Is Albany, GA, a good place to live? (Macon, Valdosta: crime rates, home)

[justthemust]

Hello all,

I was exploring around Georgia on Google Earth, and virtually drove from I-75 from Valdosta to Macon. In between those areas was this isolated town called Albany, GA. Not remote, because it has a Target and some chain restaurants. But anyway, it was so off I-75 that you couldn't easily get to it from I-75. But anyway, is Albany, GA, a good place to live? I love exploring places on Google Earth but don't know about Albany that much. The only Albany I know is the capital of New York. What is it like to live in Albany, GA? Do you recommend it?

[Fountain-of-youth]

It's not depressing.

[msgsing]

I have no idea what’s it like now so someone else can answer. I was in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and was stationed there at what was then called Marine Corps Supply Center for several months. What a hard core strictly segregated hell hole back then.

Blacks off base were faced with white owned establishments not allowing black Marines or any black person from entering. And these were guys who had served in Vietnam or had come back. Not knocking current Albany or Georgia but the history always stuck in my mind.

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by justthemust

Hello all,

I was exploring around Georgia on Google Earth, and virtually drove from I-75 from Valdosta to Macon. In between those areas was this isolated town called Albany, GA. Not remote, because it has a Target and some chain restaurants. But anyway, it was so off I-75 that you couldn't easily get to it from I-75. But anyway, is Albany, GA, a good place to live? I love exploring places on Google Earth but don't know about Albany that much. The only Albany I know is the capital of New York. What is it like to live in Albany, GA? Do you recommend it?

Well...

The population of the City of Albany proper declined by nearly 8,000 residents between 2010 and 2020, so I don’t know if it could exactly be considered a thriving community at this point in time.

Albany is the industrial hub for extreme Southwest Georgia, but Albany does have some noticeable challenges... Noticeable challenges that the relative geographical isolation (that you mentioned) kind of seems to aggravate.

If one is considering living in Albany, Georgia, one probably definitely should visit Albany first to see if one would feel comfortable living there.

Following a near nation-leading 40.5% surge in violent crime in 2020, the Albany metro area stands alone as by far the most dangerous city in Georgia. Nearly 1,500 violent crimes were reported in the Albany metro area in 2020, or 1,008 for every 100,000 people. The increase was led by a 55% surge in cases of aggravated assaults and a near doubling of homicides -- from 12 in 2019 to 23 in 2020.

As is often the case in metro areas with high rates of criminal violence, Albany is home to a disproportionately large share of residents facing severe financial hardship. The local poverty rate of 22.6% is considerably higher than the comparable 12.3% national rate.

Albany, GA Is Among the Most Dangerous US Metro Areas (The Center Square/24-7 Wall Street)

[Southern man]

Originally Posted by Born 2 Roll

Well...

The population of the City of Albany proper declined by nearly 8,000 residents between 2010 and 2020, so I don’t know if it could exactly be considered a thriving community at this point in time.

Albany is the industrial hub for extreme Southwest Georgia, but Albany does have some noticeable challenges... Noticeable challenges that the relative geographical isolation (that you mentioned) kind of seems to aggravate.

If one is considering living in Albany, Georgia, one probably definitely should visit Albany first to see if one would feel comfortable living there.



Albany, GA Is Among the Most Dangerous US Metro Areas (The Center Square/24-7 Wall Street)

This is so depressing. I lived in Albany for one year, 1964 and thought it was a great place to live.

[GRS86]

To answer you question in one word, No!!!

[ellie]

It’s still one of the least expensive cities in the US to live in.

[Born 2 Roll]

Originally Posted by ellie

It’s still one of the least expensive cities in the US to live in.

Significant population decline, very high crime rates, very high poverty rates, relative geographical isolation.

Albany, Georgia may be one of the least expensive cities in the the U.S. to live in, but there clearly appears to be some notable reasons why Albany has such inexpensive living costs.

[Fountain-of-youth]

Originally Posted by Born 2 Roll

Significant population decline, very high crime rates, very high poverty rates, relative geographical isolation.

Albany, Georgia may be one of the least expensive cities in the the U.S. to live in, but there clearly appears to be some notable reasons why Albany has such inexpensive living costs.

Still have some decent retail shopping options. It has the amenities and affordability but not the leadership.

[ellie]

Originally Posted by Born 2 Roll

Significant population decline, very high crime rates, very high poverty rates, relative geographical isolation.

Albany, Georgia may be one of the least expensive cities in the the U.S. to live in, but there clearly appears to be some notable reasons why Albany has such inexpensive living costs.

That’s true, but as with many cities, crime is worse in certain areas and low in others. It has a long history of racial inequality and “red lining” where people of color could not live or buy property. MLK, Jr. held a mostly forgotten march there in 1961. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albany_Movement

I’ve spoken with Albany State University students, a traditional Black college, who say they are enjoying their studies in Albany. I knew a prominent Black architect who sent his children there.

There are plenty of hunting and fishing opportunities in the vicinity and a strong “Good ole boy” vibe to the place. Seems a lot of people attend church. Winters are mild, summers are hot. Panama City Beach is not too far away.

Albany could do better but it’s really not that bad. It’s probably a good place to retire if someone wants a quiet life with decent amenities.