Most Artistic Cities in Georgia? (Atlanta, Savannah: high crime, homes, neighborhoods)

[snapdragon]

I lived there for 4 years and loved it! I felt very safe and when I went on walks I didn't even lock my house. (bad, I know) But I was never robbed. It was VERY quiet too. We lived in the very back of the neighborhood, through the trees you could see the apts. on Memorial. Since there were so many trees in the way you didn't hear them too much.
Gotta run, but I'll type more later.

[snapdragon]

I had awesome neighbors very quiet. We all got along and would chat all the time. I enjoyed everyone I met. Sure there were some that I wouldn't hang out with but that was personality wise, not scary-wise.
It was truly a retreat to live there. I'd go to downtown ATL and then drive home through traffic, and relax the second I turned onto Clubhouse Dr. I truly loved it. I wish I could have moved the neighborhood with me to Cleveland, but that was not an option.

Did I mention that crime is VERY low there? Every month the cops would report what the crimes were and how much. At most someone was robbed, but that was unusual. There has never been a murder there, not even when the cop was killed. The post office is actually outside of our city.

[atlantagreg30127]

Ok, you want low crime, lower cost of living, very artsy environment and you don't want to hear Rap blasters in cars driving by every 5 minutes... how exactly brutally honest do you want me to be?

Leave Georgia.

Well, you have one option - Dahlonega. But it's not a "medium sized" city like you're asking for, it's a small town. But it is very artsy (touristy actually), low crime, and lower cost of living, and not too far from Atlanta. People up there tend to aim shotguns at Rap in cars.

Your next option? Asheville, NC. An incredibly artsy city, medium sized, not a super high crime rate (compared to here), and while prices are going up there because it's becoming more popular, it's not overpriced (yet). Not much Rap either, but you'll have to get used to twangy Bluegrass and Country. It's still not THAT far from Atlanta, plus you'd also have Charlotte to pick from for bigger city stuff.

Anyway - based on what you're asking for, that's my personal opinion - outside Atlanta in North Carolina.

[lastminutemom]

Rome
Chattanooga, TN
Ashville NC

[Philagirl]

Chattanooga is an amazing place for artists, and it's only two hours north of Atlanta. Artists settling in on the South Side of the city used to get some government subsidies on housing. They just added on an amazing addition to the Hunter Art Museum.

[carrot]

what you are looking for is somewhere in the midwest or northeast...

not the sprawl of the south..

[maggiemay]

Savannah. Check out SCAD.

[Michelle DeRepentigny]

I'm late to the party here, but check out Comer, GA in Madison County which is about a 20 minute drive from Athens. They have a growing artist community, are close enough to Athens to enjoy the cultural stuff there and have low crime rates. This will still keep you about 2.5 hours from Atlanta, also.

The local newspaper (for all of Madison County) is the Main Street News and their online version will give you a good feel for the area.

[small town south]

Also take a look at Watkinsville. It's just a few miles outside of Athens, good arts via OCAF (Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation). Nice small town...

[DisgustaTruth]

Athens and Savannah.. Savannah has SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design).. but Savannah has become rather expensive. Athens is still affordable.. The fact that it is home to a huge liberal arts university gives it and artsy vibe. The city is progressive and has been an incubator for musicians and other artists (Heard of REM?).. YOu could likely find some affordable studio space in Athens.. and great part is that you are only about an hour from Atlanta.
YOu also have the amenities assoc with the university.. they have a pretty good art school..