving home just reminds me that we're in Albany, and that depresses me to the point of tears. I thought it would get better the longer we were here; it's getting worse. I hate living in Albany much more now than I did a year ago.

[runnergrl]

I feel your pain....I really do...even though I dont have to deal with the Albany issue here in southern CA. I feel so isolated out here where no one is like me. I so dearly want to be close to my family as I have been away from GA for at least 6 yrs now...I feel no connection or desire to be here. So I feel in that regards we are very similiar. But hey....you do have your great church right? My husband and I started going to church about a month ago...and it really helps me get through the week...knowing that I can encounter normal, accepting people once a week.

Hang in there, girl...I will keep you in my prayers.

[FlourChild]

Originally Posted by runnergrl

I feel your pain....I really do...even though I dont have to deal with the Albany issue here in southern CA. I feel so isolated out here where no one is like me. I so dearly want to be close to my family as I have been away from GA for at least 6 yrs now...I feel no connection or desire to be here. So I feel in that regards we are very similiar. But hey....you do have your great church right? My husband and I started going to church about a month ago...and it really helps me get through the week...knowing that I can encounter normal, accepting people once a week.

Hang in there, girl...I will keep you in my prayers.

Thank you very much, sweetie. It does help to know you're praying for me.

[runnergrl]

I certainly will, honey...and you know my heart goes to you when you say you are driven to tears being in Albany....I have similiar episodes here. So I really, really do feel your pain. I dont think a week goes by without having at least one or 2 bouts of tears. But it is getting better...I do know that everything will be okay...as will be with you too.

I had a suggestion for you...on the weekends....why dont you and your family do a day trip and go to some of the more charming small towns and spend a few hours. Americus, as I mentioned previously, has a historical hotel in its downtown area and it has a reputable restaurant. Have you been to Callaway Gardens (think that is near Columbus)? Do you go to Lake Blackshear? Thomasville is also a charming little town as well as Moultrie, Tifton...just go outside the box and try to find some kind people that arent poisoned with the Albany attitude. At least it gets you out, and you dont have to be so downtrodden. You can always plan a weekend trip get to AL once a month to help you get thru. With summer coming up...you ought to go spend an extended amount of time in AL with friends and relatives to have something to look forward to. THat's what is getting me by here...I will be spending probably over 3 weeks in GA this summer...and it cant happen soon enough...haha. Hopefully in the interim, your husband will find a job in AL there to get you all out.