Blue Ridge, GA - Progressive? (Atlanta, Forsyth: vacation home, schools, subdivisions)

[ray1945]

Originally Posted by worldaway

But aren't there already alot of "outsiders" already coming into this area? When we have visited, I recall many, many Floridians living all around up there. Is the local dynamic changing ANY? It would seem that it would have to with the outer suburbs if Atlanta about an hour away and these mountains being about the closest ones in proximity to the state of Florida. Why do the "locals" resent others so much, or do some people just want to play that up so people won't move in so fast and they can try to keep it all to themselves? I read recently from a respected source where over the next 40 years the triangle between Charlotte, NC, Atlanta and Chattanooga is projected to be the fastest growing area in the ENTIRE USA! So it sould seem many of these folks that may be so set in their ways and fearful of outsiders and change may have a rude awakening coming! As far as the dopeheads and no jobs - that seems to be a small town problem many, many places not just north Georgia. But the difference seems to me at least that North Georgia has an industry (tourism) that will come into play more and more and provide some opportunity for those locals so industrious to participate in a rising economy, providing services to tourist or affluent retirees. Aren't the towns in that area preparing themselves for this opportunity? Many towns all across America would kill to have the "problem" of too many "outsiders" moving in. Besides, last time I checked there was no passport control between California and Georgia, or North Carolina or Tennessee.

Hello.

My husband and I have been visiting the N. GA mountains since the early 80s. We built our first cabin in White County (Helen) in 1993; sold it in 1998. We were closer to retirement in 2001 when we bought a mountain view cabin just outside of Blue Ridge, GA. Since then, we have both retired and we split our year between N. GA and S. Florida.

Blue Ridge is veerrry slowly making its way into the 21st century. For example, it is a conservative mountain town, but it has a significant gay presence. A number of main street businesses are owned by gay men/women, who do not seem to find much open resentment/resistance. One of my BR neighbors is a gay man and he says he has always felt comfortable in BR.

The devil's own weapons, beer and wine, are just now going to be allowed in county restaurants (but not in Blue Ridge city limits). However, the local grocery story, Ingles, has a beer/wine cooler that is almost larger than the first floor of my cabin.

Because we had spent so much time in N. GA, I knew what we getting into when we bought in Blue Ridge. It IS a conservative town, but the locals with whom I come in contact have always been friendly, helpful, and accommodating. More and more big city retirees are moving into BR and eventually they will have a voting presence in the city/county. Like it or not, BR will continue to move forward.

As far as your ride to Altanta...big city shopping is 1 hour 15 minutes away at exit 7 on 575. The airport is 1 hour 45 minutes on a good traffic day, 2 hours most days.

[ArthursChoice]

Originally Posted by ray1945

Hello.

My husband and I have been visiting the N. GA mountains since the early 80s. We built our first cabin in White County (Helen) in 1993; sold it in 1998. We were closer to retirement in 2001 when we bought a mountain view cabin just outside of Blue Ridge, GA. Since then, we have both retired and we split our year between N. GA and S. Florida.

Blue Ridge is veerrry slowly making its way into the 21st century. For example, it is a conservative mountain town, but it has a significant gay presence. A number of main street businesses are owned by gay men/women, who do not seem to find much open resentment/resistance. One of my BR neighbors is a gay man and he says he has always felt comfortable in BR.

The devil's own weapons, beer and wine, are just now going to be allowed in county restaurants (but not in Blue Ridge city limits). However, the local grocery story, Ingles, has a beer/wine cooler that is almost larger than the first floor of my cabin.

Because we had spent so much time in N. GA, I knew what we getting into when we bought in Blue Ridge. It IS a conservative town, but the locals with whom I come in contact have always been friendly, helpful, and accommodating. More and more big city retirees are moving into BR and eventually they will have a voting presence in the city/county. Like it or not, BR will continue to move forward.

As far as your ride to Altanta...big city shopping is 1 hour 15 minutes away at exit 7 on 575. The airport is 1 hour 45 minutes on a good traffic day, 2 hours most days.

ROTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are just DETERMINED to make this place progressive! lol! Wow! As one who has lived in Northern. Ca. as well as one who has really considered a move to ATLANTA, even I hesitate for the same reason. Like the other guy said even the DEMOCRATS are somewhat conservative. As Progressive as Atlanta is supposed to be for me it is STILL to "preachy" and conservative for me...Atlanta! So I know Blue Ridge (lol) doesn't have a chance five years or 55 years from now! lol! My alternative? Asheville...for what you "SAY" you want.

[COUNTRYFRIED]

Originally Posted by ray1945

Hello.

My husband and I have been visiting the N. GA mountains since the early 80s. We built our first cabin in White County (Helen) in 1993; sold it in 1998. We were closer to retirement in 2001 when we bought a mountain view cabin just outside of Blue Ridge, GA. Since then, we have both retired and we split our year between N. GA and S. Florida.

Blue Ridge is veerrry slowly making its way into the 21st century. For example, it is a conservative mountain town, but it has a significant gay presence. A number of main street businesses are owned by gay men/women, who do not seem to find much open resentment/resistance. One of my BR neighbors is a gay man and he says he has always felt comfortable in BR.

The devil's own weapons, beer and wine, are just now going to be allowed in county restaurants (but not in Blue Ridge city limits). However, the local grocery story, Ingles, has a beer/wine cooler that is almost larger than the first floor of my cabin.

Because we had spent so much time in N. GA, I knew what we getting into when we bought in Blue Ridge. It IS a conservative town, but the locals with whom I come in contact have always been friendly, helpful, and accommodating. More and more big city retirees are moving into BR and eventually they will have a voting presence in the city/county. Like it or not, BR will continue to move forward.

As far as your ride to Altanta...big city shopping is 1 hour 15 minutes away at exit 7 on 575. The airport is 1 hour 45 minutes on a good traffic day, 2 hours most days.

No offense but you really dont have a clue. Your post is very misleading and trust me locals are sick and tired of people selling Blue Ridge out. Especially Floridians the word Florida is actually almost worst then the other F-Word in Blue Ridge.

[Peru]

I think you should move there, and keep a journal on here detailing your dealings with the locals. The entertainment value would be epic, IMO.

[ray1945]

Originally Posted by ArthursChoice

ROTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are just DETERMINED to make this place progressive! lol! Wow! As one who has lived in Northern. Ca. as well as one who has really considered a move to ATLANTA, even I hesitate for the same reason. Like the other guy said even the DEMOCRATS are somewhat conservative. As Progressive as Atlanta is supposed to be for me it is STILL to "preachy" and conservative for me...Atlanta! So I know Blue Ridge (lol) doesn't have a chance five years or 55 years from now! lol! My alternative? Asheville...for what you "SAY" you want.

Where did I say BR was progressive? I thought I made it pretty clear that it is conservative town that is very slowly moving forward.

[ray1945]

Originally Posted by COUNTRYFRIED

No offense but you really dont have a clue. Your post is very misleading and trust me locals are sick and tired of people selling Blue Ridge out. Especially Floridians the word Florida is actually almost worst then the other F-Word in Blue Ridge.

So, you speak for all of the "locals"?

The only constant is change and change for BR is inevitable.

You need to get over yourself....

[worldaway]

Originally Posted by COUNTRYFRIED

No offense but you really dont have a clue. Your post is very misleading and trust me locals are sick and tired of people selling Blue Ridge out. Especially Floridians the word Florida is actually almost worst then the other F-Word in Blue Ridge.

How have people "sold out" Blue Ridge? What is there other than their own property perhaps to sell? I guess if they own it, they can sell it to whoever they choose. Floridians still use green United States dollars with the same pictures of the dead founding fathers on them right? Just like we use here in N. California, BTW

If the locals don't like Florida people, I wonder how they will like some Californians thrown into the mix? Maybe I should recruit a busload and bring them east. I'm sure in a state as big and populated as California we could find a few people up for the adventure. Maybe I need to plaster Blue Ridge, Georgia everywhere out here as the new "hot place"!

I wonder if your local chamber of commerce shares your views about newcomers to your town - especially newcomers who might offer jobs and other economic benefit to the area?

Are you a "local"? If not where are you from and what's your interest in Blue Ridge?

We did visit the area over the holidays and everyone was talking about how they just voted in being able to sell beer and wine in restaurants - I didn't know there was still anywhere left that couldn't sell beer and wine in restaurants, but apparently Blue Ridge was one. So it must be progressing. We are leaning to moving somewhere in the area soon - if we don't like it, we can just eventually sell our place to some Florida people I guess

[ray1945]

Originally Posted by worldaway

How have people "sold out" Blue Ridge? What is there other than their own property perhaps to sell? I guess if they own it, they can sell it to whoever they choose. Floridians still use green United States dollars with the same pictures of the dead founding fathers on them right? Just like we use here in N. California, BTW

If the locals don't like Florida people, I wonder how they will like some Californians thrown into the mix? Maybe I should recruit a busload and bring them east. I'm sure in a state as big and populated as California we could find a few people up for the adventure. Maybe I need to plaster Blue Ridge, Georgia everywhere out here as the new "hot place"!

I wonder if your local chamber of commerce shares your views about newcomers to your town - especially newcomers who might offer jobs and other economic benefit to the area?

Are you a "local"? If not where are you from and what's your interest in Blue Ridge?

We did visit the area over the holidays and everyone was talking about how they just voted in being able to sell beer and wine in restaurants - I didn't know there was still anywhere left that couldn't sell beer and wine in restaurants, but apparently Blue Ridge was one. So it must be progressing. We are leaning to moving somewhere in the area soon - if we don't like it, we can just eventually sell our place to some Florida people I guess

You would be quite welcome in my mountain community, which is a mix of full time, half time, and week end residents - a third from Florida; the rest pretty much from the Atlanta area.

You can virtually visit BR whenever you like via Kip Draper's web cam:

Blue Ridge GA - Live Downtown Outdoor Webcam

You will also find links to some local message boards.

[cityrover]

No. Short answer looking at where you are moving from...

[COUNTRYFRIED]

Originally Posted by ray1945

You would be quite welcome in my mountain community, which is a mix of full time, half time, and week end residents - a third from Florida; the rest pretty much from the Atlanta area.

You can virtually visit BR whenever you like via Kip Draper's web cam:

Blue Ridge GA - Live Downtown Outdoor Webcam

You will also find links to some local message boards.

See obviously you have a agenda or something to gain from North Georgia turning into North Florida. If I was to relocate to another state and noticed im surronded by people from my same state I might just think that theres probally enough of us there and look elsewhere. Its people from that state that move up here especially from south Florida who want to change Blue Ridge into the mess they ran away from. Well if their right about global warming hopefully Florida will float far,far away into the ocean.