Blue Ridge, GA - Progressive? (Washington: appointed, home, neighborhoods)

[Colddiamond102]

Heh..let the OP and his family move to Georgia from California and find out for themselves.

Especially to a small town....haha Id give 'em about a year before they move again either because of the culture shock or because the locals dont welcome them with the expected "Southern Hospitality".

Georgia isnt "Progressive" ( which is just politically correct for Liberal) and the mountain folks certainly arent of the "progressive" variety. Heck, they're generally some of the most clannish Southerners we've got.

So, OP, look at it with rose-colored glasses if you wish, but if you do move to Georgia you will find it conservative. You may also look forward to being asked where you're from, why you moved there, and feeling like an outsider, which you would be.
Oh, and dont say "ya'll" and think you're becoming Southern. You'd simply sound silly, and somebody might think you're mocking them.

[resolute]

All this drivel could be summed up with one universal truth.

ALL PLACES CHANGE OVER TIME

If you don't believe this - well, why waste time and typing trying to explain

Over and out.

(but I think maybe the OP should make a documentary on his move when he comes from California. I would love to see it myself)

[BlueRidge?...No]

If you do choose to come to Blue Ridge, Georgia, we did the same move nearly three years ago from Naples, Florida and have been trying to move out for one year now. The isolation from the rest of the world was nice for awhile, but then it became sickening. Driving at least an hour every time you want to go to a decent store or restaurant gets old quick. There are a few art shows each year and some people from Florida come up here to vacation, but not nearly enough are actually moving here full time. We built a fairly large house in Mountain Tops of Blue Ridge where there are many residents from Florida and other parts of Georgia. Most people in Blue Ridge, however, are "locals" or "long time residents" who can't afford and who simple do not want a large, upscale home. If you do come to Blue Ridge, please do it soon and look into Mountain Tops Subdivision (I'm sure you can afford it because you aren't an original Blue Ridge resident). I am ready to leave the isolated countryside surrounded by "old southerners" and move on with my life.

[Shagbark Hickory]

LOL funny post.

Que the banjos, boys.

I should go to the n. cal. forum and ask where I can get me some boiled peanuts.

[COUNTRYFRIED]

Originally Posted by BlueRidge?...No

If you do choose to come to Blue Ridge, Georgia, we did the same move nearly three years ago from Naples, Florida and have been trying to move out for one year now. The isolation from the rest of the world was nice for awhile, but then it became sickening. Driving at least an hour every time you want to go to a decent store or restaurant gets old quick. There are a few art shows each year and some people from Florida come up here to vacation, but not nearly enough are actually moving here full time. We built a fairly large house in Mountain Tops of Blue Ridge where there are many residents from Florida and other parts of Georgia. Most people in Blue Ridge, however, are "locals" or "long time residents" who can't afford and who simple do not want a large, upscale home. If you do come to Blue Ridge, please do it soon and look into Mountain Tops Subdivision (I'm sure you can afford it because you aren't an original Blue Ridge resident). I am ready to leave the isolated countryside surrounded by "old southerners" and move on with my life.

Good hopefully a bunch more Floridians will go back home. Please take them all with you when you go back. Thanks

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by COUNTRYFRIED

Good hopefully a bunch more Floridians will go back home. Please take them all with you when you go back. Thanks

I can understand that rural culture is different, and that sometimes people move in and want to change things, so I get the resentment that sometimes happens.

What I don't get is the parochial, small town snobbishness (yes you can be from a small town and be a snob) and dislike for anyone who isn't "from around here." It's not a southern thing per se, and I've seen it in small towns in New England and New York, but it seems to be more prevalent in small southern towns.

People just get this knee jerk reaction and put out the "you're not from around here....why don't you leave" vibe. Maybe that's why rural people get the stereotype of being inbred and unwelcoming to strangers?

[brettk]

It's not that people don't like outsiders, it's that outsiders shouldn't come in there and talk trash and try to change everything that has been working for them. If locals wanted San Francisco values, they would move there, or atleast to ATL. But when people go around complaining about the lack of culture or art shows or restaurants, what do they expect?

I wouldn't expect to move to San Fran or Vermont and for them to be to welcoming of a conservative Christian like myself who wants to change everything or criticizes what they do.

Moral of the story: Learn about where your moving to before you do it.

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by brettk

It's not that people don't like outsiders, it's that outsiders shouldn't come in there and talk trash and try to change everything that has been working for them. If locals wanted San Francisco values, they would move there, or atleast to ATL. But when people go around complaining about the lack of culture or art shows or restaurants, what do they expect?

I wouldn't expect to move to San Fran or Vermont and for them to be to welcoming of a conservative Christian like myself who wants to change everything or criticizes what they do.

Moral of the story: Learn about where your moving to before you do it.

I agree with you, but there is also the other side and sometimes people have to be willing to change and realize that time moves on and the world changes. You also have to remember that just because something has "always been that way" doesn't make it right.

Two examples and I'll leave it there....racial segregation and blue laws. We got rid of one but the other still hangs on in places like Geogia.

[GAcopperHd73]

This is my first time on this forum and probably my last I just happen to come across it and couldn't resist putting my 2 cents worth in. I was born and raised in Ellijay Georgia and proud of it. My family on my mother and fathers side has been there since about the early 1700's so I think I can proudly say that I was a local. My husband's parents live there as well. We no longer live in Georgia. He joined the military, served 8 years and got out we now live in a small town in Tennessee and love it. We own 30 acres of peace and quiet. We got one heck of a deal on the land built a modest house on it. We drive 45 miles one way to work in a factory in the next county. It's a small, small town ,but you know they attract people and revenue by their lakes which is known as Land Between the Lakes. Fishing ,hunting boating etc. And I think they do quite well because the area is rich in civil war history and believe in preserving the area. And no we are not Tennessee locals but we have been very welcomed here. Because we came here not wanting change or feel like we are superior cause we added 2 people to the county and you small town southenerns needed our tax money to make your county better. We could not even dream of owning 30 acres in Ellijay or any where in the Appalachian mountains. We would have to win the lottery first. All of the old home places have been sold off subdivisions put in Gated communities with there mountain views so expensive that it keeps out "certain" kind of people. I get so sick of these developers wanting to come in and claim that they're going to bring in all these mimium wage jobs the locals need so badly so they can claim they saved our town. All that's really happening is there bringing the circus to town and feeding them peanuts so the "visitors" will be entertained. And we all know you can't live on peanuts and it ain't going to get you a house hanging off the side of mountain. And as far as all this change crap. I agree we have to change sometimes but once there's been too much change the whole principal gets lost. You don't go to the city to get away from it all you go to the country, nature to do that. And once it all goes to the small towns southern or not it's forever lost. If you want convience stay close to town or the city and leave it there. And just cause there's federally protected land left, there's no need to worry about the land being lost. Is it fair to say that the only way you want to view mother nature is by making it like going to the zoo. And the rest is there for you to pour concrete over. We all are Americans each state every region is unique why else do you travel to some place new. Not to change it but to experience it because it's different .To get away from what your used to for something different. Why else do we have Southern Traditions, southern charm or Florida, the sunshine state, orange groves the gator chomp. I would'nt change any of that for a New York minute. If it all changes and becomes one in the same how will you ever know your any place different???? I'm proud of who I am I came from hard working mountain folk who taught me about values and standing up for what I believe in and never forget where you came from. And unfortunately alot of the progess is cause of too many people with dollar signs in there eyes. Ah, yes the almighty dollar. Anyway that's my 2 cents worth maybe a little more. Oh and by the way in case someone who has one of those houses hanging off the side of the mountain with awesome views reads this True mountain folk don't live up top or on the sides they live down on the bottom back in the hollers.

[fblumberg]

Im an EXPERIENCED loser from moving there and trying to assimilate, dont do it they will kill you with HEYYYYA , and stab ya in da back! Trust me been der done dat and barely escaped , the only place i was ever liensed to carry! Theys sweet to ya when takin yer $$$ , but watch out!