Albany, GA. is not all that bad. (Atlanta, Columbus: insurance, credit)

[Terry&G]

"I do not work for the Albany Chamber of Commerce."

Albany, Ga. is really not all that bad. I believe its an "individual" thing. It is what you make it.

In 1978 I moved to Albany from South Carolina to go into the insurance business. Never heard of Albany, Ga. I've been in business for almost 31 years, my kids graduated from HS and college here, and continue to work in this area. We have established our life here. Do we love it? No. But we don't have any plans to move.

Yes, there are many many sorry blacks here. But there are many many sorry whites too. I've always said that there is nothing worse than a sorry white, as "they don't have a valid excuse". I'll stick to that statement. But hey, this describes most any town in South West Georgia or the South for that matter. Again, it is what you make it.

I can honestly say I have never had any problems with blacks on a personal level, and certainly not on a business level. I've had to deal with many young blacks and whites who come into my office with an attitude and lack of a positive personality. Almost always they leave my office with a smile and become a life long customer. You just have to be nice to everyone. Have an easy smile. Don't "talk down" to anyone. Be kind and considerate. Let them talk, don't concentrate on your greatness. Life doesn't have to be a challenge, it should be an adventure.

I have discovered that blacks in this area are very proud of their blackness, just as we are very proud of our whiteness. I love being white, I don't want to be black. Surely I would have been a militant of the upmost degree. I hate being short, but my shortness is the card I was given so I've come to love being short. All beds fit. No problem.

Yes, Albany has gangs, black gangs. But the city leaders are working hard to control this problem, a problem that is probably no worse than any other city of its size in Georgia or most anywhere else for that matter, except maybe in the midwest. When my wife and I go out we don't ever have the feeling like we "have to be on guard". We plan to spend the rest of our lives here and have no fear whatsoever. Albany has plenty of places to fish (Flint River runs right thru Albany downtown), lot of restaurants, golf courses, and some of the best churches that God has ever created. The weather is great, if you like heat and very little winter. We love it. One can fish, golf, ride motorcycles and bicycles year round. Only a few days a year do you have to go into hiding. Yes we have knats, but Alaska has yellow flys as big a bats, Savannah has noseeums. It is what it is.

Albany has its problems, black and wife, lack of jobs, heat and knats, too much traffic on Slappey Blvd. and Dawson Rd, especially in front of Public's and Hong Kong. But hey, I can't imagine it being perfect anywhere. Some of the most beautiful people (not just physical appearance) in the world live here, and they are very much black. I love them. Some with such a big heart it could explode at any time. Same with the white folks, just like the Asians who live here. Wonderful people, friendly people. My wife and I walk at the mall for exercise at least once a week, and we are always amazed at how friendly people are. Just a quick smile, a friendly wave.

WE NEED JOBS!! Yes Albany does need jobs for its citizens. But what city in America doesn't need opportunity for its people.

Its probably true, Albany is certainly not the best place to live in Georgia. But it is also true that its really not all that bad. This is my home, this is where my children and grandchildren live. This is where my business and clients live, Albany is where my friends are, and most of all Albany is where my church is, and God truly lives in Albany, Ga. It is what you as an individual make it, no more, no less. You can live happy or you can a miserable life. It is what you make it.

[Georgia1113]

Very good post. If only more people had your wonderful happy attitude towards life. We make our own destiny with our choices. I choose to be happy and treat everyone with kindness. I think Georgia has a lot of wonderful towns and good people. Yes, times are hard right now, but living in a good town with good people makes it so much easier.

[ilovealbany]

I agree with the positive posts about Albany. We have friendly people, warm weather, beautiful scenery, golf courses, and plenty of family oriented activities. We're witihin 3 hours of the mountains or the beach and 90 minutes from high end shopping in Atlanta or Tallahasse. Over the past few years, many attractions have been improved and provide educational, yet fun opportunities.

The Civil Rights Institue is newly opened with recordings from people who actually lived through the rough time of passage. Thronateeska Heritage has a new planetarium with equipment and programs only accessible here and at Yale University. Chehaw is one of only two accredited zoos in Georgia, the other being the Atlanta Zoo. The Riverquarium has educational exhibits and a wonderful park next to it where children can play or splash around in water, again similar to Atlanta. During the summer months there are movies in the park on huge screens. Our miniature golf park has added bowling lanes. One of churches is responsible for two wonderful movies about family values and choices. We have an outstanding Marine facility responsible for making armor for tanks in battle, which has been credited with saving many lives in the war zones.

What we don't have are snowy winters and traffic jams.

I believe it is possible to be happy or unhappy in any given place. Those of you who don't want to be here should leave. It's a sad thing to live in a place you dislike. The people I know are patriotic and love God and know Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior. We have a wonderful time and we're always looking for more people to come here. It is a great place to raise a family, start a business - or retire, for that matter. Come on down...we'll welcome you with open arms.

[King_X]

I agree with you. I get a feeling that when some whites see TOO many blacks, it frightens them REGARDLESS of how the particular blacks around them at the time are acting or not.

It's not that Albany is perfect, or ANYWHERE near it...but being in Albany and hanging around town, I dont feel any more or less safe than I do in supposed "safer/better" cities I have also spent much time in, like Columbus, GA and Huntsville, Alabama.

I've noticed on here that the majority of the time people greatly exaggerate the positives and negatives of a town....when in actuality the places have more in common than being made out.

When it comes to the 2nd Tier cities in GA, I dont really see how any of them are that much worse than the other when it comes to crime, ghetto, etc. So I dont understand when people who are from or promote one of these cities and complain about how "ugly and ghetto" another one of the 2nd Tier cities are, because they are all about on the same level IN THAT PARTICULAR RESPECT.

From my times hanging out or visiting people in Albany, the parties and hang outs I went to were better and more civil than the ones in Columbus.

[lilmusket]

I had heard so much negative stuff about Albany that I expected the worst.. but that's the thing when you have lowered expectations.. it usually turns out not to be as bad as your expect. Though far from paradise, Albany is not the cesspool that some make it out to be. It's not really any worse for the most part then most Southern cities it's size. It's downtown area has good bones and could be revitalized very nicely if more effort was put into it. I remember when downtown Augusta was virtually a ghost town and many ppl had simply written it off. It has definately made a BIG improvement over the last ten years.. and though it is still in transition.. you definately see things improving everyday. I think Albany could do the same.

[yroman]

I had to move to Albany, GA because my husband is in the military. I had a positive attitude when we moved here, but if you can avoid moving to Albany, GA, I would strongly recommend that you don't come here. I have tried to like it, but it is impossible. I am Hispanic, non-white, and I have noticed that African American's here in Albany are either extremely rude or incredibly nice, it depends where you go.
It took me about 7 months to find a job here and I have a B.A. Albany won't take you far if you have any professional aspirations in your field of work.
I do not see any advancements in the general infrastructure any time soon and the pictures posted on this web site of the town only show you the nice areas. If you are really thinking about moving here, make sure that you visit first. The service in most of the restaurants and stores is not the greatest.
Evade this place at all cost if possible.

[Dart03]

Originally Posted by yroman

I had to move to Albany, GA because my husband is in the military. I had a positive attitude when we moved here, but if you can avoid moving to Albany, GA, I would strongly recommend that you don't come here. I have tried to like it, but it is impossible. I am Hispanic, non-white, and I have noticed that African American's here in Albany are either extremely rude or incredibly nice, it depends where you go.
It took me about 7 months to find a job here and I have a B.A. Albany won't take you far if you have any professional aspirations in your field of work.
I do not see any advancements in the general infrastructure any time soon and the pictures posted on this web site of the town only show you the nice areas. If you are really thinking about moving here, make sure that you visit first. The service in most of the restaurants and stores is not the greatest.
Evade this place at all cost if possible.

... and that is just being nice. Sadly the city has so much potential but the mayor and city manager do nothing to help the city, only helping to further deteriorate it with political squandering and hiring unfit people or criminals to run city agencies eg. hiring former Tallahassee PD Asst. Chief John Procter who was reprimanded for his role in the death of a drug informant in an undercover investigation, they 'forgot' about the informant and she was brutally killed by drug dealers. This information didn't come to light until AFTER Procter signed a nearly $94,000 salary with the Albany PD. Then there is the recent discovery that the Downtown Development Manager is a convicted FELON (for bank fraud), only discovered after the GBI is in the process of conducting a probe after funds were misappropriated and mishandled! As the local saying goes... ONLY in Albany GA!!!

[msgsing]

Post on Albany brought back old memories. I was stationed there in the early 60's at what was then called MCSC ( Marine Corps Supply Center). With the exception of the base the city was almost completely segregated. Blacks were restricted to their own areas to shop. eat out etc. I have a vivid memory of sitting at a bar and seeing a young black Marine being ordered out of the establishment because of his race. This at a time when service people of all races were serving in Vietnam.

[southgeorgia]

albany is all that bad.

[unknownuser4432]

I HATE IT HERE !!! i moved here to work with unifirst in 04/08 and by 08/08 i was laid off... it is now almost exactly 1 year later and ive been unable to find work... i cant get hired anywhere... i have certifications and exp. but no one is hireing... i cant even get a job at taco bell or mc donalds in this crap town... i did not go to college for 4 years to be rejected by TACO BELL... if anyone in town hears about anykind of job opening please email me @ unknownuser4432@yahoo.com... im not sure what georgia is doing about unemployment but getting a check every week has been the only reason me and my wife have kept our heads above water....