5 best and 5 worst places to live in GA? (Atlanta, Columbus: lawyer, relocating)

[USA_Mom]

I think the poster decided to move to another state? I see from history posting on CT's board.

[georgiaroots]

I can't say what is the "best" or "worst" for everybody - but I can tell you my preferences. If you need to be close to Atlanta, check out what they are doing in Woodstock Georgia. There is amazing, beautiful development going on there, very high end, with parks and retail - they're creating a hometown kind of feeling, where only one or two blocks once existed. Further north, I happen to really like Dalton. There are folks on this board on occasion who have ranted about the diversity in Dalton, but I happen to like it. Plus, there are beautiful historic areas, lots of new developments (a high-end condo development on Shugart, a nice family development in Cohulla Creek, condos on the bypass, etc.), new retail is coming (we just got 3 starbucks in like six months, for instance), they've just announced a huge new investment in Dalton State College, etc., and I feel there is lots of growth opportunty here. Plus it is right on I-75 so you can easily get to Atlanta, Chattanooga, Nashville, etc. if you crave a big city and lots of traffic! And if you want to check out taxes, demographics, etc., you can visit Dalton Whitfield - Home. They also have a kind of 'welcome wagon' online that tells you about schools and churches and housing and arts, etc. Thats at Greater Dalton, Call It Home.

[wvgdavis]

I don't know why anyone would assume that just because a school is small it would be "sub-par". My son goes to Emerson Elementary in Emerson, Georgia and it is a GREAT school. It's small enough that the students get excellent attention from the teachers, everyone knows everyone else, and the teachers and staff sincerely care about the students. Emerson Elementary has earned a number of awards for being an outstanding school. A large school with lots of money is nothing next to a small school with caring and able teachers. Personally, I have lived in Cobb County and sent a daughter through Cobb County schools. They are overcrowded and have a higher percentage of trouble makers. I would not move back into Cobb County, given the choice. Yes, there are many good schools in CC. But you have to judge each one individually. AND I am originally from Michigan and have not found Emerson to be any more "southern" than anyplace else in the south. DUH! Small towns does not equal small minds.

[jorhyne]

Worst place is Jesup, Ga. That town is deplorable. Only stores in town is a Wal Mart and a Harvey's. The Cops are Nazis. No culture, or anything to do. That would be a prison sentence living in that town.

[DisgustaTruth]

Been through Jesup a few times and it never really made a great impression on me.. Hinesville is pretty deplorable too.. especially since it is practically a ghost town with the military deployments in Iraq. I guess it is to seperate the small towns from the larger towns.. Cities with 50K plus residents and places with fewer than that.
For the larger towns... Albany, Augusta, and Macon rank at the top in the WORST categories... Jesup would probably be high on the list for worst small towns.

[forresthills]

The culture there is southern living. Its an attitude. Jesup was one of the first police departments in the state to have 911. I use to work there in probation. like most small towns there "aint enough folks" to establish anything meaningful in what is recognized as culture to the rest of the world. Thats why we have the big cities.

[ATLCOL1]

Best:

1) Atlanta
2) Columbus
3) Savannah
4)LaGrange
5) Athens

Worst:

1) Augusta
2) Macon
3) Albany
4) Valdosta
5) College Park

[kckelso]

I must agree with your observation concerning Savannah. Prior to moving down here we heard rave reviews about this city. We were very disappointed when we arrived here. It is a very dirty city and not very friendly. Aside from the riverfront and a couple of museums there really is no reason to be here. Its an ok place to visit--that's about it.

[Scraper Enthusiast]

My opinion

5 Best:

1. North Fulton County
2. Cherokee County
3. Fayette County/Peachtree City
4. Wilmington Island
5. East Cobb County

5 Worst:

1. Southside Atlanta city proper
2. S. Dekalb
3. Clayton County
4. Chamblee
5. Albany

[Susan Church]

Roswell Ga Hands down the best. Stay on the West side of 400, great schools, wonderful parks and recreation, close to lakes, rivers, Mountians. Plenty of diversity socially just feels like home when you are here.