Relocating to Macon and need advice... (Atlanta, Savannah: apartment, hotels, homes)

[Bradridge5]

Thanks again to everyone. Interesting to see Mayorofmacon2019 on this site? Should I assume you actually are the mayor?
We hope to actually live oin Macon itself. We are a family, but do not neccessarily like the whole "cookie cutter -yuppie" type of environment.
Since we are a multi-racial family and have lived near huge cities, diverse suburbs and the "very caucasian" small town type areas, we are in tune and aware of what various places have to offer or not.

Appreciate the feedback!

[MayorOfMacon2019]

No im not the Mayor but I do plan on running in 2019, however i'm very happy to here that you are making your move to Macon, I guarantee you will love it, hope you move in time for the cherry blossom festival.

[femina_dulcis]

Originally Posted by Bradridge5

Thanks again to everyone. Interesting to see Mayorofmacon2019 on this site? Should I assume you actually are the mayor?
We hope to actually live oin Macon itself. We are a family, but do not neccessarily like the whole "cookie cutter -yuppie" type of environment.
Since we are a multi-racial family and have lived near huge cities, diverse suburbs and the "very caucasian" small town type areas, we are in tune and aware of what various places have to offer or not.

Appreciate the feedback!

Please read my comment on this thread. I hope you'll consider Warner Robins or any other city outside Macon.
If I had a family to consider I would not put them in danger by living in Macon. Commute.

[pickleswanson]

Originally Posted by Bradridge5

THanks agian guys. THe advice is very helpful. I am flying down there in 2 weeks and will be looking at housing with a realtor. Ironically, I found a realtor who is also in a multi-racial family as well. So......I feel pretty good about how the realtor will be able to help me search for my families particular needs. Anyone know anything about the community Lake Wildwood?

This is an okay neighborhood. I sold real estate in this are for 5 years but no longer an active GA agent. You will not make any money or lose any money on your here from previous experience. A great starter neighborhood only. This neighborhood lost all ability to compete in the market after the flood of 1994. Although it wasn't as bad as some would make it out to be the black mold epidemic hit this neighborhood hard and many GA towns are still recovering from dirty rumors of it still existing. A simple GA termite letter; if you use a good company will answer the question for you of its existance in your future purchase.

To hopefully help you with a proper explanation of the racisim and such in the Macon area:

"Henry County still has some unspoken crap with Stockbridge being primarily black. McDonough & Locust Grove; however, spread out by large subdivisions; seem to be bypassing this and moving on very nicely with many, many cultural differences. Think it is because the problem in Stockbrodge started back in the 60's & 70's;even though it has improved this situtation, it hasn't completely recovered from the white flight (as it was reffered to). Most mid to large cities seem to be the most affected by this."

pulled my quote from, "moving to henry county and need help" similar growth patterns and problems in both places but Metro Macon is on a larger scale whereas Stockbridge/Henry is just a small portion of Metro ATL so very spread out with many more people that the same problems there are not discussed as often as an entire metro area like in Macon. Although both are simingly impossible to repair and overwhelming Metro Macon is still small enough to dicuss the problem and try to fix it whereas Metro ATL area has to be broken down into smaller sectors to make the problem managable.

For your immediate needs of schools for kids in the Macon Area Houston County and Jones County run neck in neck for high quaility education in area. If you are willing to be actively involved Monroe County is quickly coming up from behind and I would bet the farm on Monroe County being this the premier aea for both S. Metro ATL an N. Metro Macon. This change is already noticable just by simply visiting. Information on Monroe County is a little harder to get because it is still so small but while property is still reasonably cheap and with mostly wealthy new residents moving in plenty of money is being poored into the schools there. Although not as well planned as Peachtree City/Tyrone/Fayette County yet, check out the growth and developments of this area in the 1970's - 1990's in comparision to what you now see occuring in Forsyth/Boilingbroke/Monroe County. The similarities were enough for me to dump nearly everything I have into property here.

Unlike the belief of the nasty racist south of yesteryear still being present. I think you will be pleasantly surprised to find most Georgians are very welcoming and down right defensive about our capabilities to not only welcome with open arms any and all cultures but will gladly put all effort into ensuring thier comfort.

Realestate caution for the area. Realestate agents are very territoral here. If you decide you like anything North of the Bibb Houston county line you will need a Macon agent anything South requires a Warner Robins agent this is because they have two Multiple Listing Services that will not allow agents to work or share MLS info for both markets. Keep your eyes and ears open. They are willing to help you, but as an old agent that broke all the rules even, the bottom line is making sure you buy with them for your purchase is thier only pay check. You don't perform a transaction with thier name on it then they have simply drove you around and feed you for free. Great deal for the consumer, yes?, but plenty of people out to get Realtors as well.

[MayorOfMacon2019]

Here's that information you wanted, its located on newtownmacon.com

Also, there are several downtown businesses that have thrived in Macon, over the last couple of years. I assume you havent read the Macon Telegraph lately there planning to build a couple of 300k home, do you think they would build those homes, knowing downtown Macon is going to be dead. Last, I checked GAP ( a major clothing store ) find Downtown Macon to be a good spot, and there awaiting the renovating of Second Street Alley. Several jobs are gong in to place downtown as well i'll give you a list of good thriving business downtown.

COX Capital Theatre
Dylan's Sub Deli
Tokyo Alley
Two Subways
Terrace apartments
First Friday wouldnt exist without major liquor vendors
Rotary Park
Macon Arts Exchange
A Major Flourist
The Newest High-Rise in 100 years Gateway Plaza
The New Tourist Center

Also there is a row of buildings on 2dn street those building have been emptied because an Atlanta corportation bought them. Is that enough information or do you need more.

[pgfkap]

I am still somewhat new to Macon having only lived here just over 3 years. My wife and I moved our entire family (and my real estate appraisal company) here to Macon from Atlanta after an extensive search of all towns within 3 hours of Atlanta. Born and raised near downtown Atlanta and the place just got too BIG. Macon has exactly what we were looking for and then some. We live in the Intown Historic District which is what brought us here in the first place, our love of old houses. We are only the third family ever to occupy this 1890 Victorian house and have had the privilege of bringing it back to life. There seems to be a lot of folks from the area who love to bad mouth Macon as being dangerous and a "dump". These folks don't know any better because they do not live in Macon and they have heard all of their neighbors/relatives bad mouth Macon over the years, yet they work here, shop here and watch the news from here. Doesn't make much sense to me. To move my whole family here (including my in-laws, mother, sister and her kids as well as old family friends), I obviously believe in the present and future of Macon. Diversity here is great, in our area alone you have old, young, black, white, gay or straight and other international folks. That is what I was used to growing up in Atlanta (which I still love and visit often) and have been pleasantly surprised to find here.

As far as housing goes, whatever you are looking for is here (as I mentioned I am an appraiser who also renovates old houses). The housing stock is unprecedented. Sherman did not burn Macon after torching Atlanta, so even the old Southern mansions are alive and well. If you want a brand new home, its here. Arts and Crafts bungalow, lots to choose from. 5000 + SF historic home, its here. Back in 2002, Macon was pronounced the 3rd most undervalued city in America behind Salt Lake City and Memphis. Some may say that is because the city has struggled, I see it as a unique opportunity (right place at the right time).

Schools? Good and bad like everywhere else. Two nationally recognized magnet schools right near where I live that happen to be public. Private schools are abundant and affordable if that is the way you want to go. Bad schools in bad neighborhoods where you wouldn't consider living anyway. Lake Wildwood is fair to middlin by the way, I would not live there just because of its location so far from town. Macon has a little problem with sprawl going on like its big brother Atlanta. Warner Robins is redefining the term. Outgoing counties are rural. Not sure who your realtor is, I can recommend several good ones. Depending on your price range, some neighborhoods I might suggest include (of course) Intown, Vineville, Ingleside, Idlehour, Wesleyan Woods, Shirley Hills, etc...

Send me an e-mail off the record, be happy to talk to you some more. We love it here. Find the right spot for you and your family and you will never leave. Friendly folks, Southern hospitality, job growth, great weather, small town charm and great place to raise kids. If that is what you are looking for, you just found it. Good luck. Here are some websites for you to peruse...

www.intownmacon.org
www.cherryblossom.com
www.macon.com
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www.coxcapitoltheatre.com
www.newtown.com (broken link)

[femina_dulcis]

Originally Posted by Bradridge5

THanks Sooooo much for your more concrete helpful adivce. I will be flying to Macon soon to investigate the area and will now look at Warner Robins area for housing. Can you tell me anything about rental homes in that area? Maybe good places to look at that are affordable and would allow a dog?

Also, why is Macon not a good place? I am now very curious and would like some specifics if possible.

Thanks!!!

They gave you wonderful advice. Warner Robins is booming and housing/rentals are becoming more affordable. Robins Federal Credit Union has an online newsletter you can google and has homes, places for rent from military families and others. Good luck!

[femina_dulcis]

Originally Posted by Bradridge5

Hi there, my family may very well be relocating to Macon, GA. We are natives of the Maryland (Baltimore/DC area). however have been living in Stevens Point Wisconsin for the past 2 years. So, we have some expereince with relocating already. My issues are schools and safe diverese areas to live. In addition, I have some concerns about racial issues in the south. We are a multi-ethnic family (black & white). In maryland, this was NEVER an issue and it is very common where we are from. Wisconsin has been mostly white, but the people have been very welcoming and no "ourright" discrimination. Although, we all know it exists.

I need some honest opinions and advice from natives to the area. Thanks in advance for those who decide to respond.

Bradridge5, please excuse my former post. Warner Robins, Monroe County and Macon all have exceptional schools. It depends on the venue youre looking for. The most racial tolerance I and my friends have noticed is in the Warner Robins area. It has been 'settled' by AirForce families and is very diverse. I hope your move is a pleasant one and you find all you need for your family. I can put you in contact with some of my friends who have families if you would like.
-cheers

[Hyun-Soo]

At first, I didn't like the city of Macon, but after a couple of months, I started to appreciate the history, culture, etc. Some people are very nice here.

Although I have had problems with racism myself in Macon. [I am of Korean descent.]

I have had problems with specifically African American and White females.

The women down there can be downright nasty. It's very annoying. I've had a cash register yell at me for giving her a "large" bill. She said that I could've given her a smaller bill. She then called me "stupid Asian."

What a loser.

Many of the Blacks in the area are racist. It's not just the whites. I actually have gotten worse treatment from African American folks than whites down there.

I was constantly looked upon by them. Eventually, I learned how to avoid the specific idiots.

ONE THING I LOVE ABOUT MACON IS THE HAY HOUSE!!!!! THE 25 YEAR OLD TOUR GUIDE IS WONDERFUL! SHE IS SO KIND AND NICE! And the Hay House is amazing! I love how it looks! The mansion feel too. The Cannonball House is also nice!

Alot of attractions to choose from with Atlanta not very far!

[MayorOfMacon2019]

PGFKAP I applaud you especially the part of they work here, they shop here, they watch the news from here, you left a bit out. They get the best healthcare here, they listen to the radio from here, they enjoy shows from famous artit from here, they pretty much thrive from here.

Anywayz those two schools are Vineville Academy, and Miller Core Knowledge Magnet Middle School, if im not mistaking.

I glad that you came around Hyun-Soo, thats cool and its nice to here some postives.

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