Macon or Columbus? (working in Americus) (Atlanta, Savannah: sale, crime, house)

[KStumpFuller]

I am from San Antonio, TX and just got a job working in Americus. I won't actually be moving for another year, but coming from a city of 1+ million, my fiancee and I don't really want to live in such a small town. He's also an experienced high school science teacher and would like to try to get a job at a half-decent school.

We're looking at living in Columbus or Macon. I am willing to make an hour-long commute, so that's not an issue. We're both interested in arts, culture and the outdoors.

Which city should I consider, and what are some safe, not too terribly expensive neighborhoods to live in that would put me a little closer to Americus? I'm looking at Byron, near Macon, but don't know much else about what's available.

We don't plan on staying more than 2-3 years.

Help is appreciated.

[ATLCOL1]

Originally Posted by KStumpFuller

I am from San Antonio, TX and just got a job working in Americus. I won't actually be moving for another year, but coming from a city of 1+ million, my fiancee and I don't really want to live in such a small town. He's also an experienced high school science teacher and would like to try to get a job at a half-decent school.

We're looking at living in Columbus or Macon. I am willing to make an hour-long commute, so that's not an issue. We're both interested in arts, culture and the outdoors.

Which city should I consider, and what are some safe, not too terribly expensive neighborhoods to live in that would put me a little closer to Americus? I'm looking at Byron, near Macon, but don't know much else about what's available.

We don't plan on staying more than 2-3 years.

Help is appreciated.

For arts, culture, and outdoors, Columbus is the best for sure. Columbus has a huge arts scene downtown. Columbus is probably safer than Macon as well. I would imagine it's closure too.

[brian147]

hello! can some please tell me how to post a forum of my own??

[JLA]

Columbus would be your best bet. Two large universities (Auburn and Columbus State) in the area. There is a lot of culture in this small city (it has a large number of people from all over the USA).
The River Center for the Performing Arts
- Music, music and more music.
Museums throughout Downtown Columbus
The Columbus Museum
Springer Opera House
- Plays, plays and more plays
Callaway's Gardens
- Flowers, butterflies, golf and a man made beach
Roosevelt State Park
- Camping, fishing and hiking
Little White House (Warmspring, GA)
Civil War Naval Museum
Skate Park
Ice Skating rink
Infantry Museum
Music of various genres Downtown and throughout the city

I hope this helps.

[KStumpFuller]

Thanks for the help so far. More thoughts still wanted.
What about specific areas of a city?
And how are the Columbus schools?
Even if you point me to another discussion thread, the help is appreciated.

[yerocal]

I would suggest Macon; it will give you more of larger city feel than Columbus and in my opinion as well as a lot more Amenities and greater traveling access in and out of the city by 3 major interstates(I-475,75 & 16). Macon Is 159 miles from beautiful historic Savannah, Hilton head & tybee island beaches (on I-16 East) Macon has huge mid to upscale Lake Communities/sub divisions as well as a large man made beach on lake Tobesofkee. Its only 1 hour (76.4 miles) from at Atlanta on (I-75 north) and (62.9 miles) from Americus. Byron is also a nice area to live, its close Macon to the North and easy and straight access (no turns or detour) to Americus from the south on US hwy 49 south(45.7miles). There are a lot of decent school systems in the Metro area: Bibb, Houston, Peach, Monroe, Jones and Crawford counties all with in 15-35 minutes from Byron or Macon each way either by interstate and/or major/state/US hwy. Macon has a great museum district Downtown, and host other tourist attractions through out the city, a family fun center in north Macon called (star cadia). Plenty of great shopping and dining choices. There are 3 Malls in the area Macon has (2Malls) one enclosed and a upscale open air mall and there is another enclosed Mall (10min always) in Warner Robins. Plenty of great affordable housing in the west Macon/Lizella (off of US 80), South Macon/Bibb County (off of I-475/Hartley Bridge & US hwy 247). North Macon has great housing as well but may be a little on the pricer end of town.

Here are some sites to help you:

NewTown Macon - Home
www.discovermacon.com
http://www.macon.com
The Official City of Macon Web Site - Home Page
Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce
The Official City of Macon Web Site: Local Links
http://www.city-data.com/forum/georg...le-retail.html

[saharaga]

Honestly, neither of those choices sound appealing to me. We've lived in Columbus for about 2 years now and honestly, if you set your expectations really low, you may actually like it here. We hate it. Have you visited the area? That is what I would suggest you do over the next year. Visit Americus, Columbus, and Macon so you can get an idea of what you are in for.

Also, if you don't want to live in Americus, why would you consider Byron? It's even smaller.

Byron, GA: Pop. 2,887 Size: 5.8 square miles
Americus, GA: Pop. 17,013 Size: 10.68 square miles

Have you considered Warner Robins, GA? Bottom Line: If you're trying to get the big city feel of San Antonio, no city in South Georgia can provide that...and that includes Macon and Columbus.

Originally Posted by KStumpFuller

He's also an experienced high school science teacher and would like to try to get a job at a half-decent school.

Here's a site that ranks schools in Georgia (and other states) http://www.psk12.com/rating/USindexphp/STATE_GA.html. I'm not sure what your definition of "decent" is but Muscogee County (Columbus) has one high school ranked in the top 100 high schools in the state. Bibb County (Macon) has none.

[KStumpFuller]

Thanks for the links! Specifics are great.

I'm not expecting a San Antonio-like city. And I just came from school in Washington, D.C., so all bets are off. Georgia is Georgia; I just want to know about it's cities from a Georgia perspective.

I'm in Americus right now working for a month, so I plan to visit Macon and Columbus. I could stand to live here for a bit, but I don't think my financee is up for population 17,000 and may not find a job at the one high school. As I see it, Col. and Mac. are my only choices for a major city within driving distance.

The people in my Americus office seem to prefer spending their weekend nights in Macon over Columbus (more ethic restaurants, they say), but I'm a little turned off by all the negative comments about crime and backwardness (?) that I read on other message boards. I'll take everything with a couple grains of salt.

If you hate one of the cities, please explain specifically why. Thanks.

[saharaga]

If you hate one of the cities, please explain specifically why. Thanks.

OK, you asked...

Why we hate Columbus...

1. Most of the people here are...to put it as nicely as I can..."simple".

2. It is a cliquish community. They don't take well to outsiders, especially if you aren't Southern. I'm not saying they're rude or impolite but it takes a long time for them to warm up to you. Some of them never do.

3. We're a young couple in our mid thirties. Other than movies and shopping, there is nothing interesting to do here. If you don't believe me, take a look at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce's events calendar. Most of the events on the calendar cater to families with small children and retirees. The social prospects here for anyone not in those categories are just dismal. Honestly, the highlight of my September is the Junior League Attic sale and playing Bunco with my co-workers later this month. Yes, there are events at the River Center but they clearly are geared toward older Columbus residents and fans of Country music.

4. Columbus has 1 vegetarian restaurant, 1 Thai restaurant, 1 Caribbean restaurant, maybe 2 or 3 Indian restaurants. The rest are standard chain restaurants, Mom & Pop type restaurants, Mexican and Chinese. Not much dining variety. Oh, and if you decide to eat out on a Sunday, your only choices are fast food and chain restaurants because everything else is closed.

5. For a city that has so little going for it, it is terribly overpriced. As an example, we moved here from metro Atlanta. Our house up there was a 4 bedroom, 3 bath, on a full finished basement...over 4,000 combined square feet... on 1.5 acres. We paid $166,000 for it. One of my coworkers here in Columbus is selling a 3 bedroom 2 bath 1600 sf home in North Columbus for 169,900. We drive up to Atlanta every weekend. Gas prices are typically lower up there than they are in Columbus.

6. I'm an artsy kind of gal myself. Columbus has no major art museum. If you want real art, you'll have to drive to the High Museum in Atlanta.

7. The city is just plain ugly. It looks run down and not well cared for.

I could go on but I'm sure you get the idea.

[matt8325]

Originally Posted by saharaga

OK, you asked...

Why we hate Columbus...

1. Most of the people here are...to put it as nicely as I can..."simple".

2. It is a cliquish community. They don't take well to outsiders, especially if you aren't Southern. I'm not saying they're rude or impolite but it takes a long time for them to warm up to you. Some of them never do.

3. We're a young couple in our mid thirties. Other than movies and shopping, there is nothing interesting to do here. If you don't believe me, take a look at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce's events calendar. Most of the events on the calendar cater to families with small children and retirees. The social prospects here for anyone not in those categories are just dismal. Honestly, the highlight of my September is the Junior League Attic sale and playing Bunco with my co-workers later this month. Yes, there are events at the River Center but they clearly are geared toward older Columbus residents and fans of Country music.

4. Columbus has 1 vegetarian restaurant, 1 Thai restaurant, 1 Caribbean restaurant, maybe 2 or 3 Indian restaurants. The rest are standard chain restaurants, Mom & Pop type restaurants, Mexican and Chinese. Not much dining variety. Oh, and if you decide to eat out on a Sunday, your only choices are fast food and chain restaurants because everything else is closed.

5. For a city that has so little going for it, it is terribly overpriced. As an example, we moved here from metro Atlanta. Our house up there was a 4 bedroom, 3 bath, on a full finished basement...over 4,000 combined square feet... on 1.5 acres. We paid $166,000 for it. One of my coworkers here in Columbus is selling a 3 bedroom 2 bath 1600 sf home in North Columbus for 169,900. We drive up to Atlanta every weekend. Gas prices are typically lower up there than they are in Columbus.

6. I'm an artsy kind of gal myself. Columbus has no major art museum. If you want real art, you'll have to drive to the High Museum in Atlanta.

7. The city is just plain ugly. It looks run down and not well cared for.

I could go on but I'm sure you get the idea.

I guess there is something wrong with "simple" people ?