5 best and 5 worst places to live in GA? (Atlanta, Savannah: estate, transplants)

[Brother WilliamX]

Originally Posted by Cassysue

Cordele is the Watermelen capital of the world
Americus has the same drug problems as Albany and Leesburg so
its a nicer town and that would be my pick if I had to live again
hope this helps
have a great day

Thanks so very much for your help CassySue. I have a few friend who are retired County Sheriffs that lives there. Thanks again.

[jjmil4]

Do you think Lithonia is bad due to high crime or just because it's close to Atlanta? Aren't there some nice areas to live in Lithonia?

[scubashawn]

# 1 Worst.....Savannah...Super high crime....Atlanta is actually much better.

[retrodaddy]

Originally Posted by sprtsluvr8

I would disagree slightly and say there are 3 Georgias...Metro Atlanta, Savannah, and the rest of Georgia. Savannah is not quite like anything else. And to all the Atlanta-haters posting in this thread...there are somewhere around 5 million people who apparently disagree with you...

Have lived in the Atlanta metro area (Lilburn, kinda out in the sticks, to the east) for almost five years now. Concur with the above sentiment, though I'd say Athens deserves its own separate listing. Some would also say that Athens is just a very extended portion of metro Atlanta, but I don't think that's the case (it may be at some point in the foreseeable future, though).

I should admit to me being a Yankee, originally from South Florida and having spent years 18 through 31 of my life in G'ville, FL, where I attended school. Keep in mind my bias for preferring urban areas when reading my comments here.

Atlanta is a fun city which offers practically everything you can expect from a big city, with the biggest disadvantage being the reluctance to improve what is a flawed mass transit system. Figuring out your commute when deciding on where to live would be wise. I'm single w/o children, and didn't go to school around here, so I can't comment on what it's like trying to find good schooling for children. Also, I'm in a unique situation of house-sitting, so I haven't had to deal with renting/owning a place.

Savannah is fun, as well. Have visited Savannah over a dozen times and know a few people who moved there from Florida. The downtown/historic district offers a nightlife and activity you won't find anywhere else in GA other than Athens or Atlanta. Overall, Savannah seems to be much more hip and progressive than other areas of GA (keep in mind we're talking about Georgia, so 'progressive' is really relative here). Also, you're just two hours from Jacksonville and Charleston, SC (very nice city for day trips), and 3 1/2 hours from Atlanta.

Disadvantages? Outside of the downtown area, Savannah can be very sketchy. From what friends tell me, public school education isn't very good. Nearby Tybee Island offers beaches, but those beachers aren't that great. Nonetheless, better being on the coast than inland Georgia (other than Athens/Atlanta).

Athens is cool, and considered one of the best college towns in America. I've been there a few times, but really don't know anyone who lives there, so I can't give any specific details. It's widely considered one of the most progressive areas in GA, though. Athens is about an hour to 1 1/2 hour to Atlanta, depending on your specific destination.

The rest of GA? Ugh. Even the bigger cities (Columbus, Macon, etc)., which I've visited, are too small-town for me. I also know people who live or have lived in Columbus and Macon, and life just isn't very thrilling in either area.

Basically, if I couldn't live in Atlanta or Savannah, I just wouldn't live in Georgia.

[shantrese]

I hope union city is not the worst list.I plan on moving there

[berryjuice4life]

What about Alpharetta forsyth county????? any input???

[residentconcerns]

South Georgia is the way to go!
I live in a small town of only 900 pop.
I work for the neighbor city of 6000 pop.
All friendly and loving people, little crime, sometimes
your neighbor knows more about you than you...haha
but that is a small price to pay for no smells, beautiful country side, and southern hospitality.
Worth County Georgia

[roamfree]

Some people like chicken and farms. Others like traffic and skylines. A good friend of mines lives in Albany and loves it. I on the otherhand would live there is I was offered a job with a high six-figure salary. My family loves Columbus and basically could live there all their lives. On the otherhand, I had to get out. Different tolerance levels. Actually I dont think Georgia is for me. Wherever you settle on just make sure its the best decision for you and your family.

[val13]

Can someone tell me more about Athens?

[sharron]

Hi,

You sound like a small town girl who does not need lots of malls, traffic, crime and noise! Also, since you are from CT, I would imagine that you are not looking for lots of humidity.

To me the 5 worst places in GA for you are:
5. in Atlanta,
4. just south or just north of Atlanta
3. just east or west of Atlanta
2. any town south of Atlanta (Heat and humidity)
1. the coast of Georgia

To my way of thinking, the 5 best places for you are all small towns in the Northeast Georgia mountains. We have many transplants from CT who say they feel like they are home here because we have mountains and change of seasons WITHOUT THE EXTREMES! They love our change of seasons, friendly people, great schools and low crime rate. We get an average of 3 inches of snow per year, and nature still has a home here.

5. Ellijay,Georgia
4. Blue Ridge, Georgia
3. Hiawassee, Georgia
2. Young Harris, Georgia
1. Blairsville, Georgia

Moderator cut: Removed

Sharron Lobman