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Georgia has the best city, but as an overall state probably Virginia. Georgia definitely still feels like Atlanta and the rest of the state. Virginia had many good unique areas.
Agreed. That said, if GA can get its inequality issues, school issues, QOL and political issues on the right track, it definitely could give VA a run for its money.
VA Governor was in Black Face multiple times. It's a tie at best.
Georgia has the best city, but as an overall state probably Virginia. Georgia definitely still feels like Atlanta and the rest of the state. Virginia had many good unique areas.
If you included the DC suburbs such as Arlington and Alexandria then that would give VA an edge. I just wasn't a big fan of the Norfolk/VA Beach area. I liked the historical peninsula though (Williamsburg and Jamestown). Richmond was just ok. I never got a chance to go to the Shenandoah area but it looks beautiful.
Interesting comparison here. I grew up in Savannah, GA and lived there until the age of 19 before going onto to college. I have lived in Virginia for 7.5 years now and my job brings me all around the Commonwealth. I still go to Georgia every year and will actually be in Savannah in January to see family and last visited Atlanta a few years ago.
One thing, Virginia in general is far ahead in intercity passenger rail and intercity bus. Based on that comparison alone, Virginia easily wins. I never ever took Amtrak when I grew up in Savannah (nor did any of my family), but taking the Northeast Regional here in Lynchburg and Richmond to DC and NYC or even day trips to Cville is very popular and now I take the train about once a month. The state has also launched a very successful intercity bus from Radford to DC (Virginia Breeze) and will soon be adding two more Breeze services in the state on RTE 58 and RTE 29 next year. Passenger rail is also growing here with recent expansions to Roanoke and Norfolk and planned additional daily trains in the near future between Richmond/Roanoke up to DC. Even an east-west rail service is now in the planning phase and the DC - RVA high speed rail is further along in planning than high speed rail initiatives in GA.
Largely, Virginia is more bikeable and has better programs supporting bicycling. Though bicycling in downtown Savannah where I grew up and certain spots in Atlanta like the BeltLine and near universities is great, it pales in comparison to what Virginia has (especially with multiuse trails around the state like the Virginia Capital Trail and localities in NOVA). This even proven in the 2019 ranking of most bike friendly states where Virginia is ranked 9th and Georgia is 19th. It feels safer to bike on roads in Virginia than Georgia and I have cycled around both states extensively.
Economy. With Amazon HQ2 coming we may see some tech growth spreading throughout the state which will help to diversify the state economy which has long been tied to agriculture, education, the government, and the military.
I do envy the fact that Georgia has Atlanta, but for me I definitely prefer DC and it is actually easier to get there from where I live (even without having to drive) than when I lived in Savannah and would take family trips up to Atlanta.
Virginia has a much better brewery scene which is very important to me. RVA dominates any Georgia city when it comes to great breweries and there really isn't anything like RTE 151 in Georgia. I do however envy the to-go cup acceptance in downtown Savannah.
Georgia in general I would argue has better nightlife. It is getting better in Virginia, but Atlanta and Savannah is just way ahead here IMO.
I was fortunate enough to have gone to great schools in Georgia (Montessori charter school for elementary and Savannah Arts Academy for HS) and don't have kids in Virginia so I can't really argue for one state or the other. My education in Georgia was superb, but I am sure schools are great in Virginia too.
Quality of life in my case is better in Virginia than it would have been in Savannah. I work for state government in Virginia and make about 25% more and get more time off and benefits than my counterparts in Georgia in the same field with similar levels of experience.
In the end I love both states and there are aspects of Georgia that I wish we had here in Virginia, but in the end I have made Virginia home and I think it is just a better place overall to live for me (but of course could be very different for others).
One thing, Virginia in general is far ahead in intercity passenger rail and intercity bus. Based on that comparison alone, Virginia easily wins. I never ever took Amtrak when I grew up in Savannah (nor did any of my family), but taking the Northeast Regional here in Lynchburg and Richmond to DC and NYC or even day trips to Cville is very popular and now I take the train about once a month. The state has also launched a very successful intercity bus from Radford to DC (Virginia Breeze) and will soon be adding two more Breeze services in the state on RTE 58 and RTE 29 next year. Passenger rail is also growing here with recent expansions to Roanoke and Norfolk and planned additional daily trains in the near future between Richmond/Roanoke up to DC. Even an east-west rail service is now in the planning phase and the DC - RVA high speed rail is further along in planning than high speed rail initiatives in GA.
Largely, Virginia is more bikeable and has better programs supporting bicycling. Though bicycling in downtown Savannah where I grew up and certain spots in Atlanta like the BeltLine and near universities is great, it pales in comparison to what Virginia has (especially with multiuse trails around the state like the Virginia Capital Trail and localities in NOVA). This even proven in the 2019 ranking of most bike friendly states where Virginia is ranked 9th and Georgia is 19th. It feels safer to bike on roads in Virginia than Georgia and I have cycled around both states extensively.
Virginia is very forward-thinking with regards to transportation. The state and its cities have advanced a number of key initiatives worthy of recognition:
Long Bridge (expand rail capacity south of DC...100% increase in Amtrak capacity, 75% increase in commuter rail capacity)
Silver Line Phase II (innovative funding mechanism)
Reagan-National Capital Airport redesign/expansion
Richmond GRTC Pulse BRT (very successful
S-P-A-C-E-P-O-R-T
Port of Virginia (Hampton Roads) massive expansion
Three Amtrak inter-city lines (currently studying expansion to Bristol and new east-west corridor)
I-66 tolling system
I-495/I-95/I-395 tolling systems
Metrorail improvements to land Amazon (Crystal City 2nd entrance, new Potomac Yard station)
All projects that have been completed or are currently in progress.
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Quality of life in my case is better in Virginia than it would have been in Savannah. I work for state government in Virginia and make about 25% more and get more time off and benefits than my counterparts in Georgia in the same field with similar levels of experience.
Good for you! Virginia pays its public servants well, which attracts a competent workforce. Everyone has gripes about their state government, but I have to say that Virginia overall is pretty efficient.
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