From someone who has lived here all my life
I was born in Griffin, lived in Macon from age 1 to 22 and in Marietta (20 minutes outside of Atlanta) for the last 28 years. Here's what I can tell you about various areas of Georgia:
Metro Atlanta, which includes a very large number of counties: horrible traffic...gets worse every year. Do your very best to live where you work...when it comes to the Metro Atlanta area. If you live in one of the cities around Atlanta and work inside the perimeter in Atlanta, you will spend your life on I-75, I-285, 400 and I-20. Atlanta DOES NOT have a good transit system. I live and work in Marietta and have a 16 minute commute...that's the way to keep your sanity if you live in Metro Atlanta.
Best schools in Metro Atlanta are in Fayetteville area (I think that's Fayette County) and Cobb County, specifically the Pope and Walton school districts in Cobb County...these areas always have the highest scores year after year. If your child is motivated, he/she can get a private school education at Pope or Walton due to all the advanced placement classes. My son scored 1360 first time around on the SAT and he attended Pope. He just graduated from UGA in Athens...another great little Georgia town if you don't mind the influx of students during the school year. I've also heard that Gwinnett County has some good schools.
If you are concerned about the public schools, Metro Atlanta has many good private schools. Crime is bad in SOME areas of Metro Atlanta, so just be choosy about where you live. Again, Cobb County isn't bad. I was surprised to see someone list Austell as a great area in Metro Atlanta...I would totally disagree. Alpharetta is nice, but just don't work in Atlanta or you will spend your life on 400...it's a parking lot most of the day. One last thing about the Metro Atlanta area. Taxes in Fulton County (Atlanta) are a good bit higher than in Cobb and some of the other Georgia counties. If you want to live close to Atlanta, but be in Cobb County, live in Vinings. It is practically in Atlanta but still in Cobb County (not Fulton) so you get the tax advantage.
Macon is a beautiful historic town, people are super friendly...but the job market is sadly lacking. It is definitely a "good ole boy" atmosphere...helps to know someone to get a decent job. Someone mentioned cities/town with bad smells. Well, Macon gets the award here. A papermill is on the outskirts of Macon and it REEKS! You get used to it, sort of...but it can get really bad sometimes. Public schools are horrible...definitely go the private route in Macon. I speak from experience having gone through the Bibb County School system. I had to work extra hard my first year at Mercer in Macon, having been woefully unprepared by the public school system.
The further you go south below Macon, the more depressed most areas are...but not all. The accent gets thicker and watch out for the "gnat line". No, I'm not kidding. You almost can't talk outside in Dublin, GA without getting a mouth full of gnats in the summer.
North Georgia seems to be THE place people who have worked and lived in Metro Atlanta choose for retirement, that and Highlands, NC. North Georgia is beautiful...lots of pretty mountains, but I don't know about the schools...don't think they are that great. Dalton area is also very pretty. Madison, another small town with wonderful historic old houses, is another popular destination for retirement. Since I love touring historic homes...I tend to know those towns the best.
Ideally for retirement...I think living 1-2 hours outside of Atlanta would be the ideal so you are close enough for shopping, medical, the airport, the theater, etc...but don't have to deal with all the traffic.
What city in George is the "best", totally depends on which stage you are in...in your life. Retirement? Raising a family? Young professional? Love the city? Love the country? Love the mountains? Georgia has it all. Best advice...talk to several realtors...list your needs/priorities and they can advise.
I completely agree with the person who said there are 2 Georgias: Metro Atlanta and everywhere else. Metro Atlanta is very fast, cosmopolitan, and stressful compared to all the rest of Georgia. Hope this helps.
Last edited by Magnolias and Moonlight; 07-14-2007 at 12:58 AM..
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07-05-2007, 05:17 AM
Ru Kidding?
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