The southern feel (Atlanta, Savannah, Macon: crime rates, new home, safe neighborhoods)

[jer-z chic]

I am trying to convince my mate that moving to Georgia is a good idea but we are worried that this state has low paying jobs. the houses are cheaper than those in new jersey but we will still be struggling with the morgage if our jobs cannot supply us with enough money. We are both nurses so we have the advantage of moving to any state. We have a lot of choices and he wants to move to one of the following places:Austin,Texas, Richmond Virginia, or some where in either in north or south carolina

The only place I really want to move to is Georgia
we are looking for a medium sized town with plenty of things to do around it
we don't want to live in the urban side of town but hopefully, it has some urban areas around it
I am afraid with everyone wanting to move to georgia, the state might be loosing some of its southern feel to the northern new comers
We want to live in a relatively new home about 5-10 years old but not some brand new developement. I guess one of the reasons Iwant to move to Geogia is because of that down home feeling in the south. I am a notherner so I am afraid that some natives might refer to me as just another yankee. The schooling systems are really important to me because I have a 14 year old daughter and a 2 year son so the education and crime rates will be the most important factor in my relocation process. I was told by my father- in-law that macon georgia was a good place to live and I was also concidering savannah but I do not know much about this state. Where would be a good place I could raise my family and not worry about booming communities and also low paying jobs? I am still keeping my options open for any nice town.
I am trying to buy a house for about 150,000 to 250,000 or less
thank you

[jdaryl2002]

Macon or Savannah would both be a good choice. Look for a house outside the city limits because of crime and traffic.

[mhogan10010]

My wife is a Nurse, and when we lived in NC we did fine. While she makes a lot more now in NYC, but our housing cost is a lot more too. The thing that helps us is not having to have a car. By living in the city, our transportation costs are very low.
My sister lived in South East GA for years. What you are looking for can be a little tricky. The smaller the town the more the resistance to Yankees. And make no mistake, New Jerseyites are the most despised of all Yankees! (you know the whole stereotype, loud hairy men with their shirts unbuttoned and a gold chain, wife with too much make-up and the perpetual cigarette hanging out of the mouth). If you can find a medium sized city with a fair amount of growth you will fair much better. I would say Savannah would be a good choice, but the housing market there is popping, so you better buy in soon or your $250,000 will not go too far.
My sister lived near Jesup and Baxley. Don't think I would go there.

[jdaryl2002]

Gee, those are stereotypes this southerner has not heard. I would have thought you were talking about rednecks dressed up going to a wedding. Minus the gold chain. I always thought you could tell a Jerseyite by their white socks with sandles.
I hear Leesburg Georgia is a nice but growing town. It is only minutes from Albany but much safer.

[jer-z chic]

People from new jersey are very diverse and I've never seen one of us wear caked up make up but some of us don't know what to wear but that is usually in an urban areas

[jer-z chic]

which area is not so fast devoloping that has a good school system and is very diverse but still also has their old southern customs?

[rjones1016]

If you find what you are looking for please tell me!! I am a Ga native looking to move away from Atlanta. This city is too big to have southern charm! The traffic is terrible and the schools are nothing to get excited about.
Macon is a very nice southern town. Check out the public schools though. They may have changed since I lived there, but my parents put me in private school after a very disappointing year in a public school there. I was in the 4th grade-I still remember the fighting and bad language. Our family was accepted but I know my mom always felt like an outsider because we were not raised there. We were from Atlanta!!
Savannah is nice but very pricey!
I am sorry I can't be more helpful. I am sure you will find somewhere nice to live. Just be sure to visit and be sure "Southern charm" is what you really want.

[delmarva]

I recommend Athens--a progressive and diverse university town with moderate housing and living costs. Many cultural and recreational activities.

[Gate]

I think I may be a Georgia redneck,but I would like to say our best friends are Yankeeeees!My sister even married a couple of them she did good too,the last ones a millionaire.I believe anyone moving to Georgia will be welcomed.We are basically warm friendly people and want the samething you do,safe neighborhoods to raise our children.I've been surprised at many post wondering if they will be accepted in Georgia not only will you be accepted you will love it.Good luck

[jdaryl2002]

Hi JER_Z_CHIC, Please give us a little more info on the size town you are trying to find. You said medium and that could mean different things to different people. Give us a range like 5000 to 100000. Also how many miles out would you want to live from a metro area? Do you want cold weather or warm, Flat land or mountains? And don’t worry about the natives. We southerners love seeing others simulating into our couture, embrace our values and contributing to our communities. I think when all is said and done you’ll have more choices then you’ll ever imagine.