Macon, GA?!?!?! (Atlanta, Warner Robins, Monroe: best neighborhoods, crime rates, house)

[lovely-ladybug]

Hello,
My husband and I are moving to macon this year and we were just wondering about some things. First of all, is macon, ga a good place to raise children. I am pregnant and I am hoping that it will a good place to raise a child. I was born and raised in VA beach, VA so I am used to crime and things of that sort. Next question, does Macon have a cochroach problem? Thanks.
Lovely-ladybug

[ulsterscot]

I copied this from another thread on Macon. In addition, the schools inside Macon proper are overrun with gangs, and yes, there are tons of cockroaches. If you have to move to the area, move to the Warner Robins area.

"You forgot to mention that Macon is a hellhole, and that you stand a good chance of being killed if you stop for gas there. Anyone reading this, do yourself a favor....NEVER MOVE TO MACON! I grew up in the area, and am a former Macon Police Officer. Trust me, Macon is the last place you want to visit, let alone live. Warner Robins is a great town, and there are some nice areas far outside Macon. However, the city itself is awful. It's like a small Detroit, only not as nice."

[MayorOfMacon2019]

There are cockroaches everywhere, it determines how you upkeep your home, saying that Macon has alot of cockroaches doesnt really prove a point, the cleanist city in the world may have a cockroach, anywayz off the subject of cockroaches.

There are several reasons this officer may say that Macon is a hellhoe, he may have moved at a time when Macon officers didnt have a pay scale, and still currently dont ( what this means is that 1 year officers could recieve pay of ten year officers, and ten year officers may recieve pay of 1 year officers ). The officer could say Macon is a Hellhole due to the crime in Macon, which is pretty high, but with the history, proximity to Atlanta, proximity to the RAFB, and the highest population in the area, and effect on the Central Georgia Area why wouldnt this city have high crime.

Being that Macon is the only city in the area with the ability to host major events, ( like Proffesional, Baseball, Basketball, and once Arena Football) its also is home to the largest entertainment center outside metro Atlanta, that is host to major artist concert, events, and conventions. Its proven that about a quarter of the crime committied in Macon, are from people in surronding counties, such as Houston ( home to Warner Robins ), Jones, Monroe, Peach and Twiggs, due to Macon being host to major activities that cant be found anywhere else in Central Georgia. ( But staying out of Macon is not possible, being that Macon is so important to these surrounding counties, and Central Georgia ) In otherwords, if these people mentioned above would stay home and out of Macon the city's crime would reduce by 25 %.

I could go on and on but my problem is not with Warner Robins, its with people who rag on Macon.

[lovely-ladybug]

I honestly really liked macon. Like I said I am very used to crime and all that so that is not really a huge deal. I was more worried about school systems and probably the best neighborhoods to be concentrating on more to move to. I think it is very beautiful there and everyone seemed to be real nice when we visited. Where would a good place be to look for a good neighborhood that is starting families or the development is being built as we speak? What is the weather like during the year? Does it get extremely cold in the winter? I heard that the mall was nothing but a gang banger place then when I went to it it was very nice. Is it true that macon is building a new mall? It seemed even if you lived a little out of town you still were like 10 minutes from walmart. Thanks so much for the replies so far!!

[pinkmartini]

If schools are a top priority for you, then you need to look 20 minutes south of Macon to Houston County....Warner Robins' schools are some of the best in the state - Macon, not so much.

I don't know why Macon would need a new mall....the one there is HUGE and recently renovated.

RE: the cold. Depends on what you consider cold. In Jan. and Feb., it'll get down in the 20's a few nights, but the days will be in the 40's. Maybe a few days of 30's, but not many. MAYBE one snow day a year.

[midgeorgiaman]

Hello, I have lived in Middle GA for 4 years (2 in Warner Robins and 2 in Macon) and I grew up in Portsmouth, VA. Welcome to GA!!! I think you will like it here, especially the amount of house you can get here for the price compared to VA Beach.

Here is the take from my perspective: Warner Robins is the VA Beach of the area, better schools overall, slightly lower property taxes (compared to VA, all property taxes here are low), lower crime rate, but cookie-cutter tract housing and strip malls as far as the eye can see.

Macon is more like a smaller Norfolk, cultural center of the area, wonderful history and architecture, worse schools and crime overall (i will discuss later), but better traffic (because Warner Robins just builds with reckless abandon and without planning like va beach and chesapeake), more non-chain restaurants in Macon, unique shopping, better proximity to Atlanta for travelling by air or for big city entertainment, etc.

As far as crime goes, I have lived downtown and currently live very close to downtown and have never been a victim of any crime. True, Macon has more, but if you aren't hanging out in the projects or dealing drugs, there is no need to go to high crime areas. The schools are similar to those in Norfolk. The district gets low marks overall because of the high number of housing projects with low achieving students. There are pockets of excellence in the schools, however, such as districts that feed to Westside, Rutland, and the new North Macon high school (Howard Middle district). Also, Central High's International Baccalaurate program is top notch.

The weather is similar to Hampton Roads, just longer relentless summers and not as cold in the winter. Summer runs June to September(highs in the 90s, occasional 100, we don't get the breaks from the heat like VA though, once it hits the 90s it is that way for weeks on end!) Fall is Oct-Nov (highs in 60s and 70s, some 80s), Spring is late Feb to May(60s to 80s), and winter is Dec to Mid Feb (avg highs in mid to upper 50s with some days in the 40s and some in the 70s, snow is VERY rare, ice every few years or so). No hurricanes though!!!!

As far as neighborhoods go in Macon, use the school zones to search for homes if schools are a priority or there are several very good private schools if you want to go that route. There are many new neighborhoods in the northern and western parts of the county if you prefer newer homes. Go to Realtor dot com and search zip codes 31210, 31220, 31052, 31216 for the areas with the better schools to get an idea of home prices and offerings.

My personal opinion is this: If you lived in VA beach and never left it or Chesapeake for activities and want a town more focused on family life and t-ball, etc, and don't mind an ultra-surburban life with a heavy military presence, then Warner Robins is a great place to live. If you found yourself going to Norfolk for entertainment, shopping, dining, etc, and want more history and a more urban feel and parks, etc (or at least a <15 minute drive to urban, then Macon is the place for you.

Good luck with your move. I think you will enjoy it here. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[lovely-ladybug]

Originally Posted by midgeorgiaman

Hello, I have lived in Middle GA for 4 years (2 in Warner Robins and 2 in Macon) and I grew up in Portsmouth, VA. Welcome to GA!!! I think you will like it here, especially the amount of house you can get here for the price compared to VA Beach.

Here is the take from my perspective: Warner Robins is the VA Beach of the area, better schools overall, slightly lower property taxes (compared to VA, all property taxes here are low), lower crime rate, but cookie-cutter tract housing and strip malls as far as the eye can see.

Macon is more like a smaller Norfolk, cultural center of the area, wonderful history and architecture, worse schools and crime overall (i will discuss later), but better traffic (because Warner Robins just builds with reckless abandon and without planning like va beach and chesapeake), more non-chain restaurants in Macon, unique shopping, better proximity to Atlanta for travelling by air or for big city entertainment, etc.

As far as crime goes, I have lived downtown and currently live very close to downtown and have never been a victim of any crime. True, Macon has more, but if you aren't hanging out in the projects or dealing drugs, there is no need to go to high crime areas. The schools are similar to those in Norfolk. The district gets low marks overall because of the high number of housing projects with low achieving students. There are pockets of excellence in the schools, however, such as districts that feed to Westside, Rutland, and the new North Macon high school (Howard Middle district). Also, Central High's International Baccalaurate program is top notch.

The weather is similar to Hampton Roads, just longer relentless summers and not as cold in the winter. Summer runs June to September(highs in the 90s, occasional 100, we don't get the breaks from the heat like VA though, once it hits the 90s it is that way for weeks on end!) Fall is Oct-Nov (highs in 60s and 70s, some 80s), Spring is late Feb to May(60s to 80s), and winter is Dec to Mid Feb (avg highs in mid to upper 50s with some days in the 40s and some in the 70s, snow is VERY rare, ice every few years or so). No hurricanes though!!!!

As far as neighborhoods go in Macon, use the school zones to search for homes if schools are a priority or there are several very good private schools if you want to go that route. There are many new neighborhoods in the northern and western parts of the county if you prefer newer homes. Go to Realtor dot com and search zip codes 31210, 31220, 31052, 31216 for the areas with the better schools to get an idea of home prices and offerings.

My personal opinion is this: If you lived in VA beach and never left it or Chesapeake for activities and want a town more focused on family life and t-ball, etc, and don't mind an ultra-surburban life with a heavy military presence, then Warner Robins is a great place to live. If you found yourself going to Norfolk for entertainment, shopping, dining, etc, and want more history and a more urban feel and parks, etc (or at least a <15 minute drive to urban, then Macon is the place for you.

Good luck with your move. I think you will enjoy it here. Let me know if you have any other questions.

You have truly been helpful thank you so much. I will definitely contact you with anymore questions!!!

[lovely-ladybug]

Originally Posted by lovely-ladybug

Hello,
My husband and I are moving to macon this year and we were just wondering about some things. First of all, is macon, ga a good place to raise children. I am pregnant and I am hoping that it will a good place to raise a child. I was born and raised in VA beach, VA so I am used to crime and things of that sort. Next question, does make have a cochroach problem? Thanks.
Lovely-ladybug

For any questions on this when I said "Make" I meant to say "Macon". Sorry for the mistake to those who were so kind to let me know! Thanks!

[MayorOfMacon2019]

First off I wont to say, that this talk of high crime that you read, is based on a crime census that came out in 2002 stating Macon was the 9th unsafest city to live with population 99,999-199,999 people, since 2002 crime has dropped by 9% ( based on 2005 census crime information ) and, we have sensed hire a new chief of police, newer up-to-date equipment, and etc, which is helpful in reducing crime.

Secondmost, the new mall will offer more high-end retail, than your average mall, store never before seen in MIDDLE GEORGIA will be at this new mall, also its not as large as the Macon Mall. The Macon Mall, is having serious problems, wheter its fights, or management, which has been changed several times, in the last several years, also when it rains really hard the roofs leeks, and many stores are looking for a newer style mall, with out all of thee damage that the Macon Mall has. Also, I did state that Macon, has the largest industrial, commercial, and residential market in middle Georgia, with not much sign of anyone cathcing up. What this mean, that many of MIDDLE GEORGIA area counties come to Macon to shop, and work.

Finally, I have been doing research and notice that whenever someone on here suggests Macon, everyone says to try ten miles south in Warner Robins, but to be true, if your not suited with Macon, try Forsyth, Millidgeville ( I know I spelt it wrong, sorry ), Lizella, Twiggs Co. or many of these great locations, not saying Warner Robins isnt a good suggestions, but im sure that many of these places have many of the emminities as Warner Robins do, however none have the emmenities that Macon offer.

Also people ( atlantagreg30127 ) should stop nagging on the little things like mistaking make, for Macon, you know what she meant, you obviously respondly very vaguely to the mistake, lovely-ladybug I will email you on suggestions for you to live and raise your children, but for now peace.

[ulsterscot]

If you are in downtown Macon, then you are within a block or two of a housing project. There is not a "bad area" in Macon proper, it is the whole city. Mercer University looks beautiful, old buildings, big trees etc. It is also within a two minute walk to two different housing projects where folks are regularly shot and stabbed.

I enjoyed living in middle Georgia ( I lived there most of my life ). There are alot of nice areas. Macon is just not one of them, and anyone who says it is is doing you a disservice. When I compared Macon to Detroit, I wasn't kidding. Macon's crime rates outstrip every other city in the US outside of Detroit. It is sad when you are more likely to be assaulted in a small city like Macon, than you are in Houston or D.C. .

And I'm not just talking in statistics. I could literally drive you around Macon and point out spots where people were assaulted and murdered. Not in "bad areas" but right off of main roads.

I wish you luck on your move. There are many nice areas outside of Macon that you can commute from if you have to work in Macon. Just try to leave before the sun sets.