New Job in Albany, GA (Columbus, Thomasville: high crime, house, unemployment)

[Fxguy1]

I'm in the late interview process for a position in Albany, GA. We currently live in Champaign, IL and are originally from the Chicago area. What is it like in the Albany area? The research I can see mentions an elevated rate of crime including violent crime.

We are a family of 4 with a 4 and 6 year old. Are there safe / good areas within 30-45 minutes of Albany? What are the schools in the area like?

With unemployment the way it is, I've been out of work since July last year, so the opportunity to actually have a job is pretty attractive, but not if it means risking the safety of my family.

Thanks!

[citidata18]

If you don't mind me asking, what exactly attracted you to Albany?

I hear you about the unemployment situation, but there are a ton of other places across the country that would come to mind for job opportunities before Albany.

[Fxguy1]

Yes. It’s the first serious job opportunity I’ve had. It’s also as an informatics pharmacist full time which is something I’ve been trying to get into for several years now.

[citidata18]

Originally Posted by Fxguy1

Yes. It’s the first serious job opportunity I’ve had. It’s also as an informatics pharmacist full time which is something I’ve been trying to get into for several years now.

Well good luck! I hope this position works out for you.

[mollybygolly]

Originally Posted by Fxguy1

I'm in the late interview process for a position in Albany, GA. We currently live in Champaign, IL and are originally from the Chicago area. What is it like in the Albany area? The research I can see mentions an elevated rate of crime including violent crime.

We are a family of 4 with a 4 and 6 year old. Are there safe / good areas within 30-45 minutes of Albany? What are the schools in the area like?

With unemployment the way it is, I've been out of work since July last year, so the opportunity to actually have a job is pretty attractive, but not if it means risking the safety of my family.

Thanks!

I'm originally from Champaign, IL and most of my family still lives there. I'm now in north Florida, about 25 miles south of Thomasville, GA.

There are good and bad areas of Albany, just like there are in Champaign. My best friend's sister has lived there for over 30 years and has no concerns. Do your research, check out school ratings. Education in the south is very different from education in central Illinois, as a general rule

[Fxguy1]

Originally Posted by mollybygolly

Education in the south is very different from education in central Illinois, as a general rule

How so?

[mollybygolly]

It's been 20 years since my kids were in school here in rural north Florida, so I probably have no idea of how things are now. My perception is that quality education is not as much of a priority in the south in general, as it was in Illinois. I could be very wrong, but I stand by my advice to check out the school ratings when choosing where to live, unless you plan to homeschool or send your kids to private school

My friend's sister homeschooled her 3 kids in Albany.

[AnsleyPark]

Originally Posted by mollybygolly

It's been 20 years since my kids were in school here in rural north Florida, so I probably have no idea of how things are now. My perception is that quality education is not as much of a priority in the south in general, as it was in Illinois. I could be very wrong, but I stand by my advice to check out the school ratings when choosing where to live, unless you plan to homeschool or send your kids to private school

My friend's sister homeschooled her 3 kids in Albany.

I grew up in the Albany area and many of my family live there. The school system is mediocre at best (my sister taught public elementary school for 30 years and sent her kids to the local private school, Deerfield-Windsor - that should tell you a bit). Plenty of folks who live in Albany love it. I would look for housing in Lee County (Leesburg) next door to Albany. Otherwise, west Albany is likely the nicer of the intown areas.

Best of luck with your move!

[Brian_M]

Originally Posted by Fxguy1

With unemployment the way it is, I've been out of work since July last year...

Cripes, is the pharmacy profession THAT bad now? I knew it got bad about a decade ago when the market was flooded at the exact time the last Recession was going on, but a year? Or have you been picky, no retail, no staff clinical, turning down anything with on-call or weekends? I'm interested because that's my wifes profession and she's hitting the limit of tolerance with her current job and we're both about sick to death of Georgia racial/political tensions, thankfully we don't have kids else we wouldn't be in GA due to the education system.



Can't help with Albany, have only been in the area a couple times. My perception of it is as an area to avoid though, and I live near Columbus (exceedingly high crime and terrible public education all its own). At least it's stupid cheap to buy property... I mean, a 1500sq/ft 3/1 for $20k? Probably a Terrible area and in need of a full renovation, but a house for the cost of a base model Honda civic?

[bu2]

Originally Posted by Fxguy1

I'm in the late interview process for a position in Albany, GA. We currently live in Champaign, IL and are originally from the Chicago area. What is it like in the Albany area? The research I can see mentions an elevated rate of crime including violent crime.

We are a family of 4 with a 4 and 6 year old. Are there safe / good areas within 30-45 minutes of Albany? What are the schools in the area like?

With unemployment the way it is, I've been out of work since July last year, so the opportunity to actually have a job is pretty attractive, but not if it means risking the safety of my family.

Thanks!

Schools generally not very good but there are a number of private schools.

Crime has gone up. But as someone else said, there are nice areas of Albany.

Sounds like the job opportunity is good. If you don't like Albany, you will have a better opportunity to find another job after a couple years in that one. And the people in South Georgia are nice.